2024-2025 Hunting Season Information Central Arkansas Refuges

2024-2025 Hunting Season Information - Central Arkansas Refuges

Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciate of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs. As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, deer populations will often grow too large for the refuge habitat to support.

Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuges offer visitors numerous hunting opportunities. Refer to each Refuge’s Public Use Regulations for a complete list specific seasons and regulations as they are updated annually. Bald Knob NWR, Holla Bend NWR, Wapanocca NWR, Cache River NWR, Big Lake NWR.

A Refuge Access Permit is free and is required for all hunting and fishing activities on Central Arkansas Refuges and can be found on the front cover of the annual Public Use Brochures. Permits are non-transferable and must be signed by the individual and carried at all times while on the refuge in possession of hunting and fishing gear. NEW

NEW Regulation Summary:

ATVs/UTVs exceeding the manufacturers dry weight of 1750 lbs and tire tread/lug greater 1 ¼” are prohibited.
Muzzleloader season will be limited to muzzleloaders shooting a single projectile only. Firearms which fire a straight-walled rifle cartridge .30 caliber or larger are prohibited during the Alternative Firearms (formerly muzzleloader) season.
Feral hogs may be taken incidentally during the entire archery deer season.
It is unlawful to possess, or take or attempt to take waterfowl with the use of, any simulated wing movement decoy or any decoy other than an artificial decoy that imitates the appearance of waterfowl: no moving parts or electrical components; and is not subjected to any artificial means that makes it appear to move, splash or cause ripples from the first day of the first segment of regular duck season through the last day of the last segment of regular duck season including teal and youth waterfowl season. Exception: Manually operated “jerk strings” may be used to simulate decoy movement.

Cache River NWR-

Boating will be in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Outboard motors with modified exhaust are prohibited.
Afternoon scouting for waterfowl is prohibited.
Unless specifically noted, waterfowl hunting areas are first come first serve. Waterfowl hunting groups or individuals may not join another group or individual unless it is agreed upon by the first hunting group or individual to arrive at a location. If not agreed upon by the first group, the second or subsequent group(s) or individual(s) to arrive should depart from the area immediately. All hunting parties must maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards apart.

Bald Knob NWR-

A limited number of Nighttime Frogging Permits will be sold during the first two weekends of the frogging season.
Refuge entry time for all activities is 5:00 am.
Waterfowl Draw Hunt Areas have been designated and are closed to all other entry Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and all opening days during the regular waterfowl season.
Unless specifically noted, waterfowl hunting areas are first come, first serve. Waterfowl hunting groups or individuals may not join another group or individual unless it is agreed upon by the first hunting group or individual to arrive at a location. If not agreed upon by the first group, the second or subsequent group(s) or individual(s) to arrive should depart from the area immediately.