Arkansas hunting seasons
Season dates for 2026-27, straight from the AGFC regulations — starting with what you actually want to know.
Open right now in
Arkansas
Deer Opens Aug 29 15 days away Turkey Opens Apr 5 234 days away Duck Opens Nov 21 99 days away Dove Opens Sep 5 22 days away
Dates checked against the AGFC regulations Aug 13, 2026.
Deer season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Gun | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11 | Nov 14 – Dec 6; Dec 26 – Dec 28 |
| Modern Gun | Zones 16, 16A & 17 | Nov 14 – Dec 28 |
| Modern Gun | Zones 4 & 5 | Nov 14 – Nov 22; Dec 26 – Dec 28 |
| Modern Gun | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 & 15 | Nov 14 – Dec 13; Dec 26 – Dec 28 |
| Modern Gun | Zones 9, 12 & 13 | Nov 14 – Dec 20; Dec 26 – Dec 28 |
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 |
| Early Buck-Only Archery Bucks only, all zones. | Statewide | Aug 29 – Aug 31 |
| Alternative Firearms | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11 | Oct 17 – Oct 25; Dec 12 – Dec 14 |
| Alternative Firearms | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 & 15 | Oct 17 – Oct 25; Dec 19 – Dec 21 |
| Alternative Firearms Alternative firearms are closed in Zones 4 and 5. | Zones 9, 12, 13, 16, 16A & 17 | Oct 17 – Oct 25 |
| Youth Modern Gun Hunt | Statewide | Nov 7 – Nov 8; Jan 2 – Jan 3 |
Turkey season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Season Two legal turkeys; no more than one in the first seven days. | Zone 1 | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Spring Season One legal turkey. | Zone 1A | Apr 19 – Apr 27 |
| Spring Season Two legal turkeys; no more than one in the first seven days. | Zone 2 | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Spring Season One legal turkey. | Zone 2A | Apr 12 – Apr 20 |
| Spring Season Two legal turkeys; no more than one in the first seven days. | Zone 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Special Youth Turkey Hunt Hunters 6 to 15 only. Arkansas has no fall turkey season. | Zones 1, 1A, 2 & 2A | Apr 10 – Apr 11 |
Duck season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Duck, Coot & Merganser On WMAs, shooting ends at noon except on the final day and during special hunts. | Statewide | Nov 21 – Nov 29; Dec 10 – Dec 23; Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active-Duty Military Hunt | Statewide | Feb 6 – Feb 7 |
Dove season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Statewide — mourning and white-winged doves. | Statewide | Sep 5 – Oct 25; Dec 8, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 |
Draw & application deadlines
Coming up: Dove permit hunts — closes Aug 15, 2026.