Hunting in Arkansas: 10 Great Public Hunting Lands

In Arkansas, there are more than 3.2 million acres of public hunting lands that are open to hunters with a valid Arkansas hunting license. Therefore, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages public hunting lands, which cost nothing for residents and non-residents to use and enjoy.

Arkansas offers unique hunting opportunities. This is the only state that issues licenses and permits for alligators and elk. In other states, you can hunt one of these animals but not both. Arkansas has other wildlife that people love to hunt, such as white-tail deer, black bears, hogs, and turkeys, and this state is renowned for its world-class duck hunting.

More than 100 public hunting lands are available for residents and non-residents to hunt on. These wildlife management areas are located all over the state, so hunters have an opportunity to find the game species they are hinting for.

10. Casey Jones WMA; Zone 125

White-tail deer are a big-game animal found in the Casey Jones WMA. Residents and non-residents with an Arkansas hunting license can legally bag two dollars a year. The Casey Jones WMA is located in southeast Arkansas, in Ashley and Drew counties.  

There are camping spots available in the Casey Jones WMA. The area is diverse, with tracts supporting upland pine, upland hardwood, mixtures of pine and hardwood, bottomland pine, bottomland hardwood, and mixtures of bottomland pine and hardwood.

Access

Highways and county roads provide access to these areas.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Casey Jones WMA

• Hunters with a valid Arkansas hunting license may bag five deer each season.
• Hunters may only bag two buck deer during the season.
• Hunters may hunt with archery equipment, muzzleloaders, or modern guns according to the season.
• Youth hunters may take five deer with no antler restrictions or gender requirements.

Game Found in the Casey Jones WMA

• Quail (bag limit of 6; possession limit of 12)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Crow (no bag limit)
• Dove (bag limit of 15)

Bear Zone 4: Quotas and Limits

• One bear per hunter
• The quota is 25 bears per modern gun.

9. Caney Creek WMA, Zone 120

Dove hunting is a favorite pastime of residents and non-residents with an Arkansas hunting license. This area has rugged mountain terrain and beautiful valleys. There are rivers and several creeks on this 85,000-acre tract of managed land.

Caney Creek WMA is located in Howard, Pike, Polk, and Montgomery counties in the Ouachita Mountains. Hunters will find numerous camping areas and motel and hotel lodging in the nearby cities.

Access

• Take Akr. 375 south out of Mena. Travel 10 miles.
• Leaving Glenwood, take Ark. 8 and travel west for 25 miles.
• From Vandervoot and US 71, take Ark. 246 for 10 miles.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Caney Creek WMA

• Two bucks may be taken using archery equipment, a muzzleloader, or a modern gun.
• Three does may be taken using archery equipment.
• One doe may be taken in muzzleloader season.
• The youth season allows three doe to be taken.

Game Found in the Caney Creek WMA

• Dove (bag limit of 15)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• quail (bag limit of 6; possession limit of 12)
• squirrel (possession limit of 12, possession limit of 48)
• rabbit (bag limit of 8, possession limit of 16)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)

Bear Zone 2: Quota and Limits

• One bear per hunter.
• Zone 2 does not have a quota.

8. Buffalo National River WMA; Zone 080

Arkansas is home to the American alligator. Buffalo National River WMA is in Baxter, Marion, Newton, and Searcy counties.

Access

Starting in Harrison, travel south on Hwy 7 or Hwy 43 to reach the Jasper or Ponca areas in the upper district.

Travel south of Harrison for 31 miles on Hwy. 65 to reach the Tyler Bend area in the middle district.

Travel south out of Harrison on Hwy 65 for five miles, then turn east on Hwy 62/412 and follow it to Yellville, then south on Hwy 14.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Buffalo National River WMA

• Hunters must have an Arkansas hunting license.
• Four antlerless deer are using archery equipment.
• No dogs.
• Youth may take two bucks and two antlerless deer during youth season.
• No off-road vehicles.
• No dogs, and no chasing an animal for the fun of it.
• No trapping.

Game Found in the Buffalo National River WMA

• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Elk (permit hunts only)
• Quail (bag limit of 6; possession limit of 12)
• Dove (bag limit of 15)
• River otter (bag limit of 2 per day)
• Nutria (no bag limit)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)

Bear Zone 1 Quota and Limits

• 400 bears taken by archery equipment.
• 50 by muzzleloader.
• 50 by modern gun.

7. Mount Magazine WMA; Zone 450

Mount Magazine WMA is located in Yell and Logan counties. You can get a shoot-to-kill bird dog field training permit for hunting waterfowl and birds. You can also train your quail and bird dogs using blanks in either shotguns or handguns. Also, permits are available from a local wildlife officer.

Access

Starting in Paris, drive south on Scenic Hwy. 309 for 16 miles. From Danville, take Ark. west to Havanna, then turn north and travel Scenic Hwy. 309 for ten miles.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Mount Magazine WMA

• A year-to-date Arkansas hunting license is mandatory.
• A general use permit is required. These permits are issued for free.
• Hunters may take two antlered bucks using archery equipment, a muzzleloader, or a modern gun.
• Hunters using archery equipment may take four antlerless deer.
• One antlerless deer may be taken with a muzzleloader.
• During the first two days of modern gun season, two antlerless deer may be harvested.
• There are no antler restrictions.
• Dogs may be used during the modern gun season only.

Game Found in the Mount Magazine, WMA

• Squirrel (bag limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Quail (bag limit of 6; possession limit of 12)
• Rabbit (bag limit of 8; possession limit of 16)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)
• Snipe (bag limit 8, possession limit 12)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Woodcock (bag limit of 3, possession limit of 9)
• Gallinule: standard and purple (bag limit of 15; possession limit of 45)
• Dove (bag limit of 15)
• Duck (bag limit 6, possession limit 18)
• Canada goose (bag limit 2, possession limit 6)

Bear Zone 2 Quota and Limits

• Zone 2 does not have a quota.

6. Muddy Creek WMA; Zone 460

Arkansas is known for having fabulous duck hunting. Muddy Creek WMA is located in Montgomery, Scott, and Yell counties. All hunters, no matter what type of hunting or season, must request a general-use permit from a wildlife officer. When you get the permit there will be no charge.

Access

Starting in Mt. Vida, go west on US Hwy. 270 for 10 miles.

When in Waldron, go south on US Hwy. 271 for 6 miles until you reach Needmore. When in Needmore, go east on Hwy. 28 for 12 miles.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Muddy Creek WMA

• All hunters must have an Arkansas hunting license, according to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations.
• Two deer with antlers may be taken by archery, muzzleloader, or using a modern handgun.
• No dogs during any season.
• There are no antler restrictions on the deer.

Game Found in the Muddy Creek WMA

• Duck (bag limit 6, possession limit 18)
• Canada goose (bag limit 2, possession limit 6)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)
• Quail (bag limit of 6, possession limit of 12)
• River otter (bag limit of 2 per day)
• Raccoon (no bag limit)
• Dove (bag limit of 15)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Nutria (no bag limit)
• squirrel (possession limit of 12, possession limit of 48)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16)
• Frogs (limit to 18 per day; a day is measured from noon one day until noon the next day)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)

Bear Zone 2 Quotas and Limits

• One bear of either sex may be taken.
• Zone 2 does not have a quota.
• No dogs are allowed.

5. Sylamore WMA; Zone 620

Quail are frequently hunted in the Sylamore WMA. Sylamore is situated in the counties of Baxter, Izard, Marion, Searcy, and Stone. This hunting area was established on March 3, 1908. Legends say the area is named after an Indian chief from the area. Other legends say the area is named after the two major creeks, North Sylamore, and South Sylamore that run across the acreage.

Access

Starting in Mountain View, go west on Hwy. 14.

Beginning in Marshall or Big Flat, go east on Highway 14.

From Mountain Home/Calico Rock, go south on Highway 5.

Starting in Batesville, go west on Highway 14.

From Melbourne, go south on Hwy. 9.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Sylamore WMA

• An Arkansas hunting license is required for all hunters 17 and older.
• A limit of one antlered buck per hunter.
• A limit of three antlerless deer with archery equipment.
• Youth may take one buck with no antler restrictions and one doe.
• No dogs may be used.

Game Found in the Sylamore WMA

• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Dove (bag limit of 15)
• Bobwhite quail (bag limit of 6, possession limit of 12)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Canada goose (bag limit 2, possession limit 6)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16.)
• Duck (bag limit 6, possession limit 18)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)
• River otter (bag limit of 2 per day)

Bear Zone 1 Quota and Limits

• 400 bears taken by archery equipment.
• 50 by muzzleloader.
• 50 by modern gun.

4. Winona WMA; 680

Winona WMA is 160,000 acres in Garland, Perry, and Saline counties. The Winona WMA was started in 1968, and it was named after the lake of the same name. You can camp anywhere in the Winona WMA except in the Central Arkansas Water Use Area immediately surrounding Lake Winona. They do not have any developed campsites.

Access

Starting in Perryville, go south on AR 9 for four miles.

From Little Rock, go west on AR 10 for 30 miles to the junction with AR 9.

Starting in Hot Springs, go north on AR 7 for 25 miles.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Winona WMA

• The three-point rule applies to antlered deer.
• Youth may harvest two bucks and one doe during the youth season. Subsequentially, the three-point antler rule does not apply to these deer.
• Two bucks may be harvested using archery equipment, a muzzleloader, or a modern gun.
• A muzzleloader or a modern gun may harvest one doe.
• Archery equipment shooters may harvest three doe.

Game Found in the Winona WMA

• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Bobwhite quail (bag limit of 6; possession limit of 12)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Turkey (bag limit of 1)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16)
• Canada goose (bag limit 2, possession limit 6)
• Early Canada Goose (bag limit 5, possession limit 6)
• White-fronted goose (bag limit 2, possession limit 6)
• Snow Goose (bag limit 20, no possession limit)
• Blue Goose (bag limit 20, no possession limit)
• Ross’s Goose (bag limit 20, no possession limit)
• Mallards (limit of 4; only two may be hens)
• Scaup (bag limit of 1)
• Wood ducks (bag limit of 3)
• Coot (bag limit of 15, no possession limit)

Bear Zone 2 Quota and Limits

• Zone 2 does not have a quota.

3. Piney Creeks WMA; 520

This WMA land is 180,000 acres located in the counties of Conway, Johnson, Newton, Pope, Searcy, and Van Buren. It was named after the Big and Little Piney Creeks that wind north and south through the acreage.

Access

Starting at Russellville, go north on Hwy. 7 for 15 miles to reach the southern boundary.

Starting in Harrison, go south on Hwy 7 for 50 miles to Pelsor. In Pelsor, the Pelsor State Highway is the northern boundary.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Piney Creeks WMA

• Hunting is available for residents and non-residents holding a valid Arkansas hunting license.
• A total of three deer per hunter per season is allowed. For muzzleloaders and modern gun users, the three animals must include two with antlers and one without. Archery users can take all three of their deer as antlerless if they choose to.

Game Found in the Piney Creeks WMA

• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• River otter (bag limit of 2 per day)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16.)
• Feral hogs (no bag limit)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)

Bear Zone 1 Quota and Limits

• 400 bears taken by archery equipment.
• 50 by muzzleloader.
• 50 by modern gun.

2. White Rock WMA; 670

White Rock is located in a CWD management zone in Madison County. The management area was established in 1976 and named after a mountain in the area. A CWD management zone is created to stop the spread of the disease from one county to another; therefore, special precautions and restrictions apply to all deer and elk harvested in a CWD management area.

Access

There are several federal and state highways that will take you to the White Rock WMA. These include US 71 on the western border, State Hwy. 10, State Hwy. 23, I-40, and State Hwy 16.

Restrictions and Requirements in the White Rock WMA

• Scents and lures are illegal when elk hunting.
• It is illegal to use scents that contain deer or elk urine.
• Mobility-impaired hunters may take two antlered bucks and one antlerless deer.
• If using archery equipment, a hunter may take three anterless deer or any combination of antlered and anterless.

Game Found in the White Rock WMA

• Duck (bag limit 6, possession limit 18)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Fox (2 per day, per species, with an unlimited possession limit)
• Bobcat (2 per day)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Elk (by permit only)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16)
• Rabbit (possession limit of 8, possession limit of 16.)
• Coyote (no Bag limits)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Feral hogs (no bag limit)

Bear Zone 1 Quota and Limits

• One bear.
• 400 bears taken by archery equipment.
• 50 by muzzleloader.
• 50 by modern gun.

1. Ozark National Forest

The biggest animal found in Arkansas is the elk; hunting and outdoor activities are handled differently in the Ozark National Forest. Hunting is permitted within the National Forest boundaries. Also, the Ozark National Forest is so large that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulates it, and all regulations they have for animals and seasons apply within the National Forest area.

The forest area was established in 1960. The majority of the national forest is within the Lee and Phillips County borders.

Access

Scenic 7 byway will bring you directly to the national forest.

Restrictions and Requirements in the Ozark National Forest WMA

• All hunters must have a current Arkansas hunting license when in the national forest.

Game Found in the Ozark National Forest WMA

• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Duck (bag limit 6, possession limit 18)
• Coyote (no Bag limits)
• Elk (by permit only)
• Squirrel (possession limit of 12; possession limit of 48)
• Bobcat (2 per day)
• Virginia Rails (bag limit of 25, possession limit of 75)
• Alligator (bag limit of one gator measuring four feet or longer)
• Grey and red fox (bag limit of 2 per day)
• Muskrat (Bag limit 2 per day)
• Mink (bag limit of 2 per day)
• Feral hogs (no bag limit)
• Opossum (no bag limit)
• Skunk (no bag limit)
• Raccoon (no bag limit)

Bear Zone 5

!0 bear per year for all hunters combined.

Summary of 10 Great Public Hunting Lands in Arkansas