Squirrel Challenge held next weekend

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host the second annual Big Squirrel Challenge statewide Jan. 13-14.

This year’s event will include 11 weigh-in stations, including three new ones in Magnolia, Hot Springs and Batesville.

Participants can start hunting Jan. 13 at noon through 30 minutes after sunset, and then hunt again 30 minutes before sunrise until weigh-in at noon on Jan. 14. Each team of two individuals can bring their biggest three squirrels to be weighed (field-dressed with skin on). Squirrels will be weighed from noon until 1 p.m. on Jan. 14. Prizes will be awarded to the hunter with the heaviest three-squirrel bag in four categories, including: Adult team — Fox squirrels only Adult team — Mixed bag or Gray Squirrels only

Youth team — Fox Squirrels only Youth team — Mixed bag or Gray Squirrels only

Youth teams may consist of two hunters under 16 years of age or one hunter under 16 years of age and a mentor 16 or older. Any legal method of taking squirrels is allowed in the contest.

No registration is required to participate, and teams will get their squirrels back after the weigh-in.

Medals will be awarded to the top two teams in each division at each location. Gamo air rifles will be awarded to the statewide overall top team in each division. Door prizes will be awarded at weigh-in locations.

Weigh-in locations SPRINGDALE

J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Nature Center

3400 North 40th Street

PINE BLUFF

Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center 1400 Black Dog Road

CONWAY

Camp Robinson Firing Range 574 Clinton Road

JONESBORO

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center 600 East Lawson Road

FORT SMITH

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells Lake Road

YELLVILLE

Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center 851 Conservation Lane

COLUMBUS

Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center 1685 County Road 35 North

HAZEN

Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA Shop 1693 Arkansas Highway 11

BATESVILLE

Paul H. “Rocky” Wilmuth Shooting Sports Complex 3600 N. St. Louis St.

MAGNOLIA

SAU Laney Farm 833 Old McNeil Road

HOT SPRINGS

AGFC Hatchery/Regional Office 350 Fish Hatchery Road