Deer Seasons and Limits by Zone
2026-27 Deer Zone Map
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027 (public land youth hunters, check WMA for exceptions)
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- No antler-point restrictions on harvest.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Two antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlerless deer during alternative firearms season or the first two days of modern gun season.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- No antler-point restrictions on harvest.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- Youth may harvest one antlerless deer with a firearm during Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt.
- CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Baxter, Boone, Independence, Marion, Sharp and Randolph counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Closed
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-22 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlerless deer with modern gun.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Craighead, Jackson, Mississippi and Randolph counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Closed
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-22 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlerless deer with modern gun.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Craighead County, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 6.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 6.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Pope, Scott, Sebastian and Yell counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 6.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Cleburne, Conway, Independence, Jackson, Johnson, Pope and Van Buren counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Jackson County, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 6.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).
- Legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 12-14, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 6 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 6.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Nov. 28-Dec. 6).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Logan, Scott, Sebastian and Yell counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 20.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 12-20).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Ashley, Bradley, Grant and Union counties, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 20.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 12-20).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Sevier County, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs may be used for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 13.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 5-13).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be button bucks or have at least three points on one side of their rack.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Sevier County, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 and Dec. 19-21, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 13 and Dec. 26-28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 12.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 5-13).
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- No dogs allowed for deer hunting.
- Legal bucks must be button bucks or have antlers with at least 15-inch inside spread or 18-inch main beam.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 17-25).
- Outside the CWD Management Zone, legal bucks must be a button buck or have at least 15-inch inside spread of 18-inch main beam.
- Inside the CWD Management Zone, there are no antler restrictions.
- Button bucks count as antlerless deer, but must be checked as a button buck.
- In Ashley County, CWD regulations apply.
2026-27 Deer Season Dates
Early Buck-only Archery: Aug. 29-31, 2026
Archery: Sept. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25, 2026
Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2026 and Jan. 2-3, 2027
Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 28, 2026
Zone Bag Limit
Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four antlerless deer with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun combined.
Zone Notes
- Dogs allowed for deer hunting Nov. 14-Dec. 25.
- Nonresidents may use dogs for deer hunting only during the last nine days of the regular modern gun season (Dec. 17-25).
