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Region 3, Monticello district
Cleveland County for Hunters
Plan a hunt in Cleveland County around Deer Zone 12, the county's CWD status (Outside), bear and turkey zones, WMA permit hunts and five seasons of checked deer.
Photo: Farther Along (CC BY 2.0)
Cleveland County private land deer zones
Deer hunters here follow Deer Zone 12 on private land, the single zone AGFC lists for Cleveland County. 40 modern gun days apply in Cleveland County this season, starting November 14. Alternative firearms (the old muzzleloader season) opens October 17 in Deer Zone 12 and has no December weekend here.
| Zone | Antlerless by gun | Antler rule | Dogs | Alt. firearms | Modern gun | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone 12 | 4 antlerless, any method | 3-point, any in CWD | Nov 14-Dec 20 | Oct 17-25 | Nov 14-Dec 20/Dec 26-28 | Guidebook p. 19 |
Hounds may be used for deer in Deer Zone 12; out-of-state hunters need the $100 dog owner permit and must keep to the last nine days of the regular modern gun window. The buck rule for Cleveland County works out to three points on one side. The Christmas modern gun hunt (December 26 to 28) and both youth weekends reach every zone in Cleveland County.
Zone bags, antler rules, dogs and dates from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook zone pages and AGFC’s deer seasons by zone page; county lists from the 2026-27 regs data (AGFC deer zone layer). Checked November 9, 2026.
Cleveland County CWD status for 2026-27
Cleveland County is not one of the 32 counties in the CWD Management Zone this season. Across the county line, Bradley County and Grant County are zone counties. Whole carcasses may not leave the zone, so a zone-county deer reaches this county deboned.
From outside Arkansas, only low-risk parts of a deer, elk or other cervid may come in: deboned meat, cleaned antlers or skull plates, cleaned teeth, finished taxidermy and hides. Free testing is available through drop-off freezers, participating taxidermists and AGFC regional offices (call ahead). AGFC first found CWD in Arkansas in February 2016 and has tested elk since 1998 and deer statewide since 2002.
Zone list, tiers and rules from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook CWD pages and the zone map; tiers read from the map shading. Checked November 9, 2026.
Every open window around Cleveland County
Rows marked Permit need a drawn or purchased permit; none of the parsed WMA permit hunts falls on public land touching Cleveland County.
| Game | Season | Area | Buy | Opens | Closes | Splits | Today | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Early buck archery | Statewide | License | Aug 29, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 14 | |
| Deer | Archery | Statewide | License | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 3 | |
| Deer | Alternative Firearms | Zone 12 | License | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 19 | |
| Deer | Youth gun hunt | Statewide | License | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 2 parts | Guidebook p. 22 | |
| Deer | Modern Gun | Zone 12 | License | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | 2 parts | Guidebook p. 19 | |
| Deer | Christmas gun hunt | Statewide | License | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 3 | |
| Elk | Outside core counties | Outside core | License | Aug 29, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 25 | |
| Black bear | Modern Gun | Bear Zone 4 | License | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 29 | |
| Turkey | Youth spring 2027 | Turkey Zone 2 | License | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 31 | |
| Turkey | Spring 2027 | Turkey Zone 2 | License | Apr 12, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 31 | |
| Alligator | Permit hunt | AMZ 2, 3 | Permit | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | 2 parts | Guidebook p. 28 | |
| Feral hog | Private land | Statewide | License | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 40 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | License | May 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 36 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 36 | |
| Quail | Quail | Statewide | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 36 | |
| Crow | Crow | Statewide | License | Sep 3, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 36 | |
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog | Statewide | License | Jun 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | One | Date sheet | |
| Ducks | Regular duck season | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Coot | Coot | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Mergansers | Merganser | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Teal | Special Early Teal | Statewide | License | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | One | Date sheet | |
| Canada Goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular Canada goose | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 3 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| White-fronted Goose | White-fronted goose | Statewide | License | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 4 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Light geese | Light geese (regular) | Statewide | License | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 4 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | License | Feb 1, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Ducks and geese | Youth waterfowl | Statewide | License | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 7, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Ducks and geese | Veteran and military | Statewide | License | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 7, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 3 | |
| Doves | Dove | Statewide | License | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 4 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 4 | |
| Gallinules | Gallinule | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 4 | |
| Rails | Rails | Statewide | License | Sep 12, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 4 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | License | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 4 | |
| Raccoon, opossum, skunk | Hunting | Statewide | License | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Bobcat | During turkey season | Statewide | License | Apr 5, 2027 | May 9, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | Statewide | License | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Coyote | Trapping | Statewide | License | Aug 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 38 | |
| Fox, muskrat, mink | Hunting | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| River Otter | Hunting | Statewide | License | Nov 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Beaver, nutria | Hunting | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 37 | |
| Beaver, nutria | Trapping | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 38 | |
| Badger, weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Closed | – | – | – | Closed | Guidebook p. 37 |
| Furbearers | Trapping | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 38 |
Dates from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook, the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook and the AGFC season date sheet (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission); zone county lists from AGFC zone layers and maps; checked November 9, 2026.
Cleveland County bear, turkey, alligator and elk
Bear quotas that reach Rison
For bear, Cleveland County sits in Bear Zone 4; the 2026-27 quotas are Zone 4 (25). AGFC asks bear hunters to call 833-345-0398 the evening before going out, since a reached quota closes the zone. On private land in open bear zones, baiting may start 30 days before the first bear season.
Gobbler season in Cleveland County
From AGFC's zone map, Cleveland County is in Turkey Zone 2; the 2027 spring dates are Zone 2 from April 12 to May 2. Young hunters get April 10 and 11, 2027, before the regular opener.
Cleveland County night gator hunts and elk
AGFC lists Cleveland County in Alligator Management Zones 2 and 3, quota AMZ 2: 5 and AMZ 3: 106, with hunting from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. The guidebook prints the Zone 2 quota as 5 alligators. Public land permits come from a July draw; private land permits are sold. Cleveland County follows the statewide elk zone, where elk may be taken in deer season. Any elk taken has to be checked and sampled for CWD (833-356-0824).
| Animal | Season | Zone | When | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear | Modern Gun | Bear Zone 4 | Dec 19-25 | Guidebook p. 29 |
| Turkey | Spring 2027 | Zone 2 (map) | Apr 12-May 2 | Guidebook p. 31 |
| Alligator | Permit | AMZ 2, 3 | Sep 18-21; Sep 25-28 | Guidebook p. 28 |
| Elk | Statewide Elk Zone | Statewide zone | Aug 29-Feb 28 | Guidebook p. 25 |
Bear, turkey, alligator and elk seasons, quotas and rules from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook (bear, turkey, alligator, elk); bear and alligator county lists from AGFC zone layers; turkey zone counties read from AGFC’s zone map; ranks from the 2025 bear report and turkey reports. Checked November 9, 2026.
Permit-only hunts around Cleveland County
No parsed permit hunt falls in Cleveland County; the parse is incomplete, so the guidebook entries are the final word. Turkey permit applications open January 15, 2027, and close February 15; the deer draw for this season is already done. Other seasons, waterfowl excepted, shut on a WMA while its permit hunt runs.
Permit hunts parsed from the WMA pages of the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook (“permit required”); application windows from the guidebook draw page. The parse misses some text on a few listings. Checked November 9, 2026.
Cleveland County harvest trend and buck share
3,836 deer were checked in Cleveland County in 2025-26; only 8 counties checked more. Compared with 2021-22 (4,216), the 2025-26 figure is down by 9%. Per square mile, Cleveland County checked 6.4 deer in 2025-26.
| Season | Checked deer | State rank | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 4,216 | 6th | Table 6 |
| 2022-23 | 3,535 | 14th | Table 6 |
| 2023-24 | 3,858 | 10th | Table 6 |
| 2024-25 | 3,901 | 16th | Table 6 |
| 2025-26 | 3,836 | 9th | Table 6 |
Antlered bucks were 44% and does 50% of the three-season total. Modern gun accounted for 86% of those deer, and archery plus crossbow for 6%.
| Season | Bucks | Buttons | Does | Modern gun | Muzzleloader | Archery gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 1,554 | 207 | 1,774 | 3,007 | 285 | 243 |
| 2023-24 | 1,736 | 266 | 1,856 | 3,379 | 202 | 270 |
| 2024-25 | 1,693 | 243 | 1,965 | 3,306 | 185 | 218 |
Checked deer by county from AGFC White-tailed Deer Reports, Table 6 (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26); sex and weapon from the AGFC deer harvest record table (2022-23 to 2024-25). Checked November 9, 2026.
Open and closed ground in Cleveland County
The GIS count of public hunting ground in Cleveland County is 1,031 acres once overlapping layers are merged. By owner, WMAs lead with roughly 1,031 acres.
| Land | GIS acres | Hunting |
|---|---|---|
| WMA land | 1,031 | Area rules |
| Parks (state) | 6 | Closed to hunting |
| Open public total | 1,031 | Merged |
Hunting is closed in Marks Mills State Park: AGFC Code 05.11 bars hunting in state and national parks, apart from the exceptions it lists.
Cleveland County areas to read before you go
Areas just outside Cleveland County
- Warren Prairie Natural Area WMA (natural area wma)Natural area, 7 mi
- Pool 4 (Arkansas River) (Corps land)Corps lake, 30 mi
- Pool 3 (Arkansas River) (Corps land)Corps lake, 31 mi
- Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMANatural area, 38 mi
- George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA (wma)WMA, 41 mi
- Longview Saline Natural Area WMANatural area, 42 mi
- Seven Devils WMAWMA, 42 mi
- Two Bayou Creek WMAWMA, 42 mi
Cleveland County parks closed to hunters
- Marks Mills State ParkClosed · State Park
GIS acres from the AGFC WMA boundary layer, USFS ownership, 50 CFR 32.23 refuges, PAD-US Corps of Engineers and NPS units (merged, water over 2 square kilometres removed; not official acreage); land records from AGFC, USFS, USFWS and Corps sources; closures under AGFC Code 05.11, 36 CFR 327.8 and 50 CFR 32.23. Checked November 9, 2026.
Cleveland County offices, shops and town pages
The Region 3 district office in Monticello covers Cleveland County; call (877) 367-3559. Measured from mid-county, the closest AGFC office is Monticello (Southeast Office), some 29 miles away. Town guides for Cleveland County list the public land within 10 and 25 miles of each town. Taxidermists on AGFC's CWD list can also take samples for testing.
Cleveland County district and offices
Cleveland County towns with pages
- Rison937 people
Cleveland County shops and processors
District offices from the AGFC districts layer; offices from the AGFC regional offices page; towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer; shops from Yellow Pages listings, chain store locators and the AGFC CWD taxidermist list (not individually verified; call ahead). Checked November 9, 2026.
Cleveland County shooters: ranges and shoot dates
Nothing is listed inside Cleveland County, so these three neighbours fill in, with miles.
Closest rifle line to Cleveland County: Pine Bluff Gun Club in Jefferson County, about 18 miles from the county centre.
Ranges from the AGFC Shooting and Archery Ranges page, the AGFC range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 9, 2026.
Sunrise and hunting times near Cleveland County
Clocks around Cleveland County fall back on November 1, 2026 and jump ahead on March 14, 2027, which moves every time in this table by an hour across those dates.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2026 | Early buck archery | 6:40 a.m. | 7:40 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 6:58 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Zone 12 alt-firearms | 7:15 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun weekend | 6:34 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 12 gun opener | 6:41 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:48 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Zone 12 gun closes | 7:11 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:11 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Turkey Zone 2 opens | 6:40 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:37 p.m. | AGFC table |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook; sunrise and sunset from the AGFC Little Rock table with AGFC’s nine-mile correction, or the NOAA solar formula on Central Time where the table has no entry; checked November 9, 2026. Legal hours across Arkansas.
Grant County Courthouse framed by big shade trees in SheridanPhoto: Brandonrush (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Highway 11 passing shade trees and a church steeple in Star City, Lincoln CountyPhoto: Brandonrush (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Bayou Bartholomew lined with marsh grass and fall trees near Pine Bluff, Jefferson CountyPhoto: Keith Yahl (CC BY 2.0)
Cleveland County hunting questions
Are there antler restrictions in Cleveland County because of CWD?
Yes: three points on one side.
When does rifle season open in Cleveland County?
November 14, 2026, in every zone that touches the county.
Which spring turkey zone does AGFC map Cleveland County into?
Turkey Zone 2, from AGFC’s zone map.
Does a quota cap the bear season in Cleveland County?
Yes: Zone 4 25. Call 833-345-0398 the evening before.
Do I need an elk permit in Cleveland County?
No permit is needed outside the core counties.
Which AMZ number does Cleveland County fall under?
Alligator Management Zones 2 and 3.
Has the Cleveland County deer count risen since 2021-22?
From 4,216 in 2021-22 to 3,836 in 2025-26.
How many GIS acres of public ground lie in Cleveland County?
About 1,031 GIS acres (under 1% of the county).
Do Cleveland County deer zones allow running dogs?
Yes, in Deer Zone 12.
Which AGFC district handles wildlife work in Cleveland County?
AGFC Region 3 (Monticello).
Is Cleveland County in more than one deer zone?
No. Only Deer Zone 12.
From the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook, the AGFC deer zone page, CWD rules, quota lines, AGFC harvest reports and the county data above. Checked November 9, 2026.