Because the crisp air of autumn approaches, waterfowl lovers eagerly anticipate the arrival of duck season in Arkansas. The 2024-2025 season guarantees to be one other memorable one, with an abundance of waterfowl and thrilling searching alternatives. The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee has meticulously crafted the season’s framework, making certain ample time for hunters to pursue their quarry whereas sustaining the sustainability of the useful resource.
The upcoming season includes a beneficiant 60-day framework, offering ample alternatives for hunters to expertise the exhilaration of the game. The season kicks off on November 10, 2024, and concludes on January 2, 2025. Throughout this era, hunters can embark on thrilling morning and afternoon hunts, maximizing their probabilities of harvesting a wide range of duck species, together with mallards, wooden geese, and gadwalls. Moreover, the season features a particular youth waterfowl hunt, permitting younger hunters to take part within the custom and foster a lifelong ardour for the game.
To reinforce the searching expertise, the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee has designated quite a few waterfowl administration areas all through the state. These areas supply distinctive alternatives for hunters to search out concentrations of waterfowl and luxuriate in a memorable searching expertise. Hunters are inspired to discover these areas, make the most of the obtainable assets, and cling to the established laws to make sure a protected and moral hunt. By working collectively, hunters and the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee can proceed to protect the custom of duck searching in Arkansas and guarantee its future for generations to return.
Opening Day and Season Dates
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee has introduced the dates for the 2024-2025 duck season. The season will open on November 12, 2024, and can run till February 15, 2025. There might be a complete of 60 days of duck searching through the season.
The opening day of duck season is all the time a extremely anticipated occasion for hunters in Arkansas. The state has a number of the greatest duck searching within the nation, and hunters from all around the world come to Arkansas to expertise the thrill of the hunt.
The season dates for the 2024-2025 duck season are as follows:
| Zone | Opening Day | Closing Day |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | November 12, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| Zone 2 | November 19, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| Zone 3 | November 26, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
Hunters are reminded to examine the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee’s web site for extra details about the duck season, together with bag limits and different laws.
Each day Bag and Possession Limits
The every day bag restrict for geese, coots, and mergansers in Arkansas through the 2024-2025 season is six (6) birds per day, with a possession restrict of 18 (48 for mergansers). This contains all species mixed, besides scaup, which have a every day bag restrict of 1 (1) and a possession restrict of three (3). To make sure compliance, hunters should instantly breast all geese, coots, and mergansers taken every day.
| Species | Each day Bag Restrict | Possession Restrict |
|---|---|---|
| Geese (besides scaup) | 6 | 18 |
| Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Coots | 6 | 18 |
| Mergansers | 6 | 48 |
For extra detailed and up-to-date info on every day bag and possession limits, hunters are inspired to confer with the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee web site or seek the advice of the official Arkansas Looking Guidebook.
Capturing Hours and Zones
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) has introduced the duck season dates and taking pictures hours for the 2024-2025 season. The season will run from November 17, 2024, to January 25, 2025. Capturing hours might be from dawn to sundown every day.
Arkansas is split into three duck searching zones: the Japanese Zone, the Western Zone, and the Stuttgart Zone. The Japanese Zone contains the counties of Clay, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Randolph, and Sharp. The Western Zone contains the counties of Ashley, Chicot, Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Polk, Sevier, and Union. The Stuttgart Zone contains the counties of Arkansas, Lonoke, and Prairie.
Duck Looking Zones
| Zone | Counties |
|---|---|
| Japanese | Clay, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Randolph, and Sharp |
| Western | Ashley, Chicot, Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Polk, Sevier, and Union |
| Stuttgart | Arkansas, Lonoke, and Prairie |
Particular Youth and Apprentice Hunts
Arkansas gives particular searching alternatives for younger hunters and apprentices to introduce them to the game of waterfowl searching in a protected and managed atmosphere.
Youth Hunt
The Youth Hunt is open to hunters aged 16 and below, accompanied by a licensed grownup mentor. The mentor doesn’t must be a relative of the youth hunter. The youth hunter should possess a legitimate searching license and a Harvest Data Program (HIP) registration quantity. The grownup mentor should possess a legitimate searching license and a federal duck stamp. The every day bag restrict for the youth hunter is similar because the common season bag restrict.
Apprentice Hunt
The Apprentice Hunt is open to hunters aged 17-24 who haven’t beforehand bought a duck stamp. The apprentice hunter should possess a legitimate searching license and a HIP registration quantity. The apprentice hunter will be mentored by any licensed hunter who has bought a duck stamp. The every day bag restrict for the apprentice hunter is similar because the common season bag restrict.
Mentored Looking
Mentored searching is a good way for skilled hunters to move on their data and fervour for waterfowl searching to youthful generations. The mentor have to be at the very least 18 years of age and possess a legitimate searching license and a federal duck stamp. The mentor could also be a guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or some other accountable grownup. The mentored hunter should possess a legitimate searching license and a HIP registration quantity. The every day bag restrict for the mentored hunter is similar because the common season bag restrict.
| Hunt Sort | Age Requirement | Mentor Requirement | Each day Bag Restrict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Hunt | 16 and below | Licensed grownup | Identical as common season |
| Apprentice Hunt | 17-24 (no prior duck stamp buy) | Licensed hunter with duck stamp | Identical as common season |
| Mentored Looking | Any age | 18+ with searching license and duck stamp | Identical as common season |
Season for Pintails and Scaup
Pintail and scaup duck seasons in Arkansas will run from November 23 to December 22, 2024, with the next exceptions:
- The season for scaup closes on January 21, 2025.
- Youth waterfowl searching day for hunters ages 6-15 is December 21, 2024.
Inexperienced-winged Teal
Inexperienced-winged teal season runs from September 16 to October 1, 2024.
Gadwall
Gadwall season runs from September 16 to October 1, 2024.
American Wigeon
American wigeon season runs from September 16 to October 1, 2024.
Shoveler
Shoveler season runs from September 16 to October 1, 2024.
Digital Calls and Decoys
Digital calls and decoys are broadly utilized in duck searching in Arkansas. These units can assist entice geese into taking pictures vary, and so they also can assist to create a extra life like searching atmosphere. Nevertheless, you will need to use these units responsibly and inside the laws set by the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee.
Digital Calls
Digital calls are units that emit sounds that mimic the calls of geese. These calls can be utilized to draw geese into taking pictures vary, or they can be utilized to maintain geese in an space for an extended time frame. When utilizing digital calls, you will need to pay attention to the next laws:
- Digital calls could solely be used through the established waterfowl searching seasons.
- Digital calls is probably not used inside 100 yards of one other hunter.
- Digital calls is probably not used to draw geese right into a baited space.
Decoys
Decoys are synthetic representations of geese which might be used to draw actual geese into taking pictures vary. Decoys will be product of a wide range of supplies, together with plastic, wooden, and foam. When utilizing decoys, you will need to pay attention to the next laws:
- Decoys could solely be used through the established waterfowl searching seasons.
- Decoys is probably not positioned in areas the place they may intrude with different hunters.
- Decoys is probably not used to draw geese right into a baited space.
Forms of Decoys
There are a selection of several types of decoys obtainable, every with its personal benefits and drawbacks. Among the most typical forms of decoys embody:
| Sort of Decoy | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Floating Decoys | Real looking motion, can be utilized in water | Will be troublesome to move, will be broken by wind |
| Standing Decoys | Simple to move, can be utilized in a wide range of habitats | Not as life like as floating decoys, will be troublesome to see in tall grass |
| Movement Decoys | Very life like, can entice geese from lengthy distances | Costly, will be troublesome to arrange and use |
Non-toxic Shot Necessities
Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) requires hunters to make use of non-toxic shotshells when searching geese and geese within the state. This regulation helps to cut back the danger of lead poisoning in waterfowl and different wildlife.
Shot Sorts
Authorised non-toxic shot supplies embody:
* Metal
* Bismuth
* Tungsten-iron
* Tungsten-matrix
* Copper-plated metal
Shot Sizes
The utmost shot measurement allowed for duck searching is #4. For geese, the utmost shot measurement is #2.
Shot Plugs
Shotguns used for duck and goose searching have to be outfitted with a shot plug that limits the gun’s capability to 3 shells.
Older Shotguns
Hunters utilizing shotguns manufactured earlier than 1985 should use bismuth or tungsten-iron shot.
Exemptions
The non-toxic shot requirement doesn’t apply to:
* Hunters utilizing a muzzleloader
* Hunters searching on non-public land owned or leased by the hunter or a member of their fast household
* Disabled hunters who’re unable to make use of non-toxic shot resulting from a bodily incapacity
Enforcement
AGFC wildlife officers might be imposing the non-toxic shot requirement. Violators could face fines and different penalties.
Looking License and Permits
To hunt geese in Arkansas, you will want a legitimate searching license and a Duck Stamp. You should buy these licenses and stamps on-line or at any license vendor within the state. The next are the charges for searching licenses and Duck Stamps in Arkansas:
| License Sort | Value |
|---|---|
| Resident Looking License | $25 |
| Non-Resident Looking License | $150 |
| Duck Stamp | $15 |
Youth Looking License
Resident and non-resident youth below the age of 16 are eligible for a free youth searching license. To acquire a youth searching license, you will need to full the Arkansas Hunter Schooling Course.
Lifetime Looking License
Resident and non-resident hunters should purchase a lifetime searching license. The price of a lifetime searching license is $500 for residents and $1,000 for non-residents. Lifetime searching licenses are legitimate for the lifetime of the holder.
Particular Permits
Along with a searching license and Duck Stamp, you might also must buy a particular allow to hunt geese in sure areas of Arkansas. Particular permits are required for searching within the following areas:
- Huge Lake Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
- Cache River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
- Dagmar Wildlife Administration Space
- White River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
You should buy particular permits on-line or at any license vendor within the state. The price of particular permits varies relying on the world the place you can be searching.
Looking Areas and Rules
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) has introduced the duck season dates and laws for the 2024-2025 season. The season will run from November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025. The every day bag restrict is six geese, with not more than three mallards (one in every of which can be a hen), two scaup, one redhead, and one canvasback.
Looking Areas
Duck searching is permitted in designated areas all through Arkansas. The AGFC manages a number of wildlife administration areas (WMAs) which might be open to waterfowl searching. These WMAs embody:
- Huge Lake WMA
- Cache River WMA
- Dardanelle WMA
- Grand Prairie WMA
- Hoover Ridge WMA
- St. Francis River WMA
- White River WMA
Along with WMAs, duck searching can also be permitted on non-public land with the landowner’s permission.
Rules
The AGFC has established a number of laws to make sure the security and conservation of waterfowl assets. These laws embody:
Looking Hours
Duck searching is permitted from one-half hour earlier than dawn to sundown through the designated season.
Shotguns and Ammunition
Hunters could use shotguns no bigger than 10 gauge, and solely non-toxic shot is permitted.
Licensing
All hunters should possess a legitimate Arkansas searching license and a waterfowl stamp.
Baiting and Looking Over Bait
Baiting and searching over bait is prohibited.
Blind Development and Use
Blinds have to be comprised of pure supplies, and so they have to be positioned in a fashion that doesn’t intrude with different hunters.
Security Precautions and Enforcement
Pay attention to your environment.
It is very important pay attention to your environment whereas duck searching. This contains being conscious of different hunters, the situation of your boat, and any obstacles within the water. You must also pay attention to the climate circumstances and be sure you are dressed appropriately.
Put on a life jacket.
Carrying a life jacket is likely one of the most necessary security precautions you possibly can take whereas duck searching. A life jacket will assist you to keep afloat when you fall overboard, and it may possibly additionally assist shield you from hypothermia.
Use decoys and blinds.
Utilizing decoys and blinds can assist you entice geese and enhance your probabilities of success. Nevertheless, you will need to use decoys and blinds safely. Make certain your decoys are usually not positioned in a manner that might create a hazard for different boats. And ensure your blind is well-concealed in order that you don’t startle the geese.
Comply with the principles and laws.
It is very important observe the principles and laws for duck searching. These guidelines are in place to assist shield the geese and make sure the security of hunters. You could find the principles and laws for duck searching in your state’s searching laws.
Be respectful of different hunters.
It is very important be respectful of different hunters whereas duck searching. This contains respecting their area, not taking pictures at geese which might be near their boats, and never making noise that might disturb them.
Enforcement of Duck Looking Rules
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) is answerable for imposing the principles and laws for duck searching in Arkansas. AGFC officers might be patrolling the waterways throughout duck season to make sure that hunters are following the principles. In case you are caught violating the principles, you might be fined or have your searching license revoked.
Penalties for Violating Duck Looking Rules
The penalties for violating duck searching laws fluctuate relying on the severity of the violation. For instance, you might be fined $100 for searching with out a license, or you might be fined $1,000 for taking pictures a duck out of season. You could find the penalties for violating duck searching laws within the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee’s searching laws.
Methods to Report a Duck Looking Violation
When you see somebody violating the duck searching laws, you possibly can report it to the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee by calling 1-800-364-4263. You can too report a violation on-line on the AGFC’s web site.
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Looking with out a license | $100 nice |
| Capturing a duck out of season | $1,000 nice |
| Utilizing unlawful bait | $500 nice |
| Capturing from a transferring boat | $250 nice |
| Looking in a closed space | $100 nice |
Duck Season Arkansas 2024 2025 Schedule
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee has introduced the dates for the 2024-2025 duck season. The season will open on Saturday, November 2, 2024, and shut on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The every day bag restrict might be six geese, together with not more than 4 mallards (solely two of which can be feminine), two redheads, two canvasbacks, and two scaup. The possession restrict might be 18 geese.
The late season for geese will open on Saturday, January 25, 2025, and shut on Sunday, February 16, 2025. The every day bag restrict might be three geese, together with not more than two mallards (solely one in every of which can be feminine), one redhead, one canvasback, and one scaup. The possession restrict might be 9 geese.
The youth waterfowl season might be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, and Sunday, October 13, 2024. The every day bag restrict might be six geese, together with not more than 4 mallards (solely two of which can be feminine), two redheads, two canvasbacks, and two scaup. The possession restrict might be 18 geese.
For extra info on the 2024-2025 duck season in Arkansas, please go to the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee web site.
Individuals Additionally Ask About Duck Season Arkansas 2024 2025 Schedule
What are the dates for the 2024-2025 duck season in Arkansas?
The 2024-2025 duck season in Arkansas will open on Saturday, November 2, 2024, and shut on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
What’s the every day bag restrict for geese in Arkansas?
The every day bag restrict for geese in Arkansas is six geese, together with not more than 4 mallards (solely two of which can be feminine), two redheads, two canvasbacks, and two scaup.
What’s the possession restrict for geese in Arkansas?
The possession restrict for geese in Arkansas is eighteen geese.
When is the youth waterfowl season in Arkansas?
The youth waterfowl season in Arkansas might be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, and Sunday, October 13, 2024.
