Arkansas Hunting Seasons – Updated

Welcome to the Arkansas Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2024-2023.

As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page, you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Arkansas?”

There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for various wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority to ensure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.

The Arkansas hunting season website describes the hunting in this State as follows:

“The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities around. The agency has acquired and purchased land to offer outdoor enthusiasts places to hunt, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors.

These designated areas are set aside by the Commission and distinguished by certain markers. Each WMA is considered a separate zone with regard to wildlife regulations. With more than 100 wildlife management areas spanning thousands of acres, the AGFC offers nearly every Arkansan ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors close to home.”

IMPORTANT: All care has been taken in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.

Arkansas Deer And Elk Hunting Season

Arkansas Deer And Elk Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Arkansas provides some great Deer and Elk hunting opportunities during the hunting season.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission makes the following notes about its herd management program.

“While deer were being restored to Arkansas, does were protected to promote rapid population growth. One buck could father many offspring but does were critical to re-establishing the deer herd. Thanks to strict rules and enforcement prohibiting doe harvest, Arkansas’s herd now approaches one million deer.”

“Interest in Arkansas elk increases each year. Not only in hunting these animals, but in viewing them as well. More Arkansans visit the Buffalo River area each year to observe and photograph these magnificent animals, especially in late September and early October when elk are breeding.

The herd will never be large compared to those in western states, but these elk provide an exceptional wildlife-viewing and hunting opportunity.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Deer General firearms Nov 9-Dec 1 & Dec 26-28
Deer General Firearms (Youth) Nov 2-3 & Jan 4-5
 Deer Muzzleloader Oct 19-27 & Dec 14-16
Deer Bow Sept 28-Feb 29
Deer Anterless Deer on Private Land Oct 12-16
Elk Public Land Oct 7-11 & Oct 28-Nov 1
Elk (Youth Hunt) Oct 5-6 & Oct 26-27

 

Arkansas Bear Hunting Season

Arkansas Bear Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Some good Black Bear hunting opportunities can be found in Arkansas. Baiting is allowed on Private lands but not on Public lands.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission makes the following notes about the 2018 harvest results.

“Five hundred seventy-seven bears were legally harvested during the 2018 season. The 2024 bear harvest was the highest harvest on record since 1980.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

General Firearms Nov 9-29 & Nov 23-Dec 1
General Firearms (Youth) Nov 2-3
Muzzleloader Oct 19-27
Bow Sept 28-Nov 30

 

Arkansas Turkey Hunting Season

Arkansas Turkey Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

There are some reasonable Turkey hunting opportunities during the Arkansas hunting season. In 2018 7,884 gobblers were checked by hunters.

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Regular Season Apr 13-28
Youth Season Apr 11-12

 

Arkansas Small Game Hunting Season

Arkansas Small Game Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

There are some reasonable small game hunting opportunities during the Arkansas hunting season. Alligators can also be hunted with a drawn hunting permit.

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Cottontail Rabbit Sept 1-Feb 29
Swamp Rabbit Sept 1-Feb 29
Squirrel May 15-Feb 29
Coyote Aug 1-Mar 31
Bobcat Sept 1 – Feb 29 & During Turkey Season
Opossum & Raccoon Open All year
Alligator Sept 20-23 & Sept 27-30

 

Arkansas Game Bird Hunting Season

Arkansas Game Bird Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

There is some good game bird hunting opportunities during the Arkansas hunting season. Alligators can also be hunted with a drawn hunting permit.

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Ducks Nov 23 – Dec 2, Dec 11-23, Dec 26 – Jan 31
Snow, Blue & Ross Goose Oct 23 – 30, Nov 23-Dec 6, Dec 8-Jan 31
Canada Goose Sept 1-30, Oct 26 – 30, Nov 23-Dec 6

Dec 8-Jan 31

Quail Nov 1-Feb 2
White Front Geese Oct 26 – 30, Nov 23-Dec 6, Dec 8-Jan 31

 

I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.

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