Arkansas hunting dates for the 2026–2027 season are officially set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The season spans multiple dates depending on the game:
Deer
Waterfowl
- Duck, Coot, and Merganser: Nov. 21 – 29, Dec. 10 – 23, and Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
- Canada Goose: Sept. 1 – Oct. 15, Nov. 21 – 29, Dec. 10 – 23, and Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
Turkey
Fall Season: Oct. 17 – Dec. 5 and Dec. 26 – Feb. 28, 2027
Spring Youth Hunt: April10 –11, 2027
Regular Spring Season: April 17 – May 16, 2027 [1,4]
Bear Hunting Dates (2026-2027):
- Archery Season: September 1 – September 20, 2026
- Muzzleloader Season: October 15 – October 25, 2026
- Firearms Season: November 15 – December 10, 2026
- Spring Season (2027): April 15 – May 31, 2027
Waterfowl Hunting Dates
Special Early Teal Season
- Sept. 20-28
Duck, Coot, and Merganser
- Nov. 22-Dec. 1, Dec. 10-23, and Dec. 27, 2025-Jan. 31, 2027
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt
- Feb. 7-8, 2026
Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Hunt
- Feb. 7-8, 2026
White-fronted, Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose
- Oct. 25-Nov. 2, Nov. 22-Dec. 1, Dec. 10-23, and Dec. 27, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
Canada Goose
- Sept. 1-Oct. 15, Nov. 22-Dec. 1, Dec. 10-23, and Dec. 27, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
Light Goose Conservation Order (Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose)
- Feb. 1-6, Feb. 9 – April 25, 2027
Early Migratory Birds Hunting Dates (2026-2027)
Dove (Mourning, White-winged, and Eurasian collared-dove)
- Sept. 5-Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 11, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
Virginia Rail and Sora
- Sept. 12-Nov. 20, 2026
Common and Purple Gallinule
- Sept. 1-Nov. 9, 2026
Wilson’s Snipe
- Nov. 1, 2026-Feb. 15, 2027
Woodcock
- Nov. 1-Dec. 15, 2026
Small Game Hunting Dates (2026-2027)
- Squirrel: May 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
- Rabbit: Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
- Quail: Nov. 1, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027
- Crow: Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 19, 2027 (Thursdays–Mondays only)
