Hunters can help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species by following the three-step process of clean, drain and dry anytime they move to new water:
Clean all equipment – Remove all plants and pieces of vegetation, seeds and mud off your waders, decoys, blind, truck, boat and trailer, and wash all equipment and gear with a high-pressure washer.
Drain your boat – Drain all water by removing all drain plugs from your boat when you leave the boat ramp.
Dry – Let all gear dry, preferably for five days, before visiting new waters. If there isn’t enough time to air dry between trips, use a towel to wipe dry remaining wet surfaces.
Horton also reminds anyone using a boat that, according to the AGFC’s Code of Regulations, all drain plugs must be removed at the boat ramp when leaving a body of water and during transport, including those in live wells and bilge areas, where invasive species may lurk.
A list of aquatic nuisance species found in Arkansas is available at www.agfc.com/ans as well as an easy-to-use online reporting form to report aquatic invasive plants and animals as hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts find them. Take a clear picture of the organism and note the location (GPS location preferred) to help AGFC identify and quickly respond to contain and eradicate new introductions before they spread or become established.
New invasive species introductions continue to increase in Arkansas. Just this year, early reporting helped AGFC eradicate two introductions of giant salvinia in the Illinois Bayou and Clear Lake and water hyacinth and Cuban bulrush in Lake Georgia Pacific. Also, Cuban bulrush was detected for the first time in Millwood Lake, Pool 2 of the Arkansas River, as well as Lake Erling and Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture responded to eradicate Purple Loosestrife at Lake Bentonville, which hasn’t been observed in Arkansas for over a decade.
“We are all responsible for being good stewards of our natural resources. Just like we need hunters and anglers to clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment, we need them to be on the lookout and speak up if they see what they think is an invasive species,” Horton said. “The faster we can act to contain and remove an infestation, the better our chances are of keeping these invaders at bay and keeping aquatic habitat healthy for fish and waterfowl.”
