The Wait Is Over: Arkansas Hunters Return to the Woods for Modern Gun Deer Season

Hunting runs deep in Arkansas’s roots, a key part of the state’s heritage passed down through generations. While the activity has become more regulated over the years to support wildlife conservation, Arkansans take every opportunity they can to head into the woods.

This weekend marks one of the most anticipated moments of the year, the opening of modern gun deer season. Thousands of hunters across the state will return to the forests to participate in a pastime that remains among Arkansas’s most popular outdoor activities.

An estimated 290,000 hunters, enough to fill Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium more than four times, are expected to take part. For many, the season is more than just hunting. It offers a chance to reconnect with nature, gather around campfires with friends and family, and engage in an activity that continues to shape life in the Natural State.

Early Hunts Set the Stage

Arkansas’s deer season unfolds in several stages, beginning with archery and alternative firearms hunts. So far, hunters have harvested and checked more than 47,700 deer during these early phases, including the youth hunt held last weekend.

Modern gun season, which opens Saturday, November 8, is considered the main event. Historically, hunters check more than 30,000 deer during the first weekend alone. With Veterans Day falling on Tuesday this year, many hunting camps are expected to extend their celebrations into a four-day weekend.

This period is the only time licensed hunters can harvest white-tailed deer with modern firearms. While Arkansas is now home to nearly one million white-tailed deer, the population was once in serious decline. Overhunting in the 1920s and 1930s nearly wiped out the species, and by the 1940s, deer hunting had been banned in many counties.

Decades of conservation efforts by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, including refuge systems and restocking programs, have successfully restored the deer population. Today, Arkansas supports one of the healthiest deer populations in the South, so regulated hunting has little impact on the overall numbers.

Guidelines for a Safe Hunt

Before entering forest, hunters should take a few moments to review key details to ensure a safe and successful experience.

Start by making sure your hunting license is up to date and that your free deer tags are downloaded via the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) website or mobile app. Youth and lifetime license holders may need to download their tags manually. Detailed instructions are available at www.agfc.com/licensingsupport.

Next, make sure your firearm is legal for your hunting zone or wildlife management area. In Zones 4 and 5, as well as certain wildlife management areas, only shotguns .410 and larger with slugs, muzzleloaders, rifles using straight-walled cartridges .30 caliber or larger, and legal air rifles are permitted,

If you plan to hunt in areas affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD), remember that only deboned meat, cleaned skulls, antlers, or finished taxidermy may leave those zones. Testing is free and voluntary at AGFC drop-off sites. More information is available at www.agfc.com/cwd.

Hunters born after 1968 must carry a Hunter Education card or have “HE Verified” status in their AGFC account. Hunters under 16, or those with a Deferred Education Code, must remain within arm’s reach of a licensed hunter. Details on requirements and courses are at www.agfc.com/huntered.

Safety should always come first. Every hunter and mentor must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or safety chartreuse above the waist, along with a matching hat visible at all times. Visibility is essential, even inside a blind.

Inspect your tree stands carefully before heading out. Weather and rodents can weaken straps, bolts, and welds over time. Test your safety harness and tether to ensure they are in good working order.

Finally, always let a family member or friend know where you will be hunting and when you plan to return. Sharing your location can be critical in case of an emergency.

Tagging and Checking Your Deer

After harvesting a deer, it must be checked within 12 hours. If you have cell service, you can complete the check immediately through the AGFC app or website. If service is unavailable, create a temporary tag using a piece of paper that includes your name, CID number, the sex of the deer, and the date, time, and county of harvest.

If you plan to drop off a checked deer at a processor, taxidermist, or deer camp, ensure that a tag stays with the animal. Sample tags are available on pages 115–121 of the 2025–26 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.

Properly tagging and checking deer is essential not only for legal compliance but also for wildlife management. The white-tailed deer was officially designated Arkansas’s state mammal in 1993, reflecting both the land and the dedication of those who work to protect it. Careful tagging and reporting help authorities monitor and conserve the deer population, supporting sustainable hunting and ensuring healthy herds for generations of Arkansans.

The Alternative Firearms Season

The recently introduced alternative firearms season gives hunters additional options beyond traditional muzzleloaders. It permits the use of muzzleloading rifles of .40 caliber or larger with 18-inch barrels, muzzleloading handguns of .45 caliber or larger with 9-inch barrels, and large-bore air rifles of .40 caliber or larger that generate at least 400 foot-pounds of energy. Hunters may also use non-semi-automatic centerfire firearms that fire straight-walled metallic cartridges of .30 caliber or larger. Semi-automatic and automatic rifles remain prohibited during this season but are allowed during modern gun hunts. A complete list of approved equipment is available on page 48 of the 2025–26 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.

Stay Safe and Enjoy the Hunt

Before heading into the woods, save the AGFC radio room number (833-356-0824) in your phone. Game wardens are trained first responders who can assist in emergencies or help report illegal activity. Learn more about their roles at www.agfc.com/enforcement.

For comprehensive hunting resources, maps, and regulations, visit www.agfc.com/deer.

As opening weekend arrives on Saturday, thousands of Arkansans are eager to head into the woods and celebrate the sense of community that hunting fosters.