Arkansas is known for its hunting and fishing, but more people actually watch wildlife than try to bag it or catch it, creating an opportunity and a challenge for the state Game and Fish Commission.
That was the message from Chris Racey, the commission’s chief of state, who was the keynote speaker at Thursday’s Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo breakfast, which was attended by close to 500 people.
Racey showed a slide that had a variety of outdoor pursuits and asked the audience to pick the one they thought was the most popular in the state. He then proceeded to go through each one — hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and recreational shooting — and explain how popular each one is.
Leading the pack was wildlife watching, which is pursued by 1.5 million Arkansans, whether that’s admiring birds and wildlife from their deck, a hiking trail or a kayak as they paddle down a stream in search of them. And many more — 1.2 million in fact — visit Arkansas because of the abundance of wildlife to watch.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Birding, watching for deer, turkey, non-game species, it’s something that tons of people from border states come to Arkansas to do,” Racey said. “This represents a great opportunity for visitors coming to our state.”
The large number of visitors to the Natural State are also true for duck hunting where a third of the 400,000 who pursue waterfowl are from out of state, and especially true for fishing where almost half of the 900,000 anglers in Arkansas are visitors.
Racey, who holds a master’s degree from the Aquaculture and Fisheries Department at UAPB, said coming back to Pine Bluff was a bit of a homecoming for him. He said traditional hunting and fishing opportunities in the state would continue to be enhanced — special fingerling bass are being stocked in Lake Monticello on Friday, for instance — but that the challenge for Arkansas was to adapt to the changing needs of residents and non-residents in how they want to engage with the outdoors.
He said Pine Bluff already takes advantage of some of those alternatives, such as partnering with UAPB and its researchers as well as making improvements to Lake Saracen, which now has a playground and walking trail, and that future opportunities would include partnerships with other organizations, grants, shooting ranges, water trails — such as the one along Bayou Bartholomew — birding opportunities, and cycling and e-biking events.
“And when they come to this area to duck hunt, hopefully they’ll stop at Saracen Casino and have lunch at Kibb’s Bar-B-Que or Leon’s Catfish,” he said, referring to a couple of his favorite eateries when he lived in Pine Bluff.
Also during the breakfast, businesses and individuals were awarded for their service to the community.
Winning the “Business Person of the Year” award was Tish Bullard with the Pine Bluff Country Club; “Non-Profit Organization of the Year” winner was Neighbor to Neighbor, with director Pat Tate accepting; and the “Young Professional of the Year” recipient was Laquita Rucker with Pactiv Evergreen.
The chamber also noted those who had put special effort into the creation of their booths. The “Most Informative Booth” winner went to Reflections; the “Most Creative Booth” went to Southeast Arkansas College; and the “Judges’ Award” went to Relyance Bank.
A surprise appreciation award went to Mayor Shirley Washington, who was on hand for her last Expo as mayor, given that her current term ends at the end of the year.
Washington was honored for her hard work and dedication to Pine Bluff and the business community and said she was almost speechless because the honor was so unexpected.
“How do you find words to say thank you for all of the outpouring of love and support?” she said, adding that she has “never been more proud of this community in my entire life.”
She said her term would end but that her love for the community would remain.
“I can’t wait to become that community volunteer,” she said. “We have a gold mine in Pine Bluff. Join with our new mayor and continue to make it happen. I love you, Pine Bluff, and thank you for all you’ve done to support me and this journey.”
After breakfast, the activity moved to the Pine Bluff Convention Center arena where the almost-sold-out trade show drew a large crowd to the 100 or so booths that featured a large variety of small and large businesses as well as industry.
Jennifer Kline, chamber director, said she was pleased with the turnout at Thursday’s expo, which celebrated its 35th year.
“It was a great day for Pine Bluff and for the business community,” she said. “We had 15 more booths than last year and foot traffic was way up. Simmons [Bank] even ran out of hot dogs. I’m super excited with how things turned out. I checked and 1,450 people came through the metal detectors. So that’s a big number for us, that’s huge.”
Shawn Willbanks, who is retired from Southeast Arkansas College, Emily Pyland (center), director of communications, and Barbara Dunn, executive director for institutional advancement, show off the SEARK booth, which won for “Most Creative.” (Pine Bluff Commercial/Eplunus Colvin)
Keynote speaker Chris Racey (right) visits with the Rev. Glenn Barnes Sr. at the Business Expo breakfast on Thursday. (Pine Bluff Commercial/Byron Tate)