Arkansas · Deer · 2026–27 Edition
Arkansas Deer Season 2026–27: Dates, Zones & Bag Limits
Aug 29 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons by method
| Method | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Early buck-only archery | Statewide | Aug 29 – Aug 31 |
| Archery (regular) | Statewide | Sep 26 – Feb 28 |
| Alternative firearms (muzzleloader / straight-wall) | Statewide (windows vary by zone) | Oct 17 – Oct 25 |
| Youth modern gun (early) | Statewide | Nov 7 – Nov 8 |
| Modern gun (opener) | Statewide (length varies by zone) | Nov 14 – Dec 6 |
| Modern gun (Christmas) | Statewide | Dec 26 – Dec 28 |
| Youth modern gun (late) | Statewide | Jan 2 – Jan 3 |
02 — Bag limits
| Statewide | Set by zone (typically 3–6 deer/season with antlered restrictions) — see AGFC Deer Seasons and Limits by Zone |
|---|
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (August 29, 2026) 06:11 — 20:09
Rule: Confirm legal deer hours with AGFC. (Shooting-hours rule not yet independently verified against the agency.) Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Arkansas sun times for any other date.
04 — License
A Arkansas hunting license and deer permit are required. A dedicated Arkansas license page — costs, age rules and where to buy — is coming; for now, buy and read the rules straight from the agency.
Arkansas licenses & permits — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission →
05 — FAQ
When does deer season start in Arkansas?
The earliest 2026–27 opener is August 29, 2026 (archery). Gun and muzzleloader dates differ — see the table above.
When does deer season end in Arkansas?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is February 28, 2027. Individual methods and zones close on their own dates.
Verified · Arkansas Game and Fish Commission · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Arkansas splits deer season across 20 zones (1–17, incl. 4A/5A/16A); modern gun and alternative firearms windows differ per zone. The rows below give the statewide-common season openings/closings — bag limits and exact windows are set per zone, see the AGFC 'Deer Seasons and Limits by Zone' page.