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DUCK SEASON PROVES TO BE REVENUE BOOST TO AREA BUSINESSES

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:01 AM CST

As duck hunters reach for their wallets before heading to the country, it seems businesses such as Hunter’s Refuge in White Hall and Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart may be reaping rewards during the recession.

Matt Golden (left), an employee of Hunter’s Refuge in White Hall, shows Jacob Box a gun Monday afternoon. Hunter’s Refuge Owner David Ferrell said recently business has been strong despite the recession. Special to The Commercial/Rusty Reid

Hunter’s Refuge Owner David Ferrell said recently business has been strong, though cooler weather would help.

In addition to revenue boosts for hunting goods retailers, the season brings many visitors to the area. Lodges such as Wildlife Farms Hunting Corporate Retreats at Casscoe, east of Stuttgart, and Five Oaks Hunting Lodge at Humphrey often gain steady, repeat customers, officials said.

Daniel Barnett, an owner of Wildlife Farms, said at the start of duck season business was alive and well.

“We’re pretty much completely booked well into January,” he said. “We have some great folks who have been coming here for a long time. They’re not only good customers, but friends we look forward to seeing every year...This time of year especially, a lot of revenue is brought into the state.”

“The duck hunting industry has a major economic impact on this whole area,” Stuttgart Mayor Marianne Maynard said. “People from out of town and out of state shop at Mack’s, eat at our restaurants...It’s one of the most important things we have. When you talk about Producers and Riceland, it’s right up there with regard to economic impact.”

Stephen Bell, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, said duck hunting has an economic impact on the city of about $1 million per day during duck season.

“We always say this is really our tourism season. When most people think about tourism season, they think about warm weather, but tourism season for us is cold weather and lots of water,” Bell said.

Sally Barnett, an owner of Wildlife Farms, said duck hunting in the area has been better the past two years than some other recent seasons helping to draw hunters.

“The birds funnel through Mississippi and Arkansas and with the habitats we have here, it’s one of the better spots especially for mallards,” Keith Stephens, an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesman said. “We have a lot of good habitat for them here.”

Duck season began Saturday and will remain open through Sunday. The season will then be open Dec. 10-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

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