LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission announced that some updates and changes have been made to existing hunting and fishing regulations.
During the 2024 regulation process, the Arkansas Code of Regulations reportedly saw over 150 changes from March through July.
While most of these changes were simple adjustments to existing regulations, there are a few major changes to note in the 2024 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.
All resident fishing and hunting guide license fees have increased from $25 to $250 annually.
In terms of gun regulations, non-semiautomatic centerfire firearms that fire a straight-wall cartridge .30 caliber or larger and large bore air rifles will now be allowed during alternative firearms seasons. This includes handguns with barrels 4 inches or longer.
However, shotguns with slugs are not allowed during alternative firearms season.
Non-semiautomatic rifles chambered for straight-wall centerfire cartridge cases that fire .30 caliber or larger will now be allowed during modern gun deer season in Deer Zones 4 and 5. Shotguns with slugs are only permitted in Deer Zones 4 and 5 during the modern gun deer season.
Additionally, wounded big game may be dispatched with a legally possessed handgun no larger than .45 caliber with a barrel no longer than 6 inches.
Another big change includes the statewide elimination of the Private Land Antlerless Only Modern Gun Hunt.
Spears can now be used as legal archery equipment, and the archery quota for Bear Zone 1 has been increased to 450 bears— however, taking a radio-collared bear is illegal.
An early buck archery hunt is set for September 7-9 on private land and on AGFC-owned or leased land WMAs, with a limit to one buck.
During the final nine days of the regular modern gun deer season (not including December 26-28), nonresidents may hunt deer with dogs on private and public land where it is allowed.
For turkey hunters, residents must obtain both a free Resident Turkey Tag (RTT) and a Resident Sportsman’s License.
Nonresidents must have either a Nonresident Annual Hunting License and a Nonresident Turkey Tag, or a Nonresident Annual Turkey License, which includes a single turkey tag.
Hunters harvesting an alligator will now be able to check it online rather than calling AGFC Radio Dispatch after harvest and before moving it. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES tag will be mailed to the hunter afterward.
Some other notable changes the AGFC highlighted include:
- Added Cleburne, Craighead, Mississippi, and Sharp counties to the CWD Management Zone
- Tree hooks with screw threads not greater than three-eights-inch in diameter are now allowed on AGFC-owned WMAs.
- Trail cameras on WMAs must have the owner’s name and address or CID visible in paint, tag, or permanent marker.
- Portable hunting blinds, stands, or associated equipment on WMAs must be moved at least 200 yards after 14 consecutive days
- Stands and blinds may not be placed on a WMA more than 14 days before deer archery season and must be removed within 14 days after the close of deer archery season
To review all the changes made, including ones that impact waterfowl hunters, you can view the AGFC hunting and fishing regulations guidebook online here.
The Statewide 2024 Deer Season Opening Days include:
- Early Buck Archery Season (private land and some WMAs) — Sept. 7-9
- Regular Archery Season — Sept. 28
- Alternative Firearms (formerly Muzzleloader) Season — Oct. 19
- Modern Gun Season — Nov. 9
- Special Youth Modern Gun Hunts — Nov. 2-3 and Jan. 4-5
- Private Land Antlerless-only Modern Gun Hunt — CLOSED
