Arkansas 2025-2026 Deer & Game Hunting Schedule – Zones & Permit Info
Want to see the outdoors in The Natural State? You’ve come to the right place. Arkansas has some of the best wildlife adventures in the country, from world-class waterfowl spots to exciting big game hunts. This complete guide has everything you need for a successful outing, whether you’re going after that trophy buck or planning your first turkey hunt.
In this complete resource, we’ll walk through the official 2025-2026 season dates, essential tag information, wildlife management zones, and licensing details to help you prepare for your Arkansas outdoor expedition. With diverse wildlife and extensive public lands, Arkansas provides exceptional opportunities for both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike.
📊 Quick Reference: Key Species Summary
| Species | Season Opens | Season Closes | Primary Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🦌 Whitetail (Archery) | Sept. 27, 2025 | Feb. 28, 2026 | Bow, Crossbow |
| 🦌 Whitetail (Modern Gun) | Nov. 8, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2025 | Rifle, Shotgun |
| 🦃 Wild Turkey (Spring) | April 6-20, 2026 | May 10, 2026 | Shotgun, Archery |
| 🦆 Waterfowl (Regular) | Nov. 22, 2025 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Shotgun only |
| 🐿️ Squirrel | May 15, 2025 | Feb. 28, 2026 | Various methods |
| 🕊️ Dove | Sept. 6, 2025 | Jan. 15, 2026 | Shotgun |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Opportunities
Whiteail Deer Seasons
The backbone of Arkansas outdoor tradition, whitetail opportunities span multiple methods and timeframes:
🏹 Archery Periods:
- Early Buck Archery: September 6-8, 2025
- General Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Alternative Firearms: October-November dates (varies by zone)
🔫 Modern Gun Periods:
- Youth Modern Gun: November 1-2, 2025 & January 3-4, 2026
- Regular Modern Gun: November 8 – December 1, 2025
- Christmas Holiday: December 26-28, 2025
Zone Variations: Arkansas operates 20+ management zones with different bag limits and antler restrictions. Zones 1-3 offer more liberal limits (up to 5 deer), while restricted zones focus on quality management with specific antler requirements.
🎟️ Bag Limits by Zone:
- Liberal zones: 5 deer maximum (2 bucks)
- Moderate zones: 3-4 deer maximum (2 bucks)
- Restricted zones: 3 deer maximum with antler restrictions
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth
2026 Spring Wild Turkey
Arkansas has restructured its turkey zones for 2026, creating five distinct management areas:
📅 Zone-Specific Dates:
- Zone 1: April 20 – May 10, 2026
- Zone 1A: April 20-28, 2026
- Zone 2: April 13 – May 3, 2026
- Zone 2A: April 13-21, 2026
- Zone 3: April 6-26, 2026
👶 Youth Turkey Opportunities:
- Special Youth Hunt: April 11-12, 2026 (Zones 1, 1A, 2, 2A only)
- Hunters 6-15 years old with licensed adult supervision
Fall Turkey: Currently under review – check AGFC updates for 2025 fall dates
🦫 Furbearers: Year-Round & Seasonal
Trapping Opportunities
🗓️ General Furbearer Season: November 9, 2024 – February 28, 2025
- Includes raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox species
- Excludes beaver, coyote, nutria (different regulations)
Year-round Species:
- Coyote: No closed period
- Nutria: No closed period
- Beaver: Regulated by specific permits
📋 Requirements:
- Resident Trapper Permit required
- Fur dealer licenses for commercial activity
- Specific trap regulations apply
🐿️ Small Game Table: Dates & Methods
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐿️ Squirrel | May 15, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | 12 | Rifle, Shotgun, Archery |
| 🐰 Rabbit | Sept. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | 8 | Rifle, Shotgun, Archery |
| 🕊️ Dove | Sept. 6 – Oct. 26, 2025 & Dec. 8, 2025 – Jan. 15, 2026 | 15 | Shotgun only |
| 🐦 Quail | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 1, 2026 | 8 | Shotgun, Archery |
| 🐰 Swamp Rabbit | Sept. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | 8 | Same as cottontail |
Special Notes: Dogs permitted for squirrel and rabbit pursuits. Dove requires non-toxic shot in certain areas.
🦆 Waterfowl: Ducks, Geese & Special Hunts
2025-2026 Waterfowl Calendar
🦆 Regular Duck Season (Split Season):
- First Split: November 22 – December 1, 2025
- Second Split: December 10-23, 2025
- Third Split: December 27, 2025 – January 31, 2026
🐦 Special Seasons:
- Early Teal: September 20-28, 2025
- Youth Waterfowl: February 8-9, 2026
- Military/Veteran Hunt: January 31, 2026 & February 8-9, 2026
🪿 Goose Seasons:
- Canada Goose: September 1 – October 27, 2025
- White-fronted Goose: October 28 – November 26, 2025
- Snow/Blue Goose: Extended conservation measures apply
Daily Limits: 6 ducks (species-specific sub-limits apply), 2 Canada geese, varying limits for other species
🎯 Additional Game Species
Bear & Elk Opportunities
🐻 Black Bear: Limited quota system
- Application required through AGFC lottery
- Zone-specific dates typically October-December
🦌 Elk: Highly regulated lottery system
- Buffalo National River area only
- Extremely limited permits available
Alligator Program
🐊 American Alligator: Lottery-based permits
- September timeframe typically
- Specific waterways only
- Private land and public water opportunities
🗺️ Wildlife Management Zones
Arkansas is divided into multiple management zones for different game species. These zones help the AGFC manage wildlife populations based on habitat conditions, population densities, and hunter access.
For a detailed map of Arkansas hunting zones, visit the AGFC Wildlife Management Areas page.
The state offers more than 100,000 acres of public hunting land across various management areas. Each zone may have specific regulations regarding bag limits, antler restrictions, and hunting methods.
🎟️ License Information
Resident Licenses
- Resident Sportsman’s License: $25.00 (includes six deer tags and two turkey tags)
- Combination Sportsman’s License: $35.50 (includes hunting and fishing privileges)
- Resident Wildlife Conservation License: $10.50 (small game, furbearers, and one deer)
- Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp (Resident): $7.00
Non-Resident Licenses
- Non-Resident Annual All Game Hunting License: $410.00
- Non-Resident 5-Day Deer Hunting License: $225.00
- Non-Resident 3-Day Deer Hunting License: $175.00
- Non-Resident Annual Small Game Hunting License: $110.00
- Non-Resident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License: $80.00
- Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp (Non-Resident): $50.00
Special Licenses
- 65-Plus Lifetime Hunting License: $25.00
- 65-Plus Lifetime Combination License: $35.50
- Natural State Lifetime Combination License: $500.00 (for residents 10 and younger)
All hunters, regardless of age, must have a valid hunting license. Youth under 16 need a free Customer Identification Number (CID) to hunt and check harvested game.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hunting license on my own property in Arkansas?
Yes. A hunting license is required for any person who hunts game animals within Arkansas, even on private property. This is different from a Hunter Education Certificate.
What are the orange clothing requirements?
Hunters must wear an outer garment above the waistline with at least 400 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or hunter safety green, plus a hat or cap of the same color, during modern gun and muzzleloader deer seasons.
Can I bait deer in Arkansas?
Hunters may bait and feed deer on private land outside of the CWD Management Zone year-round. Food plots may be used year-round. Baiting is not allowed on wildlife management areas.
What are the requirements for hunting waterfowl?
In addition to a valid hunting license, waterfowl hunters need:
- Arkansas State Waterfowl Stamp
- Federal Duck Stamp (for hunters 16 and older)
- Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration
- Non-residents need additional permits to hunt on WMAs
Is night hunting allowed in Arkansas?
No. It is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night, with some exceptions for raccoon, opossum, and bobcat when treed by dogs during open season for those species.
Related Resources
Looking for more information? Check out these useful pages:
Final Tips for Your Arkansas Hunting Adventure
The Natural State offers some of the finest hunting opportunities in the country. Before heading out, double-check the specific regulations for your chosen zone, ensure you have all required licenses and permits, and scout your hunting area in advance whenever possible.
Remember that hunting regulations can change annually, so always verify current information through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before planning your trip. Whether you’re pursuing trophy whitetails in the Ozarks or mallards in the flooded timber of eastern Arkansas, respecting seasons and limits ensures sustainable wildlife populations for generations to come.
Be safe, ethical, and mindful of wildlife conservation principles as you enjoy the outdoor bounty Arkansas has to offer. Happy hunting!
