Purposeto provide the public access to land for hunting and other outdoor oriented recreation by maintaining and operating infrastructure on wildlife management areas.objective 1 project adirectly…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4 awarded the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) $10.7 million under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) on July 1, 2025, for completion by June 30, 2026. This Formula Grant funds the maintenance, operation, and management of 132-134 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across Arkansas to provide public access to land for hunting and other outdoor-oriented recreation. The award supports three primary objectives: (1) direct maintenance and operation of infrastructure on 62 state-owned WMAs; (2) habitat management and enhancement on 62 Commission-owned WMAs; and (3) overall management and operation of 132 WMAs for wildlife management and public access.

The expected outcomes of this grant include sustained public hunting opportunities with consistent hunter success rates through adaptive harvest regulations, expanded habitat for native and migratory species, and enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities compatible with primary hunting and fishing uses. By maintaining and improving WMA infrastructure and habitat, AGFC will support wildlife populations at sustainable levels while preserving public access to these natural resources. This funding, authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, represents a standard annual renewal of the state's ongoing wildlife conservation and public recreation efforts.

Purposeto provide the public access to land for hunting and other outdoor oriented recreation by maintaining and operating infrastructure on wildlife management areas.objective 1 project adirectly maintain and operate infrastructure on 134 wmas at which most maintenance and operation activities will occur on 62 state owned wmas to allow public hunting and other outdoor recreation by june 30 2026.objective 2 project bdirectly manage and enhance habitat on 134 wmas of which habitat work will be conducted on 62 commission owned wmas to allow public hunting and other recreation by june 30 2026.objective 3 project cdirectly maintain and operate and manage 132 wmas for wildlife management and public access by june 30 2026.expected outcomesproject athe WMA system provides public hunting opportunities and a relatively consistent hunter success rate by controlling the annual harvest of game species through adaptive regulations on bag limits and season dates and harvest methods. The utilization of these areas by the public for other wildlife oriented recreation will be maintained at levels consistent with the demand for such uses and which are compatible with the primary uses of hunting and fishing.project BBY continuing the habitat program the WMA system will provide enhanced habitat for native and migratory species and improved outdoor recreational opportunities. The habitat program will help maintain a relatively consistent hunter success rate by supporting wildlife populations at sustainable levels.