Fall 2009 Wet Lands Touring Schedule

[DeBo]

Fall 2009 Wet Lands Touring Schedule

Note: As the date for each of these trips passes, a new thread for the next upcoming float will be put up for planning and a follow up trip report.


A lot of people have expressed an interest in getting out into the amazingly beautiful wetlands of eastern Arkansas to paddle. The process of building a network of marked water trails in the Big Woods and elsewhere is just beginning. This spring the first official trail brought to you by a partnership between the ACC and the AGFC opened on Wattensaw Bayou.

http://www.agfc.com/misc/awt/awt-trails ... ensaw.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now we are planning more trails on Bayou DeView, The Cache River and some of the backwaters of the White River Refuge.
Fall is a great time to get on the water in East Arkansas and I think it is also a great time to give everyone a preview of things to come.

I have put together an agenda of trips, beginning with a great fall foliage float on the Cache River. The Cache has huge cypress trees that turn copper colored, Water Tupelo with large pale yellow leaves and brightly colored Sweetgum and Maple to top it off.

All dates and locations are tentative and subject to change according to conditions. I will post more detailed information here as the dates come up. Address any questions to this topic and I will answer as soon as I can. Stay tuned to this channel.

November 1-Cache River-Rex Hancock Black Swamp: Plan to meet at the McDonald’s in Beebe just off Hwy 67 at 9:30AM

November 7- Bayou Deview- Dagmar WMA

November 14- Arkansas Post: Plan to join the official tour at the Post

November 28- Maddox Bay: White River Refuge

December 5- H Lake: White River Refuge
UPDATE 11/3 - Access Roads currently under water. Alternate location will be chosen soon if it looks like levels won't drop in time for trip to proceed as planned.

December 19- East Lake: White River Refuge

January 1, 2010- Wattensaw Bayou: Happy New Year Red Hot Cider Float!

[chubs]

In efforts to keep everyone informed of their surroundings...please be careful on these waterways this time of year. A few dates popped out to me so I went and checked the AGFC guidebook.

The only big overlap to report on is the Nov. 7th Dagmar date. AGFC Dagmar WMA's modern gun permit hunt is Nov. 7th - 11th. Only 200 permits are given out for this hunt and no one else is "supposed" to be hunting on Dagmar at this time.

There is a youth modern gun hunt on the White River Refuge Dec. 6th and 7th, but that is the Cook's lake area only. I'd have to look at a map to see if that's anywhere close to where you guys will be.

The rest of the dates look clear from any other "high-powered" weapon permit hunts. But, bow hunters will be out in these areas any other time during deer season unless AGFC flood regions are closed (which some currently are).

For more info on permit hunting dates for these or any AGFC management area or National Refuge, you can check the AFGC hunting guidebook - http://www.agfc.com/!userfiles/pdfs/gui ... 64-133.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, you can check for any closures due to high water on the AGFC website - http://www.agfc.com/hunting/misc_huntin ... prone.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Be careful out there and know you won't be the only one out there. And I have to advise it wouldn't be the best idea to dress in brown and wear antlers on your head this time of year.

Enjoy your floats.

[Cowper]

Thanks!

DeBo and I have sometimes used the "just go" approach, and with only two of us have not had any interactions that concerned us or seemed to bother other area users. However, with a group, our presence may be more of an issue. DeBo will make a few adjustments to the schedule to minimize the potential for getting in other's way. We would love to have you review that and comment again if you have the time. Not being a hunter, I've sometimes had difficulty navigating the multiple zones and multiple hunt seasons to see what areas have what hunts going on at any given time.

[chubs]

Sure...I'll be glad to look things over. Happy to help.

I'm not trying to deter anyone from going, but for those that may not know these waterways run through some game and fish hunting areas, it may come as a surprise to hear a gun go off every now and then.

I'm more aware of what's going on in this part of the state since this is where I dedicate my time to hunt. In the past I was more focused on Wattensaw, but recently, I have expanded to Cache, Dagmar and White River Refuge.

One of these days, purchasing a canoe is on my list of to-do's. I'd love to join you guys on these type trips in the spring.

[martinm]

Thanks Deb, I'll try and make as many as I can... Might suggest to folks to wear a hunter orange vest during modern gun and the youth hunt, just to be on the safe side. Buck fever can get pretty bad You can pick up a vest at Fort Thompson in Sherwood or any Walmart for about 5 bucks.

Martin

[msullivan57]

I plan to make the Cache River trip this Sunday. Will it be a orange or chartreuse trip due to hunting in the area? Thanks for all your hard work on these trips.

Mike

[Mary Anne]

Not positive yet, but working on making this Saturday's trip...even though my brother will be there! Wishing some of the trips were on Sundays...

Mary Anne

[Mary Anne]

Oops...I meant this Sunday's trip!

Mary Anne

[c8mb]

I see you're meeting at Beebe, but isn't Rex Hancock-Black Swamp near McCrory and Augusta?

[DeBo]

I see you're meeting at Beebe, but isn't Rex Hancock-Black Swamp near McCrory and Augusta?

You are correct. The Mc Donalds in Beebe is just a convenient place to meet people coming from both Little Rock and Conway. We pool up there and go the rest of the way together.

[Butch Crain]

Where would be a good place to meet nearer the float?

Might try to make it if my weekend, honey-do, landscaping supplies don't get delivered this week (think $10 would put the fix in?)

[chubs]

Just wanted to give an update...with all the rain that came through, Clarendon went ahead and bumped up over 28 (and still rising).

AGFC reports their flood region closings at 3:00 pm. The Dagmar modern gun permit hunt will be cancelled. Clarendon has to come back down to 27 before the flood region is re-opened. That will likely not happen anytime soon.

I'd still caution on the safe side and wear orange, but I wanted to report there should not be any hunters in Dagmar if you are still planning on floating the 7th.

[toltecs]

I am interested in possibly meeting you for the paddle this Sunday. However, I would be coming from Memphis and would prefer to meet you closer to the put-in. Do you know where you plan to put-in and take-out?

Thanks,
mark

[DeBo]

We could meet you at the highway 260 bridge over the Cache, that is if it is not under water! :shock:

I am still planning on going even if the river is at flood. We will be able to paddle through some places we don't normally get to go.

[Cowper]

I am still planning on going even if the river is at flood.

Debo meant to say: I am still planning on going even THOUGH the river is at flood. Not "if".