Arkansans believe that hunting isn’t just a pastime. In the Natural State, hunting is a part of their culture.
Waterfowl hunters, Arkansas is the place to hunt this season. If you’re also after deer (or even an alligator), you’ll want to plan time to hunt here. So, whether you live in Arkansas or we’ve just tempted you to plan a hunting trip there this year, you’ll need to know the open-season dates and bag limits for the game you’re after.
Good news, hunters — we’ve compiled much of the information you need in this guide! So, keep reading to learn what hunters need to know about Arkansas hunting seasons.
Updated May 15, 2025
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Arkansas?
We said it earlier, but we’ll say it again: Arkansas offers world-class waterfowl hunting. It’s ideally positioned within the Mississippi Flyway, making it an excellent habitat for wintering waterfowl. So, if duck and geese are what you’re after this year, plan a hunting trip to Arkansas and experience one of the best places in the U.S. to hunt waterfowl.
You’ll also enjoy hunting in the state if you’re after big bucks and turkey. Hunting in Arkansas can also be a good spot for bringing home a trophy elk or even an alligator.
Where Should I Hunt?
Depending on what you hunt, you’ll likely find yourself either in the highlands (Ouachita or Ozark Mountains) or the lowlands of Arkansas. The terrain throughout the state offers plenty of forests, rivers, and river valleys for a beautiful and interesting hunt in the field.
You’ll find plenty of WMA (Wildlife Management Land) and more than 3 million acres of public land for hunting. With so much land available, you’ll want to narrow down the locations best suited for finding the game you’re after.
Whether you’ve hunted in Arkansas as a resident or you’re planning your first hunting adventure in this state, HuntWise maps and features can help you gain an advantage over game and other hunters.
When Can I Hunt?
Many waterfowl await you this season! However, before heading out into the Ozarks or planning your hunt, make sure you know the open season dates and regulations.
Keep reading! We’ve compiled the latest Arkansas hunting information to help you plan — but be aware that information can change from year to year and even throughout the season. Make sure you check official websites for hunting in Arkansas to confirm the latest details as you plan your hunting adventures.
We've updated some dates that are available for the 2025-2026 season. As the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) provides future season dates, we'll make additional updates to this resource.
Arkansas Deer Season
Deer open season dates are based on twenty different zones. Note that the “muzzleloader” season is now known as the “Alternative Firearms” season.
Christmas Holiday Hunt (Statewide): December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zone 1:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 13 – 15, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28
Deer Zone 4, 5:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: Closed
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Modern Gun: November 8 – 16 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 20 – 22, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2025
Modern Gun: November 8 – December 7 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zone 7:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 13 – 15, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zones 9, 12, 13:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Modern Gun: November 8 – December 14 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Deer Zones 16, 16A, 17:
Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
Modern Gun: November 8 – December 25 and December 26 – 28, 2025
Turkey
Special Youth Hunt: April 11 – 12, 2026
Regular Season:
Zone 1: April 20 – 28, 2026
Zone 2: April 20 – May 10, 2026
Waterfowl
Special Early Teal: September 15 – 30
Duck, Coot, and Merganser: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31, 2025
Canada Goose: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31, 2025
White-fronted Goose: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31, 2025
Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose:
Regular: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31, 2025
Light Goose Conservation Order: February 1 – 7, 2025 and February 10 – April 25, 2025
Special Youth: February 8 – 9, 2025
Special Active-Duty Military and Veterans: February 9, 2025
Elk
Elk hunting is by permit only.
Core Elk Management Zone (Public Land):
Youth: October 4 – 5 and October 25 – 26, 2025
Regular: October 6 – 10 and October 27 – 31, 2025
Core Elk Management Zone (Private Land):
Youth (Antlerless Only): October 4 – 5 and October 25 – 26, 2025
Regular: October 6 – 10 and October 27 – 31, 2025
Alligator
Alligator hunting is by permit only.
Alligator Management Zones 1 and 2 (Public Land): September 20 – 23 and September 27 – 30
Alligator Management Zones 1, 2, and 2 (Private Land): September 20 – 23 and September 27 – 30
Black Bear
Bear hunting is by permit only and coordinated by zones.
Bear Zones 1, 2
Archery: September 17 – November 30, 2025
Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025
Modern Gun: November 8 – 30, 2025
Bear Zones 3, 4, 5, and 5A
Archery: Closed
Alternative Firearms: Closed
Special Youth (Modern Gun): Closed
Modern Gun: December 20 – 26, 2025
Small Game and Game Birds
Dove (Statewide): September 7 – October 27 and December 8 – January 15
Quail (Statewide): November 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Squirrel (Statewide): May 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Rabbit (Statewide): September 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Migratory Birds
Virginia Rail and Sora: September 7 – November 22
Gallinule: September 1 – November 9
Wilson’s Snipe: November 1 – February 15, 2025
Woodcock: November 1 – December 16
Feral Hogs
Private Land: Open year-round
Public Land: Open during bear, deer, or elk open firearms or archey seasons
What Do I Need to Know About Arkansas Hunting Regulations and Licenses?
All hunters age 16 or older need a license to hunt in Arkansas. However, children under 16 years old can hunt without an Arkansas hunting license as long as they are accompanied by a licensed hunter at least 21 years old or older.
You’ll also need to apply for a permit for any species requiring draws for hunts or lands requiring permits. Hunters can purchase licenses online or in person from an official agent location.
What Are the Bag Limits for the Arkansas Hunting Seasons?
How many alligators, Canada geese, or deer can you bring home this season? To comply with Arkansas hunting regulations, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt throughout the year.
Deer
5 deer, no more than 2 bucks (Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, & 13)
3 deer, no more than 2 bucks (Zones 4A & 5A)
4 deer, no more than 2 bucks (Zones 14, 15, & 16)
3 deer, no more than 2 bucks with variations inside vs. outside CWD Zones (Zones 4 & 5)
4 deer, no more than 2 bucks with variations inside vs. outside CWD Zones (Zones 9 & 16A)
5 deer, no more than 2 bucks with variations inside vs. outside CWD Zones (Zones 12 & 17)
Snipe
8 per day in aggregate (24 in possession)
Turkey
2 legal turkeys (1 legal turkey or jake for the Youth Special Hunt)
Alligator
1 per permit
Duck
6 per day (3x daily in possession)
Bear
1 either-sex
Coot
15 per day (3x daily in possession)
Elk
1 either-sex
Merganser
5 per day (3x daily in possession)
Rabbit
8 per day (16 in possession)
Special Early Teal
6 per day (18 in possession)
Squirrel
12 per day (48 in possession)
Mourning and White-Winged Dove
15 per day (45 in possession)
Quail
6 per day (12 in possession)
Eurasian Colored Doves
No limit
Canada Goose
5 per day, 15 in possession (Early season)
2 per day, 6 in possession (Late season)
Rail (Sora and Virginia)
25 per day in aggregate (75 in possession)
Snow, Blue, & Ross Geese
20 per day
Gallinules
15 per day in aggregate (45 in possession)
Light Goose Conservation Order
No limits
Woodcock
3 per day (9 in possession)
White-fronted Geese
2 per day (6 in possession)
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
If you were born after 1968, Arkansas requires you to take a hunter education course before getting a hunting license. For non-residents or residents who have taken a course in another state, Arkansas does accept those certifications to meet the hunter education requirements for licensing.
Hunters also need the right gear for every hunt! HuntWise subscribers have access to discounts on gear from our partners with the potential to save hundreds on gear like binoculars, calls, hunting knives, clothing, spotting scopes, and more.
Use HuntWise for Arkansas Hunting Success This Season
Keeping track of hunting season dates and bag limits means navigating a lot of information, but we hope this resource is helpful to you as you plan your Arkansas hunting seasons this year!
You’ll also want to make sure you have the best hunting tool to help you plan, scout, share information with friends, and stay up to date on season dates and regulations — before heading out for your first hunt of the year.
With HuntWise, you gain an advantage over other hunters while improving your chances of tagging out — no matter the type of game you hunt. The app gives you access to real-time animal behavior predictors, multiple map layers for scouting hunt areas, idealwind and weather, and privatelandowner boundaries and contact information.
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