Arkansas

Check out the latest deer-hunting info for Arkansas. Image by Tom Reichner

Season Dates (2025):

Arkansas has 20 deer hunting zones, and the season dates and bag limits vary greatly in each. That said, the Early Buck Archery season is Sept. 6-8 in most zones, followed by general archery season beginning Sept. 27, alternative firearms season Oct. 18-26, and the modern firearm season Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 26-28. Check the ARKANSAS GAME & FISH COMMISSION WEBSITE for specific dates and bag limits for the zones you’re planning to hunt.

The Grade: B

Wildlife managers do it right in the Natural State by balancing quantity and quality. There are opportunities for those who are more concerned with filling a tag than putting a large rack on the wall. Biologists also manage specific sections and properties for better-quality animals. By the way, Arkansas ranks No. 4 overall for states with the highest percentage of 3 1/2-year-old-older bucks in the harvest, per the National Deer Association’s 2025 Annual Report. License fees are reasonable, too.

It isn’t all good, though. The number of Boone & Crockett entries isn’t even comparable to most of the Midwestern states. And, CWD has been discovered in numerous counties in the northwestern region of the state. And after you get it, there is no getting rid of it. That’s why we’re rating it at a B.

Antler Nation Knowledge:

Want to try for a big Natural State buck? According to trophy records, the best counties include Arkansas, Chicot, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Prairie, Sharp, and White. “Use the AGFC's Strategic White-tailed Deer Management Plan,” said Ralph Meeker, deer program coordinator for the AGFC. “In this report, hunters can view trends in harvest data, biological data, and observation data specific to the region they hunt. Hunters can also find AGFC's annual deer summary report on the same webpage.”

The Delta region generally has better genetics, habitat, and soil. Still, other areas of the state are managed with antler-point restrictions, spread restrictions, or main-beam restrictions to help grow older bucks. Speaking of bucks, the National Deer Association’s 2025 Annual Report shows that buck harvest has increased slightly for the last few consecutive years.

This state has a great volume of PUBLIC HUNTING ACCESS. It offers nearly 6.5 million acres. There are more than 150 WMAs, plus national wildlife refuges, national forests, and various other programs. There are even 16 public lands with specific antler restrictions aimed at growing better bucks. These are known as The Sweet 16. And some cities even participate in the Urban Deer Hunt Program. Consider some of those.

“Because of our management approach, our public lands provide a wide array of hunting opportunities,” Meeker said. “Some areas manage for a larger percentage of older ages of bucks and very balanced buck-to-doe ratios, while some simply provide for maximum harvest opportunity. Since implementing the three-point rule in 1998, Arkansas consistently ranks in the top five in the nation with the percentage of bucks 3 1/2 years and older harvested.”