Arkansas Deer Season 2025-26
Arkansas deer season dates start with Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Arkansas's listed 2025-26 firearm deer season runs Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 27, 2025 and closes Feb 28, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 27, 2025 and closes Feb 28, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Deer
36 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Alternative Firearms season is Closed
Zone: Zones 4, 5
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zones 4, 5
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zone 7
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15
White-tailed Deer
Archery (Early Buck)
Early Buck archery season
Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zone 7
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zones 4, 5
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Two segments: October 18–26 and December 13–15, 2025
Zone: Zone 7
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Single segment: October 18–26, 2025
Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Two segments: October 18–26 and December 13–15, 2025
Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Two segments: October 18–26 and December 20–22, 2025
Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Single segment: October 18–26, 2025
Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Firearms
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zones 4, 5
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zone 7
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4 (year listed as 2025 in source, may be typo for 2026)
Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026
Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13
White-tailed Deer
Special Youth (Modern Gun)
Two segments: November 2–3 and January 4–5
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–December 7 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–December 14 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–16 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zones 4, 5
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zone 7
White-tailed Deer
Modern Gun
Two segments: November 8–December 25 and December 26–28, 2025
Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17
White-tailed Deer
Christmas Holiday Hunt
Christmas Holiday Hunt statewide
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby deer seasons
Arkansas Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in Arkansas?
September 6, 2025 is the earliest listed deer opener in Arkansas — archery (early buck) white-tailed deer runs Sep 6-8, 2025. Confirm zone and permit details with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
What are the 2025-26 deer season dates in Arkansas?
Arkansas lists 35 deer season windows: Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer (Sep 6-8, 2025); Archery White-tailed Deer (Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026); and more. Always verify against Arkansas Game & Fish Commission before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in Arkansas?
Yes — Arkansas lists separate deer seasons for Archery (Early Buck) White-tailed Deer, Archery White-tailed Deer, Alternative Firearms White-tailed Deer, Special Youth (Modern Gun) White-tailed Deer, Modern Gun White-tailed Deer, Christmas Holiday Hunt White-tailed Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.