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Arkansas Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against AR Game & Fish Commission before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $25 · nonresident $410. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early Buck-only Archery (statewide)Aug 29, 2026Aug 31, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Archery (statewide)Sep 26, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Youth Modern Gun Hunt (statewide, first segment)Nov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Youth hunter (check WMA for exceptions)
Youth Modern Gun Hunt (statewide, second segment)Jan 2, 2027Jan 3, 2027Youth hunter (check WMA for exceptions)
Alternative Firearms - Zone 1 (first segment): Deer Zone 1Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 1 (second segment): Deer Zone 1Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 1 (first segment): Deer Zone 1Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 1 (second segment): Deer Zone 1Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 2 (first segment): Deer Zone 2Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 2 (second segment): Deer Zone 2Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 2 (first segment): Deer Zone 2Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 2 (second segment): Deer Zone 2Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 3 (first segment): Deer Zone 3Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 3 (second segment): Deer Zone 3Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 3 (first segment): Deer Zone 3Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 3 (second segment): Deer Zone 3Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 6 (first segment): Deer Zone 6Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 6 (second segment): Deer Zone 6Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 6 (first segment): Deer Zone 6Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 6 (second segment): Deer Zone 6Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 7 (first segment): Deer Zone 7Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 7 (second segment): Deer Zone 7Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 7 (first segment): Deer Zone 7Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 7 (second segment): Deer Zone 7Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 8 (first segment): Deer Zone 8Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 8 (second segment): Deer Zone 8Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 8 (first segment): Deer Zone 8Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 8 (second segment): Deer Zone 8Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 10 (first segment): Deer Zone 10Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 10 (second segment): Deer Zone 10Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 10 (first segment): Deer Zone 10Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 10 (second segment): Deer Zone 10Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 11 (first segment): Deer Zone 11Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 11 (second segment): Deer Zone 11Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 11 (first segment): Deer Zone 11Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 11 (second segment): Deer Zone 11Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 4 (first segment): Deer Zone 4Nov 14, 2026Nov 22, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 4 (second segment): Deer Zone 4Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 5 (first segment): Deer Zone 5Nov 14, 2026Nov 22, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 5 (second segment): Deer Zone 5Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 4A (first segment): Deer Zone 4AOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 4A (second segment): Deer Zone 4ADec 19, 2026Dec 21, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 4A (first segment): Deer Zone 4ANov 14, 2026Dec 13, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 4A (second segment): Deer Zone 4ADec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 5A (first segment): Deer Zone 5AOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 5A (second segment): Deer Zone 5ADec 19, 2026Dec 21, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 5A (first segment): Deer Zone 5ANov 14, 2026Dec 13, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 5A (second segment): Deer Zone 5ADec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 14 (first segment): Deer Zone 14Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 14 (second segment): Deer Zone 14Dec 19, 2026Dec 21, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 14 (first segment): Deer Zone 14Nov 14, 2026Dec 13, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 14 (second segment): Deer Zone 14Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 15 (first segment): Deer Zone 15Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 15 (second segment): Deer Zone 15Dec 19, 2026Dec 21, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 15 (first segment): Deer Zone 15Nov 14, 2026Dec 13, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 15 (second segment): Deer Zone 15Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 9: Deer Zone 9Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 9 (first segment): Deer Zone 9Nov 14, 2026Dec 20, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 9 (second segment): Deer Zone 9Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 12: Deer Zone 12Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 12 (first segment): Deer Zone 12Nov 14, 2026Dec 20, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 12 (second segment): Deer Zone 12Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 13: Deer Zone 13Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 13 (first segment): Deer Zone 13Nov 14, 2026Dec 20, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 13 (second segment): Deer Zone 13Dec 26, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 16: Deer Zone 16Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 16: Deer Zone 16Nov 14, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 16A: Deer Zone 16AOct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 16A: Deer Zone 16ANov 14, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Alternative Firearms - Zone 17: Deer Zone 17Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags
Modern Gun - Zone 17: Deer Zone 17Nov 14, 2026Dec 28, 2026Arkansas hunting license + deer tags

Eastern Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Spring Turkey - Zone 3: Turkey Zone 3Apr 5, 2027Apr 25, 2027Arkansas hunting license + turkey permit
Spring Turkey - Zone 2: Turkey Zone 2Apr 12, 2027May 2, 2027Arkansas hunting license + turkey permit
Spring Turkey - Zone 2A: Turkey Zone 2AApr 12, 2027Apr 20, 2027Arkansas hunting license + turkey permit
Spring Turkey - Zone 1: Turkey Zone 1Apr 19, 2027May 9, 2027Arkansas hunting license + turkey permit
Spring Turkey - Zone 1A: Turkey Zone 1AApr 19, 2027Apr 27, 2027Arkansas hunting license + turkey permit
Youth Turkey Hunt - Zone 1: Turkey Zone 1Apr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027Youth 6-15; resident code YGT, nonresident YTTN
Youth Turkey Hunt - Zone 1A: Turkey Zone 1AApr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027Youth 6-15; resident code YGT, nonresident YTTN
Youth Turkey Hunt - Zone 2: Turkey Zone 2Apr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027Youth 6-15; resident code YGT, nonresident YTTN
Youth Turkey Hunt - Zone 2A: Turkey Zone 2AApr 10, 2027Apr 11, 2027Youth 6-15; resident code YGT, nonresident YTTN

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery - Bear Zone 1Sep 9, 2026Nov 30, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Alternative Firearms - Bear Zone 1Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt - Bear Zone 1Nov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Youth hunter
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 1Nov 14, 2026Nov 30, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Archery - Bear Zone 2Sep 9, 2026Nov 30, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Alternative Firearms - Bear Zone 2Oct 17, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt - Bear Zone 2Nov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Youth hunter
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 2Nov 14, 2026Nov 30, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 3Dec 19, 2026Dec 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 4Dec 19, 2026Dec 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 5Dec 19, 2026Dec 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag
Modern Gun - Bear Zone 5ADec 19, 2026Dec 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + bear tag

Elk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Public Land Youth Elk Hunt (first segment): Core Elk Management ZoneOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026Drawn public land elk permit
Public Land Regular Elk Hunt (first segment): Core Elk Management ZoneOct 5, 2026Oct 9, 2026Drawn public land elk permit
Public Land Youth Elk Hunt (second segment): Core Elk Management ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Drawn public land elk permit
Public Land Regular Elk Hunt (second segment): Core Elk Management ZoneOct 26, 2026Oct 30, 2026Drawn public land elk permit
Private Land Youth Elk Hunt (first segment) - antlerless only: Core Elk Management ZoneOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026Private Land Elk Permit
Private Land Regular Elk Hunt (first segment): Core Elk Management ZoneOct 5, 2026Oct 9, 2026Private Land Elk Permit
Private Land Youth Elk Hunt (second segment) - antlerless only: Core Elk Management ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Private Land Elk Permit
Private Land Regular Elk Hunt (second segment) - antlerless only: Core Elk Management ZoneOct 26, 2026Oct 30, 2026Private Land Elk Permit

American Alligator Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Public and private land (first weekend)Sep 18, 2026Sep 21, 2026Drawn public land permit or private land quota hunt
Public and private land (second weekend)Sep 25, 2026Sep 28, 2026Drawn public land permit or private land quota hunt

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Mar 31, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (licence year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingAug 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide (Thursdays through Mondays only)Sep 3, 2026Feb 21, 2027Arkansas hunting license

Mourning, White-winged and Eurasian Collared-Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 5, 2026Oct 25, 2026Arkansas hunting license + HIP
Regular (second segment)Dec 8, 2026Jan 15, 2027Arkansas hunting license + HIP

Gray and Red Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Common and Purple Gallinule Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Arkansas hunting license + HIP

Feral Hog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Private land - year-round (licence year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Landowner or landowner's permission; no licence or season

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Nutria Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingSep 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Mar 31, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (licence year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Northern Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide (private land)Nov 1, 2026Feb 7, 2027Arkansas hunting license

Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (licence year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Virginia Rail and Sora Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 12, 2026Nov 20, 2026Arkansas hunting license + HIP

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round (licence year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Arkansas hunting license
TrappingNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas trapping license

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 1, 2026Feb 15, 2027Arkansas hunting license + HIP

Gray and Fox Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideMay 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027Arkansas hunting license

Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Geese and Teal Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Special Early Teal Season (statewide)Sep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment)Dec 10, 2026Dec 23, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (third segment)Dec 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Early Canada GooseSep 1, 2026Oct 15, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (second segment)Dec 10, 2026Dec 23, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (third segment)Dec 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (first segment)Oct 31, 2026Nov 8, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (second segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (third segment)Dec 10, 2026Dec 23, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (fourth segment)Dec 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose (first segment)Oct 31, 2026Nov 8, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose (second segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose (third segment)Dec 10, 2026Dec 23, 2026License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose (fourth segment)Dec 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Arkansas waterfowl stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Goose Conservation Order (first segment)Feb 1, 2027Feb 5, 2027Conservation Order permit
Light Goose Conservation Order (second segment)Feb 8, 2027Apr 25, 2027Conservation Order permit
Special Youth Waterfowl HuntFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027Youth 15 or younger with a mentor 21 or older
Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl HuntFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027Active duty military or qualifying veteran documentation

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Dec 21, 2026Arkansas hunting license + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with AR Game & Fish Commission before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
Licenses, CWD zones & official links → Build a hunt plan

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