The Arkansas Tech University Fisheries and Wildlife Society will host its 2026 Beast Feast wild game dinner and silent auction on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Yell County Wildlife Federation Building in Dardanelle.
The event will feature a silent auction beginning at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for non-students. Only cash or check will be accepted.
Organized and hosted by students in the ATU Fisheries and Wildlife Society, Beast Feast is a fundraising event that provides the community with an evening of distinctive cuisine and conservation-focused engagement. Guests can enjoy a variety of wild game dishes, which may include chicken, duck, goose, deer, squirrel, raccoon, beaver, fish and, occasionally, wild hog.
In preparation for the event, students gather wild game and collect donated items from local and regional businesses for the live and silent auctions. Funds raised directly support student participation in Conclave, a competitive, out-of-state professional conference where fisheries and wildlife students will represent ATU in competition against other universities nationwide.
“Attending this event is crucial in the development of well-rounded students,” said Macy Sparks, a member of the ATU Fisheries and Wildlife Society. “It gives the opportunity to compete against other schools in varying activities and programs related to fisheries and wildlife science. It is an amazing opportunity to build upon essential job skills, meet professionals and network in ways we would otherwise not be exposed to. Beast Feast raises the money necessary to cover entrance fees, travel costs and hotels, allowing students to attend cost-free and worry-free.”
Proceeds from Beast Feast cover travel, lodging and registration costs, ensuring students can attend without financial barriers. The 2025 event raised approximately $10,000, with previous years typically generating $7,000–to-$8,000.
