75 Counties · 202 Public Areas · 228 Towns · 275 RangesArkansas hunting records
States
AlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoGeorgiaLouisianaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaTennesseeTexasWisconsin
ArkansasState Hunting Spots

Home › Arkansas › Public land › Ouachita National Forest

National forest · public hunting

Hunting Ouachita National Forest

National forest in Scott County and 11 more counties, about 1,430,710 acres in Deer Zones 10, 11 and 13.

Get driving directionsAll Scott County spots
Zone map
Nearby

The hero photo is from the Ouachita National Forest itself.

Photo: Original: Fredlyfish4; this edit: MPF (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Getting to Ouachita National Forest

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Ouachita National Forest

  • Parking areaParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • AR-298 AccessParking · 7.4 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.

Ouachita National Forest at a glance

The Ouachita National Forest falls in one category on this site: national forest land managed by the USDA Forest Service. The USFS land statistics puts it at 1,430,710 acres, spread over Scott County and 11 other counties. The managing AGFC district is Region 5, based in Fort Smith.

1,430,710Acres
12Counties
10, 11, 13Deer zones
5AGFC region
The Saline River riffling over rocks through the Ouachita National Forest

The Saline River riffling over rocks through the Ouachita National ForestPhoto: Brandonrush (CC0 1.0)

County pages: Scott County · Montgomery County · Polk County · Yell County · Garland County · Perry County

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.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Ouachita National Forest

Muddy Creek WMA

Public land · 2 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions
Jessieville Ranger District

Public land · 23 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions
Caddo Ranger District

Public land · 24 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions
Caney Creek WMA

Public land · 27 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions
Mena Ranger District

Public land · 31 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions
Mount Magazine WMA

Public land · 35 mi from Ouachita National Forest

Directions

Deer zone dates near the Ouachita National Forest

The AGFC zone layer puts the Ouachita National Forest in Deer Zones 10, 11 and 13. Where two zones meet, a road or river is the line; the zone map settles it. A nonresident running deer dogs needs the $100 permit and stays inside the final nine gun days.

Zone pageGun seasonAlt firearmsDogsAntlersDeer
Zone 10
Nov 14–Dec 6
Dec 26–28
Oct 17–25
Dec 12–14
Nov 14–Dec 6
3 points one side
4 (2 antlered)
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)
  • The CWD Management Zone covers the Ouachita National Forest (Scott Tier 2, Yell Tier 2, Sebastian Tier 2 and Logan Tier 2), so tier carcass rules and the feeding ban apply.
  • For bear, the Ouachita National Forest is in Bear Zone 2, a quota zone.
  • Spring turkey falls under Turkey Zone 1, from AGFC's zone map.
  • Alligator zones in reach: Alligator Management Zones 1 and 2, permit hunts at night in September.

Deer zones · CWD Management Zone · Bear Zone 2 · Turkey zones

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.

Ouachita National Forest under Forest Service management

On the Ouachita National Forest, private land deer zone dates apply unless you stand on a WMA that overlays the forest. A separate guidebook page sets national forest regulations for every acre of 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.

UnitKindSizeWhere
Caddo RDRanger district153,233Montgomery, Polk
Cold Springs RDRanger district155,480Scott, Logan
Fourche RDRanger district144,695Yell, Perry
Jessieville RDRanger district139,486Garland, Montgomery
Mena RDRanger district194,497Polk, Scott
Oden RDRanger district183,999Montgomery, Scott
Poteau RDRanger district177,444Scott, Sebastian
Womble RDRanger district159,621Montgomery, Garland
Winona RDRanger district122,255Perry, Saline
Chinquapin Mountain walk-in areaWalk-in turkey area8,011Perry, Saline
Deckard Mountain walk-in areaWalk-in turkey area7,400Garland, Perry
Fourche Mountain walk-in areaWalk-in turkey area3,162Yell
Hogan Mountain walk-in areaWalk-in turkey area7,800Scott, Logan
Sharptop Mountain walk-in areaWalk-in turkey area11,275–

Forest Service page; guidebook national forest page. Checked November 9, 2026.

Open dates that apply on the Ouachita National Forest

A split season shows its first and last day here; the Splits cell says how many separate windows AGFC set between them.

SpeciesHuntApplies inNeedsFirst dayLast dayPiecesStatusBooklet
DeerEarly buck archeryStatewideLicenseAug 29, 2026Aug 31, 2026OneGuidebook p. 14
DeerArcheryStatewideLicenseSep 26, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 3
DeerAlternative FirearmsZone 10LicenseOct 17, 2026Dec 14, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 18
DeerAlternative FirearmsZone 11LicenseOct 17, 2026Dec 14, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 19
DeerAlternative FirearmsZone 7LicenseOct 17, 2026Dec 14, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 17
DeerAlternative FirearmsZone 8LicenseOct 17, 2026Dec 14, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 17
DeerDeer permits, WMAs1 huntPermitOct 28, 2026Oct 29, 2026OneGuidebook p. 94
DeerYouth gun huntStatewideLicenseNov 7, 2026Jan 3, 20272 partsGuidebook p. 22
DeerModern GunZone 10LicenseNov 14, 2026Dec 28, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 18
DeerModern GunZone 11LicenseNov 14, 2026Dec 28, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 19
DeerModern GunZone 7LicenseNov 14, 2026Dec 28, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 17
DeerModern GunZone 8LicenseNov 14, 2026Dec 28, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 17
DeerChristmas gun huntStatewideLicenseDec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026OneGuidebook p. 3
ElkOutside core countiesOutside coreLicenseAug 29, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 25
Black bearArcheryBear Zone 2LicenseSep 9, 2026Nov 30, 2026OneGuidebook p. 29
Black bearAlternative FirearmsBear Zone 2LicenseOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026OneGuidebook p. 29
Black bearYouth gun huntBear Zone 2LicenseNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026OneGuidebook p. 29
Black bearModern GunBear Zone 2LicenseNov 14, 2026Nov 30, 2026OneGuidebook p. 29
TurkeyYouth spring 2027Turkey Zone 1LicenseApr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027OneGuidebook p. 31
TurkeySpring 2027Turkey Zone 1LicenseApr 19, 2027May 9, 2027OneGuidebook p. 31
AlligatorPermit huntAMZ 2PermitSep 18, 2026Sep 28, 20262 partsGuidebook p. 28
AlligatorAll seasons closedAMZ 5Closed–––ClosedGuidebook p. 28
Feral hogPrivate landStatewideLicenseJan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026OneGuidebook p. 40
SquirrelSquirrelStatewideLicenseMay 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 36
RabbitRabbitStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 36
QuailQuailStatewideLicenseNov 1, 2026Feb 7, 2027OneGuidebook p. 36
CrowCrowStatewideLicenseSep 3, 2026Feb 21, 2027OneGuidebook p. 36
BullfrogBullfrogStatewideLicenseJun 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026OneDate sheet
DucksRegular duck seasonStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Jan 31, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
CootCootStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Jan 31, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
MergansersMerganserStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Jan 31, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
TealSpecial Early TealStatewideLicenseSep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026OneDate sheet
Canada GooseEarly Canada gooseStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 3
Canada GooseRegular Canada gooseStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Jan 31, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
White-fronted GooseWhite-fronted gooseStatewideLicenseOct 31, 2026Jan 31, 20274 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
Light geeseLight geese (regular)StatewideLicenseOct 31, 2026Jan 31, 20274 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
Light geeseConservation orderStatewideLicenseFeb 1, 2027Apr 25, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 3
Ducks and geeseYouth waterfowlStatewideLicenseFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 3
Ducks and geeseVeteran and militaryStatewideLicenseFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 3
DovesDoveStatewideLicenseSep 5, 2026Jan 15, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 4
SnipeSnipeStatewideLicenseNov 1, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 4
GallinulesGallinuleStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 4
RailsRailsStatewideLicenseSep 12, 2026Nov 20, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 4
WoodcockWoodcockStatewideLicenseNov 7, 2026Dec 21, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 4
Raccoon, opossum, skunkHuntingStatewideLicenseJan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026OneGuidebook p. 37
BobcatHuntingStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 37
BobcatDuring turkey seasonStatewideLicenseApr 5, 2027May 9, 2027OneGuidebook p. 37
CoyoteHuntingStatewideLicenseJan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026OneGuidebook p. 37
CoyoteTrappingStatewideLicenseAug 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuidebook p. 38
Fox, muskrat, minkHuntingStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 37
River OtterHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 37
Beaver, nutriaHuntingStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuidebook p. 37
Beaver, nutriaTrappingStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuidebook p. 38
Badger, weaselHuntingStatewideClosed–––ClosedGuidebook p. 37
FurbearersTrappingStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuidebook p. 38

Permit dates are as AGFC printed them.

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.

Ouachita National Forest harvest context

In 2025-26, hunters checked 2,036 deer in Scott County (49th of 75 counties). The deer report does not break county totals down by WMA.

County2025-26 checked2024-25 checkedRank
Scott2,0361,92049
Montgomery1,7231,99355
Polk2,9513,66928
Yell3,0664,05523
Garland2,9993,39226
Perry1,9302,48452
Saline3,8184,56611
Sebastian1,7131,40956

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

Mapped neighbours of the Ouachita National Forest for backup hunts

The map pin nearest the Ouachita National Forest is Cedar Creek WMA, 9 miles northwest. Six closest places on the map: 4 wildlife management areas and 2 lake projects.

AreaKindAcresCountyMiles offDirection
Cedar Creek WMAWMA103Scott9 milesnorthwest
Lake Ouachita (Corps)Corps lake–Garland22 mileseast
Blue Mountain WMAWMA8,200Logan26 milesnorth
Blue Mountain LakeCorps lake17,282Logan27 milesnorth
Lick Creek WMAWMA4,000Logan27 milesnorth
Nimrod Lloyd MillwoodWMA25,000Perry27 milesnortheast

Point: USDA Forest Service EDW Basic Ownership layer (NFS land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Arkansas public land map.

Towns and supplies near the Ouachita National Forest

As the crow flies, Pencil Bluff is 6 miles from the Ouachita National Forest. Mount Ida has the most people of these towns: 1,020 (2024). Within ten miles of Pencil Bluff, Mount Ida, Norman and Boles you reach the Ouachita National Forest. The nearest AGFC building is in Hot Springs, 43 miles away. These shops are directory listings; phone first to confirm hours.

TownCountyPeople (2024)DistanceDirection
Pencil BluffMontgomery–6 milessouth
Mount IdaMontgomery1,02013 milessouth
NormanMontgomery30518 milessouth
BolesScott–20 mileswest
Caddo GapMontgomery–22 milessouth
AGFC Hot Springs Office

AGFC building · Hot Springs, Garland County · about 43 mi away

(501) 255-3470
Map
Web
10-45 Taxidermy

taxidermy · Oden, Montgomery County · about 9 mi away

(870) 326-4527
Map
Mikes Gun Sales & Repair

sporting goods · Caddo Gap, Montgomery County · about 20 mi away

(870) 490-0539
Map
Alive Again Taxidermy

taxidermy · Mena, Polk County · about 30 mi away

(479) 385-2349
Map
Blacks Custom Butchering

deer processing · Royal, Garland County · about 32 mi away

(501) 760-1001
Map
Guns-N-More

sporting goods · Hot Springs National Park, Garland County · about 35 mi away

(501) 282-6991
Map
Web

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 the Ouachita National Forest 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 the Ouachita National Forest.

DayNoteSunupSundownGame hoursDuck hoursSource
Aug 29, 2026Early buck archery6:45 a.m.7:47 p.m.6:15 a.m. to 8:17 p.m.6:15 a.m. to 7:47 p.m.NOAA formula
Sep 26, 2026Archery deer opens7:05 a.m.7:08 p.m.6:35 a.m. to 7:38 p.m.6:35 a.m. to 7:08 p.m.NOAA formula
Oct 17, 2026Zone 7 alt-firearms7:25 a.m.6:40 p.m.6:55 a.m. to 7:10 p.m.6:55 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.AGFC table
Nov 7, 2026Youth gun weekend6:44 a.m.5:18 p.m.6:14 a.m. to 5:48 p.m.6:14 a.m. to 5:18 p.m.AGFC table
Nov 14, 2026Zone 7 gun opener6:51 a.m.5:13 p.m.6:21 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.6:21 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.AGFC table
Nov 21, 2026Duck season opens6:58 a.m.5:09 p.m.6:28 a.m. to 5:39 p.m.6:28 a.m. to 5:09 p.m.AGFC table
Dec 6, 2026Zone 7 gun closes7:11 a.m.5:06 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:36 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:06 p.m.AGFC table
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:21 a.m.5:11 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.AGFC table
Apr 19, 2027Turkey Zone 1 opens6:41 a.m.7:53 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 8:23 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 7:53 p.m.AGFC table

Central Time.

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.

Ouachita National Forest (Arkansas): closest ranges for a zero check

Three ranges near Ouachita National Forest (Arkansas), led by Reed Mountain Shooting Range (18 miles).

Reed Mountain Shooting Range
outdoor range

Story, Montgomery County · 18 mi

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 8, 2026

Bear Mountain Shooting Range
outdoor range

Mount Ida, Montgomery County · 19 mi

Shoots: rifle, handgun, rimfire, black powder

Public, per listing · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 8, 2026

The Gun Cave Range
indoor range

Hot Springs, Garland County · 35 mi

Shoots: rifle, handgun, rimfire, to 25 yd

Public, per listing · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 8, 2026

From the AGFC Shooting and Archery Ranges page, the AGFC range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 9, 2026.

Places hunters pair with the Ouachita National Forest

Ranger district

Oden RD

183,999 acres, 1 mi

Ranger district

Cold Springs RD

155,480 acres, 18 mi

Ranger district

Womble RD

159,621 acres, 21 mi

Ranger district

Jessieville RD

139,486 acres, 23 mi

National forests
Wildlife refuges
Public land map
Open shortleaf pine and blackjack oak forest on a rocky slope in the Ouachita National Forest

Open shortleaf pine and blackjack oak forest on a rocky slope in the Ouachita National ForestPhoto: Original: Fredlyfish4; this edit: MPF (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Rolling forested Ouachita Mountain ridges seen through trees in the Ouachita National Forest

Rolling forested Ouachita Mountain ridges seen through trees in the Ouachita National ForestPhoto: Deborah Lee Soltesz (CC0 1.0)

Ouachita National Forest hunting questions

What clock time can I start shooting on Ouachita National Forest on November 14?

Start no earlier than 6:21 a.m. and quit by 5:43 p.m. on November 14, 2026, the first day of modern gun.

How much hunter orange does Ouachita National Forest call for in gun season?

Yes in firearm seasons. AGFC lists orange, chartreuse and blaze camo, not pink.

Where do the facts on this Ouachita National Forest page come from?

Checked November 9, 2026 against AGFC guidebooks and agency sources linked in each section.

Who manages Ouachita National Forest, and is there a land partner?

The record lists USDA Forest Service as manager.

Which deer zone applies on Ouachita National Forest?

Use Deer Zones 10, 11 and 13 unless you are on a WMA with its own entry.

What license do I need on Ouachita National Forest?

A valid license, and a permit where the entry says permit required.

What CWD carcass rule follows a deer from Ouachita National Forest?

It is in the zone (Tier 2); intact carcasses stay within the tier rules.

What are the 2026-27 rifle dates for deer on Ouachita National Forest?

Deer Zone 10 lists Nov 14–Dec 6 and Dec 26–28.

Does Ouachita National Forest have its own spring turkey dates?

Spring 2027 falls under Turkey Zone 1 (from AGFC's zone map).

Does Ouachita National Forest have an open bear season in 2026-27?

Yes, under Bear Zone 2, a quota zone; call the quota line the evening before.

Where do Ouachita National Forest hunters stop for gas and ice?

Pencil Bluff sits about 6 miles away. AGFC help is nearest in Hot Springs, roughly 43 miles.

What is the official size of Ouachita National Forest?

In Scott County and 11 other counties, 1,430,710 acres on record.

Paperwork and closures to recheck for the Ouachita National Forest

Recheck zone numbers, permit dates and season windows for the Ouachita National Forest before packing up.

Public land pins
Every Arkansas place
Scott County
National forests
Deer Zone 10
Source website

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; seasons from the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook. Checked November 9, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Brandonrush (CC0 1.0).