Introducing Kids to the Outdoors in Arkansas

The newest challenge from Outdoor Bloggers Summit,OBS, was to write an article on "How to Get Everyone to Play Outdoors". Writing is not my expertise, but I've been fortunate to spend alot of time in the outdoors starting as a young child, and so I just want to share some of my experiences, and hopefully they'll spur you along or entice you to take a kid to the outdoors.

Image by El Destructo via Flickr

First of all, I've lived in the great state of Arkansas all my life. Unlike many states, Arkansas has numerous outdoor options including hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing,mountain bike riding and many other activities. Not many states have the variety of outdoor activities that we get to enjoy here in Arkansas. Guess that's why we're called the Natural State.


Arkansas Outdoors
Over 250 hiking trails that cover more than 1,500 miles
Over 2.9 million acres of public access national forest for hunting,fishing, camping, and hiking
600,000 acres of lakes and 9,000 miles of streams and rivers for water sports, scuba, fishing, etc.

Hiking in Arkansas

Image by El Destructo via Flickr

Numerous hiking trails to explore including day hikes, and backpacking adventures. Mountain bike trails, horse trails, and hiking trails take you into some of the most beautiful country you have ever seen.
(insert pic of buffalo river mountains,etc)

On and Off the Beaten Path, a guided hiking tour company based in North Arkansas, offers day hikes in the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo River Wilderness Area.


Camping in Arkansas

There are more than 200 public-owned Arkansas campgrounds—offering nearly 9,800 individual family campsites.


Arkansas State Parks

 





Canoeing and Kayaking Arkansas Streams
Arkansas is home to the Buffalo River. The Buffalo River was chosen as America’s first national river in 1972, an honor held by only America’s finest rivers. I can honestly say these pictures don't do the river justice. You have to see the place for yourself. There are several outfitters that can plan you a trip, whether you want a half-day,full-day, or multi-day trip (which are awesome!! I'll be taking our annual 3-day float trip in April, can't wait!!). This is a great river to float for families, but also has some more difficult rapids upstream. You owe it to yourself to come check this river out.

There are many more things to do in Arkansas outdoors. I just don't have the time to list them here and explain. Most important thing to remember is take your family and children to the outdoors. It's important we keep them involved with the outdoors, so they can make sure that we preserve the wonderful outdoors that we all enjoy so much. If you want to experience the Arkansas outdoors, feel free to give me a shout, and I'll do what I can to help you!! Take care and God Bless!!

 

What to do when mosquitos are eating you alive when deer hunting?

This past week was the start of Arkansas archery season. I was sitting in my stand doing some bear hunting, and swatting at mosquitoes. I got to thinking about a hunt I had a few years back when I really thought I was going to die from all the mosquitoes sucking my blood out. Me and my brother-in-law were trying to drag the deer out of the swamp, but it was just muddy, and thick, and seemed like we just stirred up the mosquitoes worse. So I came up with a better plan, it seemed like a good idea at first...Here's the video

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Arkansas football practice report - University of Arkansas Athletics

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Razorback football season is here!!! Should be an exciting season. Alot of storylines to follow this year. I'm just glad we've got some good competition at skill positions. Mallet vs Wilson, RBs too many to count, Michael Smith, Dennis Johnson, D'Anthony Curtis, new comers Ronnie Wingo, Broderick Green.. Hopefully our secondary will be much improved. I sure hope Darius Winston is everything and more than what he was hyped to be..we will need him to be a shut-down corner immediately. We've got a tough schedule this year but I'm hoping for 7-5 maybe 8-4, those would be good records. Woo Pig Sooie!!

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Arkansas football practice report - University of Arkansas Athletics

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Buffalo River Camping-Day Two

Day One and Two ran together for me, since I only got about an hour sleep. Note to self: Always bring ear plugs. I'm a lite sleeper, so with the coons having a ten-round fight over gummie snacks, bread, and potatoes that we left out, I didn't sleep much. But turned out great, around 5:45 am I decided the heck with it. I got up, and decided to walk to a nearby field, to see if I could see any elk grazing. Well, I forgot my binoculars in the truck, but I didn't see any elk in the field, so I decided to head to the river, and see if the smallmouth were biting. Fishing was slow, I was using a silver crankbait initially, then switched to a broken-back minnow, and it was on like donkey kong then. I caught several fish for the next 45 mins to an hour. It was awesome. If you've never caught a smallmouth bass you're missing out, the fight they give for being so small is unbelieveable.

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We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the river.


We drove into town to pick up some cooking oil, and ear plugs(woohoo) later that day. On the way into town, we saw some elk grazing in a hay field. One bull elk and several cows...I was so wishing I had a camera with me. They are impressive animals. I hope to go hunt them sometime in the future.

The night ended with some great hamburgers cooked on the grill, and some card playing...

Day Three Coming Soon...

Buffalo River Camping-Day One

Just got back from 3 days of camping at Tyler Bend on the Buffalo River. My 3-year old son had a blast!! So far I think he enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. It was hot, but we stayed at the river almost everyday..swam,fish, etc. First night, was rough. I went up Thursday afternoon, set up camp, then had to drive back an hour and a half for a softball game. My wife and her friend went up Thursday when they got off work. My buddy and I drove up after our softball game. We saw three snakes on the highway on the way up there. I got out and took a pic of this rattlesnake, because my buddy was too scared to get out and take the pic. I think it was a timber rattler..pretty young one. Probably only had around 5 or 6 rattles



I just couldn't make myself runover it either...I guess I'm getting soft. We finally made it to camp around midnight that night. Finally went to bed around 2 am, then listened to coons fight over the food that someone left out, needless to say, I got about an hour sleep....day two coming soon

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Gus making noise in Auburn

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I really like Gus Malzahn when he was at Arkansas. He brought alot of imagination to the offense. I hated to see him go, but I won't be surprised if he's not the Head coach at Arkansas some day in the future. It'll be interesting playing against him this year.


Tate Forcier, Twitter headline spring football winners and losers - Cory McCartney - SI.com

3. Gus Malzahn, Auburn, offensive coordinator. This position brought much angst to Tigers fans last year, as the since-fired Tony Franklin installed an attack that led Auburn to a 104th place national finish in total offense. Malzahn, whose Tulsa offense racked up nearly 8,000 yards, also has a reputation for opening things up. But if the spring game is any indication, things will be different for Auburn in 2009. The offense scored six TDs, but the Neil Caudle/Kodi Burns QB debate remains an issue.

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Mark "Buffalo River Float" off cancer survivor's bucket list

Me and a couple buddies are gradually...and I mean gradually...working on floating the Buffalo River from Boxley, Arkansas to where the Buffalo meets the White River. I ran across this great story that is simply inspiring. Ken Richards is a cancer survivor and he and a friend got pledges for each mile that they would float on the river. They floated around 130 miles, and raised alot of money for an organization that has impacted Ken Richards life and many others. The organization is called Reel Recovery. I just wanted to give my applause to a wonder organization and to Ken Richards for an amazing accomplishment. Way to go!! God Bless!!

Fishing guide floats Buffalo River to raise funds for cancer survivors - Kansas City Star

Friday Random thoughts

TGIF!! I'm ready for the weekend. Finally finished the trim and flooring in our living room and hallway. Got a cookout @ our house Saturday for some couples in our church. Turkey season is almost here!! Youth hunt starts this weekend. Team SB is filming Hope Outdoors this weekend, I hope they have a blast!! Hope Outdoors is a great program, you should check it out. We at StruttinBucks feel blessed to be able to partner with such a great organization!!

Impressive Hiking Trip

I have some buddies that have been hiking for the last couple years. I for one don't like hiking in the cold, much less doing anything in the cold unless it's hunting and then I have the clothes and equipment for it. I came across this article today, and I got to give Jenny Foster some props!! Way to go Jenny!! She ran a rugged trail in the wonderful mountains in Arkansas in an impressive time!! Here is the link to the article.. http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/251308/

What to do when hunting season ends

Well, Arkansas bowhunting season is almost over...It's sad!! I spend so much time getting ready for the season and then hunting like a madman, and then it's over. I'm already thinking about next season....Here are some things that might help pass the time.

1) Shoot indoor/outdoor 3d
2) Bowfishing-check out http://www.southerndrawbowfishing.com-tell them Steven sent ya!!
3) Go hunt some hogs somewhere
4) Shed hunting
5) Check/clean all your gear
6) Prepare food plots
7) Clear shooting lanes
8) Late-season scouting
9) Pick up the rod-n-reel and do some fishing
(And of course the most important...)
10) All the honey-dos that you've been putting off all hunting season!!

Good luck and God Bless!!