Hunting Clubs in Perry County

Hunting clubs are nothing new in Arkansas. Across the state, groups of men lease the hunting rights from private landowners (often the large timber companies) and set up a camp. In many cases, these clubs are multigenerational and are an important way for fathers to pass on traditions to sons.

In Perry County, these traditions are not just hunting deer. The Perry County hunt clubs like Harmony Hunt Club (off of Hwy 9/10) and the Maumelle/Wye Mtn Hunt Club (on Wye Mt off of hwy 300) both on Deltic Timber property have a deep history in Arkansas political power. They are close enough to Little Rock to be convenient but far enough away to be private. It is through these clubs that political deals have been forged.

These clubs are the same ones that were involved with using state prisoners as a private labor force to cook and clean that finally brought media attention which ended the practice in the 50's and 60's.

These camps are still open and the labor force hasn't changed much. They continue to be the seat of much political influence and continue to cement the ties between Perry County and the state capitol.