2024-25 General WMA Regulations

A portable hunting stand is any device or structure used for the purpose of hunting that can be carried and erected by hand.

Portable hunting stands and blinds and associated equipment using no metal objects (such as screwin steps) to be screwed or driven into trees may be used, but must have the owner’s name and address permanently attached. Stands must be moved at least 200 yards after seven days.

Deer stands and blinds may not be placed on a WMA more than seven days before deer archery season and must be removed from the WMA within seven days after the close of deer archery season.

Portable, pop-up blinds must have 144 square inches of blaze orange or chartreuse visible from all sides of the blind during firearms deer, bear and elk seasons on WMAs.

On USDA Forest Service lands, portable stands must comply with USDA Forest Service regulations.

Each WMA is a separate zone for which the Commission may establish and apply hunting regulations. All private lands (including any combinations of lands separately owned, and regardless of whether such lands touch a road, creek, stream, river, lake or other waterbody) that are completely surrounded by WMA lands (except NWRs) shall be considered as inholdings. Such inholdings shall be subject to the same regulations pertaining to hunting season dates, hunting hours, bag limits and hunting permits as the surrounding WMA.

Exception:
Private lands that are completely surrounded by ANHC or NWR lands shall be subject to the same state regulations pertaining to hunting season dates, hunting hours, bag limits and hunting permits as the surrounding or nearest adjacent private land deer zone plus any federal regulations pertaining to ANHC or NWR inholdings.

Any motorized vehicle including, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, and amphibious vehicles are restricted on WMAs. Motorized vehicles as listed previously may not be operated off any open access road or parking area, behind gated, cabled or earthen barriers, or on levees, dams, food plots, fire lanes or roads developed for wildlife. Hunters with Mobility Impaired Access Permits may use ATVs with certain restrictions (see Page 74).

On leased lands WMAs:

• ATVs, motorcycles and bicycles are allowed on open, maintained roads within Cherokee and Jim Kress WMAs by hunters in possession of a valid leased lands permit for the purposes of traveling to and from hunting locations and/or camping sites only.
• Motorized vehicles, except for ATVs on main access roads, may not be used on Big Timber Upland Demonstration Area.
• ATVs are allowed on open roads and trails on Casey Jones, Gum Flats, Howard County, Lafayette County, Lake Greeson, Poison Springs (motorized vehicles are not allowed on boundary lines that have been cleared by the Arkansas Forestry Commission) and Provo WMAs by hunters for the purposes of traveling to or from hunting locations and/or camping sites during open hunting seasons only. WMA maps of open roads and trails are available at www.agfc.com/maps.
• ATVs are allowed on designated open, maintained roads on Big Timber WMA by hunters to access hunting locations and/or camping sites during open hunting seasons only. Use of ATVs on right-of-ways is prohibited unless designated as an open road.
• Class 1 e bikes are permitted where bicycles are allowed.
  • Class 1 electric bicycle is defined as an electric bicycle equipped with a motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts (750 W) that provides assistance only when the operator is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour (20 m.p.h.).
• Read about ATV use on Jack Mountain WMA .

On Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests:
The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests have designated systems of roads and trails for public motor vehicle use. Any road or trail not classified for motorized vehicle use is closed. Operating any motorized vehicle on a road posted as closed, closed by an earthen mound, gate or other object, or not designated for motorized vehicle use in official Forest Service maps is prohibited. Maps of designated routes are available at www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita, www.fs.usda.gov/osfnf or any Forest Service office.

On the Natural Areas:
All Natural Area WMAs are limited to foot traffic only.

Mobility Impaired Access Permit holders may use ATVs on AGFC-owned WMAs on graveled, all-weather roads (unless posted closed to vehicles) and on designated signed mobility impaired access trails during hunting seasons with the following restrictions:

• Permit holders must hunt at least 100 feet but no more than 300 feet from graveled, all-weather roads. They may hunt anywhere within 300 feet of designated signed mobility impaired access trails.
• ATVs must remain within 300 feet of centerline of roads and/or trails during any hunting season.
• ATVs may be used only for stand placement and hunting.
• ATVs may be used beyond 300 feet from a road or mobility impaired access trail only to retrieve big game taken by the permit holder.
• Holders of AGFC Mobility Impaired Access (MIA) may operate ATVs only on designated mobility impaired access areas of Big Timber, Jack Mountain, McIlroy Madison County WMA, Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA and Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA.
• Permit holders must be able to see their ATV at all times while hunting.

Licensed sportsmen who meet the following criteria are eligible for Mobility Impaired Access Permits: 

• A permanent physical condition requiring the use of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, walker or portable oxygen
• Permanent lung disease which severely restricts respiration to the levels stipulated on the application form
• A permanent cardiac condition classified as Class III or IV by the American Heart Association

Applications are available at AGFC regional offices, by phone (833-345-0325 during business hours) or online at www.agfc.com/license.

Permit deer hunts are available for mobility impaired hunters on Bearcat Hollow, Dardanelle, Freddie Black Choctaw Island East Unit, Greers Ferry, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Lake Greeson, Nimrod Lloyd Millwood, Trusten Holder, Wedington and White Rock WMAs and Dale Bumpers White River and Pond Creek NWRs.

Hunting is allowed on several WMAs and NWRs only during special permit hunts to manage deer populations and prevent crowding. Only permit holders are allowed to engage in any hunting-related activity during permit hunts. Hunter education requirements have been removed for youth hunters 6-15 years of age participating in WMA permit hunts, but the hunter must obtain a free customer ID number by going to www.agfc.com/license.

Other hunting seasons, except waterfowl, are closed during permit hunts, unless otherwise noted on the back of the permit.

Click here from June 1 until July 1 to apply for a permit deer hunt. Permit notifications will be sent by email.

Permits are available for $40 which entitle the holder to hunt, trap (trapper permit required) and camp on leased land WMAs – Big Timber WMA, Casey Jones WMA, Cedar Mountain WMA, Cherokee WMA, Jim Kress WMA, Gum Flats WMA, Howard County WMA, Jack Mountain WMA, Lafayette County WMA, Lake Greeson WMA and Provo WMA. Each leased lands WMA requires a separate permit. A WMA General Use Permit is also required to hunt on any WMAs.

Youths 15 years of age and younger are not required to have a permit. Permits are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Maps are available at www.agfc.com/maps.

Hunters must get permission from landowners to travel through neighboring private lands.

A free annual WMA General Use Permit is required to hunt or trap on all WMAs along with any quota hunt permits or access permits. See WMA area notes for permits required.

Shooting from or across any public road or hunting within 100 feet of a public or privately maintained road on any WMA is prohibited (see exceptions below).

• Exception 1: Trappers may use legal firearms to harvest animals caught in legally set traps.
• Exception 2: Licensed/permitted falconers may hunt with and trap birds of prey in accordance with state and federal falconry regulations.
• Exception 3: Small game (excluding fox, bobcat and coyote) being pursued or treed by a dog or under the point of a dog may be taken within 100 feet from the centerline of a road on Big Timber, Casey Jones, Cedar Mountain, Cherokee, Gum Flats, Howard County, Jack Mountain, Jim Kress, Lafayette County, Lake Greeson, Moro Big Pine Natural Area and Provo WMAs provided the road is not city, county, state or federally maintained.

Traps may not be possessed on WMAs unless a season is open. Rifles and handguns larger than .22 caliber rimfire, buckshot or rifled slugs may be used only during modern gun deer, bear or elk seasons or during daylight hours during bobcat, fox and coyote seasons. Muzzleloaders may be used during firearms season, except for muzzleloaders larger than .40 caliber, which may not be used on any WMA unless a muzzleloading or modern firearm deer, bear or elk season is open. Unless otherwise prohibited, bobcat, fox and coyote may be taken during daylight hours with firearms of any caliber during bobcat, fox and coyote seasons on AGFC-owned WMAs, Blue Mountain WMA, Dardanelle WMA, J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA, Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA, Ozark Lake WMA and all U.S. Forest Service lands including WMAs lying within the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.

Firearms may be carried on WMAs, but may not be used for any hunting purpose, unless the weapon is legal for that season.

Dogs are not allowed for hunting feral hogs on WMAs. Unless noted on specific areas, wildlife management areas are closed to dogs, except in the following instances:

• Quail and rabbit dog training is allowed Sept. 1-April 1, except during firearms deer hunts where dogs are not allowed.
• Quail and woodcock hunting are allowed with bird dog breeds.
• UKC, AKC and ACHA field trials are allowed when approved by the AGFC.
• Waterfowl retrievers may be used during open migratory bird seasons.
• Dogs are required for raccoon, bobcat and opossum hunting at night.
• Dogs may be used for hunting squirrel, rabbit or bobcat except during firearms deer hunts where dogs are not allowed.

Pleasure riding and organized trail rides are allowed during February, March and June through September on AGFC-owned land and Cherokee, Jim Kress, Poison Springs and Jack Mountain WMAs. Permits for organized events involving 10 or more horses or mules are available by request from wildlife management area headquarters and must be obtained at least two weeks in advance of the event. Horses and riders are restricted to established trails or roads. Horses and mules are allowed only in camping areas that are designated for equestrian use. Horses in camping areas may be tied to trailers or to a highline using tree saver straps. Horses or mules may not be allowed to damage trees or other woody vegetation. Soil disturbance must be restored, manure must be scattered and excess feed, hay and any trash must be removed. Please contact the individual National Forest for specific details.

Unless otherwise noted for specific WMAs or SUAs, hunters may use horses or mules during open seasons on most WMAs or at night during furbearer season.

Unless otherwise noted under a specific WMA, camping is limited to no more than 14 consecutive days and must be in a designated camping area. Campers on all AGFC owned WMAs must have a valid hunting or fishing license or $5 camping permit available at www.agfc.com or any license vendor. Camps may not remain unoccupied for more than 48 hours. Creating a disturbance after 10 p.m. is not allowed. It is unlawful to camp or use any campsite for more than 30 days total during one calendar year.

Nonhunters camping with a permit holder do not need to have a permit while camping.

It is unlawful to possess alcoholic beverages on Commission-controlled WMAs.

Except:

• on a private inholding.
• in a vehicle on a public road in compliance with applicable law.
• in a boat on a navigable waterway in compliance with applicable law.
• in a boat while fishing and in accordance with applicable law.

It is unlawful to operate a boat in any manner that is hazardous to persons or property on any part of a WMA or NWR including ramps, structures, boat lanes or other areas.

Examples of illegal boating practices include:

1. Weaving through congested vessel traffic;
2. Jumping the wake of another vessel too close to such other vessel;
3. Operating a vessel when visibility is obstructed;
4. Moving at a speed that exceeds the safe and reasonable limits under the circumstances or that creates a hazardous wash or wake upon approaching or passing vessels;
5. Inattentive operation;
6. Failure to keep a proper lookout;
7. Failure to observe navigation rules;
8. Colliding with, striking or bumping another vessel, object or person;
9. Operating while intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana or while under any physical or mental disability so as to be incapable of operating safely under the circumstances;
10. Swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision where correction reasonably could have been made earlier;
11. Otherwise operating a vessel in a manner that endangers life, limb or property.
12. Impeding the normal and reasonable movement of boating traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law of regulations.

Any person found guilty of negligent operation (unintentional hazardous operation) may be fined $250 to $2,500, may be sentenced up to 60 days in jail and will be prohibited from accessing any WMA and/or NWR for one year from date of conviction.

Any person found guilty of reckless operation (intentional hazardous operation) may be fined $500 to $5,000, may be sentenced up to 90 days in jail, will be prohibited from accessing any WMA and/or NWR for one year from date of conviction and lose hunting and fishing privileges statewide for one year from the date of conviction.

Unless otherwise noted in the WMA listings here, all WMA season dates, limits and regulations for quail, rabbit, squirrel, crow, waterfowl and other migratory birds are the same as private land.

Badger, Spotted Skunk and Weasel 
Hunting: Closed

Trapping: Sunrise, Nov. 9, 2024-sunset, Feb. 28, 2025

Daily limit unlimited, possession unlimited.

Beaver and Nutria 
Hunting: Sunrise Sept. 1, 2024-sunset March 31, 2025 (day hunting only)

Daily limit unlimited, possession unlimited.

Trapping: Sunrise Nov. 9, 2024-sunset March 31, 2025

Daily limit unlimited, possession unlimited.

Bobcat 
Hunting: Sunrise Sept. 1, 2024-sunset Feb. 28, 2025 and April 21, 2025-May 11, 2025 (day hunting only)

During turkey season (day hunting only; no dogs allowed).

Bag limit is two per day. Dogs are not allowed in deer zones where a firearms deer season is in progress that prohibits the use of dogs. During youth turkey hunts, only youths may take bobcats.

Trapping: Sunrise, Nov. 9, 2024-sunset, Feb. 28, 2025

No bag limit.

Coyote 
Hunting: Year-round (Dogs allowed to hunt coyotes during the day except during turkey season. Coyotes may not be hunted at night.)

No bag limit on coyote. Dogs are not allowed in deer zones where a firearms deer season is in progress that prohibits the use of dogs. During youth turkey hunts, only youths may take coyotes.

Trapping: Sunrise Aug. 1, 2024-sunset March 31, 2025

No bag limit.

Gray Fox, Red Fox, Muskrat and Mink
Hunting: Sunrise Sept. 1, 2024-sunset Feb. 28, 2025 (day hunting only)

Bag limit is two per day. Foxes may be taken during daylight hours with archery equipment, or any rifle or shotgun ammunition.

Trapping: Sunrise, Nov. 9, 2024-sunset, Feb. 28, 2025

No bag limit.

Opossum, Raccoon and Striped Skunk
Hunting: Year-round (day or night hunting; dogs are required for hunting at night).

Bag limit unlimited.

Trapping: Sunrise, Nov. 9, 2024-sunset, Feb. 28, 2025

No bag limit.

River Otter 
Hunting: Sunrise Nov. 9, 2024-sunset Feb. 28, 2025 (day hunting only)

Daily limit unlimited, possession unlimited.

Trapping: Sunrise, Nov. 9, 2024-sunset, Feb. 28, 2025

Daily limit unlimited, possession unlimited.

In addition to a valid Arkansas hunting license, nonresidents need a a valid Arkansas waterfowl stamp (DSN) and a 5-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit (NW5) to hunt waterfowl on all wildlife management areas.

The permit costs $40 and is valid only Nov. 18-26, 2023, Dec. 27, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024, Jan. 21-31, 2024. It is available online, by telephone or from license dealers. Nonresidents will also need a free annual General Use Permit (WMP) to hunt or trap on any WMA.