1. When is the best time to come hunt?
2. How do I find a reputable guide?
3. Should I try the public land on my own ?
4. Who needs a license, what type and where do I get it?
5. When are the season dates announced?
6. What do I need to bring?

Early trips can produce good hunting, too. 
Especially in NE Arkansas.  They usually have more
water and ducks than the Stuttgart area in early November. 
The weather just tends to be warmer, usually less water and
not as many ducks and geese as later in the year.  But,
a trip at the Thanksgiving weekend allows you to make it to
the Wings Over
the Prairie Festival in Stuttgart.  Within the
Festival is the World Duck Calling Contest, the Duck Gumbo Cook off,
and the Sporting Clays event.  All of this makes for
one of the best parties in Arkansas and brings duck hunters
& vendors from all over the country for this annual
event.  For more information on the Wings Over the
Prairie Festival, go to HERE.

Obviously, when to come is very dependent on the
weather, which is beyond our control.   It is
probably just plain, dumb luck if you can time it right. 

This question is probably one of the most often
asked of us and should be asked more.   Many
hunters have paid a lot of money to be taken on some pretty
sorry duck hunts.   You will come across horror
stories such as guides shooting first when ducks hit the
hole, sky bust shots versus working ducks in the hole,
dragging groups of twenty hunters into public land, and I am
sure many others.  This activity has earned a lot of
guide services an unfair reputation by being lumped in with
these "outlaws".  The trick to
prevent this is to do your homework before booking a trip.

A trip with a good guide can make it worth every
penny.  These guys know the hunting areas, whether
public or private, better than most and can get you where
the ducks are.  Without a guide, you risk not knowing
where to go, getting lost and/or not firing your gun. 
A first or second time visitor to Arkansas duck hunting
should definitely hook up with a guide to learn where to go
and how to do it.  Arkansas duck hunting is done a
little different and learning from an experienced hunter and
having some success can make your trip what you dreamed of
back in June when you booked it.

When you start thinking about making a trip, look
for guide services that have been in business a while. 
With duck numbers up, a lot of Mickey Mouse operations have
gotten into the business with no substance to their guide
business and are looking to make a quick buck.  Also,
ask for out of state references.  Talk to other hunters
who have been with the guide service you are looking into. 
They should tell you what to expect when you show up. 
Find  a guide that hunts like you want to hunt. (ie-small
parties or large corporate-style hunts, father-son, timber,
fields, river shooting, duck/goose combos, or whatever) 
Also, ask to speak to the owner versus a guide.  Tell
them what you want and most times they will make sure you
get it.   Another tip is to ask around on guide
services to see if they have a bad reputation.  Some
guides have had some run-ins with Wildlife Officers in the
past but are still guiding duck hunts.  These guys are
likely to get you in some trouble you don't want.

Most folks believe they are good enough duck
hunters to have a successful duck hunt by wondering into
Arkansas' famous public hunting spots and finding that
perfect honey hole.   Although some do, most are
likely to hunt in an overcrowded area right off the boat
launch with every other inexperienced hunter.  The
public property obviously brings out some of the most
inexperienced hunters around and it is known for its
tree-topping, sky busts that will mess up your duck hunt
fast.  To get away from this worthless activity, you
have to know where to go.  This is where hiring a good,
reputable guide can make for a dream duck hunt in the
Arkansas flooded timber.

A good guide will know places to go to get you and
your hunting party away from the sky busting idiots where
you can work ducks into the hole without their shots flaring
the ducks every time they get close to committing. 
Also, you can learn how to work ducks in the timber. 
Calling and working ducks in the timber is different style
of hunting that lake, field or river hunting.  From
these guides, you can learn when to call, when not to call,
when to take the shot and so on.  We definitely
recommend getting a guide if it is your first or second time
to Arkansas to hunt.

If you decide to go it alone, make sure to get a
good map, carry a compass and have lots of patience for the
skybusters.  Places like Bayou Meto can get way
overcrowded and I promise you have never been as frustrated
on a duck hunt as when you show up at Bayou Meto with a
couple of hundred skybusters that don't care whether you
kill a duck or not.  Although it is "duck hunter's
etiquette" not to skybust another guy's ducks, they
have as much right to be there as anybody else, so you have
to find the spots to get away from them.  Also, hunt
with a buddy or two.  Many a hunters have wandered off
looking for that honey hole and gotten lost.  It is
amazing how all of the flooded timber looks alike and it is
so easy to get lost.  Also, every few years, a hunter
wanders off and ends up drowning in a stump hole.  It
just happened last year and you have to be careful.

Everything you need to know is located at the
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission site located at HERE. 
You can even purchase your license on-line now at their
site.

Our season dates are announced in mid-August after
the USFWS gives its guidelines on when the Mississippi
Flyway seasons can run.  Last year under the 60 day
format, our season began in mid-November and was divided
into three splits finishing up on mid/late January.  
Usually, every weekend is open from start to finish with
short breaks during the week.  The season is open on
Thanksgiving and usually closed on Christmas day. 
There was a youth hunt day on December 23rd last year and
the season was closed to all other hunters that day. 
Check back HERE
in mid-August and we will have the dates for you.

The weather during duck season can range from 70
degrees to 20 degrees in a matter of days.  About
Arkansas weather, they say "If you don't like the
weather, stay a few days and it will change."  So
bringing a wide range of clothes is a smart move.  Best
camo patterns are your Mossy Oak Treestand or Break Up for
the timber and Shadow Grass for field hunting.  Of
course, any pattern similar to these is fine but ducks can
see exceptionally well in the timber on bright, sunny days
so cover up.  A face mask or face paint is required if
you like watching the ducks.  Always bring chest
waders, especially if hunting in the timber.  The water
is often shallow enough to wade in and allows you to be more
versatile.  Hip boots can get by in early season hunts
or under extreme shallow water conditions.

Most hunters shoot 12 gauge guns in either a
3" or 3.5".  Timber hunters usually shoot
2s,4s, or 6s while field shooters often shoot BBs, 1s &
2s.  Just depends on your longest shot and whether
decoying birds or pass shooting.  If you are lucky, a
boat paddle will do the job because when you really get into
them in the timber, the ducks light close enough to reach
out and touch.

Bring your dog if you can.  Timber and rice
field retrieves are tough and the dog doesn't have on waders
to fill up with water when they fall.  Nothing is more
trying on a hunter's balance than chasing that cripple with
underwater cypress knees tripping you or rice field tractor
ruts to hurdle.

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If you have any other questions, feel free to
contact us.