The Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center is inviting hunters to participate in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) Big Squirrel Challenge. Hunting begins Friday, with weigh-ins set for Saturday morning at 10 at the Nature Center.
The event is open to all ages and offers four divisions: adult fox squirrels only, adult mixed (fox and grey squirrels), youth fox squirrels only, and youth mixed. Youth participants can include a hunter under 16 accompanied by an adult or two hunters under 16.
The hunt begins Friday at noon, and hunters can bag the limit. On Saturday, hunters can bring in their biggest three field dressed squirrels to be weighed. Squirrels can be brought in dressed or dressed on site. Scores will be measured by the total weight of the entire bag in grams.
Door prizes will be awarded at the weigh-in, and state winners will receive an air rifle. Every hunter who weighs in at least one squirrel will be entered into a drawing for a two-night stay at Great Oaks Cabins Lodge near Mountain View.
Heather Pitman, the Facility Manager at the Fred Berry Crooked Creek Center, says area hunters had an impressive showing in last year’s competition.
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Pitman says despite their small size, squirrel hunting is an important cultural tradition.
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Pitman gives advice on what to do with the squirrels hunters catch.
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No pre-registration is required. Regional winners will be announced at 1:30 with statewide winners being contacted Jan. 15 and announced in a press release.
For more information and a complete list of rules, visit https://www.agfc.com/education/2025-big-squirrel-challenge/.
The Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center is located at 851 Conservation Lane in Yellville.
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