Of the 40 WMAs and four national wildlife refuges in the Arkansas delta, only five require a permit for the regular spring turkey season.

I consider myself an organized person, but it seems every couple years I forget to mail in one of my applications for an Arkansas public-land quota hunt. Deer, turkey and elk applications have all occupied some secret location behind the seat of my truck, and all have mysteriously appeared the day after the deadline.

Thank goodness Arkansas hunters have access to numerous wild areas that afford the unorganized a chance to pursue the king of gallinaceous birds without the hassle of advanced planning. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Turkey Program Coordinator Mike Widner indicated that "of the 40 WMAs and four national refuges in the delta, only five actually require a permit for the regular (turkey) season."

Arkansas turkey-hunting opportunities can be found across the entire state and each has its own, unique pros and cons. In the delta, flat ground and easy walking is a plus, until you have to maneuver around a flooded bayou and battle mosquitoes. But even the drawbacks can be overlooked if you're in pursuit of an old swamp gobbler. Overall, the delta offers some good turkey spots that include a mix of habitat types, management and ownership and, in most cases, fewer hunters.

WHITE RIVER NWR
The delta's top producer, White River National Wildlife Refuge is also in the top 10 turkey harvest areas statewide. The refuge's 160,000 acres of prime bottomland forest has been consistent throughout the years. The 2008 harvest was below normal as high water levels on the White River forced a season closure.

Ironically, turkeys can survive a "normal flood" by locating ridges scattered across the bottoms that allow them to forage until waters recede. These spots also provide protection from hunting pressure. Even more amazing is that during extended floods, turkeys can live for weeks and even months in trees, feeding on insects, tree buds or anything that looks edible. The most significant, negative impact of flooding, however, is that it almost always results in little or no reproduction, as was the case in 2008. (Continued)

During normal floods, small ridges remaining out of water are potential spots for locating a gobbler. Prospective high grounds in the White River NWR include Rattlesnake Ridge and the east side of the White River Levee. Keep a close eye on the St. Charles river gauge, because as levels drop below 22 feet, your options will increase. Using a boat can greatly enhance access options along the river and bayous. In most years, the White River NWR turkey harvest hovers around 70 birds.

ST. FRANCIS FOREST WMA
Located near Helena and Mariana, St. Francis Forest WMA has also consistently placed in the top 10 areas statewide in terms of turkey harvest results. According to Mike Coker, the AGFC's regional biologist for this part of the state, St. Francis Forest annually accounts for 40 birds and would be his choice for a hunter lacking a permit. The bulk of St. Francis Forest is on Crowley's Ridge, although a small portion lies in the Mississippi and St. Francis river bottoms. While this WMA is in the delta, it is a unique part of the landscape. Some hills here rise more than 300 feet above the floodplain. Coker said there is a good distribution of birds that are easily accessed along the excellent road system. However, the biggest drawbacks -- that undoubtedly help birds during the season -- are the steep ridges that make moving to a bird difficult.