🦌Arkansas Deer Season 2025-2026 [Schedules, Licenses, Bag Limits & More!]

Dreaming of pursuing majestic white-tailed deer in The Natural State? This guide breaks down everything you need for the upcoming cycle—from key dates and wildlife management zones to license info and pro tips. Arkansas’s diverse landscapes, from the fertile Delta to the rugged Ozarks, offer some of the most generous and well-managed sporting opportunities in the South. Let’s dive in!

📅 At a Glance: Arkansas’s 2025-2026 Deer Seasons

Here’s a quick overview of the primary methods and timeframes for pursuing whitetails across the state’s zones.

🏹 A Detailed Look at All Deer Seasons

Arkansas’s framework is primarily focused on its abundant white-tailed deer population. The schedules are divided into multiple methods and vary by the state’s Deer Management Zones, so knowing your zone is crucial .

White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

The premier game animal in Arkansas, found in healthy populations across all regions.

Archery

• Early Buck (Velvet) Season: September 6-8, 2025
• General Archery Season: September 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Details: This long period is perfect for enjoying the woods with a bow. Either-sex harvesting is permitted throughout the entire archery season in most zones .

Special Youth Modern Gun Season

• Dates: November 1-2, 2025 and January 3-4, 2026
• Details: A fantastic opportunity for hunters under 16 to experience the thrill. Participants may use legal firearms, and most antler restrictions are waived for youths during this time .

Alternative Firearms Season

• Dates: Varies by zone. Typically October 18-26 and a second segment in December .
• Details: This season, which replaced the traditional muzzleloader season, permits hunters to use modern straight-walled centerfire rifle cartridges .30 caliber or larger from non-semiautomatic rifles .

Modern Gun Seasons
This is the most popular method, with dates varying significantly by zone.

• Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11: November 8-30 and December 26-28, 2025
• Zones 4 & 5: November 8-16 and December 26-28, 2025
• Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15: November 8 – December 7 and December 26-28, 2025

Wildlife Management Zones and Bag Limits Explained

Knowing your zone is crucial, as dates and bag limits differ .

• Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11: Bag limit of five deer, no more than two bucks. No antler-point restrictions in most of these zones .
• Zones 4 & 5: Bag limit of three deer, no more than two bucks. Legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side outside of the CWD Management Zone .
• CWD Management Zones: Special regulations apply in counties like Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Independence, Marion, Randolph, Sharp, Jackson, Craighead, and Mississippi. These often include mandatory sampling and carcass transport restrictions to monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease .

🦌 Other Deer-Related Game

While whitetails are the main attraction, Arkansas has other hoofed game that provides unique sporting chances.

Elk (Cervus canadensis)

• Status: A restored population in the Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton, and Searcy counties).
• Seasons:Draw permit only for public land hunts in the core zone.
  • Youth Hunts: October 4-5, 2025, and October 25-26, 2025
  • Regular Hunts: October 6-10, 2025, and October 27-31, 2025
• Note: A quota of 35 elk total is in place. Elk found outside of the Core Zone may be taken during deer season with a weapon legal for that season, but hunters must immediately call AGFC upon harvest .

📜 Key Arkansas Deer Regulations

Staying legal ensures a safe and ethical experience for everyone and contributes to conservation.

1. Bag Limits: Vary by zone, from three to five deer, with a statewide limit of no more than two antlered bucks per hunter .
2. Antler Restrictions: In many zones outside the CWD area, a legal buck must be a button buck or have at least three points on one side .
3. Game Check: Mandatory! You must report your harvest through the AGFC app, website, or by phone (833-289-2469) within 12 hours .
4. CWD Rules: In designated CWD Management Zones, special regulations apply, including mandatory sampling in some cases and restrictions on moving carcasses out of the zone .
5. Hunter Orange: Required for all hunters during modern gun, muzzleloader, and youth seasons .
6. Baiting: The use of natural deer urine-based scents and lures is now permitted again .

🎟️ License & Tag Fees for 2025-2026

All hunters must possess a valid license. Tags for deer are typically included with the license.

Note: These fees are estimates based on recent data; always check the official Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) website for the most current pricing .

✅ License Requirements

• Hunter Education: Mandatory for anyone born on or after 1968. You must carry your card while in the field .
• Age Requirements: Hunters must be at least 6 years old to hunt big game. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old .
• Harvest Record: You must have a paper or digital deer harvest record in your possession while pursuing game .

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the best time to hunt the rut in Arkansas?
A: The rut typically peaks in late October to early November in most of the state, though timing can vary slightly by region.

Q: Can I hunt on public land in Arkansas?
A: Absolutely! The state manages over 3 million acres of public hunting land through its Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). You will need a standard hunting license plus a WMA permit to access them .

Q: What is the “Alternative Firearms” season?
A: This season replaced the traditional muzzleloader season. It allows the use of modern straight-walled centerfire rifle cartridges (.30 caliber or larger) in non-semiautomatic rifles, providing more options for hunters .

Q: Are there any special opportunities for youth hunters?
A: Yes! Arkansas offers dedicated Special Youth Modern Gun Hunts in November and January, providing weekends where young sportsmen and women have the woods primarily to themselves .

✨ Final Thoughts

Arkansas’s 2025-2026 whitetail calendar is packed with opportunity. With seasons stretching from early September into late February, there’s a perfect time for every hunter, whether you’re a bowhunter seeking solitude in the autumn woods or a gun hunter waiting for the crisp days of November. Just remember to double-check your zone, grab all the necessary licenses, and most importantly, get out there and enjoy the incredible resource that Arkansas’s wild places have to offer.

🔗 For the most official and precise information, always confirm everything at the source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).

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James Ellis

James Ellis, the passionate creator of DeerSeason.Org, is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for wildlife. With over a decade of experience in exploring the world of deer, his writing reflects an extensive understanding of these magnificent creatures

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