Arkansas

State gobbler harvest highest in 20 years | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

2 months ago

May 25, 2026

State gobbler harvest highest in 20 years | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas turkey hunters checked 13,591 turkeys during this year’s official turkey hunting season, which ended May 10. According to historical data, this is the highest spring turkey harvest since 2006.

“Arkansas had a good amount of mature gobblers on the ground this year, thanks to conservative seasons during the last few years promoting high gobbler carryover. This was complemented by good weather two years ago that enabled the birds to take advantage of improved habitat in many pockets across the state,” said Allison Fowler, assistant chief of wildlife management with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “We also saw a change in our season structure this year that offered split opening weekends. We’re analyzing those results to see if it played a large role in the harvest.”

Although this is the highest harvest since 2006, Arkansas’s record turkey harvest was in 2003, when hunters checked 19,947 birds. A quick dive into the comparison reveals that this year’s harvest isn’t too far off that mark when accounting for a few major differences in season structure.

In 2003, hunters shot 4,610 jake turkeys. Nearly a quarter of the harvest was made up of these immature male birds. Only 15,225 mature gobblers were taken that spring.

“We established the ‘no jakes rule’ in 2011,” Fowler said. “Since then, only youth hunters can legally harvest an immature gobbler and they may only take one per season.”

Fowler said even though youth hunters can take a jake, most still opt for a mature bird if they have the choice. This year’s harvest of just over 300 jakes is a testament to that.

“We had a good amount of mature birds out there gobbling. Youths have the first shot at the birds, so we saw less than 3 percent of the harvest made up of jakes this year. That hopefully translates to decent numbers of adult gobblers available for hunters next year.”

The remaining 112 turkeys counted in the 2003 harvest were bearded hens, which were also legal to harvest at that time. The legal harvest of bearded hen turkeys was eliminated in 2021 to maximize reproductive success in Arkansas’s flock.

“Hunters really self-regulate themselves when it comes to hens, so the hen harvest never was very high, but the elimination of the bearded hen harvest reinforces the idea for hunters that their decisions in the woods matter to the population,” Fowler said. “2003 also had an earlier and longer season. Hunters had 37 days to take a bird in most of the state in 2003. This year, zones 1 and 2 were open for 21 days each, while our more restrictive zones were only open for nine days. The previous liberal structure was not favorable when poor weather during the nesting and hatching time period saw decreased reproduction success.”

Game and Fish biologists are cautiously optimistic that Arkansas’s turkey population is still in good shape following the season.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Cash 3, Cash 4 winning numbers for July 12, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Press Room

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, July 12, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 12 drawing

Evening: 7-0-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 12 drawing

Evening: 5-3-0-9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from July 12 drawing

07-12-15-26-35

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 12 drawing

12-21-39-46-48, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arkansas

Arkansas officials react to death of Sen. Lindsey Graham

Published

21 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas officials react to death of Sen. Lindsey Graham

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said. He was 71.

Hours later, another statement from Graham’s office said the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia’s preliminary findings are the senator died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. That is an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of Graham’s arteries.

Arkansas officials released statements following the death of Graham.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following statement:

“Bryan and I are sending our deepest sympathies to the people of South Carolina as they mourn the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. He was a veteran, a longtime public servant, and a leading voice on foreign relations, but I remember him most for his partnership during the fight to get Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Working on the White House team, we needed allies like Senator Graham who would fight hard for what they knew was right, and it was thanks to his forcefulness that we were able to get Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation over the finish line. America has lost one of its finest Senators, and my prayers are with Senator Graham’s family, staff, colleagues in the U.S. Senate, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Attorney General Tim Griffin posted on Facebook:

“Lindsey Graham will long be remembered as a stalwart of the U.S. Senate. His legacy is that of a problem solver and a passionate advocate for our national security. He understood America’s leadership role in the world and helped craft policies that supported that role. In addition to his 23 years in the U.S. Senate, he also served his country with distinction as a JAG officer in the United States Air Force for 33 years. Rest in peace, Senator Graham. A grateful nation thanks you for your service.”

Fellow Sen. John Boozman posted on X:

“The sudden passing of my friend and colleague Lindsey Graham is an incredible loss for the Senate, his beloved South Carolina and our country. Public service, whether in the Air Force or in Congress, was his life’s work. We were fortunate to serve with such a fierce advocate for American leadership through both diplomacy and a strong military. Cathy and I are heartbroken and join all those praying for his family, friends and staff as we mourn a dear friend and patriot.”

Sen. Tom Cotton also posted on X:

“Lindsey Graham was an American original. A truly self-made man, he lost his parents at an early age and cared for his younger sister. That same sense of responsibility and duty took him into the Air Force and the Congress. Lindsey was a great champion for our military, our troops, and our national security. A lover of liberty and a true patriot, Lindsey never stopped working on behalf of South Carolina and America. His premature death is a tragedy for all those who knew him. Anna and I join all Arkansans in extending our deepest condolences to Lindsey’s family and friends.”

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Arkansas

Bentonville’s Dave Peel Park to become new downtown entertainment space | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 day ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Bentonville’s Dave Peel Park to become new downtown entertainment space | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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