AGFC Names Jackson Point 2024 Arkansas Deer Club of the Year
Jackson Point Hunting Club in Phillips County has been recognized as the 2024 Arkansas Deer Club of the Year by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) for its exceptional wildlife stewardship and responsible use of Arkansas’s natural resources.
This honor was bestowed upon the club during the 2024 Landowner Conservation Awards Banquet held in late July. The club, which has been in operation for over 40 years, stands out for its dedication to maintaining a delicate balance between deer harvest management and habitat management on its 8,000-acre property.
The property, situated in the Mississippi River Batture floodplain, is managed to support a variety of species. Nearly all the land is kept in timber, with active timber harvesting to maintain a mix of forest ages. Additionally, the club cultivates about 350 acres of food plots, providing year-round nutrition for deer and other game species.
David Graves, a biologist working with the AGFC’s Private Lands Habitat Division, has worked closely with the club since 2017. He praised the club’s meticulous record-keeping and data collection, stating that they are “unparalleled” in collecting quality biological and observational data. The club even conducts a trail camera survey to monitor individual bucks and doe populations.
- The club’s efforts are particularly noteworthy given the challenges posed by the floodplain environment. By adjusting harvests to match changing deer populations, the club has successfully managed its deer herd while maintaining healthy habitats.
- The AGFC’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) supports the club’s efforts. DMAP assists landowners and hunting clubs in managing their local deer herds through voluntary management plans, offering free site visits to improve harvest structures and habitat for deer and other wildlife.
The AGFC Director Austin Booth and DMAP Coordinator Jeremy Brown joined biologist David Graves in recognizing the club’s accomplishments at the award ceremony.
Jackson Point Hunting Club’s commitment to responsible land use and wildlife management serves as a model for other hunting clubs and landowners in Arkansas, ensuring the long-term health of the state’s natural resources.
