| When you think of incredible Mallard hunting, only one | | | | It isn't feasible to pay a guide to take one guy |
| place comes to mind; Stuttgart, Arkansas. Stuttgart | | | | hunting and burn down a hole. Anyone who tells you |
| is known as the Rice and Duck Capital of the World.? | | | | they are willing to do that is probably not being |
| Hunting waterfowl in Southeast Arkansas is not | | | | honest. |
| considered a pastime, but rather a way of life. | | | | Question: What type of shotgun and shot size |
| Anyone who enjoys wing shooting at its finest must | | | | should I use? |
| make this trip to the Mecca? of duck hunting at least | | | | Answer: Most adult male hunters prefer a 12 gauge |
| once in their lifetime. | | | | shotgun for duck hunting. They typically shoot a |
| Below you will find some interesting questions and | | | | modified choke and shoot number 2, 3, or 4 steel |
| answers about duck hunting in Arkansas. | | | | shot depending on where they are hunting. Some |
| Question: When is the best time to come and hunt | | | | hunters who are experienced marksman prefer to |
| in Arkansas? | | | | shoot a full choke and increase their range. It |
| Answer: Depends on the season. Weather, water, | | | | depends strictly on the preference of the hunter. |
| and food sources all play a role in your hunting | | | | Where to lodge: Retriever Lodge is a duck guiding |
| success. By planting food supplies you put the odds in | | | | operation that specializes in small groups. We hunt |
| your favor for having 60 days of quality hunting. | | | | exclusively on private ground and offer some of the |
| While it doesn't guarantee anything, it always helps to | | | | finest rice field and flooded timber hunting known to |
| put the odds in your favor. | | | | the area. We provide the atmosphere of a buddy |
| Question: Do I need waders? | | | | hunt? rather than that of a commercial operation. |
| Answer: Yes, waders will cover any hunting | | | | This helps to guarantee an enjoyable hunt, and gives |
| situation you face while also providing extra insulation | | | | you a true experience of an Arkansas duck hunt. |
| to keep you warm and dry. | | | | Retriever Lodge hunts exclusively on privately owned |
| Question: What kind of ducks are hunted? | | | | ground. We own several thousand acres of prime |
| Answer: Generally the Mallard duck is the most | | | | duck hunting habitat in the heart of Arkansas County. |
| popular duck among hunters. Early in the season you | | | | We have rice fields, soybean fields, dead timber |
| will have a very mixed bag wherever you are | | | | reservoirs, bayou hunting, and green timber hunting. |
| hunting. By mid December the rice fields and timber | | | | All of our hunting areas are managed to provide |
| will produce mostly Mallards. Reservoir hunting and | | | | optimal hunting. The key to good duck hunting is |
| bayou hunting will always produce a mixed bag for | | | | food. We plant many of our areas exclusively for the |
| the entire season. It all depends on the hunting area. | | | | ducks. Most of these crops are left standing and |
| Question: Should I bring my dog? | | | | periodically flooded throughout the season. We plant |
| Answer: Dogs are welcome but must be | | | | rice, milo, and millet in all of our reservoirs and green |
| controllable. Often times the hunting is fast and | | | | timber holes. We do not hunt any of our hunting |
| furious for the first hour of the hunt. If one person in | | | | areas over twice a week, and try to let the ducks |
| your group is trying to train a new dog during that | | | | rest in these areas as much as possible. During the |
| time, the success rate could be greatly diminished. | | | | season we check each of our hunting areas to |
| Question: When should I book my hunt? | | | | prepare for the next days hunt. Last year Retriever |
| Answer: Arkansas sets its duck season at the end | | | | Lodge killed 2505 ducks on our privately owned |
| of August. As soon as you can get your party | | | | ground. Two of our groups killed over 225 ducks in a |
| together it is a very good idea to send your deposit | | | | 3 day period. We manage year-round for the ducks. |
| and book. That way you get the days you want. I | | | | My family owns a fertilizer plant and farms, and we |
| realize it's often a hassle to try and get four or five | | | | use our labor to work on our hunting areas in our |
| guys together to book a December hunt in August. | | | | spare time. Two of my employees are basically |
| Plan ahead because booking is usually on a first come | | | | working on hunting areas full time. I also fly my |
| first serve basis. | | | | airplane to scout hunting areas so we don't disturb |
| Question: Will my group be mixed with another | | | | the ducks. We take the time and dedicate ourselves |
| group? | | | | to provide exceptional hunting. I personally do not like |
| Answer: Guides usually do not like to mix groups | | | | to go on a bad duck hunt and I really don't like taking |
| when they are taking hunters. It all depends on the | | | | people on a poor hunt. While we can't guarantee |
| size of your group. If you bring at least four hunters, | | | | success, we do everything possible to put the odds |
| you will be guaranteed to be hunting only with your | | | | in our favor. |
| group. If you bring eight hunters, they will most likely | | | | See our site at Retrieverlodge. |
| split your group down and take two groups of four. | | | | |