Thousands of Arkansan’s are expected to head into the woods this weekend as Arkansas’ modern gun deer hunting season officially opens on Saturday, November 8.
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), hunters have already checked in more than 47,700 deer statewide through archery season, the alternative firearms season, and last weekend’s youth deer hunt.
AGFC staff anticipate a busy opening weekend in hunting camps across the state, especially with the Veterans Day holiday falling on Tuesday, giving many hunters an extended weekend to spend in the field.
As hunters prepare for opening day, AGFC reminds everyone to double-check licenses, equipment, and safety gear before heading out.
Things to Remember Before Opening Day
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Licenses and tags: Make sure your hunting license is up to date and that you’ve downloaded your free deer tags through the AGFC website or mobile app.
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Firearm restrictions: Ensure your firearm is legal for the zone or wildlife management area (WMA) you’re hunting. Hunters in Deer Zones 4 and 5 and some WMAs are limited to shotguns (.410 and larger) with slugs, muzzleloaders, rifles firing straight-walled cartridges (.30-caliber or larger), and legal air rifles.
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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Check the AGFC’s CWD zones and testing locations. Only deboned meat, cleaned skulls, antlers, and finished taxidermy may legally leave a CWD zone.
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Hunter Education: Hunters 16 and older who were born after 1968 must have completed Hunter Education or have “HE-Verified” status on their AGFC license account. Hunters under 16 or those with a Deferred Hunter Education Code (DHE) may still hunt but must remain within arm’s reach of a licensed adult.
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Safety colors: All hunters and mentors are required by law to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or safety chartreuse above the waist, along with a matching hat, both visible at all times.
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Tree stand safety: Inspect all straps, welds, and bolts, and test your safety harness before use.
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Tell someone your plans: Make sure a responsible person knows your hunting location and expected return time.
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Emergency contacts: Save the AGFC Radio Room number (833-356-0824) in your phone before heading out.
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Check your deer: All harvested deer must be checked within 12 hours of harvest through the AGFC website, app, or by phone.
The AGFC encourages all hunters to prioritize safety, ethics, and conservation as Arkansas’s most popular hunting season begins.
