Arkansas Game and Fish Highlights; 7

Do you. Well it's good to be with you again we have Dick Gregory on the set with us tonight. And Dick castration. Well it's pretty good in some spots you got to do another George. I've been in the dull places not dog a little bit in a good one but from what I hear cropping really taken off. That's good. Well like where would you think there might be by. Well I got a report from one a family the other day down in Pine Bluff and he went to rodeo river down

below DD Terry lock and dam did really good on the Croppy down there I had a few reports out of like Conway that some people were doing good and others were having trouble finding some of the Croppy had been up in the stumpy areas close to the bike and some out in the middle of Adams and greens like a little deeper water so there the water capture on Lake Hamilton by the way we were over there Monday and they didn't do any good at all. Found the fish could get into bite and the water temperature was 47 degrees on the surface. So it's warm and it's time for me to start doing something if we don't get a change in the weather now I think you'll see some good action pic I follow in the next three or four days and I'll be fish and I'll just start getting good especially were south Arkansas. Well when you have temperatures are getting to the 60 day time you can expect the water temperature to come up for a quick and official get into the shallows for a quick What would you say is the best bait to use this time of year. Well I prefer the little beetle but I know a lot of people like fish with

this time of the year and do real good with it I've talked to a number of people who've been fishing with yo yos manners and I did real well on cropping but I still want a little beetle ball and a small but they don't know what they call a copy beetle but that small one and work it slow and bury your def till you find where they are now Vernon said they start out about 3 1/2 feet deep early in the morning by 10:30 11:00 o'clock they've gone down to about seven or eight feet deep. So I guess when the sunshine gets up a little higher they start shaking that deeper water to get away from the bright light but they don't take red worms washing well. Would you fish with or without a bobber on tight line. Mine I know a lot of people who like fish with a bobber and you do it either way I think it's just a little more successful this time of the year when the water still cool enough that they're really not just knocking that thing out of your hand and if you're tight line and you can feel it when they touch it except it can get up there with a bobber you might not see him touch it. They might pick that

up rather than pull it down a long time to come up from underneath that thing and just lift it up and then maybe holding it and you not see the barber do anything but tight line and you can tell it's really important to two fish at the right depth. You know if you're in water that's 10 feet deep in your fish and eight feet deep in a crappier three feet you fish all day and not catch anything and vice versa. Copy just don't move up or down to get a bite now they'll fall on their level but they won't go up or down very far forward so you have to find out where they are and put it right down on their level. Right. They're usually around some kind of obstruction in the water brush of some kind or roots or stops or sticks or something. Something is just not quite open water you don't bury you don't find an open water very often. You are one of those like us go let's take a look at some crappy fish. Oh if you go to one of the biggest town in Arkansas are made by film and I don't know how long it's been since you've been in this little town but there is Douglas population water to almost

fell off the smallest town in Arkansas down Douglas all river. Let's down below pileup just off the Arkansas river not too far from Cummins prison farm and I was down there a few years ago with running Marie's family from Pine Bluff. And after that Dr. Fine and he said that he had gotten some reports from Douglas all river and title river that the Croppy were beginning to do pretty good there and he had better Brody abandon a nice copy of their well quit clowning around and write him a cold day and then on inflated the midcaps Now all that stuff and it's that that's you know people say that's too cold to go fishing. Brown won't buy that kind of weather and neither will anything else. And of course they always prove folks wrong. I guess fish in a bathtub catch half a lemon on a given day if it was cloudy but it's a pretty old like it's one of those old river likes off of the Arkansas River and then some

little tempered and stumpy areas in there too. I got off a trailer without getting in the water right and show that. Here we go and we just leave all that open water because you just don't do that good in open water you got to get around dogs and stick up some brush areas and if you can find that you usually got to find some Croppy and some fish just like have a little cover around. I don't know whether there was a van over there or chicken out as there ought but you know how long it's like oh I don't know George probably three quarter of a mile to a mile you know like it's a pretty good side like when I this is what you got to get around in order to do some good. Now this is and like February I don't remember the exact date but it was early in the year just about this time of the year. It was cold. You'll see some I saw some of these little brushy Lammers in a few minutes

when it's cold enough to wear gloves you know it's cold out there and people would say well that's just the wrong time of the year to go fishing particularly for brown or coffee. I want you to see some of the brand that they cut out a little like and there are a lot of these like like this around and some of you can get into and do some bacon and you'll find some good coffee and good Bram and occasionally some pretty good biassed and catfish. That's a small brain like really I think that's the smallest one they caught and then they just get better after that. Pretty nice copy come out too. People say well spying time is a time to catch your breath and they don't have much color to on their coat and the color is just not there in the winter time like it is in the spring in the summer. You just have to fish a little bit slower and you say what do you not read. Not Craig S. Just because this is what they like fish with good

running right. Red worms down his house. But hey that's pretty good news that you're a striker photoplay of that size and you've got some real good. But remember now this is in the cold of the winter. Of course these mornings that we've been having It's been going down 30 to 34 degrees that's pretty chilly but it's been warming up to in the 50s and 60s. It just goes to show you though that fish will bite all year long if you're just get out there and stay with them. It's just too uncomfortable for some people to go. The fish will bite but they just keep getting bigger you know thing. I saw the best Braille I like Iris and it gets there you just can't get all the way back up in there to fish around with a 14 foot boat for it. But a 12 foot

telescope telescope and fiberglass poem Oh about six feet of line 4 6 8 10 about death or whatever and work around till you find the depth that they're feeding and just stay with it and it's very very effective. That was a good trip I am going down on the Russell river and two or three years now I will actually back down there and give it a try but I enjoy getting on to some of these old river like like this is new territory and a lot of fun. You never know what you can run into. You know there are a lot of these all relates along the Arkansas River some of them the navigation aspects of the river have connected them with the river and then there are some that are behind the levees that are not connected to the river. Some of them are fairly easy to get to and well I'm thinking about BALCO here.

Bell Coast really needs to get some of them are difficult to get to some of our privately owned around them and the people just won't give you permission to go into that. You always stop and ask a lot of times they'll say sure. Well I'd say that fission is just on the threshold of becoming real good. And if we don't have any real cold weather fishing or we get progressively better weather all of our lecture in good shape water wise George and I look for a real good spring unless something just on usual happens I think we're going to be in really good shape for some excellent spring time fishing and should be in good shape for good Spong this year we're going to change the subject and talk about snakes for a little bit. That's a good time of the year. Talk about like I want to call for him to be out of a you know this is a subject that once you bring it up to you always you never go back to anything else. And remember I guess 20 years ago at the game fish

building we were taught about snakes and I said well this will provoke more discussion than anything else in the world including sex and I told someone in the vision I said just if you don't believe that you just go down and start talking about anything you want to and then bring up the subject of snakes and then watch everybody start talking about this snake story and that snake story and their fear of and all that sort of thing. And that this is true. You can get more discussion out of us snakes than any other one subject that I know of him and it will always dominate you know until finally you just have to move away from it maybe have to go someplace else and start another conversation but. I don't know why it is that people are obsessed with snakes there are two groups of people. People that like snakes and people that hate them and the ones that hate them are there make up that 95 percent or 98 percent of the population and the ones that can tolerate them are really like only maybe just 2 or 3 percent or less than 5 percent unsure of the population but

a lot of people say that hatred of snakes goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve and Eve in the surf and so on. And there are a lot of theories about you know why people have such strong feelings about snakes. But people that hunt and fish come in contact with water snakes and and other types of snakes. And you ran across film the other day that looked pretty good. Yes it is called poisonous snakes of the United States and it was filmed over in the Houston Zoo and it's beautifully done and it shows all of the poisonous snakes of the United States. And I thought it might be a good segment for our program to let people see them to be able to identify them and maybe alleviate some of the fear that is involved with people being out around the area. We've talked about what we're going to show now long enough that those of you that can't stand to see what you have plenty of time to get over and turn it off because that's what you're going to see a lot of in the

next few minutes. So we might as well take a look at this dam right now. Oh. Do you recognize this sound. This man dies and he knows what to do. I am in almost every part of our country there is at least one kind of poisonous snake. Do you know how to prevent snakes. Right. Do you have a plan of action in case you're companion is bitten. Do you know what to expect.

Poisonous snakes. Can you identify them on sight at a safe distance. No one can be used safely to identify poisonous snakes. It is a mistaken idea that all have triangular heads and catch people's poisonous course by pupils. Instead of five poisonous snakes for example the Copperhead averaging about two and a half feet has chestnut come across spans. These markings now near the middle of the back and off at the bases. Copperheads water moccasins and rattlesnakes are members of the family. There's a pit on either side of the head between the eye and the nostril. The nerve endings in these are heat sensitive and enabling the snake to make a direct hit play in the dark. I often make their homes within the suburbs with their small size.

Both the northern and southern Copperhead may be found in bottom lands along streams and areas during the day they usually remain hidden beneath large and proper food. The Southern Copperhead lighter in color than the others is light brown or tan often with a pinkish taint the cross bands of darker brown are very narrow along the middle of the back and I bounded at their bases. Average adult size of this snake is a little over two feet with short bodies and short fangs copperheads seldom deliver a fatal bite. The broad banded Copperhead may be found in Rock areas of hilly or mountainous country it's hard straight edge bands easily distinguish it from the northern and southern races. The cross bands are only a little wider at the middle of the back. In south and southeast coastal areas along

streams ponds and lakes another pit vipers a water moccasin or cotton mouth makes its home. It is our only poisonous aquatic serpent. Yet several harmless water snakes closely resemble it. The dog which may reach a length of six feet is much less vividly marked than its young which look like copper heads because of its wide color range and variable markings. It is difficult to recognise adults maybe a light or dark brown and even black. The bands may be distinctive or absent looking at the cotton mouth from above its eyes cannot be seen because of its overhanging brow looking down at a harmless water snake its eyes can be seen. Like other poisonous snakes the water moccasin can bite without calling or striking and it can bite under water study photographs or live specimens at zoos until you are familiar with its general appearance. The Common Core snake is found in or under

decaying logs and play a small narrow head slender body usually under two and a half feet long and brightly colored patterned can be dangerously attractive to children. Several harmless snakes resemble the coral but only the poisonous coral snake has the red and yellow colors adjacent. The Boy Scouts say they didn't yellow killer fellow or when the red and yellow colors of the snake touch. You can be sure it's a cold snake the color will bite if stepped on. It has small immovable fangs in the front of the upper jaw and much chewing is required before I can inject its poison with certainty. The new toxic poison produces scarcely any symptoms at the fang marks so that the danger from a bite may be overlooked. It could conceivably kill but contrary to popular opinion a coral snake causes a human death. Rattlesnakes are found in various farms throughout the land. They range in size from the large Eastern Diamondback to this very small Western pygmy of Africa

which is gracious and marked down the middle of the back with small dark spots. A row of similar spots found on each side near the belly preferring dry areas and heavy woods. It is found in greatest numbers after rains and at night its small size averaging 18 inches makes it one of our least dangerous snakes its metal is so small it has been said that if you work close enough to hear its rattle you are probably within striking distance. On the other hand the rattle of the Western Diamondback can be heard at some distance. This snake averages from three and a half to four and a half feet long but sometimes grows to over seven. Its one of the most common and most dangerous poisonous snakes in the country and can be found in many types of terrain in the United States within a 10 year period. More people died from the bite of the Western Diamondback then from the bites of any other North American snake outdoorsman need to know its habitats and to be able to recognize it on

sight. Individual specimens show great color variation from chalky white to dull red. Each can be identified by alternate black and white rings on the tail. The diamond shaped marking stand out against the light of brown color a light border outlines each diamond in direct proportion to its size it has long fangs and poison glands which hold a great amount of venom. These factors plus its great length and weight ensure a long strike and de-fang penetration. It has an unusually furious disposition. The more slender pretty rapidly has an average size of nearly 30 feet but may reach nearly five and a half feet. A snake of open country it frequents the Great Plains area. It's kind of a greenish a gray dark rounded watches with no white borders extend down the middle of the back. These become wider and shorter near the tail to form bands in front of the eye. Now a lifeline

extends backward and downward to the mouth. When I rouse the prey raffle it becomes a vicious adversary. But like most snakes is satisfied to go its way if given half a chance. The big battle is found primarily in southern California from ocean to foothills adult length is from 2 to over 5 feet. Its color range is pink to red brown. The back is marked with dark a diamond like blotches outlined with a light of color. That tale has black and white bars. This snake has a mild disposition rattling last but hissing more than most other battlers in seven of the Southwestern states usually in better regions lives a rattlesnake sometimes called a holograph but because of the scales over the eyes tan or Sandy in color it is more commonly known as the Sidewinder due to its peculiar pattern of locomotion. A broad dark brown stripe runs from the eye to the back of the mouth.

Doc brown blotches into space with the lighter areas extend down the middle of the back. This snake sometimes bears itself in loose sand leaving only the head exposed and making it difficult to detect. The black tailed raffle isn't counted among the boulders of steep canyons and hilly areas and some of the Southwestern states it has been found on mountains as far up as 70 400 feet averaging from three and a half to four feet. Its color varies from gray to olive green. The tail is black. The light aged dark brown or black blotches are scented with one of two irregular light areas while the outer edges form bars extending down either side to the belly meet the Northern Pacific rattler habitat the western coastal states average length less than three feet gradation color with a pattern of dark hexagonal or secular botches outlined with yellow borders dot tailings are distinctive. Generally

encountered from Sage Brush foothills to mountains of 3000 feet. It has been found as far up as 10 to 12000 feet. Closely related is the Southern Pacific rattlesnake of Southern California. Very dark with even darker diamond shaped watches. The markings are separated by yellow scales which form a beaded pattern around the edges and between the Boches. Some specimens particularly those from the mountains are almost entirely black. Timber is essentially mountain dwelling snakes are common to the northeastern part of the United States either yellowish in color all black both phases are found in the same area. Body markings are jagged cross bands often Chevon shaped occasionally interrupted on the back or sides like other snakes in colder climates. They hibernate in the winter as the weather warms they emerge from their dens and scatter over a wide area. Later as the weather cools they congregate in large

numbers returning year after year to the same then. Be especially cautious during late fall and early spring. For then they may be found by the dozens or even hundreds sunning themselves at the Den. The timber after resembles the canebrake gravel in wooded areas of wet bottom lands. Look for the large heavy canebrake rattlesnake. Average length of this reptile is about four and a half feet with some exceptionally large specimens growing to nearly seven feet but I don't know if it is marked with a series of dark Wyatt Chevon shaped cross spans you can distinguish it from the timber by its larger size. More vivid markings and the doc stripe from the eye to the angle of the mouth. The tail is black. The Eastern Diamondback are largest poisonous snake sometimes attains a length of eight feet. It is found in low or swampy coastal regions of the southeast distinctive markings are Dr. Ammons with

a yellowish outline and a light stripes on the side of the head one in front of the eye and one behind Eastern Diamondback frequently live and cope with turtles and other animal Burrows. They prefer the cover of palmetto bushes and logs snakes in search of food may move near human habitation and remain when they discover this is why a large percentage of all snake bites occur near the home. Many victims are children playing in their own yards and overgrown untended areas. Look out for snakes. Here there are sure to be rats and mice. A principal food for most snakes copperheads often make their homes in such surroundings to discourage snakes from taking up residence in your neighborhood. Take away the food supply clear vacant lots. Remove rubbish and other debris which harbor Babson mice. In the country where poisonous snakes are more common take additional precautions when you work

travel or play with snakes are likely to be no way to expect them to be able to recognize the poisonous ones. People have undergone needless treatment and some have died from fright after being bitten by non poisonous snakes. Always carry first aid equipment. Know when and how to use it. Practice with your kid in a simulated situation to gain confidence in its use. Remove watches and other jewelry before swelling starts within the critical first 30 minutes to an hour. A significant amount of poison can be removed by End station and suction. Apply a constricting band two to four inches above the bite toward the heart. This will help localize the venom. Check to be sure the band is not too tight. Sterilize the wound areas. Sterilize the cutting edge make it one quarter inch incision directly over each Fang Mark parallel to the extremity.

Do not make cross cuts. Apply the suction cup alternately to the room's additional and stations and movement of the band may be necessary to obtain medical aid as soon as possible. Remember most snakebites could be prevented by observing a few precautions yet never place your hands or feet where you can't see the cold snake like many others hide within or beneath decaying logs. Never use bad hands to move along. Nearly all snake bites are inflicted on the arms and legs. Armadillo and Pac red birds are apt to harbor snakes at night when you are in snake country. Carry a light and shake your head your path of travel snakes usually crawl out at night to feet on the rocky hillsides on ledges. Rattlesnakes and copperheads like to call them sun themselves especially during the warm days of early spring reaching up

over the ledge where you can't see is asking for a date with the snake protective clothing and footwear are important safeguards. As the fangs hit the victim the venom is released. In this instance harmlessly because of the protective boot high top leather shoes riding boots and similar footwear afford good protection keep trouser legs outside the boot off will sometimes diverted strike. Here is an example again in slow motion for the strike is so swift It would seem only a bright normal camera's feet on level ground a snake does not strike more than three fourths of its body length. Quick to strike at a nearby moving object it can strike faster than you can jump. So if you see or hear a snake be stale try to determine its location and decide if it's poisonous. If you must move back away as slowly as possible. Treat any snake with respect and caution for even a non poisonous snake may cause infection with its bite. Do not handle a supposedly dead snake. Even

the severed head may still be able to bite the snake. My problem is actually much greater than the snake bite problem. Knowledge of snakes their habits and characteristics will help you to replace here with confidence. That is a good film Richard. I think the main thing people need to know about snakes is to just be cautious when they're out in snake habitat and realize that you leave them alone most of the time they leave you alone. That's true as much as wear out we very seldom show you the snakes and if you're not looking for me I don't think that's true. Just got to avoid the area that you might think I am and don't put your hands in places where you know that you can't see. Like back over behind a log or up under a ledge or something like that. Just common precaution. Of course a lot of people are so afraid of snakes that they won't even go out in the woods or out on the lakes you know one that they think snakes might be out but I think that's too much fear. But

education I think it will overcome a lot of the fears of snakes and other things that might be of some potential danger. I want to thank you for putting the film together Richard and I hope you enjoyed tonight's show and hope you can tune in this same time next week. Til then. So long. Louie.