Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Hunting, 2026-27

Refuge hunting rules for Felsenthal NWR

Federal rules come first on Felsenthal NWR: 50 CFR 32.23 names the game and the conditions, and the refuge publishes its own dates. The guidebook gives it zone number 220; use that number at Game Check. Refuge season dates were not read for this page; get them from the refuge before you go.

Migratory birds on Felsenthal NWR

We allow hunting of American woodcock, duck, light and dark goose, merganser, and coot on designated areas of the refuge.

• Hunters and anglers must possess and carry a signed refuge public use brochure while hunting or fishing.
• Waterfowl hunters may enter the refuge beginning at 4 a.m. We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 pm (noon).
• Hunters must remove decoys, blinds, boats, and all other equipment by 1 pm each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
• We close areas of the refuge posted with “Area Closed” signs and identify them on the refuge public use brochure map as a waterfowl sanctuary. We close waterfowl sanctuaries to all public entry and public use from November 15 to February 15.
• We allow hunting of duck, light and dark goose, merganser, and coot during the State waterfowl season except during scheduled refuge quota gun deer hunts.
• We allow American woodcock hunting during the State season except during scheduled refuge quota hunts. Woodcock hunters may enter the refuge beginning at 4 am and must exit by 1 hour after legal sunset.
• All youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older who possesses a valid State hunting license. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.
• We allow only all-terrain vehicles/utility-type vehicles (ATVs/UTVs) for hunting and fishing activities according to regulations provided in the refuge public use brochure.

Upland game on Felsenthal NWR

We allow hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum (as governed by State law), and incidental take of beaver, nutria, and coyote, on designated areas of the refuge.

• We allow hunting for quail, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum on the refuge during State seasons through January 31. We close upland game hunting during refuge quota gun deer hunts.
• We do not open for the spring squirrel hunting season, or for the summer/early fall raccoon hunting season.
• We allow the use of dogs for squirrel and rabbit hunting from December 1 through January 31, and for quail and raccoon/opossum hunting during the open season on the refuge for these species.

Big game on Felsenthal NWR

We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, and incidental take of feral hog, on designated areas of the refuge.

• We allow archery deer hunting on the refuge from the opening of the State season through January 31, except during refuge deer quota hunts.
• We allow muzzleloader and modern gun deer hunting during designated times and seasons, within specified State seasons as listed in the refuge public use brochure.
• Total deer harvested refuge-wide is two deer (two does, or one buck and one doe, as governed by State law) regardless of method. A doe must be harvested before a buck.
• We prohibit buckshot for modern gun deer hunting.
• You may only use portable deer stands erected no earlier than the opening day of archery season, and you must remove them no later than January 31 each year (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
• We prohibit the use of deer decoy(s).
• Turkey hunting (Archery, Youth, and Quota) will be conducted during designated times and seasons, within specified State seasons as listed in the refuge public use brochure.
• We restrict quota hunt participants to those selected for a quota permit (FWS Form 3-2439), except that one nonhunting adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting license must accompany the youth hunter age 15 and younger.

From the Felsenthal NWR hunting page

Thousands of mallards flying through flooded timber has traditionally made Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge a major waterfowl hunting destination. The refuge is a popular destination for those who want a remote hunting experience in bottomland hardwood forests. Additionally, many hunters travel here to experience the refuge's quality deer and turkey hunting. Access to the refuge is granted by numerous public roads, ATV/UTV trails, and boat ramps.

A hunting expansion for Felsenthal NWR was proposed in the Federal Register, not adopted, at guidebook press time.

50 CFR 32.23 (eCFR); refuge website; guidebook refuge page. Checked November 9, 2026.

Recent harvest near Felsenthal NWR

Checked deer in Union County: 5,486 in 2025-26 against 6,937 the season before. County counts mix every kind of land; the WMA share is not split out.

deer report 2025-26 (checked deer by county (AGFC deer reports, Table 6)). Checked November 9, 2026.

Neighbouring public ground on the Felsenthal NWR map

Closest other public land: Lower Ouachita WMA, 10 miles to the southeast. The six nearest pins split into 3 natural area WMAs, 2 wildlife management areas and 1 leased land WMA.

Point: FWS Interest (simplified) layer, refuge polygons clipped to Arkansas (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Arkansas public land map.

Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge FAQ for the 2026-27 season