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Ranger district · 2026-27
Mena Ranger District for Hunters, 2026-27
Ranger district in Polk County and Scott County with 194,497 acres (Deer Zones 11 and 13).
Photo: SlapTheWorld (CC0 1.0)
Getting to Mena Ranger District
Parking, trailheads and gates near Mena Ranger District
- US 270 Trail HeadParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Ouachita Trail – US-270Trailhead · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Mena Ranger District access and rules
State seasons, bags and licenses apply on the Mena Ranger District, which the Forest Service opens to hunting outside developed sites and posted areas. National forest regulations have their own page in the guidebook and cover all national forest land.
Hunting is permitted anywhere on the Ouachita National Forest except within developed recreation sites or otherwise posted areas. All state hunting regulations, fees, and seasons apply on national forest land.
Forest Service page; guidebook national forest page. Checked November 9, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Mena Ranger District
Mena Ranger District by the numbers
Start with the basics: the Mena Ranger District is one ranger district of a national forest. Acreage: 194,497, taken from the USFS land statistics, across Polk County and Scott County. Wildlife staff for the area work from AGFC Region 5 (Fort Smith).
Clear blue lake with pine-covered shores in the Ouachita National ForestPhoto: Oemar (CC BY 2.0)
From lands.json records (Agency page · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4); acres: USDA Forest Service EDW Lands Area Statistics, NFS acres in Arkansas. Checked November 9, 2026.
Mena Ranger District on the zone maps
Deer seasons on the Mena Ranger District follow Deer Zones 11 and 13, the private land zones its ground falls in. The zone boundary runs along mapped roads and rivers; check it. Nonresidents need the $100 Nonresident Hunting Dog Owner Permit and may run dogs only in the last nine days of the regular modern gun season.
| Private zone | Modern gun | Alt guns | Dogs | Antler rule | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11 | Nov 14–Dec 6 Dec 26–28 | Oct 17–25 Dec 12–14 | Nov 14–Dec 6 | 3 points one side CWD zone: any buck | 4 (2 antlered) |
| Zone 13 | Nov 14–Dec 20 Dec 26–28 | Oct 17–25 | Nov 14–Dec 20 | 3 points one side CWD zone: any buck | 4 (2 antlered) |
- CWD Management Zone rules apply on the Mena Ranger District: no antler restrictions, carcass movement by tier, feeding limits (Scott is Tier 2).
- Bear hunting falls under Bear Zone 2, where seasons close early once the quota is filled.
- The turkey zone layer and AGFC map place it in Turkey Zone 1.
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.
Statewide and zone seasons on the Mena Ranger District
This table holds 49 rows for 32 species, and the status column compares each window with today.
| Species | Season | Zone or area | Permit? | Open date | Close date | Windows | Today? | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 11 | License | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 2 parts | Guidebook p. 19 | |
| Deer | Alternative Firearms | Zone 13 | 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 11 | License | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | 2 parts | Guidebook p. 19 | |
| Deer | Modern Gun | Zone 13 | 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 | Archery | Bear Zone 2 | License | Sep 9, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 29 | |
| Black bear | Alternative Firearms | Bear Zone 2 | License | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 29 | |
| Black bear | Youth gun hunt | Bear Zone 2 | License | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 29 | |
| Black bear | Modern Gun | Bear Zone 2 | License | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | One | Guidebook p. 29 | |
| Turkey | Youth spring 2027 | Turkey Zone 1 | License | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 31 | |
| Turkey | Spring 2027 | Turkey Zone 1 | License | Apr 19, 2027 | May 9, 2027 | One | Guidebook p. 31 | |
| Alligator | All seasons closed | AMZ 5 | Closed | – | – | – | Closed | 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.
the Mena Ranger District and nearby hunting ground
Poteau RD lies 10 miles northeast of the Mena Ranger District, the nearest alternative. Among the six neighbours: 2 ranger districts, 2 natural area WMAs and 2 wildlife management areas.
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poteau RD | Ranger district | 177,444 | Scott | 10 miles | northeast |
| Iron Mountain | Natural area WMA | 260 | Polk | 12 miles | southwest |
| Cedar Creek WMA | WMA | 103 | Scott | 24 miles | east |
| Caney Creek WMA | WMA | 85,000 | Howard | 24 miles | southeast |
| Sugarloaf Mountains-Midland Peak | Natural area WMA | 1,191 | Sebastian | 28 miles | north |
| Cold Springs RD | Ranger district | 155,480 | Scott | 29 miles | northeast |
Point: USDA Forest Service EDW Ranger Districts layer clipped to NFS land (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Arkansas public land map.
Harvest around the Mena Ranger District
2,951 deer went through Game Check in Polk County during 2025-26, rank 28. Figures cover the whole county, not just this tract.
deer report 2025-26 (checked deer by county (AGFC deer reports, Table 6)). Checked November 9, 2026.
Connected public land for the Mena Ranger District
The Mena Ranger District sits inside the Ouachita National Forest. Overlapping records: Queen Wilhelmina State Park; where a WMA overlays federal land, the WMA entry sets the seasons.
Towns that make a good base for the Mena Ranger District
Mena is the closest town with a page here, 7 miles from the Mena Ranger District. Within ten miles of Mena you reach the Mena Ranger District. The nearest AGFC building is in Fort Smith, 43 miles away. Business listings come from directories and are not individually verified, so call ahead.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mena | Polk | 5,594 | 7 miles | south |
| Boles | Scott | – | 14 miles | northeast |
| Board Camp | Polk | – | 14 miles | southeast |
| Waldron | Scott | 3,337 | 18 miles | northeast |
| Hartford | Sebastian | 498 | 24 miles | north |
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.
Off-limits land around the Mena Ranger District
Keep weapons out of Cossatot River State Park – Natural Area, 24 miles from the Mena Ranger District: it is closed to hunting. State parks and national park units are closed to hunting under AGFC Code 05.11, except Buffalo National River WMA and Hobbs.
| No hunting | Basis | Straight line | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cossatot River State Park – Natural Area | State park (Code 05.11) | 24 miles | Howard, Polk |
AGFC Code 05.11; closed places from lands.json (PAD-US 4.1, NPS, FWS). Straight-line miles. Checked November 9, 2026.
Sunrise math for the Mena Ranger District from the AGFC table
Arkansas hunting hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and the times below are figured for the Mena Ranger District itself.
| When | Opener or event | First light | Last light | Most game | Migratory | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2026 | Early buck archery | 6:47 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:07 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | NOAA formula |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Zone 11 alt-firearms | 7:28 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun weekend | 6:47 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 11 gun opener | 6:54 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:01 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:42 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Dec 6, 2026 | Zone 11 gun closes | 7:14 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:24 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:44 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | AGFC table |
| Apr 19, 2027 | Turkey Zone 1 opens | 6:44 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 7:56 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.
Mena Ranger District, Ouachita National Forest: closest ranges for a zero check
Nearest range to Mena Ranger District, Ouachita National Forest: Mountain Fork Gun Range at 14 miles. Nearest rifle line: Bear Mountain Shooting Range at 48 miles.
From the AGFC Shooting and Archery Ranges page, the AGFC range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 9, 2026.
Golden and orange fall leaves in a hardwood forest in the Ouachita National ForestPhoto: Tammo2011 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Aerial view of hay fields, a tree and Highway 22 in the Arkansas River Valley west of Dardanelle, Logan CountyPhoto: Arkansas Highways (CC0 1.0)
Mena Ranger District questions with sourced answers
Where is the nearest AGFC building to Mena Ranger District?
Mena (7 miles). For AGFC staff, Fort Smith is 43 miles off.
Is Mena Ranger District a big tract or a small one?
Polk County and Scott County; 194,497 acres by the USFS land statistics.
How do AGFC legal hours work out on Mena Ranger District?
Deer, turkey and small game go by the general window, which on November 14, 2026 runs from 6:24 a.m. through 5:46 p.m. at this point.
When is hunter orange mandatory on Mena Ranger District?
Orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage, 400 square inches plus headwear, during firearm big game seasons; pop-up blinds on WMAs need 144 square inches.
Can I trust the Mena Ranger District dates here?
Guidebook entries, zone layers and agency pages, all linked, checked November 9, 2026.
Is Mena Ranger District AGFC land, federal land or leased?
The record lists USDA Forest Service as manager.
Is Mena Ranger District its own deer zone in the guidebook?
It falls in Deer Zones 11 and 13, whose dates appear in the zone table above.
What do I carry to hunt Mena Ranger District?
License for open seasons, permit for permit hunts; the WMA/Lake Conservation Permit is for users without a hunting or fishing license.
Are antler restrictions lifted on Mena Ranger District because of CWD?
It is inside the zone: tier carcass rules apply and only low-risk parts leave the zone.
Does Mena Ranger District follow the zone gun dates or its own?
Nov 14–Dec 6 and Dec 26–28, from Deer Zone 11.
Which 2027 turkey zone covers Mena Ranger District?
its zone is Turkey Zone 1, from AGFC's zone map.
What does the bear quota mean for hunters on Mena Ranger District?
It sits in Bear Zone 2, open until the quota is reached.
Double-check list for the Mena Ranger District hunters
Check deer, turkey and bear through Game Check within 12 hours, using the zone number that applies on the Mena Ranger District.
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: Oemar (CC BY 2.0).