Overview
Known For
Arkansas has earned a rightful reputation for world-class duck hunting. Stuttgart, Arkansas, is the proclaimed duck-hunting capital of the world. But there is more to hunting in Arkansas than just waterfowling. The state is great for huge Natural State bucks, ample opportunities for turkey, and even elk and alligator.
Terrain
Arkansas’s terrain is generally split between its northern highlands and southern lowlands. Its highlands include the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains. Its southern lowlands include the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Arkansas Delta. In between and throughout are rivers, river valleys, forests, and savannas.
Arkansas Hunting Seasons
Season | Start Date | End Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Alligator – Early Season
Season Limit 1 Alligator 4 feet or longer |
Sep 15, 2023 | Sep 18, 2023 | |
|
Alligator – Early Season
Zone 1, 2, 3. Each permit allows 1 alligator to be taken and required to be 4 feet or longer.
|
Sep 16, 2022 | Sep 19, 2022 |
|
Alligator – Late Season
Zone 1, 2, 3. Each permit allows 1 alligator to be taken and required to be 4 feet or longer.
|
Sep 22, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 |
|
Bear – Archery
Zone 1, 2. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Sep 13, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
|
Bear – Muzzleloader
Zone 1, 2. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
|
Bear – Youth Gun
Zone 1, 2. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Nov 4, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 |
|
Bear – First Gun
Zone 1, 2. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Nov 11, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
|
Bear – Third Gun
Zone 5A. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Nov 25, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
|
Bear – Second Gun
Zone 5. Statewide bag limit 1 bear of either sex.
|
Nov 25, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
|
Bobcat
Bag limit 2 per day.
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 |
|
Coyote
No bag limit.
|
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
Deer – Archery
All Zones. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. See regulations. |
Sep 23, 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 |
|
Deer – First Muzzloader
Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 4A, 5A, 14, 15, 9, 12, 13, 16, 16A, and 17. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
|
Deer – First Youth Gun
All Zones. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. See regulations. |
Nov 4, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 |
|
Deer – First Gun
Zones: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
|
Deer – Fourth Gun
Zone 9, 12, and 13. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 17, 2023 |
|
Deer – Fifth Gun
Zone 16, 16A, 17. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 28, 2023 |
|
Deer – Second Gun
Zones 4 and 5. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Nov 19, 2023 |
|
Deer – Third Gun
Zone 4A, 5A, 14, 15. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Nov 11, 2023 | Dec 10, 2023 |
|
Deer – Second Muzzleloader
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Dec 9, 2023 | Dec 11, 2023 |
|
Deer – Third Muzzleloader
Zone 4A, 5A, 14, 15. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Dec 16, 2023 | Dec 18, 2023 |
|
Deer – Sixth Gun
Christmas holiday hunt. Zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. |
Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 28, 2023 |
|
Deer – Private Land Antlerless
All Zones. Statewide Bag limit is 5 deer no more than 2 bucks. Limits vary by zone. See regulations. |
Dec 29, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
Deer – Second Youth Gun
Limits vary by zone. See regulations. |
Jan 6, 2024 | Jan 7, 2024 |
|
Dove – Early Season
Bag limit 15 per day for Mourning and White-Winged Dove. No bag limit for Eurasian Collared Dove.
|
Sep 2, 2023 | Oct 22, 2023 |
|
Dove – Late Season
Bag limit 15 per day for Mourning and White-Winged Dove. No bag limit for Eurasian Collared Dove.
|
Dec 8, 2023 | Jan 15, 2024 |
|
Duck – Special Early Teal
Bag limit 6 per day. (Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal combined)
|
Sep 15, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 |
|
Duck – 1st Season
6, which may include no more than: 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (including teal) may be taken. |
Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
|
Duck – Youth Waterfowl 1
On these days, only youths 15 and younger and military veterans may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers.
|
Dec 2, 2023 | Dec 2, 2023 |
|
Duck – 2nd Season
6, which may include no more than: 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (including teal) may be taken. |
Dec 9, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
|
Duck – 3rd Season
6, which may include no more than: 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (including teal) may be taken. |
Dec 27, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
|
Duck – Youth and Veteran Waterfowl 2
On these days, only youths 15 and younger and military veterans may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers.
|
Feb 3, 2024 | Feb 3, 2024 |
|
Elk – Core Zone Regular 1
Public and Private, but require separate permits. Core Elk Management Zone. Bag limit 1 elk per season.
|
Oct 2, 2023 | Oct 6, 2023 |
|
Elk – Core Zone Youth 1
Public and Private, but require separate permits. Core Elk Management Zone. Bag limit 1 elk per season.
|
Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 8, 2023 |
|
Elk – Core Zone Youth 2
Public and Private, but require separate permits. Core Elk Management Zone. Bag limit 1 elk per season.
|
Oct 28, 2023 | Oct 29, 2023 |
|
Elk – Core Zone Regular 2
Public and Private, but require separate permits. Core Elk Management Zone. Bag limit 1 elk per season.
|
Oct 30, 2023 | Nov 3, 2023 |
|
Fox – Gray & Red, Muskrat and Mink
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 |
|
Goose – Early Canada Goose
Canada Goose. Bag limit 5 per day.
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 |
|
Goose – 1st Season
White-fronted bag limit 3 per day. Snow, Blue, and Ross bag limit 20 per day. |
Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 10, 2023 |
|
Goose – 2nd Season
White-fronted bag limit 3 per day. Canada bag limit 2 per day. Snow, Blue, and Ross bag limit 20 per day.
|
Nov 18, 2023 | Nov 26, 0003 |
|
Goose – Youth Waterfowl 1
On these days, only youths 15 and younger and military veterans may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers.
|
Dec 2, 2023 | Dec 2, 2023 |
|
Goose – 3rd Season
White-fronted bag limit 3 per day. Canada bag limit 2 per day. Snow, Blue, and Ross bag limit 20 per day.
|
Dec 9, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
|
Goose – Conservation Order
Light geese no limit.
|
Feb 1, 2024 | Apr 2, 2024 |
|
Goose – Youth and Veteran Waterfowl 2
On these days, only youths 15 and younger and military veterans may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers.
|
Feb 3, 2024 | Feb 3, 2024 |
|
Goose – Conservation Order 2
Light geese no limit.
|
Feb 4, 2024 | Apr 25, 2024 |
|
Feral Hogs – Private
No closed season. No limit.
|
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2024 |
|
Feral Hogs – Public Archery
No limit. Please Check Regulations for Open Areas: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/feral-hogs/ |
Nov 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
|
Bobwhite Quail
Bag limit 6 per day.
|
Nov 1, 2023 | Feb 5, 2024 |
|
Rabbit
Bag limit 8 per day.
|
Sep 1, 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 |
|
Turkey – Special Youth
Bag Limit during the Special Youth Turkey Hunt is one legal turkey. |
Apr 6, 2024 | Apr 7, 2024 |
|
Turkey – Zone 2
Two legal turkeys, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). |
Apr 15, 2024 | May 5, 2024 |
|
Turkey – Zone 1
One legal turkey, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). |
Apr 15, 2024 | Apr 23, 2024 |
Arkansas Hunting Regulations
Alligator
Bag Limit
Limit of one alligator greater than 4 feet per person, per year.
Bear
Seasonal Bag Limit
Season bag limit is one statewide in bear zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5A by any method.
Big Game
Hunting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Archery
Long, recurve and compound bows: Must have at least a 35-pound pull. Scopes, string locks and mechanical string releases may be used. Big-game hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8-inches wide (including mechanicals). Arrows and arrowheads containing firearm ammunition or poison may not be used.
Crossbow: Crossbows must have at least a 125-pound pull and a mechanical safety. Scopes may be used. Big-game hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8-inches wide (including mechanicals). Arrows and arrowheads containing firearm ammunition or poison may not be used. Propelled Arrows: Arrows propelled from a compressed air system or by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant may not be used.
Muzzleloader
To be used for deer & bear hunting, muzzleloading rifles must have a barrel 18 inches or longer and be .40 caliber or larger. Magnifying sights may be used. Buckshot size 4 or larger may be used to hunt deer. Legal muzzleloaders use flint, percussion cap, primer or electronic pulse, must have the bullet loaded through the muzzle and are not capable of firing a cartridge. Hunters may use muzzleloading handguns with:
- Barrels 9 inches or longer
- .45 caliber or larger if they shoot conical bullets (200 grains or heavier), or
- .530 caliber or larger if they shoot round balls. A hunter may carry a muzzleloading handgun of any caliber as backup to a muzzleloading rifle
Modern Gun
Modern guns may be used for deer EXCEPT:
- Buckshot in a .410 shotgun.
- Shot smaller than No. 4 buckshot in any shotgun.
- Rimfire cartridges, military or full metal jacketed ammunition.
- Centerfire rifles or handguns smaller than .22 caliber.
- Handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches. See illustration, right.
NOTE: The AGFC has approved for modern gun deer season the use of large-bore air rifles that meet certain standards. The large-bore air rifle must be at least .40-caliber, shoot a single, expandable slug, produce at least 400 feet/pounds of energy at the muzzle, and be charged from an external tank. Large-bore air rifles are not legal for harvesting bear or elk.
In zones 4, and 5 modern guns are restricted to:
- Shotguns .410 or larger with slugs,
- Handguns with barrels 4 to 10 inches long chambered specifically for straight-walled centerfire cartridges loaded with lead, lead alloy, soft nose and/or hollow point bullets .30 caliber or larger.
- Large bore air rifles (see above),
- Muzzleloaders.
Deer
Bag Limits
Bag limits vary by deer zone. See regulations for bag limits by zone.
Elk
Bag Limit
One elk either sex.
Furbearers
Gray Fox, Red Fox, Muskrat and Mink – Bag Limit
Bag Limit is two per day
Opossum, Raccoon & Striped Skunk – Bag Limit
No Bag Limit
Bobcat – Bag Limit
Bag limit is two per day
River Otter – Bag Limit
Bag limit is two per day
Coyote, Nutria, & Beaver
No Bag Limit
Migratory Birds
Shooting Hours
Legal shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Virginia Rails & Sora – Bag Limits
Daily Limit – 25 Possession Limit – 75 (combined)
Snipe – Bag Limits
Daily Limit – 8 • Possession Limit – 24
Woodcock – Bag Limits
Daily Limit – 3 • Possession Limit – 9
Doves – Bag Limits
Mourning and White-winged Doves:
- Daily Limit: 15
- Possession Limit: 45
Eurasian Collared-Doves:
- No daily bag or possession limit
Crows – Bag Limits
No Bag Limit
Small Game
Legal Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Quail – Bag Limit
Daily limit – 6, possession limit – 12.
Rabbit – Bag Limit
Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.
Squirrel – Bag Limit
Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.
Turkey
Zone 1 Bag Limit
One legal turkey, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). Hunters who harvest a turkey in this zone must travel to a NWR, WMA or Zone 2 to harvest a second bird.
Zone 2 Bag Limit
Two legal turkeys, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions).
Statewide Bag Limit
The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes.
Shooting Hours
Turkeys may not be taken from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Legal Hunting Equipment for Turkeys
Only shotguns (10 gauge and smaller) and archery equipment (including crossbows) are legal for turkey hunting. Shot larger than No. 2 common shot is prohibited.
Waterfowl
Legal Hours
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset, except during teal season, which begins at sunrise.
Legal Shot
- Hunters may have only U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved nontoxic shot in their immediate possession when hunting waterfowl.
- Hunters may use only nontoxic shot size T (.2-inch diameter) and smaller when hunting waterfowl and coots. Other migratory birds may be taken with nontoxic shot size T and smaller or lead shot size BB (.18-inch diameter) and smaller.
Duck, Coot and Merganser
Duck daily bag limit – 6, which may include no more than:
- 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black
- Ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (including teal) may be taken.
Coot daily bag limit – 15.
Merganser daily bag limit – 5, which may include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.
Snow, Blue and Ross’s Goose – Bag Limit
Daily bag limit – 20
No possession limit
White-fronted Goose – Bag Limit
Daily bag limit – 2
Possession limit – 6
Early Canada Goose – Bag Limit
Daily bag limit – 5
Possession limit – 15
Canada Goose – Bag Limit
Daily bag limit – 2
Possession limit – 6
Common & Purple Gallinule – Bag Limit
Daily bag limit – 15
Possession limit – 45
*Season dates and regulation data provided by
Arkansas Licenses, Permits and Regulations
Arkansas hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every Arkansas hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Arkansas hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunt zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Arkansas.
Hunt Zones
Arkansas’s hunt zones vary from Zone 1 to Zone 17, with each having its own regulations, restrictions, and limits. The state has an estimated 1,000,000 whitetail deer. There are more than 6.5 million acres of public hunting grounds and over 150 WMAs. Click below to view Arkansas’s hunt zones in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers

AR Private Lands
Over 1,300,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Arkansa. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

AR Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 4,300,000 acres in Arkansas to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.

AR Possible Access
onX has mapped 2,500,000 acres of possible access lands in Arkansas including timber and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

AR Hunt Zones
Arkansas Alligator, Bear, Deer, Elk and Turkey Zones. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 5 Sublayers
- Alligator
- Bear
- Deer Zones
- Elk
- Turkey Zones

AR WRICE
The Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE) program, these lands are open to permitted public hunting opportunities. Check local rules for each Property.


The #1 GPS Hunting App
- 975 million acres of public land
- 10,668 unique hunting units
- 421 map overlays and counting
- 5,000 game wardens approve