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WMA · AGFC seasons
Hunting Black River WMA
Wildlife management area in Clay County and 2 more counties, about 25,482 acres in WMA zone 170.
Photo: uacescomm (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Black River WMA
Black River WMA sized up for 2026-27
Black River WMA falls in one category on this site: an AGFC wildlife management area. The 2026-27 guidebook puts it at 25,482 acres, spread over Clay County and 2 other counties. The managing AGFC district is Region 1, based in Jonesboro. Per the guidebook, the land partner is AGFC.
High water filling the St. Francis River floodway between the levees in Poinsett CountyPhoto: uacescomm (CC0 1.0)
From lands.json records (Guidebook · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4); acres: 2026-27 AGFC Hunting Guidebook WMA entry ("25,482 acres"). Checked November 9, 2026.
Deer zone dates near Black River WMA
Black River WMA is its own zone, 170; the private land zones below apply on the farms and timber around it.
| Zone page | Gun season | Alt firearms | Dogs | Antlers | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | Nov 14–22 Dec 26–28 | No season | No dogs | 3 points one side CWD zone: any buck | 4 (2 antlered) |
- The CWD Management Zone covers Black River WMA (Randolph Tier 2), so tier carcass rules and the feeding ban apply.
- Bear Zone 7 is closed to bear hunting.
- Spring turkey falls under Turkey Zones 1 and 1A, from AGFC's zone map.
Zones from the guidebook deer zone pages, the AGFC zone layers and the CWD zone list; turkey zones from AGFC’s zone map. Checked November 9, 2026.
Seasons and rules printed for Black River WMA
Read across each row for the Black River WMA entry as AGFC printed it under zone 170. Waterfowl permit areas, boat limits and rest areas come from the Waterfowl Guidebook, which this page only points to. Permit rows are drawn hunts; only permit holders hunt during those days. Closed on Black River WMA this season: deer alternative firearms, bear and alligator.
| Game and method | Windows | License or permit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer archery | Aug 29–31 Sep 26–Feb 28 | License | One antlered buck |
| Deer gun | Nov 14–18 | Permit | – |
| Deer gun youth | Nov 7–8 Jan 2–3 | License | – |
| Turkey youth | Apr 10–11 | License | One turkey |
| Turkey | Apr 19–27 | License | One turkey |
Deer bag on Black River WMA
| How many | Which deer | Methods |
|---|---|---|
| two | antlered bucks | archery |
| three | antlerless deer | archery |
| one | antlered buck and one antlerless deer | modern gun permit |
- During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer. Dove (mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared): September 5-6 (permit required, Brookings Field). September 7-October 25 and December 8-January 15 (open hunting)
Across all WMAs and zones, a hunter still stops at six deer for the season.
What else the entry says about Black River WMA
- The Winchester WRA and Brookings moist-soil units are closed to access November 1.-February 15 except during Deer Modern Gun Permit and Youth Hunts.
- Lake Ashbaugh and Hubble Lake are closed to all hunting except early teal season (September 19-27).
- Slough boats may be left overnight at select locations during duck season.
- Visit agfc.com/blackriverwma for more details.
Guidebook p. 76 of the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook (WMA-specific regulations; Arkansas Game and Fish Commission); waterfowl: 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook. Checked November 9, 2026.
Black River WMA drawn hunts
Permit hunt game near Black River WMA.
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fannedPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
There is 1 parsed permit hunt for Black River WMA this season. Black River WMA is on the list of entries the parser did not fully read. Permit days close the area to everyone else except duck hunters.
| Species | Permit hunt | When | Parts | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Deer gun | Nov 14–18 | 1 | Guidebook p. 76 |
Black River WMA draw windows
| Game | Apply | Drawing |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | June 1-July 1, 2026 | – |
guidebook entry; draw rules. Checked November 9, 2026.
Black River WMA harvest context
In 2025-26, hunters checked 1,222 deer in Clay County (64th of 75 counties). The deer report does not break county totals down by WMA.
deer report 2025-26 (checked deer by county (AGFC deer reports, Table 6)). Checked November 9, 2026.
Where hunting stops near Black River WMA
Crowley's Ridge (18 miles) is off limits to hunters. No hunting in state or national parks, says Code 05.11, other than the two WMA exceptions.
| Closed place | Why | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crowley's Ridge | State park (Code 05.11) | 18 miles | Greene |
| Old Davidsonville | State park (Code 05.11) | 20 miles | Randolph |
| Lake Frierson | State park (Code 05.11) | 22 miles | Greene |
| Powhatan Courthouse | State park (Code 05.11) | 26 miles | Lawrence |
| Lake Charles | State park (Code 05.11) | 28 miles | Lawrence |
AGFC Code 05.11; closed places from lands.json (PAD-US 4.1, NPS, FWS). Straight-line miles. Checked November 9, 2026.
Mapped neighbours of Black River WMA for backup hunts
The map pin nearest Black River WMA is Cattail Marsh WMA, 6 miles southeast. Six closest places on the map: 5 wildlife management areas and 1 natural area WMA.
| Area | Kind | Acres | County | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattail Marsh WMA | WMA | 76 | Greene | 6 miles | southeast |
| Scatter Creek WMA | WMA | 5,002 | Greene | 12 miles | southeast |
| Stateline Sand Ponds | Natural area WMA | 140 | Clay | 16 miles | northeast |
| Mud Creek WMA | WMA | 1,023 | Randolph | 16 miles | northwest |
| Ring Slough WMA | WMA | 83 | Clay | 18 miles | northeast |
| Frierson WMA | WMA | 499 | Greene | 22 miles | south |
Point: AGFC WMA boundary layer (GIS/wmas_website_link) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Arkansas public land map.
Towns and supplies near Black River WMA
As the crow flies, Biggers is 4 miles from Black River WMA. Pocahontas has the most people of these towns: 7,703 (2024). Biggers, Corning, Maynard and Pocahontas count Black River WMA as nearby public land. The nearest AGFC building is in Jonesboro, 36 miles away. These shops are directory listings; phone first to confirm hours.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggers | Randolph | 307 | 4 miles | northwest |
| Corning | Clay | 3,086 | 12 miles | northeast |
| Maynard | Randolph | 377 | 12 miles | northwest |
| Pocahontas | Randolph | 7,703 | 13 miles | west |
| Lafe | Greene | 417 | 15 miles | southeast |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); AGFC buildings from the AGFC offices page and AGFC layers; businesses from services.json directory listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 9, 2026.
Sunrise math for Black River WMA from the AGFC table
Ducks, geese, doves and other migratory birds stop at sunset rather than half an hour after it, so the last column closes earlier around Black River WMA.
| Day | Note | Sunup | Sundown | Game hours | Duck hours | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2026 | Early buck archery | 6:31 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 7:37 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 6:53 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun weekend | 6:25 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 4 gun opener | 6:32 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:39 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Zone 4 gun closes | 6:39 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:02 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Apr 19, 2027 | Turkey Zone 1A opens | 6:22 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 7:34 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.
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA: closest ranges for a zero check
Three ranges near Dave Donaldson Black River WMA, led by Jack Cox Scatter Creek Firing Range (14 miles).
From the AGFC Shooting and Archery Ranges page, the AGFC range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 9, 2026.
Tall summer grass meadow edged by trees near Jonesboro, Craighead CountyPhoto: William Julius Allen (CC BY-SA 2.0)
White-tailed doe standing in light snowPhoto: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain)
Black River WMA hunting questions
Who manages Black River WMA, and is there a land partner?
It is run by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, on land held by AGFC.
What clock time can I start shooting on Black River WMA on November 14?
Start no earlier than 6:02 a.m. and quit by 5:24 p.m. on November 14, 2026, the first day of modern gun.
What license do I need on Black River WMA?
A valid license, and a permit where the entry says permit required.
Where do the facts on this Black River WMA page come from?
Checked November 9, 2026 against AGFC guidebooks and agency sources linked in each section.
What are the 2026-27 rifle dates for deer on Black River WMA?
The guidebook entry lists Nov 14–18.
Which deer zone applies on Black River WMA?
Report with zone 170 within 12 hours through Game Check.
Does Black River WMA have an open bear season in 2026-27?
Bear hunting is closed there (Bear Zone 7).
What CWD carcass rule follows a deer from Black River WMA?
It is in the zone (Tier 2); intact carcasses stay within the tier rules.
Do I need to apply for any Black River WMA hunts?
Yes, 1 parsed permit hunt. Deer applications ran June 1 to July 1, 2026.
Does Black River WMA have its own spring turkey dates?
Spring 2027 falls under Turkey Zones 1 and 1A (from AGFC's zone map); WMA dates Apr 19–27.
Where do Black River WMA hunters stop for gas and ice?
Biggers sits about 4 miles away. AGFC help is nearest in Jonesboro, roughly 36 miles.
What is the official size of Black River WMA?
In Clay County and 2 other counties, 25,482 acres on record.
How much hunter orange does Black River WMA call for in gun season?
Yes in firearm seasons. AGFC lists orange, chartreuse and blaze camo, not pink.
Paperwork and closures to recheck for Black River WMA
Recheck zone numbers, permit dates and season windows for Black River WMA before packing up.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook. Checked November 9, 2026.
Other photos on this page: uacescomm (CC0 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).