Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Arkansas?

Plenty of waterfowl are waiting this season — but before you head into the Ozarks or finalize your hunting trip, make sure you're familiar with the current open season dates and regulations.

We’ve gathered the most up-to-date hunting information to help you plan your hunt in Arkansas. Keep in mind that regulations and season dates can change from year to year — and even during the season — so it’s important to double-check official sources like the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) before you go.

Some dates for the 2025–2026 season have already been updated here. As AGFC releases more information, we’ll continue to keep this resource current.

Deer

Deer open season dates are based on twenty different zones. Note that the “muzzleloader” season is now known as the “Alternative Firearms” season.

Christmas Holiday Hunt (Statewide): December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zone 1:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 2 – 3 and January 4 – 5
• Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 13 – 15, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28

Deer Zone 4, 5:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: Closed
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Modern Gun: November 8 – 16 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 20 – 22, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2025
• Modern Gun: November 8 – December 7 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zone 7:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26 and December 13 – 15, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Modern Gun: November 8 – 30 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zones 9, 12, 13:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Modern Gun: November 8 – December 14 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Deer Zones 16, 16A, 17:

• Archery (Early Buck): September 6 – 8, 2025
• Archery: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
• Modern Gun: November 8 – December 25 and December 26 – 28, 2025

Turkey

• Special Youth Hunt: April 11 – 12, 2026
• Regular Season:
  • Zone 1: April 20 – 28, 2026
  • Zone 2: April 20 – May 10, 2026

Waterfowl

• Special Early Teal: September 20 – 28, 2025
• Duck, Coot, and Merganser: November 22 – December 1, 2025, December 10 – 23, 2025, and December 27, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Canada Goose: September 1 – October 15, 2025
• White-fronted Goose: October 25 – November 2, 2025, November 22 – December 1, 2025, December 10 – 23, 2025, and December 27, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose:
  • Regular: October 25 – November 2, 2025, November 22 – December 1, 2025, December 10 – 23, 2025, and December 27, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Light Goose Conservation Order: February 1 – 6, 2026 and February 9 – April 25, 2026

Special Youth: February 7 – 8, 2026

Special Active-Duty Military and Veterans: February 7 – 8, 2026

Elk

Elk hunting is by permit only.

• Core Elk Management Zone (Public Land):
  • Youth: October 4 – 5 and October 25 – 26, 2025
  • Regular: October 6 – 10 and October 27 – 31, 2025
    
• Core Elk Management Zone (Private Land):
  • Youth (Antlerless Only): October 4 – 5 and October 25 – 26, 2025
  • Regular: October 6 – 10 and October 27 – 31, 2025

Alligator

Alligator hunting is by permit only.

• Alligator Management Zones 1 and 2 (Public Land):September 20 – 23 and September 27 – 30
• Alligator Management Zones 1, 2, and 2 (Private Land):September 20 – 23 and September 27 – 30

Black Bear

Bear hunting is by permit only and coordinated by zones.

Bear Zones 1, 2

• Archery: September 17 – November 30, 2025
• Alternative Firearms: October 18 – 26, 2025
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): November 1 – 2, 2025
• Modern Gun: November 8 – 30, 2025

Bear Zones 3, 4, 5, and 5A

• Archery: Closed
• Alternative Firearms: Closed
• Special Youth (Modern Gun): Closed
• Modern Gun: December 20 – 26, 2025

Small Game and Game Birds

• Dove (Statewide): September 6 – October 26, 2025 and December 8, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Quail (Statewide): November 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• Squirrel (Statewide): May 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Rabbit (Statewide): September 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Migratory Birds

• Virginia Rail and Sora: September 13 – November 21, 2025
• Gallinule: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Wilson’s Snipe: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• Woodcock: November 1 – December 15, 2025

Feral Hogs

• Private Land: Open year-round
• Public Land: Open during bear, deer, or elk open firearms or archery seasons