When is Turkey Season in Arkansas?
Arkansas offers two distinct turkey hunting seasons: a spring modern gun season and a fall archery season. The spring season provides the most opportunity for hunters, while the fall season caters to those who prefer the challenge of archery hunting.
Spring Modern Gun Season:
- Dates: The spring modern gun season opens on the Monday closest to April 7 and ends on May 7.
- Bag Limit: The statewide bag limit for the spring season is two legal turkeys, with no jakes or females allowed. Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit.
- Zone Restrictions: Zone 1 hunters can only harvest one legal turkey during the first 7 days of the season. Zone 2 hunters can harvest two legal turkeys during the first 7 days.
Fall Archery Season:
- Dates: The fall archery season opens on October 1 and runs through February 29.
- Bag Limit: The statewide bag limit for the fall season is one legal turkey, with no jakes or females allowed.
- Zone Restrictions: Zone restrictions apply to the fall season as well. Zone 1 hunters can only harvest one legal turkey during the entire season. Zone 2 hunters can harvest two legal turkeys during the entire season.
Additional Regulations:
- Youth Turkey Hunt: A special youth turkey hunt is held on April 6-7, 2024, for hunters 6 to 15 years old. The bag limit for the youth hunt is one legal turkey or jake.
- Hunting Licenses and Permits: All turkey hunters must possess a valid Arkansas hunting license and turkey permit.
- Hunter Education: Hunters born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete a hunter education course before they can purchase a hunting license.
- Checking Your Turkey: All harvested turkeys must be checked in through the AGFC’s online system or at a designated check station.
Tips for a Successful Turkey Hunt:
- Scouting: Spend time scouting potential hunting areas before the season begins. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
- Camouflage: Wear camouflage clothing that blends in with your surroundings.
- Calling: Use turkey calls to attract turkeys to your location.
- Patience: Turkey hunting requires patience. Be prepared to sit still and wait for a turkey to come into range.
Where to Find More Information:
- AGFC Turkey Hunting Page: https://www.agfc.com/hunting/turkey/
- 2024 Turkey Hunting Regulations: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/turkey/turkey-dates-rules-regulations/
- Turkey Permits and Stamps: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/turkey/turkey-permits-stamps/
Get Ready for Your Arkansas Turkey Hunting Adventure!
Arkansas offers a fantastic turkey hunting experience with its two distinct seasons and diverse terrain. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting out, the state provides ample opportunities to bag a gobbler. By following the regulations, preparing adequately, and utilizing the resources available, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy a memorable turkey hunting trip in the Natural State.
The turkey has a rich and storied history in America and Arkansas. Native Americans, including the Quapaw tribe in Arkansas, raised and hunted the bird long before the European settlers arrived.
The wild turkey subspecies native to Arkansas is the eastern wild turkey. It is the state’s largest game bird.
Known for their intelligence, wild turkeys offer a unique challenge to hunters. Although there was a time when there were plenty of wild turkeys in the nation and in Arkansas, careless hunting and habitat loss caused the population to drop in the early 20th century.
Over the years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has worked hard to boost the number of wild turkeys. The hunting season, which takes place in the spring, is fairly short-lived, with only two zones. Although public turkey hunting is widely available in Arkansas, the AGFC uses random drawings to limit the number of hunters permitted during turkey season in order to improve the quality of the hunt at some of the more well-liked wildlife management areas.
Wild Turkey Strategic Management Plan | 2020-2030
This plan’s objective is to give the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Wild Turkey Program long-term, strategic direction.
What to know about Arkansas’s turkey hunting season | Outdoor Report
FAQ
What day does turkey season open in Arkansas?
Can you shoot a turkey with a rifle in Arkansas?
What is the bag limit for turkeys in Arkansas?
When should I go turkey hunting?
When does Turkey season start in Arkansas?
The season normally begins on April 15, lasts through April 23 in Zone 1, and from April 15 to May 5 in Zone 2. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s most recent rules and changes are always the greatest sources of information since actual dates may change. Can youth hunters participate in the Arkansas turkey season?
What age can you hunt a Turkey in Arkansas?
Only hunters aged 6 to 15 can participate in the Special Youth Hunt, and the bag limit is one. When does the Arkansas turkey season usually start? It opens at a different time, depending on the zone. The season normally begins on April 15, lasts through April 23 in Zone 1, and from April 15 to May 5 in Zone 2.
Can you hunt a Turkey in Arkansas?
Licenses are available for residents and non-residents. 5. Only shotguns, 10-gauge or smaller, and archery equipment are allowed for legal turkey hunting. Traps, snares, nets, dogs, or live decoys are not allowed for hunting. As turkey season approaches for 2021, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has new regulations for turkey hunting.
How many turkeys can a Hunter check in Arkansas?
A new Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rule says, “Only one turkey may be checked per hunter during the first seven days of the season, regardless of zone.” (Special to The Commercial/Mike Wintroath, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission) Spring turkey season in Arkansas starts April 19, and hunters should be aware of changes because there are many.