Waterfowl Seasons

Migratory bird hunters in Arkansas 16 or older are required to carry proof of Arkansas Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration when hunting ducks, geese, doves, coots, woodcock, snipe, rails or gallinules. HIP registration should be completed when purchasing a license at any Arkansas Game and Fish Commission office or online.

Hunting on WMAs Ends at Noon

Shooting is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise and ends at noon during regular duck season except where noted in WMA-specific Details. Waterfowl hunting is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset on the last day of regular duck season and during the Youth and Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunts on all WMAs.

Waterfowl Hunter WMA Access Times

Waterfowl hunters must be off water-inundated areas or natural/man-made water courses by 1 p.m. (by noon on Dave Donaldson Black River WMA and George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA) during regular duck season except where noted in WMA-specific Details. Waterfowl hunters must be off water-inundated areas or natural/man-made water courses by 6:30 p.m. on the last day of regular duck season and during the Youth and Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunts on all WMAs.

Special Early Teal Season

Sept. 15-30, 2023

Daily Limit – 6 (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal combined)
Possession Limit – 18

Duck, Coot and Merganser

Nov. 18-26, 2023
Dec. 9-23, 2023
Dec. 27, 2023-Jan. 31, 2024

Duck daily bag limit – 6, which may include no more than: 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. If not listed, up to 6 ducks of a species (including teal) may be taken.

Coot daily bag limit – 15.

Merganser daily bag limit – 5, which may include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Possession limit for ducks, coots and mergansers is three times the daily bag limit.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Dec. 2, 2023 and Feb. 3, 2024

On these days, youths 15 and younger may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Youths who have not completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a mentor 21 or older. Mentors may not hunt, but may call waterfowl. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as the regular duck and goose seasons. Youth hunters can hunt on wildlife management areas 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset these two days. WMA General Use Permits are not required for youth hunters.

Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Hunt

Feb. 3, 2024

On this day members of active duty military and military veterans may harvest ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Active duty military includes members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Veterans must have served in active military, naval, air service or Reserves and National Guard on Title 32 orders in a combat zone and must have been discharged or released under Honorable conditions. Hunters will need to have an active hunting license and stamps and one of the following or copy during the hunt: DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Military I.D., Veteran Hunting License (VLF, VLH, VLC or VLL) or Military I.D. card. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as regular duck and goose seasons. Hunters may hunt on wildlife management areas from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset these two days. WMA General Use Permits are required.

Canada Goose

Sept. 1-Oct. 15, 2023

Daily bag limit – 5
Possession limit – 15

Nov. 18-26, 2023
Dec. 9-23, 2023
Dec. 27, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024

Daily bag limit – 2
Possession limit – 6

White-fronted Goose

Oct. 28-Nov. 10, 2023
Nov. 18-26, 2023
Dec. 9-23, 2023
Dec. 27, 2023-Jan. 31, 2024

Daily bag limit – 3

Possession limit – 9

Snow, Blue and Ross’s Goose

Oct. 28-Nov. 10, 2023

Nov. 18-26, 2023
Dec. 9-23, 2023
Dec. 27, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024

Daily bag limit – 20
No possession limit

Light Goose Conservation Order (Snow, Blue and Ross’s)

Feb. 1-2, 2024
Feb. 4-April 25, 2024

Bag Limit – None

Go to Light Goose Conservation Order page for special regulations.