Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Arkansas: 2026-27 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026-27). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early buck-only archery | All deer zones | Aug 29, 2026 to Aug 31, 2026 | Bucks only; no more than one legal buck. |
| Archery | All deer zones | Sep 26, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Youth modern gun hunt | All deer zones | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026 | Public-land youth hunters: check the WMA listing for exceptions. |
| Youth modern gun hunt | All deer zones | Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 3, 2027 | Second youth weekend. |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | Dec 19, 2026 to Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 9, 12 and 13 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Alternative firearms | Zones 16, 16A and 17 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Modern gun | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Modern gun | Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 28, 2026 | Christmas holiday hunt, all zones. |
| Modern gun | Zones 4 and 5 | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 22, 2026 | Alternative firearms season is closed in these zones. |
| Modern gun | Zones 4 and 5 | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 28, 2026 | Christmas holiday hunt, all zones. |
| Modern gun | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Modern gun | Zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15 | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 28, 2026 | Christmas holiday hunt, all zones. |
| Modern gun | Zones 9, 12 and 13 | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Modern gun | Zones 9, 12 and 13 | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 28, 2026 | Christmas holiday hunt, all zones. |
| Modern gun | Zones 16, 16A and 17 | Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 28, 2026 | Runs through the Christmas holiday hunt. |
Source: AGFC: deer seasons and limits by zone (2026-27). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sportsman's License (RS), annual | $25.00 | Hunting. Includes six deer tags, two turkey tags and one bear tag. Expires June 30. | Official page |
| Resident Fisheries Conservation License (FSH), annual | $10.50 | Fishing. A Resident Trout Permit is needed to keep trout or fish certain waters. | Official page |
| Resident Combination Sportsman's License (CS), annual | $35.50 | Hunting and sport fishing. Expires June 30. | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- Every zone allows four deer per season with no more than two antlered bucks; the antlerless limits differ by zone and season (see each zone on the AGFC page). Button bucks count as antlerless deer. No dogs may be used for deer hunting.
Source: AGFC: deer seasons and limits by zone. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - CWD regulations apply in some counties, and some zones restrict legal bucks to button bucks or bucks with at least three points on one side outside the CWD Management Zone.
Source: AGFC: deer seasons and limits by zone. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Hunting licenses expire June 30; the Resident Sportsman's License includes six deer tags, two turkey tags and one bear tag.
Source: AGFC: hunting license descriptions and fees. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Zone-by-county map and the zone limit details, WMA-specific dates, bear, turkey, small game and waterfowl dates, fishing seasons, trout and other permits, senior and non-resident licenses.