Arkansas

A region of mountains, valleys, forests and plains, the natural beauty of the state coupled by its teeming wildlife gives credence to its nickname as The Natural State. The diverse geographical wonders and the wildlife of the state, of which 88 species are available for hunting, makes this an amazing place to set out and experience the thrills of hunting both large and small game.

Arkansas has a total of 53,179 square miles (137,002 km²) of territory divided into 75 counties, making it the 29^th largest state in the nation. This territory is separated into five regions of diverse terrain which any responsible hunter should become familiar with.

The Ozark Plateau, a heavily forested range of rugged hills and valleys, home to the largest springs in the nation, the Mammoth Springs, lies to the northwestern central area of Arkansas. The Arkansas Valley which separates the Ozark Plateau and the Ouachita Mountains is home to the Arkansas River, the largest river in the state. It is also home to the highest point in Arkansas, Mount Magazine with an elevation of 2,735 feet.

The Ouachita Mountains just south of the Arkansas Valley is one of the two major ranges in the United States, part of which has the Ouachita River running through it. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain which covers a third of the eastern part of the state lies along the Mississippi river and though mainly composed of level lowlands has a narrow range of hills running north to south of the central plain called Crowley's Ridge.  It is covered by rich soil from the river and various tributaries and is usually called the Delta Region.

Covering the south and south central part of Arkansas along its border with Louisiana is the West Gulf Coastal Plain, a lowland area composed mostly of pine forests and farmlands. The lowest point of Arkansas, a part of the Ouachita River which is 55 feet above sea level is found in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The average elevation of the state is 650 feet above sea level.

Arkansas has a monthly average temperature high of 93.6°F and average monthly lows of 26.6°F, average spring temperatures can range from 35°F to 4°F with an average of 81°F during summer.  Although the longer spring and fall seasons can provide the state with a mild climate, it is also quite known for its extreme weather where a typical year can entail hail, ice storms, snow and tornadoes. On average it experiences about 60 thunderstorms a year and although far enough away from the coast to avoid direct hits of hurricanes, tropical systems can still tend to dump large amounts of rain and may cause smaller tornadoes. As always, local knowledge of the areas one wants to go hunting in is an invaluable asset for a successful hunting trip.

Arkansas is where the mid-west starts to meet the South and resembles the best of both regions. Wide open spaces, beautiful forests and plenty of hunting available (and don’t forget some great fried food!).

 

This article is a part of an ongoing series describing all of the 50 states from a hunter's perspective. These will be continually updated to supply readers with accurate and knowledgeable information.