Arkansas bullfrog season has begun
LITTLE ROCK – Winter’s last gasp may keep some frogs quiet during the night this week, but bullfrogs should be sounding off at night again soon, and frog-gigging fanatics will be back to chasing them on ponds and lakes throughout Arkansas. Bullfrog season opened April 15 and will run through Dec. 31.
It may not come with the fanfare of opening day of deer season, and no one’s ever joined a “gigging camp,” but the men and women willing to put forth some effort can be handsomely rewarded for their “legwork.”
In Arkansas, only bullfrogs may be harvested, and a valid fishing license is required. The limit is 18 frogs per day, measured from noon one day until noon the next day. Bullfrogs may not be sold except by fish farmers with a valid commercial bullfrog permit.
Wisconsin DNR Seeks Comment For Wild Rice Management Strategic Analysis
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on a draft Statewide Strategic Analysis of Wild Rice Management through June 7, 2021.
Wild rice is part of Wisconsin’s natural landscape. Beds of wild rice help maintain good water quality, and they provide food and habitat for waterfowl and many other types of wildlife. Protecting and managing wild rice will help ensure many wildlife species persevere for all to enjoy. Wild rice is also a culturally significant plant to Wisconsin’s Native American tribes, which have a personal and longstanding connection to wild rice.
Wisconsin Sturgeon Spawning Underway
We have been getting reports of sturgeon spawning on the Fox and Wolf River. We anticipate spawning to be in full swing in the Wolf River system through the weekend, unless colder temperatures halt spawning activities and cause a more protracted spawning period.
On Wednesday evening, sturgeon started spawning at Sturgeon Trail in New London and yesterday crews saw fish heavily spawning there. Bamboo Bend had some slight spawning activity yesterday evening but will likely have heavy spawning activity today.
These two locations will have spawning fish into the weekend and will likely be the best locations to view sturgeon for the next couple of days.
April typically an active month for Arizona rattlesnakes
PHOENIX With more people getting outdoors to take advantage of the state’s warm, spring weather, it’s important to keep in mind that 13 species of rattlesnakes also call Arizona home.
Depending on location, the species that are encountered most often are the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave and black-tailed rattlesnakes.
“Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and we can all celebrate that amazing biodiversity,” said Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
In warm desert areas, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. During the spring, it’s not uncommon for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight hours. As the days become increasingly hot, though, usually around early May, rattlesnakes tend to move around more at night.