Arkansas Deer Season 2026-27: Gun Opens Nov. 14, Dates by Zone

Seasons in every zone

Alternative firearms and modern gun by zone

Arkansas sets firearm dates for 17 private land deer zones. Zones with the same calendar are grouped below.

Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11

Zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15

Zones 9, 12 and 13

Zones 16, 16A and 17

Zones 4 and 5

Zones 4 and 5 have no alternative firearms season. Dates are for private land; each WMA sets its own seasons and limits. Find your zone on the AGFC deer zone map.

What changed for 2026-27

• The three-day early buck-only archery hunt moved to the last Saturday in August.
• Each private land zone now has a four-deer limit, and most WMAs a three-deer limit, both with no more than two bucks.
• Button bucks count as antlerless deer but must still be checked as button bucks.
• Modern centerfire firearms are now allowed in Zones 4 and 5.
• Grant and Sevier counties joined the CWD Management Zone.

Bag limits

Six deer statewide, no more than two antlered bucks. Each private land zone allows four deer, no more than two bucks. Within that, antlerless limits depend on the zone:

In Zone 2, youth may take one antlerless deer with a firearm during the youth hunt.

Antler restrictions

• None: Zones 1, 2, 6, 15 and 17.
• Button buck or at least three points on one side: Zones 4A, 5A and 10, and Zones 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 outside the CWD Management Zone.
• Button buck, or a 15-inch inside spread or 18-inch main beam: Zone 16, and Zone 16A outside the CWD Management Zone.
• Inside the CWD Management Zone there are no antler restrictions.
• A buck with antlers shorter than 2 inches is checked as a button buck. Youth 6 to 15 may take any buck.

Hunting deer with dogs

No dogs are allowed for deer hunting in Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 9 and 16.

Alternative firearms: legal weapons

• Muzzleloading rifles .40 caliber or larger with a barrel of at least 18 inches.
• Muzzleloading handguns with a barrel of at least 9 inches, .45 caliber or larger with conical bullets of 200 grains or more, or .530 caliber or larger with round balls.
• Non-semiautomatic centerfire rifles and handguns (barrel 4 inches or longer) in straight-wall cartridges .30 caliber or larger. See the straight-wall cartridge guide.
• Large-bore air rifles .40 caliber or larger firing a single expanding slug with at least 400 ft-lb of energy.
• Shotguns with slugs are not legal in this season.

Checking and tagging

• Fill out the deer tag in ink before moving the deer, and attach it to the ear or antler.
• Check the deer within 12 hours: by phone at 833-289-2469, online or in the AGFC app. App entries made offline stay pending until you sync.
• Write the check number on the tag.

Hunter orange

When a modern gun or alternative firearms deer season is open, hunters and anyone with them must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange, chartreuse or blaze camouflage above the waist, plus a head garment in one of those colors. Migratory bird hunters are exempt.

CWD Management Zone and baiting

• Hunting deer over bait is legal only inside the CWD Management Zone, on private land, from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 during an open season.
• Deer taken in the zone can be moved out only by following the AGFC transport procedures.
• Deer may not be carried across state lines before they are checked.

Frequently asked questions

When does modern gun deer season open in Arkansas?

Nov. 14, 2026, in every private land zone. It closes Dec. 6, 2026 in Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, and as late as Dec. 28 in Zones 16, 16A and 17. Most zones reopen for the holiday hunt, Dec. 26, 2026 to Dec. 28, 2026.

When is archery season in Arkansas?

Sept. 26, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 statewide. An early buck-only archery hunt runs Aug. 29, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2026.

How many deer can you kill in Arkansas?

Six deer statewide, no more than two antlered bucks. Each private land zone allows four deer, no more than two bucks, and most WMAs allow three. Hunters can reach the statewide six by hunting another zone or WMA.

What is the alternative firearms season in Arkansas?

The former muzzleloader season. Muzzleloaders, non-semiautomatic straight-wall cartridge firearms .30 caliber or larger and large-bore air rifles are legal. It opens Oct. 17, 2026 in most zones and is closed in Zones 4 and 5.

When is the Arkansas youth deer hunt?

Nov. 7, 2026 to Nov. 8, 2026 and Jan. 2, 2027 to Jan. 3, 2027, in every zone. Youth 6 to 15 may take any buck regardless of antler size.

How long do you have to check a deer in Arkansas?

12 hours after harvest, by phone at 833-289-2469, online or in the AGFC app.

Deer season in other states

Texas · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · New York · Missouri · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama · Louisiana · Mississippi. Compare every state on the deer season dates by state page.

Duck seasons are on the Arkansas duck season page.

Always check the AGFC zone map and the rules for the WMA where you hunt.