Home › Arkansas › Hunting laws
The AGFC 2026-27 guidebooks, interpretive summaries of the AGFC Code of Regulations
Arkansas Hunting Laws
What the AGFC guidebooks say about legal and protected wildlife, the weapons legal in each kind of season, roads, lights, vehicles, levees, tracking gear, dogs, residences and private land, baiting where the guidebook spells it out, waste, possession and sale of game, hunter orange, and the violation point system behind it all: 19 method rules and the suspension table.
Photo: Alyenaa Buckles (CC BY 2.0)
Arkansas legal game by group, laid out plainly
Arkansas hunts five big game animals: white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, wild turkey and the American alligator. Feral hogs are an invasive species, open year-round on private land, but on WMAs they may be taken only while a bear, deer or elk season is open there. Migratory birds follow federal frameworks and need HIP registration.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game | Deer, Elk, Black bear, Turkey, Alligator | Seasons by zone; elk and alligator by permit (elk also outside the core counties during deer season). |
| Small game | Squirrel, Rabbit, Quail, Crow | Statewide seasons; possession limits removed in 2026. |
| Furbearers | beaver, nutria, Bobcat, Coyote, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, River Otter | Hunting and trapping seasons; badger, spotted skunk and weasel closed. |
| Migratory game birds | Ducks, Mergansers, Coot, Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, snow, blue and Ross's geese, mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove, Snipe, Gallinules, Virginia rail, sora, Woodcock | Federal frameworks; HIP required. |
| Invasive | Feral hog | Private land year-round any method; on WMAs only incidental to open bear, deer or elk seasons. |
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 3; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 36; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 37; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 40; Waterfowl Guidebook, PDF p. 3. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
Arkansas protected wildlife, laid out plainly
Any species not covered by an AGFC guidebook has no open season. Hens and bearded hens are never legal in spring turkey season, and jakes only for hunters aged 6 to 15. Live deer may not be caught or kept, and AGFC asks hunters to pass on bears with cubs or radio collars.
All species without an open season
There are no open seasons for any species not discussed in an AGFC regulations guidebook.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel
Hunting closed (also closed on WMAs).
Hen turkeys (including bearded hens) and jakes
Illegal to harvest hens; jakes legal only for hunters 6-15 (one jake).
Deer (live), cervids and black bears in rehabilitation
Illegal to catch, trap or possess deer of any age; rehabilitation of deer, elk or black bears prohibited.
Endangered and threatened species
See agfc.com/endangered; nuisance rules exclude bats, migratory birds and endangered species.
Nongame migratory birds
Federal law prohibits killing nongame migratory birds; feathers protected by 50 CFR 20 may not be sold.
Bears with cubs or telemetry collars
AGFC asks hunters not to shoot them (request, not a rule).
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 29; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 31; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 37; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 49; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 53; Waterfowl Guidebook, PDF p. 39. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
How AGFC handles legal weapons by season
Alternative firearms season, the former muzzleloader season, now takes non-semiautomatic straight-wall centerfire rifles of .30 caliber or larger as well as muzzleloaders, but no slugs. Modern gun season allows centerfire .22 and up, and a crossbow needs a 125-pound pull and a mechanical safety. Turkey hunters are limited to shotguns and archery gear.
| Season | Legal | Not legal |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Long, recurve and compound bows 35 pound pull or more; crossbows 125 pound pull with mechanical safety; scopes and releases allowed; broadheads at least 7/8 inch for big game; spears allowed in archery seasons. | Arrows with firearm ammunition or poison; arrows propelled by compressed air or explosive propellant; firearms in immediate possession while bowhunting bear, deer or turkey (except a legally possessed handgun or when a firearms season is open). |
| Modern gun (deer, bear) | Modern guns, alternative firearms and archery; centerfire .22 and larger; shotguns with slugs or number 4 buckshot or larger; handguns with barrels 4 inches or longer; large bore air rifles .40+ (not for elk). Bear: shotguns 20 gauge or larger with rifled slugs. | Buckshot in a .410; shot smaller than number 4 buckshot; rimfire cartridges; centerfire smaller than .22; handguns under 4 inches barrel. |
| Alternative firearms (formerly muzzleloader) | Muzzleloading rifles .40+ with 18 inches+ barrel (magnifying sights; buckshot number 4+), muzzleloading handguns (9 inches+ barrel; .45+ conical 200 grain+ or .530+ round ball), non-semiautomatic straight-wall centerfire .30+ (bolt, break, falling block, lever, pump, rolling block, straight-pull), large bore air rifles .40+, archery. | Shotguns with slugs; semiautomatic centerfire firearms unless the upper receiver is replaced with a listed action. |
| Turkey | Shotguns 10 gauge and smaller and archery equipment including crossbows. | Rifles, muzzleloading rifles, handguns, shot larger than number 2; traps, snares, nets, dogs, live decoys, electronic or mechanical callers. |
| Small game, squirrel, rabbit, crow | Air rifles; rimfire .22 or smaller; muzzleloaders .40 or smaller; shotguns with shot no larger than T (larger allowed when a deer, bear or coyote firearms season is open). | Rifled slugs; quail with rifles, handguns or shot larger than number 2. |
| Waterfowl and migratory birds | Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller holding no more than three shells; nontoxic shot T or smaller for waterfowl and coots; other migratory birds nontoxic T or smaller or lead BB or smaller. | Rifles, pistols, traps, live decoys, sink boxes, motorboats under power, bait. |
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 36; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 50; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 51; Waterfowl Guidebook, PDF p. 36. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
How game may be taken for hunters in the Natural State
Every Arkansas hunt falls under these method rules. Among them: no shooting across, from or within 100 feet of the centerline of a maintained road, no electronic tracking gear to find wildlife, written permission on private land, and a signed statement with any game taken by someone else.
- RoadsNo pointing, aiming, hunting or shooting a firearm or bow across, from or within 100 feet of the centerline of a city, county, state or federally maintained road (trappers dispatching trapped animals and falconers excepted); on WMAs within 100 feet of any public or privately maintained road.
- LightsNo shining an artificial light from a public road or within a WMA.
- Vehicles and aircraftNo hunting from a moving motorized land vehicle or from an aircraft.
- LeveesNo hunting from or across the main levee of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers from Louisiana to state Highway 11 north of Grady (Lincoln County).
- TechnologyNo electronic tracking equipment to locate wildlife and no computer-assisted hunting.
- Poisons and trapsNo deadfalls, drugs, chemicals, poisons, booby traps or explosives.
- DogsCollar with owner name, phone and address; GPS tracking/behavior collars for dogs pursuing deer, fox or coyote on public land; chasing wildlife banned April 1-May 15 except at night (60 min after sunset to 60 min before sunrise), enclosures and field trials; deer chasing October 1-December 31 only in dog zones; no dogs for bear.
- Hunting near residencesWritten permission of the owner or occupant needed to hunt with firearms within 150 yards or archery within 50 yards of a residence (owners and lessees excepted).
- Private land permission and postingWritten permission (relatives excepted) required to hunt, trap or run dogs on private land. Posting: signs or 8-inch purple paint marks at most 100 feet apart (1,000 feet on cultivated land, pasture etc.) and at road entrances.
- Wanton wasteEdible portions must not be wasted (game mammals: quarters, loins, tenderloins; birds: breasts; alligators: tail, legs, flanks, loins); no carcass disposal in cemeteries, waters or within 50 yards of a public road centerline.
- Possession of others' gameWildlife taken by someone else must have a signed statement (name, address, species, date, license number); also applies to camps, processors and taxidermists.
- Sale of wildlifeNo buying or selling wildlife or parts except furbearer pelts/carcasses, squirrel tails and pelts, rabbit pelts, turkey bones, deer and elk antlers and hides, and unprotected feathers.
- Live animalsNo importing wildlife without permits, no releasing wildlife, no possessing deer of any age; no releasing domestic turkeys or capturing wild turkeys/eggs.
- Incident reportingHunting or trapping incidents with injury beyond basic first aid must be reported immediately (833-356-0824).
- Waterfowl guiding on public landNo guiding waterfowl hunters for pay on WMAs or NWRs.
- Alcohol on WMAsNo alcoholic beverages on Commission-controlled WMAs except on inholdings, in vehicles on public roads or boats on navigable water within the law.
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 48; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 49; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 52; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 53; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 54; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 55; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 63; Waterfowl Guidebook, PDF p. 43. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
Arkansas on bait, orange and pop-up blinds
Arkansas accepts hunter orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage, 400 square inches above the waist plus a head garment, wherever a modern gun or alternative firearms season for deer, bear or elk is open. Blaze pink is not on the list.
Hunter orange
Hunters and those accompanying hunters in areas where modern gun or alternative firearms deer, bear or elk seasons are open. At least 400 square inches of hunter orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage above the waist and a head garment of the same safety colors. Blaze pink is not listed.
Pop-up blinds on WMAs
Portable pop-up blinds on WMAs must show 144 square inches of blaze orange or chartreuse on all sides during firearms deer, bear and elk seasons.
Migratory bird hunters
Duck, goose and dove hunters are not required to wear hunter orange; bowhunters during the youth modern gun deer hunt are.
Bait, as the guidebook states it
- WMAsBaiting not allowed on WMAs (except bait in legal furbearer traps).
- Inside the CWD Management ZoneInside the zone any buck may be harvested (antler restrictions removed); feeding wildlife unlawful except listed exceptions (bait for deer/elk on private land September 1-December 31 in open season); carcass movement limited by tier.
- Black bearBait only on private land in bear zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5A from 30 days before the first bear season to the end of the last; inside the CWD zone before September 1 only dog/cat food, pastries/breads, cooking oils and grease, non-wildlife meat scraps, popped popcorn, fish.
- Wild turkeyNo hunting over bait (10-day rule).
- AlligatorsAlligators may not be fed or baited for any reason.
- What counts as baitPlacing salt, grain or other feed that could lure wildlife to where hunters are trying to take them; an area stays baited 10 days after complete removal; knows-or-should-know standard; no set distance.
The guidebook pages read for this site set out baiting rules for WMAs, the CWD Management Zone, bear, turkey, migratory birds and alligators. For any other baiting question, read the AGFC Code of Regulations or ask an AGFC office before putting out feed.
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 52; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 54; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 27; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 30; Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 26. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
Arkansas violation points, line by line
Each conviction adds points by offense class, from 6 for Class 1 to 99 for Class 5. Reaching 18 points within five years suspends hunting and fishing privileges, for one year at 18 to 24 points and up to seven years at 99 or more; the guidebook table header reads three years, so check with AGFC.
| Offense class | Points added |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 6 points |
| Class 2 | 12 points |
| Class 3 | 18 points |
| Class 4 | 30 points |
| Class 5 | 99 points |
| Unclassified | 0 points |
| Points within five years | Suspension |
|---|---|
| 25-48 points | 2 years |
| 49-72 points | 3 years |
| 73-98 points | 5 years |
| 99+ points | 7 years |
- Suspension triggerAGFC suspends hunting and fishing privileges of anyone with 18 or more violation points within a 5-year period (the table header reads "points over three years").
- Interstate Wildlife Violator CompactViolations and suspensions in member states can add points or bar hunting in Arkansas and vice versa.
Offense classes and their penalties are set in the AGFC Code of Regulations, which the guidebooks summarize and which this site did not read, so no penalty amounts are printed here. A suspended hunter also may not apply for any Commission permit hunt.
Sources: Hunting Guidebook, PDF p. 56. Checked: cited pages reread line by line on November 9, 2026.
Arkansas hunting law questions
How close to a road can I shoot in Arkansas?
No pointing, aiming, hunting or shooting a firearm or bow across, from or within 100 feet of the centerline of a city, county, state or federally maintained road (trappers dispatching trapped animals and falconers excepted); on WMAs within 100 feet of any public or privately maintained road.
Can I hunt near a house in Arkansas?
Written permission of the owner or occupant needed to hunt with firearms within 150 yards or archery within 50 yards of a residence (owners and lessees excepted).
What counts as posted land in Arkansas?
Written permission (relatives excepted) required to hunt, trap or run dogs on private land. Posting: signs or 8-inch purple paint marks at most 100 feet apart (1,000 feet on cultivated land, pasture etc.) and at road entrances.
Is bear baiting legal in Arkansas?
Bait only on private land in bear zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5A from 30 days before the first bear season to the end of the last; inside the CWD zone before September 1 only dog/cat food, pastries/breads, cooking oils and grease, non-wildlife meat scraps, popped popcorn, fish.
Can I bait deer inside the CWD Management Zone?
Inside the zone any buck may be harvested (antler restrictions removed); feeding wildlife unlawful except listed exceptions (bait for deer/elk on private land September 1-December 31 in open season); carcass movement limited by tier.
Are electronic tracking devices allowed for Arkansas hunting?
No electronic tracking equipment to locate wildlife and no computer-assisted hunting. Collar with owner name, phone and address; GPS tracking/behavior collars for dogs pursuing deer, fox or coyote on public land; chasing wildlife banned April 1-May 15 except at night (60 min after sunset to 60 min before sunrise), enclosures and field trials; deer chasing October 1-December 31 only in dog zones; no dogs for bear.
What weapons are legal in Arkansas alternative firearms season?
Muzzleloading rifles .40+ with 18 inches+ barrel (magnifying sights; buckshot number 4+), muzzleloading handguns (9 inches+ barrel; .45+ conical 200 grain+ or .530+ round ball), non-semiautomatic straight-wall centerfire .30+ (bolt, break, falling block, lever, pump, rolling block, straight-pull), large bore air rifles .40+, archery.
How many violation points suspend an Arkansas license?
18 or more points within five years, which brings a suspension of one to seven years depending on the total.
Can I sell deer antlers in Arkansas?
No buying or selling wildlife or parts except furbearer pelts/carcasses, squirrel tails and pelts, rabbit pelts, turkey bones, deer and elk antlers and hides, and unprotected feathers.
From the Arkansas regulations
Duck rules on WMAs, greentree reservoir draws and boat rules sit in the Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook rather than the main book, so waterfowl hunters need both PDFs.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); David Rives (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); glenn_e_wilson (CC BY 2.0).