The 2022-2023 Arkansas Hunting Season dates are set. The season dates and bag limits are subject to change at any time based on harvest results. For more information on the 2022-2023 Arkansas hunting season, regulations, or licensing, click here. For a printable list, click here.
2022-23 Hunting, Trapping Season Dates Summary
Deer
Archery
Statewide: Sept. 24-Feb. 28
Muzzleloader
Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Oct. 15-23 and Dec. 10-12
Deer zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15: Oct. 15-23 and Dec. 17-19
Deer zones 9, 12, 13, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 15-23
Deer zones 4 and 5: closed
Modern gun
Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 12-Dec. 4
Deer zones 4 and 5: Nov. 12-20
Deer zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15: Nov. 12-Dec. 11
Deer zones 9, 12 and 13: Nov. 12-Dec. 18
Deer zones 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 12-Dec. 25
Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt
Statewide (excluding WMAs that are closed during modern
gun deer season): Dec. 26-28
Special modern gun youth deer hunt
All zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or
muzzleloader permit is required to hunt): Nov. 5-6 and
Jan. 7-8
Private land antlerless only modern gun deer hunt
Deer zones statewide: Dec. 29-31
Elk
Core Elk Management Zone (all private and public lands
within Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy
counties)
Public Land
Elk zones 1, 2, 3, and 4: Oct. 3-7 and Oct. 31-Nov. 4 (Permit
required)
Youth Hunts: Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 29-30 (Permit required)
Private Land
Private Land Core Elk Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton
and Searcy counties; excludes Boxley Valley): Oct. 3-7 and Oct.
31-Nov. 4 (Permit required)
Youth Hunt: Core Elk Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton
and Searcy counties; excludes Boxley Valley) Oct. 1-2 and Oct.
29-30 (Permit required)
Elk found outside of the Core Elk Management Zone may be
taken during deer season with weapon legal for that season.
Elk Permit Application Period – May 1-June 1
Crow
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 20. (Thursday-Monday hunting only)
Bear
Archery
Bear zones 1 and 2: Sept. 17-Nov. 30 (Zone 1 closes earlier if quota
is reached)
Bear zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: closed
Muzzleloader
Bear zones 1 and 2: Oct. 15-23 (Zone 1 closes earlier if quota is
reached)
Bear zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: closed
Modern gun
Bear zones 1 and 2: Nov. 12-30 (Zone 1 closes earlier if quota is
reached)
Bear zones 3 and 4: Dec. 10-16 (closes earlier if quota is reached)
Bear zone 5: Nov. 26-Dec. 4
Bear zone 5A: Nov. 19-Dec. 4
Bear zones 6 and 7: closed
Special modern gun youth bear hunt
Bear zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs
requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 5-6
Bear zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: closed
Quail
Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 5
Rabbit
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28
Squirrel
Statewide: May 15-Feb. 28
Furbearers
Furbearer trapping (other than coyote, beaver, nutria):
sunrise, Nov. 12-sunset, Feb. 28
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31
Beaver, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 12-sunset, March 31
Gray fox, mink, muskrat, red fox hunting:
sunrise, Sept.1-sunset, Feb. 28
Raccoon, opossum, striped skunk day or night hunting:
Jan. 1-Dec. 31
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1- sunset, Feb. 28 and during turkey
season.
Coyote day hunting: Jan. 1- Dec. 31
River otter hunting: sunrise, Nov. 12-sunset, Feb. 28
Nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31
