Hope Upland WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 360 | Hempstead |
Mobility-Impaired Access
12-Inch Inside Spread or 15-Inch Main Beam Rule
Acres: 2,115
2024-25 Closed Seasons
- Deer Alternative Firearms
- Bear
- Alligator
- Quail
- Turkey Firearms (youth turkey hunt available)
2024-25 Bobcat
Sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb. 28. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during daylight hours only. Daily limit 2.
2024-25 Coyote
Sunrise, July 1-sunset, Feb. 28. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during daylight hours only. No limit.
2024-25 Crow
Sept. 5-Feb. 15, Thursdays and Saturdays only. No limit. Youth Turkey Hunt (permit required): April 12-13. One legal turkey. See also Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA.
2024-25 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 7-9 (one buck only); Sept. 28-Feb. 28.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery,
- Four does with archery.
- During youth permit hunt, youths may take two deer, one buck (no antler restrictions) or up to two does.
Deer Notes:
- 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam rule.
- No dogs.
2024-25 Dove
Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024 and Dec. 8, 2024-Jan. 15, 2025
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Daily Limit – 15, possession Limit – 45Eurasian Collared-Dove
No daily or possession limit
Eurasian Collared Doves must remain fully feathered in the field and while being transported from the field.
Dove Notes:
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission prepares a few fields each year for the opening weekend of dove season so the public has a place to enjoy this exciting form of wingshooting.
Dove fields on WMAs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. WMA acreage put into dove fields is relatively small because most hunters only pursue doves the first few days of the season. However, after opening weekend of dove season, many wildlife species feed in the fields, particularly those that were topsown with winter wheat.
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 Turkey
Youth Turkey Hunt (permit required): April 12-13. One legal turkey. See also Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA. Permit required.
Access
Take Hwy. 278 north from Hope for approximately 6 miles, turn east on Hwy. 32 and continue approximately 1 mile, turn north on County Rd. 26 and go approximately 3 miles and turn back east on gravel road and it takes you to the area main access gate.
Age
The area was established in portions during the late 1940s and early 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.
- Dove hunting is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only during the statewide dove seasons.
- The area is closed to vehicles.
Camping
Camping is available at the Fair Park campgrounds in Hope.
Description
Upland mixed pine/hardwood stands dominates this area. A large food plot system is interspersed on the area. The area also includes a large number of firelanes that are annually planted in wheat and provide excellent browse.
Hunting Opportunities
Deer, quail, squirrel dove, and rabbits. This area is known for producing large bucks. See current regulations for seasons and permit requirements.
Location
It is in Hempstead County, 3 miles north of Hope.
Management Practices
An intensive management habitat plan including forest prescriptions, prescribed burning and open land management is implemented on this area. This habitat management plan greatly benefits both game and nongame wildlife species.
Ownership
This 2115-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.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
This area provides excellent bird watching opportunities. Old Washington Historic State Park is located 3 miles north. Rick Evans/Grandview Prairie WMA is located approximately 10 miles to the northwest. Millwood Lake is approximately 15 miles to the west.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
Facilities are located in Hope and Washington. A system of mobility impaired trails are available on the area.
Safety
This property was once included in the Southwestern Proving Grounds, a military ammunitions testing range in the early 1940s. Should you encounter any type of unexploded ordnance, please do not attempt to move or remove the ordnance yourself. Mark the location of the ordnance and contact the Southwest Regional Office of AGFC immediately.