My crocuses are blooming, walleye are showing spawning activity, and snakes are coming out. Animals are coming out of hibernation, but this cold spell will push them all back for a short period.
Snakes typically emerge from brumation – their low-energy state during winter – in March or April and remain active through October. But warmer temperatures in February can bring them out as with walleye.
Another animal that I would like to bring your attention to is the mountain lion. Many say that Arkansas doesn’t have mountain lines. But Arkansas Game & Fish has cleared this up for us.
Mountain lions – also known as pumas and cougars – lived throughout Arkansas until about 1920. Over the years, several sightings have been reported in other parts of the state. There have been 23 confirmed mountain lion sightings in Arkansas since 2010. Mountain lions are solitary cats native to North America. They are typically shy and reclusive, and have learned to avoid people.
In November 2014, a deer hunter killed a 148-pound male mountain lion east of Hermitage in Bradley County. It was the first recorded time a mountain lion had been killed in Arkansas since 1975.
AGFC Large Carnivore Biologist Myron Means said, “Mountain lions are not game animals; just like with other animals that do not have a recognized hunting season. They are illegal to kill. A limited ‘self-defense’ exception exists in regulation when a person acts under a good faith belief that he was protecting himself or other persons from imminent bodily harm or serious injury.”
Fishing is fixing to bust loose in every body of water in this area. Walleye are creeping up the White River, they are hit and miss. Sizes need to be 18 inches and four per limit per person.
Crappie are still abundant on Beaver Lake, this past weekend was packed with crappie anglers. Good reports on Table Rock, also.
If you have any other questions or are ready to book a fishing trip or sightseeing adventure, give us a call at Customer Adventures Guide Service, ask for Lisa, (479) 244-5259.
“I go fishing not to find myself but to lose myself.” – Joseph Monninger