Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
The Guide to the Arkansas Hunting Seasons 2026
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 March 30, 2026
When Can I Hunt in Arkansas?
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.
As the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) provides future season dates, we'll make additional updates to this resource.
Arkansas Hunting Season Dates | |
Arkansas Deer SeasonDeer open season dates are based on twenty different zones. Note that the “muzzleloader” season is now known as the “Alternative Firearms” season. 2026 Deer Season Opening Dates
2025 Dates Christmas Holiday Hunt (Statewide): December 26 – 28, 2025 Deer Zone 1:
Deer Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11:
Deer Zone 4, 5:
Deer Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15:
Deer Zone 7:
Deer Zones 9, 12, 13:
Deer Zones 16, 16A, 17:
Do your research about where to hunt and the best strategies for success when hunting deer in Arkansas! | Arkansas Turkey Season 2026
|
Waterfowl | ElkElk hunting is by permit only.
|
AlligatorAlligator hunting is by permit only. September 19 – 22, 2025 and September 26 – 29, 2025 | Black BearBear hunting is by permit only and coordinated by zones. Bear Zones 1, 2
Bear Zones 3, 4, 5, and 5A
|
Small Game and Game Birds
| Migratory Birds
|
Feral Hogs
| FurbearersTrapping
Hunting
Make sure you understand the differences in the rules and regulations for using live animal traps vs hunting furbearers as you plan your season. |
For more details about season dates and where to hunt during open seasons, 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 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. Do plenty of research to make sure you have the right Arkansas hunting license for the species and seasons you plan to hunt.
What Are the Bag Limits for the Arkansas Hunting Seasons?
Know how many alligators, Canada geese, or deer you can bring home this season. To comply with Arkansas hunting regulations, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt throughout the year.
Arkansas Hunting Season Bag Limits | |||
| 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 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks 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) |
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 ducks 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.
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 and try Pro and Elite features free for your first week!
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