Sulphur River WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 610 | Miller |
AGFC Camping Permit Required
Waterfowl Season Access Restrictions
Three-point rule
Acres: 16,520
2024-25 Closed Seasons
- Bear
2024-25 Crow
Sept. 1, 2024-Feb. 17, 2025. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2024-25 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 7-9 (one buck only); Sept. 28-Feb. 28.
Henry Moore Waterfowl Rest Area: Sept. 7-9 (one buck only); Sept. 28-Oct. 31.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 19-27 and Dec. 21-24.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 8 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3 and Jan. 4-5.
WMA Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Four does with archery,
- Two does with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
- During youth hunt, youths may take four deer, two bucks (no antler restrictions) and two does.
Deer Notes:
- Three-point rule.
- No dogs.
2024-25 Quail
Nov. 1, 2024-Feb. 2, 2025. Daily limit – 6, possession limit – 12.
2024-25 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.
2024-25 Squirrel
May 15, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.
2023-24 Waterfowl
- 2023-24 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook
- 2023-24 Statewide Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits
- General WMA Regulations
Waterfowl Notes:
- No boats allowed Nov. 11-17, Nov. 27-Dec. 8 and Dec. 24-26.
Exception – Boats allowed from 4 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
Exception – Boats allowed on the following waters:
• Sulphur River and Mercer Bayou. - Closed to all access (except in designated campsites, parking areas, boat launch ramps and boat staging areas) from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Nov. 18-Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. Boats may only be launched in boat staging areas after 2 a.m. and must remain occupied between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- Spinning-wing and mechanically operated decoys not allowed. See Page 43.
- No boats allowed from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. Nov. 18-26, Dec. 9-23 and Dec. 27-Jan. 31.
Exception – Boats allowed from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and Jan. 31.
Exception – Boats allowed from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on the following waters:
• Sulphur River and Mercer Bayou. - No airboats during duck season (excluding Sulphur River and Mercer Bayou).
- Motors with factory exhaust systems only during waterfowl season.
2024 Alligator
Alligator (permit hunts): Sept. 20-23 and Sept. 27-30. Permit required.
2025 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 12-13. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt (permit required): April 21-23 and April 26-28. One legal turkey.
Turkey Notes: A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA during the permit hunt. Click here for details.
Access
Access to this area is very limited, except by boat. The west side may be accessed by traveling south on SH 71 from Texarkana for approximately 15 miles and taking SH 237east, crossing Sulphur River and continuing 2 miles and turning left onto Canal Access road and traveling to the canal access boat ramp. This is a major access point for Mercer Bayou. Using the same directions, turning right off SH 237 at the Smith Park entrance, and traveling approximately 2 miles you can access Long Slough and the Sulphur River (there are boat ramps at both locations). The east side may be accessed by traveling south on SH 71from Texarkana approximately 20 miles to the Sulphur River bridge crossing. There is a boat ramp located at the bridge. Continuing 2 miles south, turn right on CR 6 at the AGFC sign. Follow the county road, taking all rights, approximately 3 miles to the area.
Age
The area was established in the 1950s.
Area Notes
- A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap on WMAs. Permits are available online by clicking “Buy Licenses” at agfc.com or by calling 833-345-0325 or any regional office.
- A hunting or fishing license or AGFC Camping Permit is required to camp.
- The Henry Moore Waterfowl Rest Area closes to access Nov. 1-Feb. 15.
- For access restrictions that affect all users during waterfowl season, check the waterfowl guidebook.
Camping
Camping is available at designated sites.
Description
The area consists of one of the last remaining large tracts of bottomland hardwood habitat along the Red River Valley. The Sulphur River runs for approximately 10 miles through the management area. Mercer Bayou (an old river channel) located on the west side of the area consists of approximately 1,000 acres and is approximately 9 miles long. Days Creek is a major tributary on the northeast side of the area. Bottomland hardwoods, cypress breaks, and the associated oxbows and sloughs dominate this area. A small portion of the area contains rolling hills with mixed pine-hardwood adjacent to the floodplain.
Hunting Opportunities
Waterfowl, deer, turkey, small game, and furbearers. The area is known for it’s remoteness and lack of access; creating a challenging hunting environment. See current regulations for seasons and permit requirements.
Location
It is located in Miller County, 16 miles south of Texarkana.
Management Practices
The primary objective of this management area is to protect and enhance the unique bottomland hardwood/wetland habitats while providing recreational opportunities. There are two moist-soil units comprising approximately 900 acres. These units are seasonally flooded to stimulate the growth of naturally occurring wetland plants for waterfowl food and habitat. The Henry Moore Waterfowl Rest Area (500 acres) is included within these units. Several fall and winter food plots are also present.
Ownership
This 16,520-acre area is owned by the AGFC.
Phone
833-372-2434
Purpose
The primary objective of this management area is to provide quality wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities. It is also managed for the protection and enhancement of the bottomland hardwood/wetland ecosystem that occurs there.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
Mercer Bayou provides excellent bass, crappie, and bream fishing. Sulphur River provides seasonal fishing opportunities. A tremendous variety of passerine and wetland bird species occurs on the area, resulting in excellent birdwatching opportunities. Spring Bank and Lafayette Co. WMA’s are approximately 7 and 10 miles to the east, respectively. Also, the states of Texas and Louisiana are very close to the West and South, respectively.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
Facilities are located in Fouke and Texarkana. Boat ramps are located at Mercer Bayou (north and south) and at Smith Park (Long Slough and Sulphur River).
Safety
This area is very remote and access is limited. Maps and compass are needed for navigation and users should be prepared for emergencies. Additionally, Sulphur River water levels can fluctuate drastically due to dam releases from Wright Patman Lake. Always wear a life jacket and check river levels.