Hunting White River NWR

[SgtBeRad]

Hey all,  I just PCS'ed in to Arkansas in May and I'm looking to bow hunt White River NWR.  I have heard that there are some giants there. Has anyone hunted there with any sucess, and if so where? I'm not looking to steal your honey hole, just looking for places to start scouting.  Being military I have to plan everything months in advance to make sure that I get the time off to go scout/hunt.  For those that have hunted White River is the North unit better than the South, or vice versa.  I know you have to have a permit, but it seems that the permit is easy enough to get.  Im stationed up at Little Rock so its a bit of a drive to go down and scout/hunt so any information and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[roy]

I haven't hunted there much, but live in the area.  Bow hunters usually do the best in late November and in December-after everything settles down from the gun hunt.  Some people kill a big deer every year on the refuge, but they put in many hours in the tree.  May not see alot of deer, but the chance of seeing a big one are very good.  There are several 140-plus deer taken every year from the refuge.  On another note, the lakes on the refuge are right for crappie fishing now.  Its better during the week.  There's alot of pressure on the weekend and boats everywhere.

[Dave]

I also just PCS'd here this month (Army) and am in the same boat looking for new places to hunt... Im up in North West Arkansas(Bella Vista) and trying to find public land is hard unless I drive for an hour or more.... especially with a rifle so it looks like ill do a lot of bow hunting too..