Let’s look at a few ways you can make these next two weeks of September the most productive days you’ve ever spent in the woods.

Travel Routes: If you’ve hunted the same area for a while, you’ve probably learned that deer often use the same travel routes year after year. Just like humans, whitetails travel the path of least resistance to/from bedding and feeding areas. Except during the rut, their travel patterns can be very predictable. Find a hot path, and you’ve just drasitically increased your chances of taking a big buck. A little known fact is that mature does and bucks will use a parallel route to the hot route. This secondary route can be within eyesight, or it can be 150 or so yards away. Keep that in mind when you are entering and exiting your stand. If you don’t, you could ruin your chances at a good buck by either spooking a deer on this alternative route, or spreading your scent along it.

Another aspect of deer movement is the creation of funnels. Of course, there are natural funnels of topography and vegetation that force deer to move through a certain area. But you can dictate that movement yourself. Carve a path of least resistance by clearing brush, widening a path, creating a fence opening, etc., and you can bet the bucks on your property will take advantage. Think of it as rolling out the red carpet for ol’ Mossy Horns.

Come inside to read more pre-season deer hunting scouting tactics.

The Farm Bureau, which lobbies on agricultural issues and provides insurance, said Tuesday that 300,000 acres will be lost for rice production this year at a cost of $300 million. Arkansas produces about half of the nation’s rice…

While the most concerning part of the flood is the livelihood of the thousands of Arkansans who have lost their homes, their main source of income and, for some, even their lives, the question in the back of every duck hunter’s mind  in Arkansas is “How will this affect our duck season”.

The wintering ducks will loose a major source of food, public hunting land in Arkansas could see drastic changes in the landscape, and local communities will remain devastated for quite some time. The true affect on 2011-2012 Arkansas duck season will not be known until late October or early November. However, one thing is for sure, we won’t be praying for rain anytime soon.

Come join Arkansas Hunting Forum to see pictures and discuss the flood’s impact on Arkansas.

Winners receive their choice of a custom acrylic duck call engraved with Arkansas Outdoors Online from our good friends at Killer Kallz, or some duck hunting gear from Tanglefree Decoys.

Voting ends on February 15, so don’t forget to cast your ballot.

The fishing tournament selection was based on a 70 team entry and that mark has been reached, with 168 total fishermen entered to participate.

The Arkansas fishing tournament is a two day event on March 26 & 27 sponsored by the Conway Advertising & Promotion Commission, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird, and Spike-It

The Ultimate Challenge is a jigging tournament where anglers can only use one pole per angler with artificial bait only. Payback is 100% in cash and prizes. For more about this Arkansas fishing tournament head over to our Arkansas Fishing Forum

New iPhone Apps Cater to Hunters, Fishermen

For over 35 years, sportsmen around the world have trusted Datasport Inc’s reliable and accurate game and fish forecasts to increase their success in the woods and on the water. Now, thanks to two new iPhone applications, hunters and fishermen can receive the forecasts directly on their mobile phones.

The HuntCast and FishCast apps are simple, to-the-point applications that allow users to select a date from a calendar and view the forecast graph for that date. The graphs predict “excellent “good,” and “fair” hunting times, and also include the current moon phase. There is no need to enter location data, as the forecasts are accurate in the entire Northern Hemisphere.

Continue reading the full press release at TheOutdoorWire.com.