The forthcoming Arkansas Duck Season in 2023 promises to be exciting for waterfowl enthusiasts. Hunters will have plenty of time to chase ducks, coots, and mergansers over a long period. The season is split into many halves, allowing hunters to schedule their expeditions appropriately. There is a chance to gather a variety of species with a daily bag restriction of six birds. Early mornings in the field may be fruitful during the shooting window, which lasts from 30 minutes before dawn until midday. To participate in this thrilling season, you must have a current Arkansas hunting license and waterfowl stamp, regardless of whether you are a resident or nonresident hunter. Prepare yourself, hone your abilities, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of Arkansas for a lifetime of duck hunting experiences.
Season Snapshot
| Duck Season Segment | Dates |
|---|---|
| Season Opener | November 18 - 26 |
| First Split | November 30 - December 3 |
| Second Split | December 7 - 23 |
| Third Split | December 26 - 31 |
| Final Split | January 6 - 29 |
| Early Teal Season | October 28th-November 10th |
| Regular Duck Season | November 18th-December 9th |
| Late Duck Season | December 10th-January 30th |
| Youth Waterfowl Hunt | December 2nd and February 4th |
Details of Arkansas Duck Season
Ducks, Coots & Merganser
| AR Duck Season | Hunting Dates | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck | 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit |
| 9-Dec-23 to 23-Dec-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit | |
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit | |
| Coot | 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit |
| 9-Dec-23 to 23-Dec-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit | |
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit | |
| Merganser | 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit |
| 9-Dec-23 to 23-Dec-23 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit | |
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 | 6 | 3 times of the daily bag limit |
Special Season
| Special Season | Hunting Dates | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Early Teal | 15-Sep-23 to 30-Sep-23 | 6 | 18 |
| Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt | 2-Dec-23 to 2-Dec-23 | Similar to regular duck and goose seasons | Similar to regular duck and goose seasons |
| 3-Feb-24 to 3-Feb-24 | |||
| Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Hunt | 3-Feb-24 to 3-Feb-24 | Similar to regular duck and goose seasons | Similar to regular duck and goose seasons |
Goose Season
| AR Gooses Season | Hunting Dates | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose | 1-Sep-23 to 15-Oct-23 | 5 | 15 |
| Canada Goose | 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | 2 | 6 |
| 9-Dec-23 to 23-Dec-23 | |||
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 | |||
| White-fronted Goose | 28-Oct-23 to 10-Nov-23 | 3 | 9 |
| 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | |||
| 9-Dec-23 to 23-Dec-23 | |||
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 | |||
| Light Goose Conservation Order (Snow, Blue, and Ross’s) | 1-Feb-24 to 2-Feb-24 | None | None |
| 5-Feb-24 to 25-April-24 | |||
| Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose | 28-Oct-23 to 10-Nov-23 | 20 | No possession limit |
| 18-Nov-23 to 26-Nov-23 | |||
| 9-Dec-23 to Dec 23, 2023J | |||
| 27-Dec-23 to 31-Jan-24 |
WMA Areas
The AGFC-owned wildlife management areas (WMAs) that will only allow waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the 2023–2024 hunting season are listed in the following table.
| Arkansas WMA | County |
|---|---|
| Bell Slough | Poinsett |
| Ed Gordon Point Remove | Jefferson |
| Frog Bayou | Saline |
| Galla Creek | Searcy |
| Dyer Lake Unit of Ozark Lake | Sharp |
| drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets |
Duck regulations in AR
All WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas) need a free yearly WMA General Use Permit for hunting or trapping. Permits are available from any regional office via phone at 800-364-4263 or www.agfc.com.
- A free yearly WMA General Use Permit is necessary for hunting or trapping on all WMAs. You may get permits by contacting 800-364-4263, visiting www.agfc.com, or visiting any regional office.
- In wildlife management areas, special use areas, or national wildlife refuges, it is prohibited to guide waterfowl hunters. There are consequences for both hunters and guides.
- Except on certain occasions, the waterfowl hunting season ends at noon. Hunting is permitted from 30 minutes before dawn till dusk on certain occasions.
- Depending on the day and WMA, waterfowl hunters must leave water-inundated regions or water courses by particular times, often 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
- On WMAs, special use areas, wildlife demonstration areas, waterfowl decoys, dog stands, and platforms should be kept promptly. In staging sites, boats must be occupied, and overnight boat storage is only permitted in a few places.
- Except for particular conditions, using or owning cutting tools like chainsaws, hatchets, or trimmers on Commission-owned WMAs is forbidden.
- Diverse types of duck blinds must be removed daily after shooting hours on all WMAs, including river channels within the external limits.
- On specified WMAs and NWRs, adolescents aged 15 and under can hunt without a shotshell restriction from 30 minutes before dawn to sunset.
- On authorized WMAs and NWRs, active duty military personnel and veterans can hunt waterfowl without a shotshell restriction from 30 minutes before dawn to sunset.
- On WMAs and national wildlife refuges controlled by the Commission, certain waterfowl decoys, including those with simulated wing movement or artificial movement methods, are forbidden.
- Manually controlled “jerk strings” to imitate movement is an exception to the ban on simulated wing movement decoys.
Duck Hunting Licenses in AR
| AR License/Stamp | Nonresident Fees | Resident Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25.00 | N/A |
| Annual Hunting License | $410 | $35.50 |
| Youth Hunting License | $25.00 | $5.00 |
| Waterfowl Stamp | $50.00 | $7.00 |
| HIP (Harvest Information Program) Registration | Free | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season start and end in 2023?
On November 18, 2023, the Arkansas duck hunting season opens and lasts through January 31, 2024. This season is for ducks, coots, and mergansers. The season is divided into three parts: November 18 through November 26, December 9 through December 23, and December 27 through January 31. The combined daily bag limit for ducks, coots, and mergansers is six; during the second section, it is three times as much. For any further information or changes, it’s crucial to study the precise rules and deadlines listed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
What is the duck and goose bag limit in Arkansas?
The following are the Arkansas duck and goose bag limits: Hunters are permitted to take a maximum of 6 ducks per day, the daily bag limit for ducks. There is a daily bag restriction of five birds for geese, which permits hunters to capture up to five geese each day. Adherence to these bag restrictions and any additional rules established by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is crucial to guarantee ethical and sustainable hunting activities.
What time of day can you go duck hunting?
In Arkansas, shooting is legal from 30 minutes before dawn to noon during duck hunting. In other words, hunters are permitted to shoot at ducks beginning 30 minutes before daybreak and may keep hunting until midday. To guarantee compliance with laws and encourage safe hunting techniques, hunters must be aware of and adhere to these shooting hours.
What are the requirements for a waterfowl hunting license in Arkansas?
A current hunting license and a waterfowl stamp are required to hunt waterfowl in Arkansas. These criteria may be satisfied by purchasing a hunting license from any Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) office or online. Before engaging in waterfowl hunting activities inside the state, hunters must ensure they have the required permits and stamps.
Can I hunt ducks on Sundays during the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season?
Hunters are allowed to shoot ducks on Sundays during the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season. As a result, hunting for ducks is not prohibited on Sundays and is permitted along with the usual hunting schedule. Within the designated hunting season dates, hunters can go duck hunting every day of the week, including Sundays.
Can nonresidents hunt ducks during the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season?
During the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season, nonresidents are permitted to go duck hunting, but they must ensure they have the appropriate hunting permits and stamps. Nonresident hunters in Arkansas must possess a current hunting license and a waterfowl stamp to hunt ducks. Nonresidents may take advantage of the chance to hunt ducks in Arkansas and enjoy the excitement of waterfowl hunting in the state by meeting these conditions.
Can I use simulated wing movement decoys during the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season?
No, employing decoys that mimic wing movement during the Arkansas duck hunting season is not permitted. Only artificial decoys that resemble waterfowl but don’t have any moving parts or electrical components are permitted.
Are there any youth hunting opportunities during the Arkansas Duck Hunting Season?
Yes, there are specified dates when special youth waterfowl hunts are offered. Younger hunters (15 and under) are subject to unique rules and may have varying bag limitations.
