Welcome to the guidebook for the Arkansas hunting season. Hunters across the state are getting ready to start their yearly pursuit of game.
This thorough article is your guide to the dates and restrictions that set the rules for the 2023 - 2024 hunting season in Arkansas.
Join us and get ready to experience the thrill of the hunt in the natural state starting with a comprehensive understanding of the opening day to bag restrictions.
Arkansas Deer Hunting Seasons
The new 2024 Arkansas deer seasons open on:
Early Buck Archery Hunt: Sept. 7 - 9, 2024
Archery Season: Sept. 28 - Feb. 28, 2024
Muzzleloader Season: Oct. 19 - Dec. 23, 2024
Modern Gun Season: Nov. 9 - Dec. 28, 2024
Youth Modern Gun Deer: Nov. 2 - 3 and Jan. 4-5, 2024
The specific dates from 2024 - 2025 for each zone have been updated. Details are as follows:
| Zone | Season | Bag Limit |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Five deer, no more than two bucks. |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27 and Dec. 14-16, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 1, 2024 and Dec. 26-28 2024 | ||
| 4 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Three deer, no more than two bucks. |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Closed | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-17, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 4A | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Three deer, no more than two bucks. |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 and Dec. 21-23, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 5A | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Three deer, no more than two bucks. |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 and Dec. 21-23, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 7 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Five deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 and Dec. 14-16, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 9 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Four deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 15, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 10, 11 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Five deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 and Dec. 14-16, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 1, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 12, 13 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Five deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 15, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 14, 15 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | Four deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 and Dec. 21-23, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2024 and Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| 16, 16A, 17 | Early Buck Archery: Sept. 7-9, 2024 | 16, 16A: Four deer, no more than two bucks 17: Five deer, no more than two bucks |
| Archery: Sept. 28, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025 | ||
| Muzzleloader: Oct. 19-27, 2024 | ||
| Special Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 2-3, 2024 and Jan. 4-5, 2025 | ||
| Christmas Holiday Hunt: Dec. 26-28, 2024 | ||
| Modern Gun: Nov. 9, 2024-Dec. 28, 2024 |
You need to report a deer right after harvesting it. Here are 2 options to check a deer:
Option 1: Right after hunting and before transporting, you can check your deer online, using the AGFC mobile app, or by phone at 833-289-2469.
Option 2: As soon as you shoot a deer, fill out the deer tag from your license or guidebook before moving the deer. You need to attach the tag to the ear or antler and keep it there until you store the deer.
Arkansas Elk Hunting Seasons
Public Land Hunts:
- Youth Hunts: Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 26-27, 2024
- Regular Elk Hunts (youth eligible): Oct. 7-11 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2024
Private Land Hunt:
- Youth Hunts (antlerless elk only): Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 26-27, 2024
- Regular Elk Hunts (youth eligible): Oct. 7-11 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2024
Limits and Notes: You can hunt one elk, either male or female.
This hunt occurs in Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton, and Searcy counties.
There's a quota of 35 elk in total, including 10 bulls and 25 females. If you're hunting for bulls, call 833-345-0398 between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily to check if the quota is met.
For antlerless elk hunters, you only need to call after 8 p.m. daily. The season ends on Nov. 3 or when the quota is reached, whichever happens first.
For deer or elk hunting, you can also check:
Arkansas Bear Hunting Seasons
Arkansas is the home of the American black bear, the only bear species that live in the state.
There used to be many more bears, but their numbers reduced drastically due to mass hunting. Thanks to the Black Bear Restoration Program, now there are more than 5,000 black bears in Arkansas. Every year, the state regulates bear hunting to maintain the balance of nature.
Now, let's look at the Arkansas bear season for 2024.
Archery
- Zones 1 and 2 only: Sept. 18-Nov. 30, 2024
Alternative Firearms
- Zones 1 and 2 only: Oct. 19-27, 2024
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt
- Zones 1 and 2 only: Nov. 2-3, 2024
Modern Gun
- Zones 1 and 2: Nov. 9-30, 2024
- Zone 3, 4, 5, and 5A: Dec. 21-27, 2024
Bag Limit and Regulations: Hunters can harvest one bear of either sex using any method. To confirm the harvest number, hunters are required to call 833-345-0398 the evening before their hunt.
The season concludes either on the morning after the quota is met or on Nov. 30, depending on which occurs first. Please note that hunting is prohibited in all Remaining Bear Zones, except as listed.
Alligator Hunting Seasons
Alligator Management Zone 1 and 3 Public Land:
- Sept. 20-23, 2024
- Sept. 27-30, 2024
Alligator Management Zone 1, 2 and 3 Private Land:
- Sept. 20-23, 2024
- Sept. 27-30, 2024
The bag limit for Arkansas Alligator season is One alligator, 4 feet or longer. And the legal shooting hours are from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
Rabbit Hunting Seasons
Statewide: Sept. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Daily limit: 8
Squirrel Hunting Seasons
Statewide: May 15, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Daily limit: 12
Notes: Dogs allowed.
Quail Hunting Seasons
Statewide: Nov. 1, 2024 - Feb. 1, 2025
Daily limit: 6
Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
The waterfowl hunting season in Arkansas is very particular, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate.
If you want to hunt teal, make sure to take advantage of the Special Early Teal Season running from September 15 to September 30, 2024.
Duck, Coot, and Merganser can be hunted in three time periods: November 23 to December 2, December 10-23, and December 27, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
A designated waterfowl hunting day is set aside for youth on February 8-9, 2025. Active duty military members and veterans also have their own Special Hunt Day scheduled for February 9, 2025.
Hunting opportunities for White-fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Geese are available on four separate occasions: October 26 to November 3, November 23 to December 2, December 10 to 23, and December 27 to January 31.
The hunting season for Canada Geese is scheduled to take place from September 1 until October 15, then from November 23 to December 2, December 10 through 23, and finally from December 27 to January 31.
Finally, the Light Goose season will start from February 1-2, and once more from February 4 to April 25.
Now let's look at a quick overview of the season dates and hunting limits for different species.
| Waterfowl | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Duck, Coot, and Merganser | Nov. 23-Dec. 2, 2024 | 6 | 18 |
| Dec. 10-23 and Dec. 27 | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec. 27, 2024-Jan. 31, 2025 | 5 | 15 | |
| Canada Goose | Sept. 1-Oct. 15 | 5 | 15 |
| Nov. 23-Dec. 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| Dec. 10-23 | 2 | 6 | |
| Dec. 27-Jan. 31 | 2 | 6 | |
| White-fronted Goose | Oct. 26-Nov. 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Nov. 23-Dec. 2 | |||
| Dec. 10-23 | |||
| Dec. 27 -Jan. 31 | |||
| Snow, Blue and Ross’s Goose | Feb. 1-2, 2024 | No limit | No limit |
| Feb. 4-April 25, 2024 |
📌Don't forget to read this: Waterfowl Hunting Guide.
Dove Hunting Seasons
Statewide:
Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024
Dec. 8-Jan. 15, 2025
There is a maximum daily limit of 15 birds for hunting Mourning Doves and White-Winged Doves. Furthermore, there is a restriction on the possession limit of 45 individuals for these species, meaning you cannot exceed this amount for the whole season.
Alternatively, when pursuing Eurasian Collared-Dove, the regulations are less strict. There are no set restrictions on the number you can hunt daily or the total amount you can possess.
Crows Hunting Seasons
The 2024-2025 Crow Season starts from Sept. 1, 2024 to Feb. 17, 2025. The season lasts more than 5 months, allowing hunters enough time to enjoy bird hunting. One more exciting thing is that there is no bag limit on crow hunting.
Turkey Hunting Seasons
The following are the 2024 - 2025 schedules for Arkansas turkey seasons.
Special Youth Turkey Hunt(Zones 1 and 2):
- April 6-7, 2024
- April 12-13, 2025
Regular Turkey Season Dates:
- Zone 1: April 15-23, 2024; and April 21-29, 2025
- Zone 2: April 15-May 5, 2024; and April 21-May 11, 2025
The Bag Limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes or female turkeys.
📌Related: Turkey Hunting Tips: How to Hunt Public Land Turkeys?
Arkansas Hunting Licenses
All hunters must have a valid bear permit in addition to a valid Arkansas Annual Hunting License to hunt.
The provided information outlines the new requirements and fees for nonresident hunting and guiding activities in Arkansas for the year 2024. Here's a breakdown of the fees and permits:
| Resident Licenses | Descriptions | Fees |
| Combination Sportsman's License | Allow to hunt all game species and a total bag limit of deer during open seasons and to fish the waters | $35.50 |
| Resident Wildlife Conservation License | hunt all small game species and furbearers and one bear | $10.50 |
| 65 Plus Annual Hunting License | Entitles residents 65 years of age or older to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's Hunting License | $3.50 |
| Resident Sportsman's License | Allow to hunt all game species and furbearers during open seasons. (6 deer tags and 2 turkey tags included) | $25 |
| 65 Plus ResidentLifetime Duck | Allow to hunt waterfowl for the remainder of the holder's life | $7 |
| 65 Plus Resident Lifetime Hunting | Entitles residents 65 years of age or older to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's Hunting License (RS) for the remainder of his or her life | $25 |
| Non-Resident Licenses | Descriptions | Fees |
| Non-resident Annual Hunting License | Allow to hunt deer and small game using modern gun, muzzleloader, and archery, and to take a total bag limit of deer | $410 |
| 5-Day Hunting License | Allow to to hunt deer for the five-day period specified. Three deer tags included | $225 |
| 3-Day Deer Hunting License | Allow to hunt deer for the three-day period specified. Two deer tags included | $175 |
| 1-Day Deer Hunting License | Allow to hunt deer for a one-day period specified. One deer tag included | $100 |
| 5-Day Small Game Hunting License | Allow to hunt all species of small game, waterfowl, and furbearers | $80 |
| Turkey Permit (must accompany valid annual hunting license) | Allow to hunt one turkey | $100 |
| Non-resident Dog Permit | Allow non-residents to hunt deer with dogs | $20 |
| Nonresident Annual Small Game Hunting License | Allow to hunt all species of small game, waterfowl, and furbearers | $110 |
| Nonresident Trapper's Permit | Allow to trap furbearers during open seasons | $125 |
How to buy Arkansas hunting licenses?
By visiting the Arkansas official licensing system, you can see there are many licenses, permits and stamps that you can choose to purchase.
If you are new to the licensing system, you need to create an account first, and then sign in to your account, and select the one that suits your hunting plan. Pay for the license and print it out.
Where To Hunt In Arkansas
There are hundreds of Wildlife Management Areas where you can hunt games in Arkansas. Each of them may have its own special rules and limits. You can click on the Areas and see the detailed information and find the one that is near to your county: Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
Don't forget to download the AGFC app on your phone so that you can easily find and locate any hunting locations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who Needs a License to Hunt in Arkansas?
You are required to possess an Arkansas hunting license to hunt wildlife if you are 16 or older. A valid printed license, reusable hard card, or acceptable electronic format license must be in your possession when hunting.
2. How Do I Buy a License?
Licenses are available through various convenient methods:
- Over the counter at most AGFC regional offices, nature centers, and many sporting goods stores across the state.
- By phone: Call 833-345-0325 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
- Visiting the Official Licensing System and purchasing the licenses online.
3. How Do I Replace a Lost License?
AGFC's licensing system allows purchasers to print and reprint their own licenses at home or print them at license vendors around the state. License information can also be retrieved via smartphone/mobile device.
4. Who Needs a Hunter Education Card?
A hunter born after 1968 must carry a valid hunter education card, unless 'HE-VERIFIED' is noted on your hunting license. Hunters under 16 do not need to have a card if they are under the direct supervision of an adult who is at least 21 years of age.
5. How to take the Hunter Education Course?
The recommended method is to attend a 10-hour, instructor-led classroom session with hands-on practice. The classes can be spread out over several evenings or completed in a single Saturday, concluding with a test to complete the course.
6. Is there any resource for hunting in Arkansas?
Here is the guidebook for hunting in Arkansas, you can download it to check everything you need to know about the dates, rules and limits on the hunting seasons: Arkansas Hunting Guidebook PDF.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Arkansas hunting season offers a variety of opportunities for hunting enthusiasts to enjoy the sport while adhering to specific regulations.
The season spans multiple periods, each with distinct dates, daily bag limits and possession limits. Hunters are encouraged to be aware of the detailed regulations, including species-specific restrictions. All hunting activities come with their own set of rules, ensuring sustainable hunting practices.
Whether it's the thrill of deer hunting or the pursuit of birds, understanding and following these guidelines is essential for a successful and responsible hunting experience.
Does Arkansas have a license for disabled veterans from Louisiana?
Hi there, Arkansas does not have a disabled veteran license for non-residents. You can buy a normal nonresident annual license or limited-day license to hunt in the state.