Arkansas Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Arkansas hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Arkansas Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 30 | Feb 28 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 14 | Oct 22 |
| Rifle | Nov 11 | Dec 3 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 2, season: 6 (3 antlered, varies by zone)
Chronic Wasting Disease management zones in effect. Three deer zones with different regulations. Arkansas produces quality bucks in the Ozarks.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 15 | May 7 |
| Archery | Apr 15 | May 7 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)
Spring gobblers only. Youth weekend prior to regular opener. Strong Eastern turkey populations in the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Oct 8 |
| Muzzleloader | Sep 15 | Sep 30 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Limited to the Buffalo River Elk Zone in Newton and surrounding counties. Drawing permit only. Growing herd managed with limited tags.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Nov 1 | Nov 30 |
| Archery | Sep 30 | Nov 30 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Black bear in the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. Season may close early when quota met. Bear permit required.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Nov 18 | Jan 28 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit
Arkansas is a premier duck hunting destination, especially the Stuttgart area. Federal duck stamp required. Rich tradition of mallard hunting.
Wild Hog
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit
Year-round with no bag limit on private land. Nuisance species. Night hunting allowed with landowner permission.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
