Arkansas Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Arkansas offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail across archery, muzzleloader, and firearm methods. Seasons run from August 29, 2026 through February 28, 2027. A resident sportsman's hunting license (incl. 6 deer + 2 turkey tags) costs $25.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Buck-only Archery | Archery | Aug 29, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 | Zone 1 dates; all 20 zones share this statewide archery calendar. | 🔔 |
| Archery (Regular) | Archery | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Alternative Firearms (1st segment) | Muzzleloader | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | Zone 1 dates; Alternative Firearms and Modern Gun windows vary by zone (1-17, plus 4A/5A/16A) — see AGFC's Deer Seasons and Limits by Zone. | 🔔 |
| Youth Modern Gun (1st segment) | Firearm | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | Public land youth hunters; check WMA for exceptions. | 🔔 |
| Modern Gun (1st segment) | Firearm | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | Zone 1 dates; other zones' Modern Gun windows run later/shorter — see AGFC's zone-by-zone page. | 🔔 |
| Alternative Firearms (2nd segment) | Muzzleloader | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Modern Gun (2nd segment) | Firearm | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Youth Modern Gun (2nd segment) | Firearm | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 3, 2027 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sportsman's Hunting License (incl. 6 deer + 2 turkey tags) | $25 | — | |
| Resident Wildlife Conservation License (small game + 1 deer) | $10.50 | — | |
| Nonresident Annual Hunting License (incl. 6 deer tags) | — | $410 | |
| Nonresident 5-Day License (2 deer tags) | — | $225 | |
| Nonresident 3-Day License (1 deer tag) | — | $175 |
Resident deer hunting is bundled into the Sportsman's or Wildlife Conservation license; nonresidents buy an annual or short-term license that includes deer tags.
Source: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission license descriptions & fees (agfc.com)
Arkansas hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
Arkansas Black bearAshley Black bearBaxter Black bearBoone Black bearBradley Black bearCarroll Black bearChicot Black bearClark Black bearCleburne Black bearColumbia Black bearConway Black bearCrawford Black bear
Browse all Arkansas harvest data →Arkansas hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Arkansas in 2026?
- Arkansas's 2026 whitetail archery season opens August 29 and runs through August 31. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Arkansas?
- In 2026, Arkansas has hunting seasons for whitetail.