There be wildlife!

It would appear that hunting season is still open along and just north of 5 Mile Creek. Last Saturday morning the 12th at approximately 5:55 a.m. I was awaken by a rifle shot! Later that same day at approximately 3:05 p.m. I heard another rifle shot! Both of these appeared to come from the woods just north of 5 Mile Creek that borders our two neighborhoods, and located in either the city limits of North Little Rock and/or Sherwood. I am concerned for the safety of all our neighbors and their children; while hunting game a rifle bullet that does not cut meat can travel upwards of 500 yards! Now we know that hunting within our city limits is illegal. And running ATVs up and down our neighborhood streets and across our lawns is illegal, too! So be watchful whenever you see suspicious activity that may announce that someone is hunting just behind our own backyards, and immediately report it to our police!

You might be asking exactly what could anybody be hunting for in the 5 Mile Creek's woodlands? Let me tell ya! The following have been confirmed by multiple neighborhood sightings reported within the last four months. We have whitetail deer, red fox, raccoon, gray & flying squirrel, possum, hawk, owl and osprey. And "big" snakes, too! Now I don't want to alarm you but please be watchful of your small pets while they are outdoors, unattended.

As further subdivision and business developments come along to impact our 5 Mile Creek woodlands we will continue to see more wildlife displaced and in turn become more visible in our neighborhoods. Why I've even got a bet going that soon we'll have confirmed sightings of an ol' Arkansas gator! Just wait and see.

Nate Brandes