The Guide to Arkansas Hunting Seasons 2024

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.  

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. 
 

Waterfowl
 

• Special Early Teal: September 15-30
• Duck, Coot, and Merganser: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31
• Canada Goose: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31
• White-fronted Goose: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31 
• Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose: 
  • Regular: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31 
  • Conservation Order: February 1 – 7 and February 10 – April 25 
• Special Youth: February 8 – 9
• Special Active-Duty Military and Veterans: February 9

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

Deer Zone 1:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: September 28 – February 28
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 1 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27 and December 14 – 16
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 1 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zone 4, 5:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: Closed
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – 17 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27 and December 21 – 23
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 8 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zone 7:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27 and December 14 – 16
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 8 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zones 9, 12, 13:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27 
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 15 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zones 16, 16A, 17:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 7 – 9
• Archery: September 28 – February 28
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27 
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 9 – December 28

Turkey

• Special Youth Hunt: April 12 – 13
• Regular Season: 
  • Zone 1: April 21 – 29
  • Zone 2: April 21 – May 11

Elk

Elk hunting is by permit only.

• Core Elk Management Zone (Public Land):
  • Youth: October 5 – 6 and October 26 – 27
  • Regular: October 7 – 11 and October 28 – November 1
     
• Core Elk Management Zone (Private Land):
  • Youth (Antlerless Only): October 5 – 6 and October 26 – 27
  • Regular: October 7 – 11 and October 28 – November 1

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 18 – November 30
• Alternative Firearms: October 19 – 27
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 
• Modern Gun: November 9 – 30

Bear Zones 3, 4, 5, and 5A

• Archery: Closed
• Alternative Firearms: Closed
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): Closed 
• Modern Gun: December 21 – 27

Dove

• Statewide: September 7 – October 27 and December 8 – January 15

Quail

• Statewide: November 1 – February 2

Rabbit

• Statewide: September 1 – February 28

Squirrel

• Statewide: May 15 – February 28

Migratory Birds

• Virginia Rail and Sora: September 7 – November 22
• Gallinule: September 1 – November 9
• Wilson’s Snipe: November 1 – February 15
• Woodcock: November 1 – December 16

For more details about these species (and others), including coyote and feral hogs, visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website. You can also visit the eRegulations pages for hunting in Arkansas.

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting 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. 

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, ideal wind and weather, and private landowner boundaries and contact information. 

If you haven’t hunted with HuntWise yet, add it to your gear this season! Download the app and enjoy access to every feature – free for a week!