Where is your best spot for Watchable Wildlife?

[DeBo]

I have been asked by Arkansas Game and Fish to do a segment of Outdoor Hotline on AETN. The subject will be their watchable wildlife program. We will be talking about places in Arkansas where wildlife can be seen.

I know the places that I like to go and wildlife can be seen on any stream in the state, but I would like to get some feedback from others here.

What are your favorite places to go to see wildlife; lakes, streams or just hiking?

[Clif]

My back porch.

[DeBo]

My back porch.

So Cliff, does that mean I can tell people on public TV to come to your house?

[msullivan57]

This might be kind of an obvious one in Little Rock. I like walking in Two Rivers Park. There are two three mile trails on the old county farm put in by Pulaski County. The north trail is a little livelier, animal wise. It's nice to see 35 deer grazing a couple of hundred feet from the path. And smaller groups a few feet from the path. Also, lots of armadillos, green snakes, Western Cottonmouths (laying on the asphalt sunning), and lots of little flying critters (not mosquitoes, their not wildlife, their varmints) . All up close and personal.

Mike

[kayakrat]

I have seen the most wildlife on the trail from COmpton down to Hemmed In Falls. It's a pretty rough hike once you get about half way through, but I always spook at least one herd of deer and always see tons of birds. Also if you have binocs, the view from setting on some of the outcroppings is amazing.

[Trismegistus]

Right Here!

[Richard]

Looking up. I normally keep my focus at eye level but if I lay on a mat or cot and look up, its amazing all the wildlife activity that takes place right above me. Looking down is interesting too. Lots of activity taking place underfoot. As Clif pointed out our own back yard is a great place to start.

Any Arkansas river is a good spot. Animals need water too.

It also depends on what type of wildlife you are looking for. The Elk Center at Ponca draws an abundance of birds to the feeders. Boxley Valley for Elk. I have seen turkey, eagles, mink and otter on the Buffalo. Mount Magazine for butterflies. Waterfowl - Holla Bend and Great Grand Prairie. Fire ants - South Arkansas.

And as CB pointed out, sadly, the side of the road.

[Paddlegal]

The Arkansas River from Willow Beach park. Armadillos, Great Herons, Green Herons, Egrets, turtles and I'm positive I was scared by an alligator. :shock: lots of water snakes too

[Clif]

So Cliff, does that mean I can tell people on public TV to come to your house?

Uhh.... no... Let's not do that. How 'bout somewhere in the Ouachitas??!

Slow driving or walking along many streams in the Nat Forest we have seen many critters.

[KimL]

My back porch.

So Cliff, does that mean I can tell people on public TV to come to your house?

I was going to say about our back porch what Clif said about his, but now I won't.


Perhaps you could suggest that people view wildlife early in the morning and near dusk--not so much about place as time. In my experience, those times of day are when I see the most. Sitting quietly helps too, whether you are floating in a boat (not paddling) or sitting near a trail, instead of being active.

[DeBo]

Thanks everyone. We are so lucky here in Arkansas. Most of us can still live close to nature and see wildlife from our back porch. Richard, all your suggestions are good. I especially like the idea of just looking down or up and Kim, I agree 100 percent that just sitting still and watching gives the best chance of seeing.

Seasons of course make a difference in what species can be seen also.

Thanks for the specific suggests of places also. This is important for all those city dwellers who are not lucky enough to have good view from the porch.

Has anyone found a good place to see otters? I have seen them in the Ouachita and in Bayou Deview.

[gfitzge7]

I would say my favorite is in the Gene Rush WMA on the Buffalo. I have had elk come within 200 ft of my campsite and had them cross the river in front of me. As well as the plenty of other small animals.

[Richard]

I have seen otters several times on the Buffalo. Most recent was in March near the mouth of the Little Buffalo. I have also seen them on the middle and Lower sections. Mink also. I saw mink on the Ouachita between Remmel dam and Rockport.

And don't forget Fouche LaFavre (sic?) in Little Rock for seeing wildlife.

When is the taping? When the tower went down in January, I lost AETN.

[Roger]

Trumpeter swans at Magness Lake in Cleburne County during their wintering months.

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Or skunk watching off my front porch where I almost urinated on one during the falling darkness of the evening!

[Crane]

TMI, Roger... TMI!!