Arkansas Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Arkansas game hunting

Hunting is a year-round hobby in Arkansas because there is at least one hunting season every month. Some games have an open season throughout the state, while others are only available during specific hunting seasons.

There are several hunting opportunities in the state, with a wide range of species available to both citizens and non-residents.

Arkansas Hunting Laws and Regulations

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission is in charge of enacting the state’s hunting rules and regulations. In addition, certain private wildlife management zones have their own hunting laws. The Commission recommends that hunters research the laws and restrictions in the areas where they intend to hunt.

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission supervises hunting activities in areas owned by them or leased to them for the purpose of taking wildlife. Among the regulations are the following:

It is illegal to breach any of the commission’s signs on the property.
It is illegal for hunters to leave their own signs on the land.
It is illegal to demolish any building, structure, or sign built on land owned by the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.
You are not permitted to remove crops, fruits, rocks, or other objects from the land. This regulation is exempted for shed deer antlers.
It is illegal to burn non-combustible objects in the camp created in these areas.
It is illegal for hunters to burn grass or wood at their campsites.
You may not ignore a burning fire or allow it to burn uncontrollably.
Baiting games or wildlife is prohibited. Baits or traps used to attract furbearers are exempt from this law.
It is illegal to excavate timber or apply inorganic defoliants to trees.
You are not permitted to build, shelter, or camp on the property.
It is illegal to abandon any personal belongings or wildlife management zones. The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission makes an exception for cameras and removable stands that are lawfully permitted.
It is prohibited to operate boats in a negligent and inattentive manner. Violation of this legislation might result in a one-year ban for the culprit.
Aside from knives designed exclusively for hunting, you are not permitted to use any other cutting equipment.

Regulation of Automobiles

Motorized vehicles such as amphibious vehicles, terrain vehicles, and so on are not permitted in Wildlife Management Areas. This policy also prohibits motorized vehicles from operating on highways or other wildlife-friendly terrain.

Hunters with mobility-impaired access licenses are permitted to drive ATVs; however, there may be certain limits.

There are, however, some exceptions to this rule for leased wildlife management areas. Among them are the following:

Bicycles and ATVs are permitted on open roads in WMAs such as Jim Kress and Cherokee. However, while traveling in these cars, hunters must have a current Arkansas license.
Motorized vehicles are permitted on important highways in WMAs such as the Big Timber Upland Demonstration Areas. However, ATVs are not permitted.
ATVs are permitted on open road paths in WMAs such as Gum Flats, Lake Greeson, and Casey Jones. However, motorized vehicles are not permitted on state forestry commission-cleared boundary lines.
ATVs are authorized on designated routes on the Big Timber WMA during open season to allow hunters access to campsites. Except on designated and open highways, ATVs are prohibited.
Every natural WMA in the state is only accessible by foot.
Electric bikes are permitted in certain of the state’s WMAs.

Regulations for Hunting Equipment

Traps are not permitted in wildlife management areas except during the open season. Furthermore, weapons and rifles with calibers greater than 22 are only permitted during certain game seasons, such as elk and bear, and during daylight hunting for predators such as bobcats, coyotes, and foxes in the state.

Muzzleloaders are permitted throughout firearm seasons, with the exception of those with calibers greater than.40, which are restricted for WMA. Exceptions are given for muzzleloading and modern guns during hunting seasons for elk, deer, and bears.

Also, during elk, bobcat, coyote, and fox seasons, it is permissible to hunt with weapons in broad daylight. However, there may be exceptions for some wildlife management zones and privately owned hunting lands.

Even if firearms are permitted throughout hunting seasons, they may not be used unless the firearm is lawful for the season at the time.

Possession of alcohol while hunting

It is illegal to possess any form of alcoholic beverage while hunting in a WMA managed by Arkansas Fish and Game. There is an exception to this rule for:

Alcohol possession in private inholdings in Arkansas
Possession of alcohol in vehicles traveling on public roads and following hunting laws
Possession of alcohol in boats on state water bodies is allowed as long as the operation complies with hunting rules.
Possession of alcohol on a boat or water vehicle while participating in fishing activities, as long as the operation complies with state rules

Camping Rules and Regulations

According to the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission, camping while hunting in the state should not last more than two weeks and should take place in a specific location authorized for campgrounds. It is also illegal for any active camp to be unoccupied for more than two days. It is illegal to cause any kind of disturbance within a camp after 10 p.m.

This legislation also forbids using a campsite for more than one month each year. Non-hunters are not required to have a permit while hunting with a licensed hunter in the state. Loaded guns are also prohibited in the state’s campgrounds and parking lots.

Arkansas Hunting Permits and Licenses

Arkansas offers a variety of licenses and tags to both citizens and non-resident hunters. Among them are the following:

Sportsman’s License for Residents

This Arkansas hunting license is exclusively accessible to state residents. Anyone who obtains the license will be authorized to hunt all species and games in the state using modern weapons, archery, and muzzleloader rifles. This license holder may also take the total bag limit for deer hunting in Arkansas. The license is $25 and includes tags for shooting turkey and deer.

License for Resident Wildlife Conservation

This is another Arkansas resident’s license that allows hunters to take furbearers, squirrels, quails, migratory birds, and deer. The license, which includes a deer tag, costs $10.5.

Permits for General Wildlife Management Area Use

During open seasons, this license will allow hunters to catch, trap, and bait all forms of game and wildlife in all Arkansas WMAs. However, additional permissions may be required to shoot turkey and deer throughout the state. This permit is completely free.

Permit to Trap for Residents

This is another resident-only permit that allows state-licensed hunters to trap bears. This permit is completely free.

Resident Hunting Guide Permit

This license authorizes resident hunters to assist another person, usually a novice hunter, in taking wildlife on any hunting land not managed by the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission. It will set you back $25.

A Special Hunting Guide License for Residents

This license gives you the same amount of flexibility as the Resident Hunting Guide License. However, it allows hunting on grounds owned and managed by wildlife management areas. It will set you back $150.

Hunter Education License Deferred

This is a permit that allows you to hunt in Arkansas without having to take a hunter education course. The permit is free and will be valid for one year.

annual non-resident all-game hunting license

This is a license provided to non-residents who want to hunt in Arkansas, and it allows them to take wildlife and games such as bears using modern weapons, muzzleloaders, and archery. The license is $350 and includes tags for deer and turkey hunting.

5 Day Non-Resident All Game Hunting License

This is another Arkansas nonresident hunting license that permits you to take all game and wildlife except bears. The permit is only valid for 5 days and includes deer and turkey hunting tags. It will set you back $180.

3 Day Non-Resident All Game Hunting License

Nonresidents can hunt all species of wildlife except bears for three days with this license. It costs $125 and includes tags for deer and turkey.

Non-Resident All Game Hunting License for 3 Days

This is an out-of-state hunting license for Arkansas that allows people to take all types of animals and wildlife, except bears, for one day. The license is $55 and includes tags for deer and turkey.

Non-residents must purchase an annual small game hunting license.

This license allows nonresidents to hunt small game animals. The cost is $110.

Non-Resident Small Game Hunting License for 5 Days

Nonresidents can hunt small game in the state with this license. It will cost you $70.

Non-Resident Trapper’s Permit

With this permission, a licensed non-resident hunter in Arkansas will be able to capture furbearers. It will cost you $125.

Non-resident hunting guide license

A nonresident of the state can use this license to assist another person, usually a beginner hunter, in hunting and taking wildlife on land not owned by the state Fish and Game Commission. It will cost you $150.

Arkansas Fishing Permits and Licenses

The following fishing licenses, permits, and tags are available in Arkansas:

Sportsman Combination License

This license entitles the possessor to both a Resident FisLicense and a Resident Fishery Conservationent Sportsman License. It will set you back $35.5.

Resident Fishery Conservation License

Residents of Arkansas who have this license will be permitted to fish in numerous bodies of water throughout the state. They can utilize fishing tackle for this purpose, but they will need a trout permit to erect trout in parts of the state’s water bodies. It costs $10. It costs ten dollars. Resident Fishing License

This will allow an Arkansas resident to fish in various water bodies throughout the state for three days. To use a sport fishing tackle during these three days, you must still obtain a trout permit. It is $6.50.

Permit for Resident Trout

This permit is for licensed resident fishermen in Arkansas who want to maintain trout in a body of water for a set amount of time. It costs $10.

Permit for Non-Resident Trout Fishing

This permit is required for non-residents who currently have a fishing license in the state to keep trout on water bodies. It is priced at $20.

Non-resident fishing permit

This license allows residents to fish in Arkansas’s bodies of water. Nonresidents can also use fishing tackle and keep it in the water if they have a nonresident trout permit. It will set you back $50.

3-Day Non-Resident Trip Fishing License

Non-residents can fish in Arkansas water bodies with this license, but it is only good for three days. Nonresidents can also use fishing tackle and keep it in the water for three days with a nonresident trout permit. It is priced at $16.

3-Day Non-Resident Trip Fishing License

This license allows non-residents to fish in Arkansas water bodies for a period of seven days. Nonresidents can also use fishing tackle and keep it in the water for 7 days if they have a nonresident trout permit. It will set you back $25.

Resident Fishing Guide Permit

This license is exclusively available to residents and permits the bearer to mentor other novices. This license does not include any fishing privileges.

Non-resident fishing guide permit

This license allows non-residents of the state to mentor newcomers. However, it comes with no other benefits.

Arkansas Department of Wildlife, Game, and Fish

Arkansas has the following wildlife and games available for hunting:

Arkansas is hunting for deer.

Because approximately 90% of Arkansas’ hunting properties are privately held, the sportsmen in charge have a large say in how deer are harvested on their property. However, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a deer-taking aid program to assist landowners and deer hunters in the state in making the best decisions.

Hunting for elk in Arkansas

Elk hunting was established in Arkansas in 1998, and hunters’ permits are picked at random to hunt elk on public property. Private landowners issue quota-based hunting permits. Hunters who hunt elk on private land are usually required to seek permission from the management.

Bear hunting in Arkansas

Bears were previously more common and widely spread in Arkansas. However, overhunting and human encroachment resulted in an alarming drop in their population in the early 1990s. However, when the State Game and Fish Commission was established in 1927, severe laws were enacted prohibiting bear hunting, and the figures gradually began to rise again.

Alligator hunting in Arkansas

Alligators in Arkansas are found in limited numbers throughout the state. The southeast and southwest portions of the state are home to a disproportionate number of alligators. Alligator sport hunting is being practiced in Arkansas.

Rabbit hunting in Arkansas

Swamp rabbits and cottontail rabbits are the two most frequent rabbit species in Arkansas. They live in densely forested sections of the state, overgrown fence rows, and brush heaps.

Squirrel hunting in Arkansas

Squirrels are a common small game in Arkansas, and they can be found in nearly every habitat. The fox and gray squirrels are the two most prevalent squirrel species in Atlanta.

Quail hunting in Arkansas

One of the most popular small game hunts in Arkansas is quail hunting. They are evenly dispersed throughout the state.

Waterfowl hunting in Arkansas

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides approximately 3,800 acres of land for waterfowl hunting in the state. This is because of the state’s Natural Resources and Conservation Service’s waterfowl rice incentive.

Hunting for Doves in Arkansas

Doves are the most common migratory birds in the United States. In Arkansas, three dove species are available: the Eurasian dove, the mourning dove, and the white-winged dove.

Hunting for Crows in Arkansas

In Arkansas, there are two types of crows to hunt: the fish crow and the American crow. The former live in the state’s forested areas, while the latter can be found in various bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes.

Hunting for ducks in Arkansas

Duck hunting is popular in Arkansas, and the state has several Wildlife Management Areas dedicated to the sport.

Turkey hunting in Arkansas

Turkey hunting is popular in Arkansas, with several species, including gobblers and greenheads, available during the hunting season.

2020/21 Arkansas Hunting Season

Wildlife and games such as alligators, turkeys, elk, and bears can be hunted in Arkansas. Hunters with the proper permit, license, and tags are permitted to hunt in the state during hunting season.

Arkansas’s shooting season for various wildlife in 2020–21 includes the following:

Alligator season in Arkansas

General Season (September 18th to September 21st and September 25th to September 28th)

Drawing permission is necessary for alligator hunting in Arkansas. There is also a restriction of one alligator per hunter during the shooting seasons. Hunters who qualify for alligator hunting must complete an educational course.

Seasons for hunting bears in Arkansas

Archery Season (September 26th to November 30th)
Muzzleloader Season (October 17th to October 25th)
Modern firearm season (November 14th to December 6th)
Youth Modern Gun Season (November 7th to November 8th)

Some hunting zones in Arkansas prohibit bear hunting. Additionally, bear baiting is forbidden on state public lands. Baiting, on the other hand, is permitted on private property designated for bear hunting.

Arkansas hunting seasons for deer

Archery Season (September 26th to February 28th)
Muzzleloader Season (October 17th to October 25th and December 2nd to December 21st)
Modern Firearms Season (November 14th to December 25th)
Youth Modern Firearm Season (November 8th to November 8th and January 2nd to January 3rd)
Private Land Antlerless Season (December 29th to December 31st)

In Atlanta, the season restriction for deer hunting is six deer and a maximum of two bucks. In addition, some methods of deer hunting may be prohibited in particular areas of the state.

Seasons for hunting elk in Arkansas

Season of Public Lands (5th to 9th of October and 26th to 30th of October)
Season of Youth Hunting (3rd to 4th of October and 24th to 25th of October)

A valid state hunting permit is required to hunt elk on Arkansas private and public lands. The first two days of Arkansas hunting season are always allocated for youth hunting, and the hunting limit varies by zone throughout the state.

Turkey Season in Arkansas

Hunting season in the spring (to be determined)
Season for Youth Hunting (To Be Determined)

Small Game Hunting Season in Arkansas

Season of Quail Hunting (1st November to 7th February)
Swamp and Cottontail Rabbit Hunting Season (September 1st to February 28th)
Season for Squirrel Hunting (15th of May to 28th of February)

Season dates for all games in the season may vary depending on the hunting zone. Furthermore, bag restrictions and rules vary from one zone to the next.

Shooting ranges in Arkansas

In Arkansas, the following shooting ranges are accessible for hunting practice:

Dr. James E. Moore Jr., Mayflower’s Camp Robinson Firing Range
Scatter Creek Firing Range, Jack Cox, Paragould
Grandview Prairie CEC Shotgun Range, Columbus, Rick Evans
Jacksonville’s Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex
Batesville’s Paul H. “Rocky” Willmuth Sport Shooting Complex

Hunting Land in Arkansas for Sale and Lease

Arkansas hunting lands for sale and lease include the following:

Hunting Lease, 9391 Poinsett County, AR, 53 acres
Hunting Lease in Jackson County, Arkansas. 79 Acres
Hunting Lease in Poinsett County, Arkansas. 80 Acres
Hunting Lease 9419 St Francis County, AR. 985 Acres