The 30s and war years were hard times for Arkansas wildlife. The lack of money in the 30s and most meat production going to the Army during the war made the people depend on wildlife for food. The state permanently closed the deer season in 1944. When the war was over they began attempts to rebuild the deer stocks by importing deer from Wisconsin and possibly Florida. The doe deer became the Queen of the forest, untouchable by the hunter.Large fines imposed on any who harmed the Queen. Stocking efforts were successful and in 1959 a short bucks only season was opened. Over the years the herd grew,and biologist felt removing a few doe in certain areas would improve the herd so a Doe Day was added on a specific date, to the season.(Rural schools often had 50% of students and almost that many teachers report they were sick that designated day) when I entered this game in the 80s there was still one designated day during the season you could take a doe. As time went on it was decided it was safer that a doe could be taken any day during the seasonso as not to concentrat the hunters. Herds continued to thrive and and more doe per season were added to the season limit. Around 2000 there were years you could even purchase extra doe tags. This year they announced a modern gun, 5 day, doe ONLY season. The Queen is dead. Long lived the Queen.
Last edited by websterparish47; 11/06/11.
