Public Land: Hunting and Fishing in Arkansas

Tony Hansen Avatar

Share

Arkansas has more than 100 public, state-owned wildlife management areas offering [excellent opportunities](https://www.agfc.com/hunting/pages/huntingwheretohunt.aspxp://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/ hunting_units.shtml) for hunting whitetails, turkeys, small game, and waterfowl. Anglers will find miles of creeks, rivers and lakes.

Beaver Lake WMA

•5,827 acres

•3-point antler restriction and one-buck limit for whitetail hunters

•Closed during turkey season

Dardanelle WMA

•Surrounds Lake Dardenelle and provides excellent fishing opportunities

•Waterfowl hunting allowed in most of the area

•Three-point antler restriction on whitetails, two-buck limit

Ozark National Forest

•1.2 million acres

•Deer and turkey hunting are primary draws

Ouachita National Forest

•1.8 million acres

•Part of the forest is located in eastern Oklahoma

•Extensive trail system for ease of access

Iron Mountain Natural Area WMA

•Located just west of Ouachita National Forest

•Archery-only whitetail hunting

•Three-point rule for whitetail bucks

Maumelle River WMA

•Archery-only whitetail hunting

•Three-point limit on whitetail bucks

•Special permit required for whitetail hunting

Piney Creeks WMA

•Covers 176,000 acres

•Hunting opportunities include whitetail deer, wild turkeys, black bear, gray and fox squirrels and raccoons

•Big Piney Creek and north fork of the Illinois Bayou offer diverse fishing opportunities

St. Francis Sunken Islands WMA

•The “Sunken Lands” were created and as a result of the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.

•26,000 acres with 10,000 owned by U.S. Corps of Engineers

•Well known waterfowl hunting area

More Links

Waterfowl Hunting Public Land

Where to Fish

Fishing Reports

Arkansas Boating

Find more public land access opportunities with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Hunt Planner.

Photo: Darnadelle Wildlife Management Area

Photo Cred: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers