U of A Pine Tree Experimental Station WDA

Mobility-Impaired Access

Special Firearms Restrictions (for private land deer zones 4 and 5)

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Acres: 11,850

2024-25 Closed Seasons

• Alligator
• Bear

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): Oct. 19-23.
Deer Modern Gun (permit hunts): Nov. 9-13 and Nov. 22-26.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunts: Nov. 2-3 and Jan. 4-5.

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

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

Deer Notes:

• No antler restrictions.
• 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 – 45

Eurasian 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 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.

2025 Turkey

Youth Hunt (permit required): April 12-13. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt (permit required): April 26-28 One legal turkey.

Turkey Notes: A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA. Click here for details.

About the Name

The name is from the small farming community of Pine Tree, Arkansas. The WDA was established as a branch experiment station. The University of Arkansas has conducted agricultural experimentation over many years dealing with various research efforts.

Access

Access is provided from Highway 306 either from Colt, or Hunter, Arkansas, depending upon direction of travel. Several St. Francis County roads (107 and 267) cross the management area. Field roads provide seasonal access, but can become impassable during wet periods.

Age

The University of Arkansas received ownership in 1960 from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.

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.
• This area follow special firearms rectrictions for private land deer zones 4 and 5: Only shotguns (.410 and larger) with slugs (no buckshot allowed) or muzzleloading rifles shooting a single projectile are allowed for use during deer modern gun and deer modern gun special youth hunt.
• Firearms may not be discharged except in the act of hunting.
• Camping is not allowed on the area.

Camping

No camping is allowed.

Description

The area consists of hardwood timber intermixed with fields planted in various crops. Several beaver ponds provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. Large tracts of pasture are established with an occasional small fishing pond providing a water source for wildlife. The area comprises about 11,850 acres of habitat – 3,940 acres in forests, 5,630 in pastures and 2,280 acres in crops.

Hunting Opportunities

The management area is regulated by permit quota hunting for deer. Small game, such as rabbits, quail, squirrels and furbearers, doves and ducks are hunted under statewide seasons.

Location

The area is in St. Francis County about 6 miles west of Colt, Ark. State Highway 306 bisects the northern portion of the management unit.

Management Practices

Management initiatives are conducted by a cooperative effort between the AGFC and the University of Arkansas. Various wildlife management practices are implemented to enhance habitat diversity to meet various habitat needs of wildlife.

Ownership

This 11,850-acre area is owned by the University of Arkansas.

Phone

833-345-0283

Purpose

The management area purpose is twofold. One is to experiment in the agricultural field as to various needs of the farming industry. Secondly is to provide under a cooperative effort with the AGFC to manage the resource for public use. The WDA is managed for all species of resident wildlife and wintering migratory species.

Recreation Other Than Hunting

Many outdoor opportunities exist on Pine Tree, including fishing, birding and hiking some of the woodland roads.

Restaurants and Other Facilities

The town of Colt, Arkansas, approximately 6 miles from Pine Tree, provides several places to enjoy a meal and a grocery store.