White Rock WMA, which lies north of Ozark and Interstate 40, falls into that same category. If anything, this 280,000-acre area is even more rugged than Piney Creeks, and is something of a staple for the hunting crowd in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metroplex. There, 473 deer were taken in 2006-07, a ratio of 1 deer per 592 acres, and the numbers today are far better than in recent years. Sylamore WMA -- 150,000 acres up in Marion, Searcy, Stone and Baxter counties -- has long been one of the better areas within the Ozarks, and it maintained that reputation last fall, with 1 deer taken per 667 acres.

Over across the river in the Ouachitas, such areas as Muddy Creek WMA -- 146,000 acres in Yell, Montgomery and Scott counties -- and Winona WMA -- 160,000 acres in Saline, Perry and Garland -- offer ample opportunities. But 1 deer taken per 1,133 acres (Muddy Creek) and 1 per 708 (Winona), indicate that the deer are scattered over a wide area, which can make hunting there a daunting task, particularly for the non-local.

To sum up: The mountains certainly offer opportunity, but to be successful, you're going to have to wear out some shoe leather. They're also rugged, so being in at least reasonable shape in also a necessity.

The areas I've mentioned so far feature "open" hunting, dates and regulations for which follow statewide guidelines. But hunting in other areas throughout the region is available through draw permits, and several of those stand out. Fort Chaffee WMA, its 66,000 acres just southeast of Fort Smith, offers fine deer hunting, particularly for the area's archers. Two days of muzzleloader hunting and two days of modern gun area are all that's allowed. But last fall the rolling hills gave up 475 animals, for a ratio of 1 deer taken per 139 acres -- way above average for the region.

Further down I-40 and just northeast of Morrilton lie Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA's 8,694 acres, which accounted for 139 whitetails last season -- an average of 1 deer per 62 acres, which is about as good as it gets. Apart from a pair of two-day gun hunting segments taking place on the last weekend in October and in early November, it's strictly bowhunting. Ed Gordon and Camp Robinson WMA -- 19,648 acres northwest of North Little Rock -- would be my choices for draw hunts. Robinson's 1 deer taken per 101 acres falls right into the same higher-than-average-for-the-area list. It has a pair of two-day modern gun hunts in late November, a two-day muzzleloader segment the week before, and almost unlimited bowhunting. It should be mentioned that the facility is indeed a military base, just like Chaffee, so some unusual rules and requirements are in place. Call (501) 212-5232 for information if you're drawn for a permit on Robinson, 1-877-478-1043 for Chaffee.

Special Note
Keep in mind that the late-March cold snap destroyed a lot of the acorn crop in the Ozarks. If you can locate a secluded grove that has several trees producing, you'll be into about as close to a sure thing as you're ever likely to have.

Sleeper Spot
Camp Robinson Wildlife Demonstration Area lies just north of the WMA. With a three-day gun season and only 125 permits available, this 4,029-acre area produced 44 deer last fall, a ratio of 1 deer per 91.5 acres. That's considerably above average in that part of the state.

THE DELTA
Running alongside the Mississippi River is DMU 5, which is technically known as the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. At the northern end lies DMU 6, which takes in Crowley's Ridge, an upthrust created when tremendous forces beneath the earth's surface shook the area eons ago. The ridge runs from the Missouri state line down to Helena, a linear distance of about 150 miles. The reason for making it a separate DMU is that the soil along the ridge is a different makeup than the surrounding delta dirt.

Next month, when I do the trophy forecast piece, you'll hear me describe the delta in far more glowing terms. This is big-buck country, with a better age-structure, more-nutritious food, and limited hunting pressure being primary reasons that outsize headgear is grown by the deer there. But it's an agricultural area, so much of it consists of vast, open croplands, and deer density is lower than in other areas. Public areas are also limited, and virtually all are available only via draw.

White River National Wildlife Refuge, stretching through Arkansas, Monroe, Phillips and Desha counties along the flow of the same name, is big-woods hunting at its best. Last year 845 deer were taken on its 160,000 acres, for a ratio of 1 deer per 189 acres -- very impressive for an area of this size. I consider it to be the No. 1 trophy spot in the state, but it's a good place just for collecting your venison steaks, too.

Above White River, but running along the same drainage in Jackson, Woodruff, Prairie and Monroe counties, lies Cache River NWR. This facility is smaller at 54,000 acres, and has a deer harvest ratio of 1 animal per 388 acres. Both of these areas are federal, and I notice that they no longer adhere to the state-imposed antler restrictions. But anytime you have short gun seasons (which is the case for practically every unit listed here), the hunting's going to be worthwhile.

That statement applies for Mike Freeze-Wattensaw WMA -- 19,184 acres lying just north of I40 in Prairie County -- and Dagmar WMA -- a 9,720-acre area straddling I-40 in Monroe County. Wattensaw is especially noteworthy, with 218 deer taken in '06-07, or a ratio of 1 deer per 88 acres. Dagmar saw 47 harvested, or 1 for every 216 acres. Lots of bowhunters roam Wattensaw, and both areas offer good possibilities if you draw a gun or muzzleloader permit.