SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Hunters of all ages have joined the 2024 Big Squirrel Challenge despite the winter weather and frigid temperatures.
Across the state, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) invited hunters of all ages to join a 24-hour hunting challenge to find the biggest squirrel.
“AGFC Education Division staff started the Big Squirrel Challenge in May of 2021 at J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozarks Highland Nature Center,” Eric Maynard, interim chief of education for the AGFC, said in a press release. “It was so popular that we expanded it to a statewide event with 12 locations for people to weigh in their squirrels and win a prize.”
Teams began their hunt on January 12 at noon and wrapped the challenge on January 13 at noon. The goal of the hunt was to find the three largest squirrels.
“They’re welcome to go ahead and harvest their legal limit of 12 per person, but we only weigh the top three at the end of the event, and each squirrel can only be weighed once,” Maynard said. “After the weigh-in, all squirrels will be returned to the hunters to enjoy for supper.”
Blade Elmore of Springdale was the first to turn in his game at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center.
"I took second place last year, and I keep in touch with a couple of other hunters that I had met from participating in the hunts and hope to see them out today," Elmore said.
Elmore explained that while he met his limit on Friday, many of the hunters he spoke to were having trouble, blaming it on the snow.
Wesley Long of Farmington spent Saturday Morning hunting with his 2-year-old son, Benton. Many hunters that gathered at the nature center wore layers upon layers despite the slightly warmer temperatures on Saturday.
"It was pretty cold though. And I think he ended up falling asleep towards the end, so we had to hit him with only two today," Long said of their catch.
Each region presented first and second place medals for their top teams. The state’s top teams will be announced Monday with a chance of winning a Umarex air rifle, amongst other prizes.
There are different categories separating adults and youth as well as fox squirrels and a category for mixed bag and/or gray squirrels.
“We want everyone to get outdoors, and that’s always best enjoyed with friends and family,” Maynard said.
"Get out there and let the kids have fun in the woods. Don't take it too seriously. We threw a lot a lot of rocks today and broke sticks and you know, just had fun with it. So just get out there and just let them play," Long said.
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