{"id":1141,"date":"2022-05-31T00:40:58","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T00:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntingal.com\/?page_id=1141"},"modified":"2023-07-07T13:45:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T13:45:51","slug":"arkansas-hunting-seasons","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/huntingal.com\/arkansas-hunting-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Deer Season 2023 – 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Arkansas Deer and Hunting Season Information and Regulations, 2023 – 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Alligator Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
General Alligator Season<\/td>Sep. 17 – 20, Sep. 24 – 27<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Alligator season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s alligator page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alligator hunting is one of Arkansas biggest draws, but remember that season bag limit is just 1 alligator. There are also strict rules on accompanying hunt members, and specific guidelines stating that the permit holder must be the one to dispatch the gator after it is snared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Bear Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Archery<\/td>Sep. 25 – Nov. 30<\/td><\/tr>
Muzzleloader<\/td>Oct. 16 – Oct. 24<\/td><\/tr>
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt<\/td>Nov. 6 – Nov. 7<\/td><\/tr>
Modern Gun<\/td>Nov. 13 – Nov. 30<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Bear season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s bear page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Arkansas, there is a seasonal bag limit of 10 bears per hunter. This is superseded by the statewide harvest limit though – once that is hit, no more bears can be harvested for the entire season. Bear season dates depend on the zone in which you plan to hunt. Archery bear hunting is not permitted in zones 3,4,5, 5A, 6 and 7. It is illegal to kill a bear that is denned down or one that is being pursued by dogs. You can\u2019t bait or lure bear under any circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Deer Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Archery<\/td>Sept. 23 – Feb. 29<\/td><\/tr>
Muzzleloader<\/td>Oct. 21 – 29 and Dec. 9 – 11<\/td><\/tr>
Private Land Antlerless-Only Modern Gun Hunt<\/td>Dec. 29 – Dec. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt<\/td>Nov. 4 – Nov. 5 and Jan. 6 – Jan. 7<\/td><\/tr>
Modern Gun<\/td>Nov. 11 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 26 – 28<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Deer season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s deer page here<\/a>. There are 17 different Deer Zones in Arkansas and while their season dates are similar, their bag limits can be very different, sometimes even differentiated within the same zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas follows the three-point rule when it comes to counting a buck as legal – each side of his rack has to have 3 or more points. There are other specifics for certain zones surrounding what constitutes a legal harvest, so make sure to pay attention. The average bag limit consists of 5 deer with no more than 2 bucks. In some zones, button-bucks DO count toward a hunter\u2019s buck limit. In others, they do not. It is important to check the regulations regarding the zone you wish to hunt beforehand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doe Tags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a 3-doe limit under an archery tag in Arkansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Elk Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Youth Hunts<\/td>Oct. 7 – Oct. 8 and Oct. 28 – Oct. 29<\/td><\/tr>
Regular Elk Hunts<\/td>Oct. 2 – Oct. 6 and Oct. 30 – Nov. 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Elk season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s Elk page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The season limit for elk in Arkansas is one elk, of either sex. There is also some flexibility to take elk that you see while deer hunting if using archery equipment, muzzleloaders, or guns of at least .24 caliber IF you are outside the Core Elk Management Zone. Check the AGFC website for specific details on these zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Turkey Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Zone 1 and 2<\/td>Apr. 6 – Apr. 7<\/td><\/tr>
Zone 1<\/td>Apr. 15 – Apr. 23<\/td><\/tr>
Zone 2<\/td>Apr. 15 – May 5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Turkey season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s turkey page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas statewide bag limit for turkey is 2, jakes are not allowed to be harvested. The exception is for hunters between the ages of 6 and 15 who are allowed to use jake as one of their 2-bird season limits. A legal turkey is considered an adult gobbler.\u00a0 It is illegal for any hunter to harvest a bearded hen. There are additional zone-specific limits that also must be adhered to, so it is worth checking the AGFC website for specifics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Small Game Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rabbit<\/td>Sep. 1 – Feb. 29<\/td><\/tr>
Squirrel<\/td>May 15 – Feb. 29<\/td><\/tr>
Quail<\/td>Nov. 1 – Feb. 5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on small game season, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s small game page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas has a number of regulations for each of its small game. Rabbit daily limit for harvest is 8. They also can’t be hunted with guns larger than a .22 unless specific seasons are in effect. Squirrel limit for daily harvest is 12, and follows the same caliber restrictions as rabbit. Quail have a daily limit of 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Furbearer Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beaver and Nutria<\/td>Sept. 1 – Mar 31<\/td><\/tr>
Bobcat<\/td>Sept. 1 – Feb. 29<\/td><\/tr>
Coyote<\/td>Jan. 1 – Dec. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Gray Fox, Red Fox, Muskrat and Mink<\/td>Gray Fox, Red Fox, Muskrat, and Mink<\/td><\/tr>
Opossum, Raccoon, and Striped Skunk<\/td>Jan. 1 – Dec. 31<\/td><\/tr>
River Otter<\/td>Nov. 12 – Feb. 29<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on furbearer seasons, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s furbearers page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the fur-bearing species have additional limits surrounding the time of day as well as specific bag limits. Check out the AGFC website for all the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Migratory Bird Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Duck, Coot and Merganser<\/td>Nov. 18 – Jan. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Snow, Blue and Ross’s Goose<\/td>Oct. 28 – Nov. 10, Nov. 18 – Nov. 26, Dec. 9 – Dec. 23, Dec 27. – Jan. 31<\/td><\/tr>
White-fronted Goose<\/td>Oct. 28 – Jan. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Early Canada Goose<\/td>Sep. 1 – 30<\/td><\/tr>
Canada Goose<\/td>Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose<\/td><\/tr>
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove<\/td>Sep. 4 – Oct. 22<\/td><\/tr>
Eurasian Collared-Doves<\/td>Sept. – Jan. 15<\/td><\/tr>
Virginia Rail and Sora<\/td>Sep. 9 – Nov. 17<\/td><\/tr>
Wilson’s Snipe<\/td>Nov. 1 – Feb. 15<\/td><\/tr>
Common and Purple Gallinule<\/td>Sep. 1 – Nov. 9<\/td><\/tr>
Woodcock<\/td>Nov. 4 – Dec. 18<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

* Arkansas has a number of different zones that require permits and have specific regulations. There is also a differentiation between public and private land hunts. For specific information on Migratory Bird seasons, land quotas, and more, check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website’s migratory birds page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The migratory birds all carry with them different bag limits as well as other specific considerations. Please check the AGFC website for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crossbow Regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas is abundant in wildlife and fairly open-minded concerning regulations, tagging, and license requirements. Disabled Arkansas residents may purchase a three-year disability license for $25. Crossbows are legal during archery season but must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety. There are other crossbow-specific guidelines such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n