Once we have confirmed your booking request, we require a 50% deposit to secure your reservation. The deposit can be paid by either check or credit card. If by credit card, we charge a 3% credit card processing fee for the cost of the credit card processing. The balance will be due at or before your trip end.
No, the rates on the website are before taxes and are subject to changes in the tax rate by the State of Arkansas
You are required to pay the balance of your trip, including tax, either at check in or at departure. Additionally, some corporate clients prefer to pay in advance of the trip to get it out of the way. We do not bill on account
Big Creek Waterfowl is accessible from the Memphis, TN or Little Rock, Arkansas airports.
Use Google Maps on your phone and search for Big Creek Waterfowl, Wheatley, AR, once you make it to Hwy 78 in Wheatley. DO NOT USE GPS. Doing so will send you on county roads that are not improved/gravel/paved, go thru private property, and there is an excellent chance you will get stuck or meet an angry landowner! PLEASE print out the instructions off of the website to get to the lodge!
Yes, if needed, we can make all arrangements for your group’s pick-up and departure
Yes, we have comfortable lodging, showers (city water), den area with large fireplace, big screen satellite TV, and a large covered outside deck.
For groups that are scheduled for hunting the following morning, you should plan to arrive at the lodge mid to late afternoon, 3:00pm or after is best. If you have an afternoon hunt scheduled, then be there by noon. We typically serve dinner at 6:30 PM so best to arrive before then.
Yes, we provide two full meals a day. Coffee and juice are available at the lodge in the morning before the hunt. After the hunt, we will have a full buffet brunch breakfast mid-morning at the lodge. We will also have a southern style dinner at the main lodge starting around 6:30 in the evening. Typical evening meals may include prime steaks, grilled chicken, and always will have ducks and geese cooked up! Additionally, special arrangements can be made for meals upon request.
Effective the fall of 2017, we can no longer provide beer, wine, or alcohol as we do not have a liquor license. So please plan to bring whatever you would like to consume. If previous guests have left any from their visit, you are more than welcome to it.
Most guest’s use a 12-gauge , 3 or 3 ½ inch shotgun, with either # BB’s, 1’s, 2’s, or 3’s. Remember, steel or non-toxic shot only. 10- gauge shotguns are also very popular for goose hunting where we recommend using either 2’s or BB shot. Ammunition should be brought or shipped to the lodge in advance of your trip. Additionally, ammunition can sometimes be purchased in very limited quantities nearby Forrest City or Brinkley, while supplies last. We do not sale ammunition as we do not carry a firearms or reseller license to do so.
Unfortunately, our waterfowl season is only 60 days long and when you book a trip and it is confirmed by your hunting party’s deposit, confirmed and received by Big Creek, your group is obligated to that total booking amount. For example, if you book a trip with us and your party has 4 hunters, we confirm your trip with the required 50% deposit, and you have a cancellation with your group, the total that was booked (financially) does not change. For a more clear example, think of it like booking a fishing charter and the boat cost $2,000.00 for the trip and you have 4 fishermen in your group. If one of the anglers backs out the cost of the trip is still the same. This is the case with Big Creek as well. We don’t over hunt our property and we only book a limited amount of trips and therefore we depend on those bookings. Any changes to this policy must be approved and done so in writing by Big Creek in our sole and absolute discretion.
After the hunt, all birds have to be legally tagged by each hunter, assisted by your guide, and are placed in our cooler. The cost of processing your harvested birds is not included in your daily rate. More information on handling and transporting harvested waterfowl can be found on the State of Arkansas website: WWW.AGFC.COM, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website at: WWW.FWS.GOV. Big Creek is not set up to arrange for shipping birds for clients as we simply do not have the means to do so as we are located in a rural area and don’t have the facilities locally to do so.
The vast majority of the time you would only need hip waders. However, we recommend chest waders to accommodate all types of hunting that may take place.
Absolutely! Depending on your specific needs, we have a wide variety of excellent hunting opportunity for those that are physically challenged. It is my personal commitment to make every accommodation possible for anyone, young and old, that enjoys the great outdoors!
No, and if anyone tries to, go somewhere else. Successful Waterfowl hunting is a combination of several very critical elements all coming together to create the desired outcome. We have taken ever measure practically possible to maximize those critical elements that we can control, which are: water, habitat, food, rest areas, and limited hunting pressure. Weather (here and further up north) have a dramatic impact on our population of Ducks and Geese in the area and which we have no control. What we do guarantee is a first class experience, excellent habitat, and blinds to optimize your success rate.
We encourage hunters to bring their own dogs if they are properly trained. Clients are responsible for bringing your own individual dog crate and you should plan on bringing enough food for your dogs stay. Dogs are not allowed in any of the lodges.
Non-hunting guests staying in the same room can be accommodated at a daily rate of $150.00 plus tax per person for meals and lodging.
Tipping is always at the discretion of our guests. Our staff and guides work very hard to accommodate our hunters and guests, and while not a requirement, tips are always welcome for the level of service received.
Our guides typically receive anywhere between $25.00 – $50.00 per hunter per day for each day/hunt they guide you. Our staff typically receives between $25.00 – $50.00 per guest at departure at the end of one’s trip.
Meals and lodging run $50.00 a day each or a total of $100.00 per day, so it would be the published rates minus $100.00 plus tax.
Each hunter must execute our standard liability release form before you are allowed into the field. These forms will also be made available at the lodge.