LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) announced the return of the Big Squirrel Challenge, a statewide squirrel-hunting celebration with prizes and notoriety at stake.
This year marks the third annual Big Squirrel Challenge, and teams will hunt starting at noon on Jan. 12 and during legal shooting hours on Jan. 13.
"AGFC Education Division staff started the Big Squirrel Challenge in May of 2021 at J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozarks Highland Nature Center," AGFC Interim Chief of Education Eric Maynard said. "It was so popular that we expanded it to a statewide event."
AGFC said teams can harvest their three largest squirrels at one of the 12 weigh-in locations across the state to win a prize.
Hunters are welcome to use squirrel dogs.
“They’re welcome to go ahead and harvest their legal limit of 12 per person, but we only weigh the top three at the end of the event, and each squirrel can only be weighed once," Maynard said. "After the weigh-in, all squirrels will be returned to the hunters to enjoy for supper.”
The official rules can be found here.
According to AGFC, those who can't find a team can hunt alone. Winning teams for each region will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. Each regional first- and second-place team will receive medals and bragging rights for their effort.
“We want everyone to get outdoors, and that’s always best enjoyed with friends and family,” Maynard said.
AGFC will then announce the top teams in the state, who will receive additional prices, including a Umarex air rifle.
“We have different categories for youth teams and adults,” Maynard said. “A youth team can consist of two youths or one youth and an adult mentor. We also have a category for fox squirrels (which typically weigh a little more) and a category for mixed bag and/or gray squirrels.”
No registration or entry fees are required to participate in the contest. Participants must attend one of the following weigh-in locations from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 13 to compete.
Weigh-in locations:
Batesville
Paul H Willmuth Shooting Sports Complex
3600 N St Louis, Batesville, AR 72501
Columbus
Grandview Prairie Nature Center
1685 Hempstead 35 Rd N, Columbus, AR
Ft. Smith
Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72916
Hazen
Wattensaw WMA Shop
1693 Hwy 11 North, Hazen, AR 72064
Jonesboro
Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center
600 E Lawson Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72404
Pine Bluff
Delta Rivers Nature Center
1400 Black Dog Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Magnolia
SAU Laney Farm
833 Old McNeil Rd Magnolia, AR 71753
Mayflower
Camp Robinson Shooting Range
574 Clinton Rd, Conway, AR 72032
Monticello
AGFC Southeast Regional Office
771 Jordan Dr, Monticello, AR 71655
Russellville
AGFC West Central Regional Office
1266 Lock and Dam Road, Russellville, AR 72802
Springdale
Ozark Highlands Nature Center
3400 N 40th St, Springdale, AR 72762
Yellville
Crooked Creek Nature Center
851 Conservation Ln, Yellville, AR 72687