2024 Arkansas Hunting Season Overview [Dates & Bags]

A variety of possibilities are expected to be available for hunters in Arkansas during the 2024 hunting season. The archery game may begin in late September, and enthusiasts can look forward to the muzzleloader and modern rifle deer, as well as chances to take elk, bear, and furbearers. This comprehensive guide is your go-to source for all the information and interest you’ll need to plan your next game species.

Content Highlights

Arkansas Hunting Season Dates

Deer

Game	Dates
Archery	Sep 23 – Feb 28
Muzzleloader	Oct 21-29, Dec 9-11
Modern Gun	Nov 11 – Dec 3, Dec 26-28
Private Land Antlerless-only Modern Gun	Dec 29-31

Other Big Games

Species	Method	Estimated Dates
Elk	General	Oct 2-6 and Oct 30-Nov 3
Bear	Archery	Sep 23 – Nov 30
Bear	Muzzleloader	Oct 21-29
Bear	Modern Gun	Nov 11-Dec 3 and Dec 26-28
Alligator	General	Sep 15-18 and Sep 22-25

Turkey

General (Zones 1-17):	April 8-23
Special Youth (All Zones):	April 1-2

Migratory & Waterfowl Birds

Species	Season	Dates
Duck	General	Nov 25 – Dec 3, Dec 9 – Jan 28
Duck	Special Youth	Nov 18 – 19, Feb 3 – 4
Goose	General	Sep 1 – 30, Nov 25 – Dec 3, Dec 9 – Jan 28
Goose	Special Youth	Nov 18 – 19, Feb 3 – 4
Dove	General	Sep 1 – Oct 28 and Dec 9 – Jan 15
Dove	Special Youth	Sep 2 – 3, Sep 9 – 10
Snipe	General	Nov 1 – Feb 15
Woodcock	–	Nov 4 – Dec 18
Rail and Gallinule	–	Sep 9 – Nov 17
Coot	–	Nov 25 – Jan 28
Coot	Special Youth	Nov 18 – 19, Feb 3 – 4

Upland Games

Species	Season	Dates
Squirrel	General	May 15 – Feb 28
Rabbit	–	Sep 1 – Feb 28
Quail	–	Nov 1 – Feb 4
Pheasant	–	Nov 1 – Jan 31
Chukar	–	Nov 1 – Jan 31
Grouse	–	Oct 1 – Feb 28
Crow	–	Sep 1 – Feb 21

Furbearers

Species	Season	Dates
Beaver	General	Year-round
Bobcat	–	Dec 1 – Feb 28
Coyote	–	Year-round
Fox	–	Dec 1 – Feb 28
Mink	–	Dec 1 – Feb 28
Muskrat	–	Dec 1 – Feb 28
Nutria	–	Year-round
Opossum	–	Year-round
Otter	–	Dec 1 – Feb 28
Raccoon	–	Year-round
Skunk	–	Year-round

Bag Limits

Games	Bag Limit
Deer	– Archery/Crossbow: 5 deer (no more than 2 bucks), 5 antlerless with archery. – Muzzleloader: 3 deer (no more than 1 buck) combined. – Modern Gun: 5 deer (no more than 2 bucks) combined.
Turkey	– Statewide: 2 legal turkeys, no jakes (youth hunters under 16 can harvest 1 jake as part of their 2-bird limit). – Individual WMAs: 1 legal turkey.
Black Bear	– 1 bear (2 bears in Units 13 & 14 with a permit).
Wild Boar	– 2 hogs per day, 10 per year.
Squirrel	– 6 per day.
Ruffed Grouse	– 3 per day.
Bobwhite Quail	– 6 per day.
Cottontail Rabbit	– 8 per day.
Snowshoe/Varying Hare	– 3 per day.
Pheasant (Cock Birds Only)	– 2 per day.
Duck	– Generally, 6 ducks per day, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, and 1 mottled duck.
Goose	– Generally, 5 geese per day, including no more than 2 Canada geese.
Dove	– 15 per day.
Beaver and Nutria	– No bag limit
Coyote	– No bag limit
Gray Fox, Red Fox, Muskrat, and Mink	– No bag limit
Opossum, Raccoon, and Striped Skunk	– No bag limit

Author
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Mason Miller

Mason Miller founded and leads WildlifeForum.org, a forum promoting ethical hunting and conservation. Mason, an avid outdoorsman and naturalist, studies and protects animals via activism, instructing, and research. His love of nature and dedication to sustainability inspired him to start WildlifeForum.org for responsible hunters, anglers, and outdoor lovers.