Arkansas Elk Season 2026
Arkansas elk season dates start with Oct 5-9, 2026. The table below keeps every listed elk row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Arkansas's listed 2026 elk season runs Oct 5-9, 2026.
Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk opens Oct 5, 2026 and closes Oct 9, 2026.
Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk opens Oct 24, 2026 and closes Oct 25, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Elk
Elk
Regular (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By Private Land Elk Permit. Private land elk permits available for purchase after May 15 annually, no deadline. Must contact AGFC at 833-356-0824 immediately upon harvest and check online at agfc.com within 12 hours.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Private Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By drawn permit only. Application period May 1-June 1, permits selected by random draw in late June. Nonresidents ineligible for public land permit through draw process.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Public Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By drawn permit only. Application period May 1-June 1, permits selected by random draw in late June. Nonresidents ineligible for public land permit through draw process.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Public Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Youth (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By Private Land Elk Permit. Private land elk permits available for purchase after May 15 annually, no deadline. Must contact AGFC at 833-356-0824 immediately upon harvest and check online at agfc.com within 12 hours.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Private Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By drawn permit only. Application period May 1-June 1, permits selected by random draw in late June. Nonresidents ineligible for public land permit through draw process.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Public Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Regular (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By Private Land Elk Permit. Private land elk permits available for purchase after May 15 annually, no deadline. Must contact AGFC at 833-356-0824 immediately upon harvest and check online at agfc.com within 12 hours.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Private Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Statewide (Concurrent with Deer Season)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Elk found outside of the Core Elk Management Zone may be taken without a permit during deer season with weapon legal for that season. Hunters who harvest an elk must immediately call 833-356-0824 to receive checking and tagging information and check online at agfc.com within 12 hours. CWD sample required.
Zone: Statewide Elk Management Zone (outside Core Elk Management Zone)
Elk
Youth (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By Private Land Elk Permit. Private land elk permits available for purchase after May 15 annually, no deadline. Must contact AGFC at 833-356-0824 immediately upon harvest and check online at agfc.com within 12 hours.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Private Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
Elk
Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone)
By drawn permit only. Application period May 1-June 1, permits selected by random draw in late June. Nonresidents ineligible for public land permit through draw process.
Zone: Core Elk Management Zone - Public Land (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties)
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Nearby elk seasons
Arkansas Elk Season FAQ
When does elk season open in Arkansas?
October 3, 2026 is the earliest listed elk opener in Arkansas — youth (private land, core elk management zone) elk runs Oct 3-4, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
What are the 2026 elk season dates in Arkansas?
Arkansas lists 8 elk season windows: Youth (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 3-4, 2026); Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 3-4, 2026); Regular (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 5-9, 2026); Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 5-9, 2026); Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 24-25, 2026); Youth (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 24-25, 2026); Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 26-30, 2026); Regular (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk (Oct 26-30, 2026). Always verify against Arkansas Game & Fish Commission before hunting.
Are there different elk seasons in Arkansas?
Yes — Arkansas lists separate elk seasons for Youth (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk, Youth (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk, Regular (Private Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk, Regular (Public Land, Core Elk Management Zone) Elk. 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 elk in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and elk hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.