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Arkansas Hunting Seasons 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Arkansas hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Arkansas Hunting Seasons

Arkansas Hunting

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.

Arkansas Hunting Seasons Offered

Big Game - Bear, Deer, Elk
Small Game - Rabbit, Squirrel
Bird - Quail, Crow, Turkey

Arkansas Hunting Season Dates 2023

Arkansas Deer Season 2023

Opening Dates:

Archery (Bow) - Sept. 25, 2023

Muzzleloader - Oct 16, 2023

Modern Gun - Nov 13, 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZone
Muzzleloader10/16/2110/24/211,2,3,4A, 5A, 6 through 16, 16A, 17
12/11/2112/13/211, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
12/18/2112/20/214A, 5A, 14, 15
Modern Gun11/13/2112/5/211, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
12/26/2112/28/211, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6 through 16, 16A, 17
11/13/2111/21/214, 5
11/13/2112/12/214A, 5A, 14, 15
11/13/2112/19/219, 12, 13
11/13/2112/25/2116, 16A, 17
Archery9/25/212/28/22Statewide
*Bag limits and regulations for Arkansas vary by zone. Click here for more details.

2023 Opening Day Deer Dates:

  • Archery (Bow) - Sept 24, 2023
  • Muzzleloader - Oct 15, 2023
  • Modern Gun - Nov 12, 2023

Arkansas Wild Turkey Season 2023

Spring Turkey Season:

Zone 1: April 18 - April 26, 2024

Zone 2: April 18 - May 8, 2024

Arkansas Bear Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZoneBag LimitQuota*
Archery9/25/2111/30/211, 21, either sexZone 1: 400
Zone 2 does not have a quota.
Muzzleloader10/16/2110/24/211, 21, either sexZone 1: 50
Zone 2 does not have a quota.
Modern Gun11/13/2111/30/211, 21, either sexZone 1: 50
Zone 2 does not have a quota.
11/27/2112/5/2151, either sexZone 5: 10
11/20/2112/5/215A1, either sexZone 5A: 5
*Zone closes early if quota is met.

Arkansas Elk Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZoneBag LimitNotes
Public Land10/4/2110/8/21Designated areas of the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush WMA, Richland Valley Sonny Varnell Elk Conservation Area and Bearcat Hollow WMA.1 Elk, either sexPermit required
10/25/2110/29/21Designated areas of the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush WMA, Richland Valley Sonny Varnell Elk Conservation Area and Bearcat Hollow WMA.1 Elk, either sexPermit required
Private Land10/2/2110/3/21Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties).1 Elk, either sexPermit required
10/23/2110/24/21Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties).1 Elk, either sexPermit required
*Bag limits vary by zone.

Arkansas Alligator Season 2023

General Season: Sept. 17-20 and Sept. 24-27

Arkansas Small Game & Bird Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateLimit
Quail11/1/212/6/22Daily limit - 6
Possession limit - 12
Swamp/Cottontail Rabbit9/1/212/28/21Daily limit - 8
Possession limit - 16
Squirrel5/15/212/28/22Daily limit - 12
Possession limit - 48
5/15/222/28/23Daily limit - 12
Possession limit - 48

Arkansas Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Arkansas's hunting zones:

Arkansas Bag Limits 2023

Statewide Turkey Bag Limits:

  • The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes.
  • Exception: Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit during the season (including the youth hunt).
  • It is illegal for any hunter to harvest a bearded hen.
  • No more than one legal turkey may be taken per day.
  • No more than one legal turkey may be taken during the first 7 days of the regular season.

Arkansas Hunting License 2023

License ResidentNonresident
Combination Sportsman's
License
$35.50n/a
Resident Sportsman’s
License
$25.00n/a
Resident Wildlife
Conservation License
$10.50n/a
General WMA Hunter Use
Permit
Freen/a
Annual All Game Hunting Licensen/a$350
5- Day All Game Hunting Licensen/a$180
Non Expiring lifetime resident
hunting and fishing
sportsman permit
$1,000n/a

Arkansas Hunting Regulations 2023

  • 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
  • Helpful Resources

    Official State Site: https://www.agfc.com/

    FAQs
    When is deer season in Arkansas?

    Deer seasons starts as early as Sept. 25 for Archery and Nov. 13 for modern gun.

    When does bow season start in Arkansas?

    Bow/archery season starts Sept 25 for deer in Arkansas.

    When does deer season end in Arkansas?

    Deer season goes as late as Feb 28, 2022 for archery but will vary by zone and weapon.

    Read more
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