Hobbs State Park Conservation Area WMA

CWD Zone

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Acres: 12,054

2024-25 Closed Seasons

• Bear
• Alligator
• Turkey

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 (permit hunt): Nov. 22-25.
Deer Modern Gun (permit hunt): Dec. 13-16.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunt (permit hunt): Nov. 16-17.WMA Deer Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than one antlered buck, which may include:

• One antlered buck with archery,
• Four antlerless with archery,
• One antlered buck or antlerless with alternative firearms permit,
• One antlered buck or antlerless with modern gun permit.
• During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck and one antlerless.

Deer Notes:

• No antler restrictions.
• No dogs.
• A WMA Deer Hunt Permit is required to hunt deer with firearms on this WMA. Click here for details.

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.

About the Name

It is named after Roscoe C. Hobbs, former owner.

Access

State highway 12 bisects the area and connects with US highways 62 and 71 to the west in Rogers and with state highway 23 to the east between Huntsville and Eureka Springs. Highway directional signs are located at these intersections.

Age

It was purchased in 1979.

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.
• CWD regulations apply.
• Camping is prohibited at the Pigeon Roost campsites.
• The area south of Highway12, east of War Eagle Road and north of Bettis Hill Road is closed to hunting.
• The area north of Paige Sawmill Road, west of Huckleberry Hills Road and northwest of Rambo Road is also closed to all hunting.

Description

The area is 12,055 acres in size and is typical Ozark Mountain terrain. The area is predominantly woodland consisting of stands of upland hardwoods and shortleaf pine/hardwood forest. Beaver lake lies on the northern boundary of the area and War Eagle Creek on the southern boundary.

Hunting Opportunities

The area is open to hunting in season game. The area offers fair to good hunting for white-tailed deer, squirrels and raccoons. There is very limited waterfowl hunting opportunity on nearby Beaver Lake. Hunters should always check the wildlife management area section of the current edition of Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for specific area seasons, bag limits, and regulations before hunting on the area.

Location

It lies in Benton, Madison and Carroll counties. The property lies 12 miles east of Rogers, 25 miles southwest of Eureka Springs and 30 miles northwest of Huntsville.

Management Practices

Wildlife management activities on the area to date have been limited to law enforcement, conservative hunting season frameworks and some biological data collection. Insufficient personnel and funding have prevented the implementation of an active habitat management program on the area.

Ownership

Arkansas State Parks

Phone

833-340-7506

Purpose

The area was acquired by the state to protect, manage and make available to public use an essentially undeveloped tract of land located near a rapidly growing population center. Goals for the property are not to duplicate existing private sector facilities and services but to provide a broad spectrum of recreational opportunity. Three state agencies, Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Natural Heritage Commission are responsible for managing the natural resources under a multiple use concept. Initially each agency had a zone of management responsibility within the area but direction has changed in recent years to a more cooperative multidisciplinary approach to managing the entire area.

Recreation Other Than Hunting

Fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and camping are available on Beaver Lake. Observing Bald Eagles and other migratory and resident birds and wildlife is also a popular winter activity. Contact the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers Resident Office at 501-636-1210 for more information about water conditions and facilities on Beaver Lake. Natural areas and interesting geological features, including sinkholes, caves, springs, and seeps abound on the Hobbs area. Some areas of special interest include Van Winkle Hollow, Shaddox Hollow Blackburn Creek, Kirk Hollow, Devils Gap and Hurricane Hollow. The Beaver Lake Nursery Pond, a supplemental fish rearing facility operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is near the western boundary of the area on Blackburn Creek. A public shooting range is available, Tuesdays through Sundays, for practice and sighting in firearms. A pre civil war historic site, containing an important industrial site and slave quarters, is located in Van Winkle Hollow. The cultural and historical significance of this site ranks highly both in northwest Arkansas and statewide. The Van Winkle Mill site is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Restaurants and Other Facilities

The Bean Palace Restaurant, closed during the winter months, is located at War Eagle Mill just off the southern boundary of the area. Several eating establishments are located around Beaver Lake and in the nearby communities of Rogers and Eureka Springs. Finnegan’s on highway 12 offers commonly needed supplies. Rogers and Eureka Springs offer full service accommodations. Boats and sailing vessels may be rented at numerous marinas located around Beaver Lake.

Safety

Hunters and hikers should be especially careful when they venture off established trails as the many sinkholes and bluffs are potential pitfalls. Visitors to the area who are not familiar with winding roads in NW Arkansas should remain especially alert when driving through the area. Anyone walking in the woods during the warmer months should carry and use effective insect repellents to ward off disease carrying ticks and chiggers.