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Hunting in Arkansas
Hunting in Arkansas
Arkansas, known as “The Natural State,” offers some of the finest hunting in the South. With over 33 million acres of diverse terrain—from the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges to the fertile delta bottomlands—Arkansas provides habitat for an extraordinary variety of game animals. The state’s rich forests, rivers, and wetlands attract hunters from across the country seeking world-class whitetail deer, waterfowl, and wild turkey.
Arkansas is particularly renowned for its waterfowl hunting, especially along the Mississippi Flyway where millions of ducks and geese funnel through each fall and winter. The state’s flooded timber and rice fields draw legendary duck hunting pressure, while its hardwood forests support thriving populations of white-tailed deer, black bear, and wild turkey. With an estimated deer herd of over one million animals, Arkansas consistently ranks among the top whitetail states in the nation.
The hunting culture in Arkansas runs deep, with families passing down traditions across generations. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages over 3.2 million acres of Wildlife Management Areas, national forests, and wildlife refuges, ensuring abundant public hunting opportunities for residents and non-residents alike. Whether you’re a waterfowl hunter seeking flooded timberland or a big game hunter pursuing trophy whitetails through the Ozarks, Arkansas delivers unforgettable hunting experiences.
Key Insights
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- Arkansas ranks 10th nationally for hunting participation with over 323,000 licensed hunters.
- The state is one of the top duck hunting destinations in the US, sitting in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway.
- Arkansas has over 3.2 million acres of public hunting land through WMAs, national forests, and wildlife refuges.
- White-tailed deer populations exceed one million animals with over 200,000 harvested annually.
- The Ouachita and Ozark National Forests provide 3 million acres of prime big game hunting habitat.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
Land Types (Acres)
Arkansas ranks 27th among all 50 states for percentage of private land.
Arkansas Hunting Seasons
For the most accurate information on Arkansas Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the Arkansas DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Dr
Little Rock, AR 72205
- (501) 223-6300
Popular Game in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to a diverse array of game animals that attract hunters from across the country. The state’s varied landscapes—from mountain forests to delta wetlands—support robust populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and waterfowl. Arkansas is especially celebrated for its world-class duck hunting along the Mississippi Flyway, while its Ozark and Ouachita forests deliver excellent deer and turkey hunting. Whether you’re chasing mallards in flooded timber or tracking trophy bucks through the hardwoods, Arkansas has something special to offer every hunter.
Small Game Hunting in Arkansas
Arkansas offers outstanding small game hunting opportunities throughout the state. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages extensive wildlife management areas that support healthy populations of squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove. The state’s hardwood forests are particularly productive for squirrel hunters, with fox squirrels and gray squirrels both present in good numbers.
Waterfowl hunting is arguably Arkansas’s most famous hunting tradition. The state sits squarely in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, and its flooded rice fields, green timber, and backwater sloughs attract millions of ducks and geese each fall. Mallards are the most pursued species, but teal, pintail, wood duck, and numerous other species are also commonly taken. The Grand Prairie region in the east central part of the state is legendary for its flooded rice field duck hunting.
Dove hunting is extremely popular in Arkansas, with fields of sunflowers and harvested grains drawing large concentrations of mourning doves in September. Quail numbers have declined from historic highs, but dedicated habitat management efforts are helping populations recover in parts of the state.
Big Game Hunting in Arkansas
White-tailed deer hunting is the cornerstone of big game hunting in Arkansas. With an estimated deer population of over one million animals and harvest numbers consistently topping 200,000 annually, Arkansas ranks among the premier whitetail destinations in the nation. The Ozark and Ouachita mountains produce exceptional bucks, while the delta region offers agricultural food sources that support large-bodied deer.
Wild turkey hunting is another beloved tradition in Arkansas, with spring and fall seasons drawing hunters from across the region. The state supports healthy populations of Eastern wild turkey throughout its forests, and Arkansas hunters enjoy some of the most productive turkey hunting in the South. Black bear hunting is also available in Arkansas, with populations concentrated primarily in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests and the lower White River region.
Elk hunting in Arkansas is available through a limited lottery permit system, with animals primarily found in the Buffalo National River area of the Ozarks. The elk herd has grown substantially since reintroduction efforts began in the 1980s and 1990s, and successful applicants have the opportunity to harvest world-class bulls in spectacular mountain terrain.
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Hunting Areas in Arkansas
Arkansas offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
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We’re working with landowners all across Arkansas to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Public Land Hunting in Arkansas
Arkansas boasts over 3.2 million acres of publicly accessible hunting land through its extensive Wildlife Management Area system, national forests, and national wildlife refuges. The Ouachita National Forest alone spans 1.8 million acres of west-central Arkansas, offering exceptional hunting for deer, turkey, black bear, and small game across rugged mountain terrain. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests add another 1.2 million acres of prime hunting ground in the northwestern and eastern parts of the state.
The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 160,000 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat along the lower White River, providing excellent whitetail deer and waterfowl hunting. The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Arkansas offers outstanding duck hunting in one of the most productive waterfowl wintering areas in North America.
Arkansas’s WMA system includes over 150 individual areas managed specifically for wildlife and public hunting access. These areas are distributed throughout the state and include a mix of habitats from upland forests to lowland wetlands, giving hunters diverse options no matter what species they’re pursuing.
1. Ouachita National Forest
2. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
3. Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge
4. Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
5. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Private Land in Arkansas
Since a large portion of Arkansas is private land, getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options below.