On the western side of the region, Howard County WMA consists of some 26,000 acres bordering the Cossatot River southeast of Wickes. It's one of those areas that are somewhat hard to get to, but there were 128 deer taken there last season, a very high number for a smaller WMA.

Lake Greeson WMA (38,000 acres in Howard and Pike counties) is another area than shows high kill numbers (193) for last fall, and I would also check out the various Big Timber WMA parcels, particularly those around Arkadelphia. These units are occasionally hard to find, especially for "outsiders," but they do offer access in a region where there isn't much.

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That's a look at some of the better public and managed-public hunting spots within our state. But in reality, it would be hard today to find a spot in Arkansas other than inside one of the major cities or in the middle of the Arkansas River in which at least serviceable hunting opportunities are completely nonexistent.

This fall, oil up your rifle and head afield. Don't forget to take your kids with you -- they're the future of our sport. Hunt hard and hunt safely -- and maybe we'll bump into one another someday!