2009 Fall Turkey Hunting Closed

(Little Rock, AR) Its a pretty good bet that no one in Arkansas will be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner highlighted by a turkey shot in the wild. After voicing concerns about declining spring turkey harvests, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has voted to close all 2009 fall turkey hunting seasons in the state. The archery turkey season was scheduled to open on Oct. 1, followed by opening of the firearm turkey season on Oct. 26. The vote to close the season was 4-3 in favor of closing. Commissioners Emon Mahony, Ron Pierce, Rick Watkins and Commission Vice Chairman Craig Campbell voted in favor of the closure. Commissioners George Dunklin, Ron Duncan and Commission Chairman Brett Morgan voted against the closure. Campbell said that hes certain there is a problem with the states turkey population and one way to stop its continued decline is to close the entire fall season. Dunklin said that he felt like a decision to close the season would polarize the Commission and Arkansass hunters.