Regular readers will know — and likely groan — at our continuing interest in encouraging the Game and Fish Commission to spend a lot more effort on wildlife appreciation beyond hunters and anglers. Wildlife tourism — bird watching, hiking, photography, etc. — has been exploited handsomely in many other states. G&FC argues that it is doing much in this direction already.

Comes now legislation that avows it would encourage wildlife tourism in Arkansas. They’d like to see Game and Fish use some of its gas lease money to do it.

Advertisement

This bill, with some 61 House sponsors, calls for development of “wildife recreation facilities” with gas royalties. This bill potentially steps on two big sets of toes — Game and Fish and its constitutional prerogatives and 2) the Parks and Tourism Department. The Department of Rural Services would like to try this pilot project.

Is it really about wildlife tourism? Or is it about forcing Game and Fish to divert some money to small towns to build shooting ranges, fishing ponds and boat launches, sort of a junior Game and Fish for rural areas to divvy up? You tell me.

Advertisement

This companion bill is more along the lines of what I’ve been thinking about. Development of wildlife trials — which would improve access to hunting and fishing to be sure — developed in cooperation with Parks and Tourism.

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Ain’t that the blues: Two dead Arkansans make the Blues Hall of Fame cut Next article More pain