Winona WMA

Three-point rule

Additional USDA Forest Service Regulations

---

Acres: 145,276

2024-25 Closed Seasons

•  Alligator

2024-25 Crow

Sept. 1, 2024-Feb. 17, 2025. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.

2024-25 Deer

Deer Archery: Sept. 28-Feb. 28.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 19-27 and Dec. 14-16.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 1 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3 and Jan. 4-5.

WMA Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:

• Two bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
• Three does with archery,
• One doe with alternative firearms or modern gun.
• During youth hunt, youths may take three deer, two bucks (no antler restrictions) and one doe.

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.

2024 Bear

Bear Archery: Sept. 18-Nov. 30.
Bear Alternative Firearms: Oct. 19-27.
Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 9-30.
Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3.

Bear Notes:

• Statewide bag limit.
• No dogs.

2025 Turkey

Youth Hunt: April 12-13. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 21-May 11. One legal turkey.

About the Name

Derived its name from a lake on the area of the same name.

Access

The area can be reached from Perryville via AR 9 south 4 miles. From Little Rock, take AR 10 west for 30 miles to junction of AR 9. From Hot Springs, take AR 7 north, 25 miles or AR 5 north, 20 miles then AR 9 north, 15 miles.

Age

It was established in 1968.

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.
• Refer to Page 20 for additional USDA Forest Service information.
• Central Arkansas Water policy restricts ATV use or camping on CAW properties immediately surrounding Lake Winona. CAW lake project office can be reached by calling 501-594-5261.
• A Cedar Mountain WMA Leased Land Permit is required to hunt, trap or camp on the Cedar Mountain WMA property within the Winona WMA.
• Please visit Cedar Mountain WMA for map and boundary information.

Area Type

WMA

Camping

There are no developed campsites, but USFS allows unrestricted camping where you want. Camping is not allowed within the Central Arkansas Water Use Area immediately surrounding Lake Winona.

Description

Consists of 174,782 acres of moderate to rugged mountain terrain and narrow valleys. The predominate timber types are upland hardwoods, shortleav pine and mixed pine-hardwood. Typical of the Ouachitas, the ridges run in an east-west fashion. Hardwoods are generally found on the north and east aspects of the mountains while pine occupies the south and west aspects. Numerous streams are found on the area, including the headwaters of the Maumelle and Saline Rivers. The South Fouche LaFave river cuts across the northwest corner of the area. A few man-made lakes including Lake Winona, Lake Sylvia and Bear Creek Lake are found on the area.

Hunting Opportunities

Numerous hunting opportunities exist on the area. Deer, turkey, squirrel, bear, furbearers, cottontail, bobwhite, raccoon, mourning dove, coyote, woodcock, snipe and ducks.

Location

Perry and Saline counties. 4 miles south of Perryville.

Management Practices

Roughly 109 food plots are managed each year on a rotational basis. Several hundred acres of controlled burning, overstory mast development increase acorn production, honeysuckle planting, timber harvesting, water hole development, midstory thinning and bush hogging.

Ownership

USDA Forest Service • 145,276 acres

Primary ownership is by the USDA. The AGFC annually leases large portions of land from Green Bay Packaging, Inc. to enhance public access and hunting on this WMA as well.

Phone

833-356-0933

Purpose

The area was created to enhance management of all wildlife species in west central Arkansas.

Recreation Other Than Hunting

Hiking and back packing, the Ouachita Trail transverses the area from AR 9 to AR 7, passing through the Flatside Wilderness Area. Fishing opportunities for bass, crappie and catfish can be found on Lake Winona.

Restaurants and Other Facilities

Restaurants and motels can be found at nearby Perryville. Groceries can be found at Williamês Junction, Perryville, Brownês Center and Hollis.

Safety

There are some safety considerations to be considered.

Lake Winona runs over the spillway at its dam when the gauge of the Alum Fork Slaine River at Winona Dam reaches 40 feet: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07362591. The road immediately south of the dam is covered with water when the water flows over the spillway. Use extreme caution crossing this road, as it only takes a few inches of flowing water to sweep a vehicle off the road.

There is a possibility of being temporarily lost. Keep in mind that the ridges run east-west and you should be able to travel in a consistent direction and eventually hit a main road. Potential bear problems will be avoided if you use common sense in dealing with garbage and cooking materials.