About Hunting in Arkansas
Arkansas is a popular destination for hunting all year round, you cna enjoy the outdoors including bear to deer to catching fish healthy in the area. For visitors or citizens there is an active hunting program. Wildlife spans to several million acres and is known for being a conservatory state so in spring no hunting is allowed! There are very unique aspects to hunting in Arkansas and if you want a different experience that remains in a natural state, while contributing to the sport of hunting then you have made a great choice!
Multiple seasons are available including deer listed below as well which starts October 1st. There is also Elk which starts October 1st and Bear which includes Archery from September 22 to Muzzle Loader on October 20 and Modern Gun on November 10. General season for alligator begins September 21 and Turkey, April 8.
These are just some of the starting dates but continue to look for more information, as there are general start dates for small game and bird as well.
Arkansas Hunting Seasons
Big Game – Bear, Deer, Elk
Small Game – Rabbit, Squirrel
Bird – Quail, Crow, Turkey
Arkansas 2021 Deer Season Opening Dates
Archery – Sept. 25, 2021
Muzzleloader – Oct 16, 2021
Modern Gun – Nov 13, 2021
Arkansas Firearm and Archery Deer Season 2021
| Season | Dates | Zone | Bag Limit | Notes |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 17-25 and Dec 12-14 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 | Six deer of which no more than two may be bucks. The statewide seasonal bag limit may be taken in any combination of zones or methods as long as zone bag limits are not exceeded. | 2 antlered bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun |
| Oct 17-25 and Dec 19-21 | 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | |||
| Oct 17-25 | 1,2,3,6,7,8 ,10,11, 4A, 5A, 14, 15, 9,12,13, 16, 16A and 17 | |||
| Closed | 4 and 5 | |||
| Modern Gun | Nov 14- Dec 6 | 1, 2, 3,6,7,8,10 and 11 | ||
| Nov 14-22 | 4 and 5 | |||
| Nov 14- Dec 13 | 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | |||
| Nov 14- Dec 20 | 9, 12, 13 | |||
| Nov 14- Dec 25 | 16, 16A and 17 | |||
| Archery | Sept 26- Feb 28 | Statewide |
Arkansas Firearm and Archery Bear Season 2020-2021
| Season | Dates | Zone | Bag Limit | Notes |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 17-25 | 1 & 2 | One bear, either sex, by any method. | The season ends the morning after the quota is reached or Nov 30 whichever comes first. Archery quota: 400 bears, Muzzleloader quota: 50 bears, Modern gun quota: 50 bears. |
| Closed | 3, 4, 5 , 5A, 6 and 7 | |||
| Modern Gun | Nov 14-30 | 1 & 2 | Zone 1 closes earlier if quota is reached | |
| Nov 21-29 | 5 | Closes earlier if quota is reached | ||
| Nov 21- Dec 6 | 5A | Closes earlier if quota is reached | ||
| Closed | 3,4,5,5A,6 and 7 |
Arkansas Firearm and Archery Elk Season 2020-2021
| Season | Dates | Zone | Bag Limit | Notes |
| Public Land | Oct 26-30 | 1,2,3 and 4 | One Elk, Either Sex | Permit required |
| Private Land | Oct 5-9, Oct 26-30 | Core Elk Zone | One Elk, Either Sex | Permit required |
Arkansas Small Game and Bird Season 2020-2021
| Season | Dates | Zone | Notes |
| Rabbit | Nov 1- Feb 7 | Statewide | |
| Squirrel | May 15- Feb 28 | Statewide | |
| Crow | Sept 1- Feb 21 | Statewide | Thursday/Monday hunting only |
| Turkey | TBD | TBD |
Arkansas Hunting License
Application period begins- June 1st at 8 am
Application deadline- July 1st at 11:59 pm
You can purchase license at www.agfc.com
| License | Cost | Notes |
| Combination Sportsman’s License | $35.50 | All game species using modern gun, muzzleloader or archer and tot take a total bag limit of deer |
| Resident Sportsman’s License | $25.00 | All game species use modern guns, muzzleloaders or bow and to take a total bag limit of deer and turkey |
| Resident Wildlife Conservation License | $10.50 | |
| General WMA Hunter Use Permit | Free | Required to hunt or trap on WMAs |
| Nonresident Annual all game hunting license | $350 | |
| Nonresident 5- Day All Game Hunting License | $180 | |
| Non Expiring lifetime resident hunting and fishing sportsman permit | $1000 |
Arkansas hunting permits
| Permit | Application dates | Cost |
| Turkey Permit | Jan 15- Feb 15 | $5 to apply |
| Alligator Permit | June 15 | |
| Elk Permit | May 1 to June 1 | |
| WMA waterfowl hunt Permit | ||
| Urban Archery Deer Hunt Permit |
All participants of urban bow hunts must complete the international bowhunter education program.
Arkansas Hunting News
The great state of Arkansas is known as a ‘Natural State,’ meaning that there isn’t any hunting in the spring time due to the high breeding numbers. They work hard at conserving the land and the animals so that there are harvest numbers for a later date as well and the population is evenly maintained. There are interesting big games including Alligator, Elk, Bear and Deer and small games which include rabbit, squirrel and quail! There are many wildlife management areas where you can apply at a low cost or none at all to hunt and you are sure to gain a unique experience.
The licenses, permits if any as well as the seasons, weapons and zones are all listed on this page for Arkansas, please continue to look around to find accessible information!
Links to Official Sites
Buy License in Arkansas: www.agfc.com
Arkansas State Regulation Site: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/general-hunting-regulations/
Link to State PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y3NsyKqHSUY3kPfJ8j5agSjVAx1gHiWx/view
Find a Hunting Guide
Tips for Hunting in Arkansas
- Hunters or those accompanying must wear at least 400 sq inches of hunter orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage above wait and a head garment of the same colors.
- Hunters may carry only muzzleloaders or archery equipment during muzzleloader deer or bear seasons.
- Hunters may use air rifles on small games
- It is unlawful to feed wildlife within the CWD management zone
- Food plots may be used year round
Resources and Links
General Hunting Dates- https://www.cleverhunters.com/arkansas-hunting-seasons/
Official Hunting Regulation Site- https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/general-hunting-regulations/
Hunting Guidebook PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y3NsyKqHSUY3kPfJ8j5agSjVAx1gHiWx/view
Permits and Laws- https://blog.gunassociation.org/arkansas-hunting-laws-regulations/