We set out to create the most simplified guide to Arkansas hunting seasons for 2023.
Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?
Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.
Arkansas Hunting
The great state of Arkansas is known as a ‘Natural State,’ meaning that there isn't any hunting in the spring time due to the high breeding numbers. They work hard at conserving the land and the animals so that there are harvest numbers for a later date as well and the population is evenly maintained. There are interesting big games including Alligator, Elk, Bear and Deer and small games which include rabbit, squirrel and quail! There are many wildlife management areas where you can apply at a low cost or none at all to hunt and you are sure to gain a unique experience.
Arkansas Hunting Seasons Offered
Big Game - Bear, Deer, Elk Small Game - Rabbit, Squirrel Bird - Quail, Crow, Turkey
Designated areas of the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush WMA, Richland Valley Sonny Varnell Elk Conservation Area and Bearcat Hollow WMA.
1 Elk, either sex
Permit required
10/25/21
10/29/21
Designated areas of the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush WMA, Richland Valley Sonny Varnell Elk Conservation Area and Bearcat Hollow WMA.
1 Elk, either sex
Permit required
Private Land
10/2/21
10/3/21
Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties).
1 Elk, either sex
Permit required
10/23/21
10/24/21
Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties).
1 Elk, either sex
Permit required
*Bag limits vary by zone.
Arkansas Alligator Season 2023
General Season: Sept. 17-20 and Sept. 24-27
Arkansas Small Game & Bird Season 2023
Season
Opening Date
Closing Date
Limit
Quail
11/1/21
2/6/22
Daily limit - 6 Possession limit - 12
Swamp/Cottontail Rabbit
9/1/21
2/28/21
Daily limit - 8 Possession limit - 16
Squirrel
5/15/21
2/28/22
Daily limit - 12 Possession limit - 48
5/15/22
2/28/23
Daily limit - 12 Possession limit - 48
Arkansas Hunting Zones 2023
See the map below for a breakdown of Arkansas's hunting zones:
Arkansas Bag Limits 2023
Statewide Turkey Bag Limits:
The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes.
Exception: Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit during the season (including the youth hunt).
It is illegal for any hunter to harvest a bearded hen.
No more than one legal turkey may be taken per day.
No more than one legal turkey may be taken during the first 7 days of the regular season.
Arkansas Hunting License 2023
License
Resident
Nonresident
Combination Sportsman's License
$35.50
n/a
Resident Sportsman’s License
$25.00
n/a
Resident Wildlife Conservation License
$10.50
n/a
General WMA Hunter Use Permit
Free
n/a
Annual All Game Hunting License
n/a
$350
5- Day All Game Hunting License
n/a
$180
Non Expiring lifetime resident hunting and fishing sportsman permit
$1,000
n/a
Arkansas Hunting Regulations 2023
Hunters or those accompanying must wear at least 400 sq inches of hunter orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage above wait and a head garment of the same colors.
Hunters may carry only muzzleloaders or archery equipment during muzzleloader deer or bear seasons.
Hunters may use air rifles on small games
It is unlawful to feed wildlife within the CWD management zone
Food plots may be used year round
Helpful Resources
Official State Site: https://www.agfc.com/
FAQs
When is deer season in Arkansas?
Deer seasons starts as early as Sept. 25 for Archery and Nov. 13 for modern gun.
When does bow season start in Arkansas?
Bow/archery season starts Sept 25 for deer in Arkansas.
When does deer season end in Arkansas?
Deer season goes as late as Feb 28, 2022 for archery but will vary by zone and weapon.
