When Is Arkansas Deer Season?

With 3.2 million acres of public land on offer, an exemplary approach to wildlife management from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), and an incredibly varied hunting season offering heaps of opportunity, most whitetail hunters will find what they're looking for in Arkansas. 

However, the targeted and carefully managed approach comes with a price: a complex hunting season outlay. This guide is here to help!

Keep reading as we look at the Arkansas deer hunting seasons, how they're organized, and additional regulatory considerations to ensure you enjoy a safe and legal deer hunt in Arkansas. 

An Overview of the Arkansas Deer Season

The AGFC oversees, manages, and enforces the Arkansas deer seasons. It establishes rules to protect population numbers and ensure equitable hunting opportunities for hunters. The seasons are divided by zone and hunting preferences regarding firearm type.

Because of the complexity of the zones-and-take-method approach to deer seasons in Arkansas, we recommend that you check the specific regulations and hunting dates for each management zone and firearm type.

Below, we'll explore general rules relating to the various seasons. Check the AGFC webpage for the most up-to-date insights for accurate season and zoning dates. 

Archery Season

The archery season runs for several months, typically beginning in late September and lasting until February. 

Regarding regulations, long, recurve, and compound bows are all permitted and must have at least 35 pounds of pull. Additions such as scopes, string locks, and mechanical string locks are allowed, and big game hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8 inches wide. Hunters can also use crossbows with at least a 125-pound pull and mechanical safety. 

While it can be more challenging than hunting with a modern firearm, bow hunting in Arkansas offers several benefits, including an extended season that allows hunters more opportunities to target deer, traditionally less hunting pressure, and the chance to partake in a more natural and challenging hunt. 

Muzzleloader Season

Muzzleloader rifle hunts in Arkansas are typically allocated to October and December (however, seasons may change based on zoning). 

Muzzleloading rifles must have an 18-inch barrel length or longer and be .40 caliber or more. Additions such as sights can be used; however, the use of shots is illegal. Legal muzzleloaders use flint, percussion cap, primer, or electronic pulse and must have the bullet loaded through the muzzle. 

Like the archery season, the muzzleloading season offers additional opportunities for hunters to hunt in a less-pressured season. 

Modern Gun Season 

The modern gun season, which typically runs from early November to late December, allows the use of all modern guns unless otherwise specified.

These include:
 

• 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
• Handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches

The modern gun season allows hunters to target deer with a familiar, trusted, and highly accurate firearm. This is a high-demand hunting season, so preparation and location scouting are essential.

By leveraging the mapping insights in the HuntWise app (including the new LiDAR or Hillshade feature), you'll be able to e-scout less-pressurized hunting zones where there is less likelihood of crossing paths with other hunters. 

Specific Regulations and Zones

Hunting within specified zones is essential to ensure your hunt is legal and that you abide by the regulations allocated to that region. Some zones may be more restrictive in their limitations, have specialist Chronic Wasting Disease approaches, or impose additional considerations for flood-prone areas. 

If you're unsure about particular zoning allocations, download the HuntWise app and check the AGFC zone descriptions, which include specific geographic descriptions of the various zones. 

Bag Limits and Tagging 

Bag limits vary between zones; however, a standard bag limit across several zones is five deer, with a limit of two bucks.

Tagging your deer must be completed immediately upon harvest via the internet, AGFC mobile app, or by calling 833-289-2469. Hunters can also fill out game tags from their license. These must be completed immediately upon harvest. 

Licensing and Permits for Deer Hunting in Arkansas

All hunters 16 and older must have a license to hunt in Arkansas. However, hunters younger than 16 do not need a permit if hunting with a mentor 21 years or older. 

Additional permits may be required to hunt in wildlife management areas (WMAs) or to partake in specialist hunts. Youth hunters and senior residents may also be eligible for discounted or particular license types, allowing fair access and encouraging hunting across a broad spectrum of hunters. Maybe this season is the season to introduce your young ones to deer hunting in Arkansas!

If you were born on or after January 1, 1969, you will also need a hunter education certificate to apply for an Arkansas hunting license. 

You can purchase all relevant licenses and permits through the AGFC website, authorized license dealers, or the AGFC app.

Remember: purchasing the appropriate license not only ensures legal compliance but also contributes to the great work the AGFC does and ongoing conservation efforts to maintain the future of hunting in Arkansas. 

Tag Out This Arkansas Deer Season With HuntWise 

While the Arkansas deer season zoning and regulations can initially seem confusing, don't let it discourage you! With HuntWise, you can stay on track and keep up-to-date with clear boundary lines, private landowner contact details, public and private land mapping overlays, and more. 

Plus, with the app's HuntCast, WindCast, and RutCast features, you can time your hunt to avoid detection when deer are most active.

If you haven't downloaded the ultimate hunting app yet, get HuntWise today! Now is the time to explore it – free – for your first week and get ahead of the game this season.