When does deer season start in Arkansas?

September 27, 2025 is the first listed deer opener for Arkansas; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026.

When is Arkansas's firearm deer season?

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Arkansas. Check zone and permit details with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission before hunting.

When does spring turkey open in Arkansas?

A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Arkansas yet. Check Arkansas Game & Fish Commission for the latest turkey dates.

Do I need a license to hunt in Arkansas?

Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Arkansas hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

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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.

The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Last verified: July 9, 2026 · Source: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Deer

36 listed rows

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

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)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zone 1

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zones 4, 5

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zone 7

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Early Buck)

Closed

—

Sep 6-8, 2025

Early Buck archery season

Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zone 7

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zones 4, 5

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zone 1

Show 24 more deer rows

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15

White-tailed Deer

Archery

Closed

—

Sep 27, 2025-Feb 28, 2026

Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 18-Dec 15, 2025

Two segments: October 18–26 and December 13–15, 2025

Zone: Zone 7

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 18-26, 2025

Single segment: October 18–26, 2025

Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 18-Dec 15, 2025

Two segments: October 18–26 and December 13–15, 2025

Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 18-Dec 22, 2025

Two segments: October 18–26 and December 20–22, 2025

Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 18-26, 2025

Single segment: October 18–26, 2025

Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13

White-tailed Deer

Alternative Firearms

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026

Zone: Zone 1

White-tailed Deer

Special Youth (Modern Gun)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026

Zone: Zones 4, 5

White-tailed Deer

Special Youth (Modern Gun)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026

Zone: Zone 7

White-tailed Deer

Special Youth (Modern Gun)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026

Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17

White-tailed Deer

Special Youth (Modern Gun)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

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)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

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)

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Jan 4, 2026

Two segments: November 1–2, 2025 and January 3–4, 2026

Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13

White-tailed Deer

Special Youth (Modern Gun)

Closed

—

Nov 2, 2025-Jan 5, 2026

Two segments: November 2–3 and January 4–5

Zone: Zone 1

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zones 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–December 7 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zones 4A, 5A, 14, 15

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–December 14 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zones 9, 12, 13

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zone 1

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–16 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zones 4, 5

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–30 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zone 7

White-tailed Deer

Modern Gun

Closed

—

Nov 8-Dec 28, 2025

Two segments: November 8–December 25 and December 26–28, 2025

Zone: Zones 16, 16A, 17

White-tailed Deer

Christmas Holiday Hunt

Closed

—

Dec 26-28, 2025

Christmas Holiday Hunt statewide

Zone: Statewide