The wait is almost over for waterfowl lovers because the Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) just lately introduced the dates for the 2023-2024 duck looking season. The season will start on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, and run by way of Sunday, January twenty ninth, 2024. This yr’s season will characteristic a 60-day framework, offering ample alternatives for hunters to pursue their quarry. With an abundance of wetlands and various habitats, Arkansas gives a number of the greatest duck looking within the nation.
Along with the common duck season, the AGFC additionally introduced the dates for the early teal season. This season will happen from September ninth, 2023, by way of September twenty fourth, 2023. This season offers hunters with a chance to focus on early migrating teal earlier than the common duck season begins. Hunters ought to be aware that the bag restrict for teal is completely different from the common duck season, so it is very important test the AGFC web site for particular rules.
The AGFC reminds hunters to acquire a legitimate looking license and duck stamp earlier than heading afield. Moreover, all hunters are required to finish the Arkansas HIP survey, which helps the AGFC handle waterfowl populations. With its huge wetlands, ample waterfowl populations, and devoted hunters, Arkansas is poised for one more thrilling duck looking season. Because the season approaches, hunters are inspired to test the AGFC web site for the most recent updates and rules.
Opening Dates and Zones
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) has introduced the opening dates and zones for the 2024-2025 duck season. The season will open on Saturday, November 9, 2024, and run by way of Sunday, January 26, 2025.
The state will likely be divided into three duck looking zones: the Northern Zone, the Central Zone, and the Southern Zone. The Northern Zone will open on November ninth, the Central Zone on November sixteenth, and the Southern Zone on November twenty third.
The each day bag restrict for geese is six, with a possession restrict of 18. The each day bag restrict for geese is 2, with a possession restrict of 4. Hunters are additionally allowed to take one pintail per day.
The AGFC reminds hunters to test the rules fastidiously earlier than heading out to hunt. Hunters will need to have a legitimate Arkansas looking license and a federal duck stamp. They have to additionally concentrate on the capturing hours and different rules for the zone they’re looking in.
Zone Dates
| Zone | Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Northern | November 9, 2024 |
| Central | November 16, 2024 |
| Southern | November 23, 2024 |
Day by day Bag and Possession Limits
Duck season in Arkansas for the 2024-2025 season can have the next each day bag and possession limits:
Day by day Bag Restrict
The each day bag restrict for geese is six (6) geese, which can embody not more than 4 (4) mallards (solely two of which can be feminine), two (2) black geese, two (2) mottled geese, one (1) pintail, one (1) canvasback, and one (1) redhead.
Possession Restrict
The possession restrict for geese is twice the each day bag restrict, or twelve (12) geese, which can embody not more than eight (8) mallards (solely 4 of which can be feminine), 4 (4) black geese, 4 (4) mottled geese, two (2) pintails, two (2) canvasbacks, and two (2) redheads.
| Species | Day by day Bag Restrict | Possession Restrict |
|---|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (solely 2 feminine) | 8 (solely 4 feminine) |
| Black Geese | 2 | 4 |
| Mottled Geese | 2 | 4 |
| Pintails | 1 | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 1 | 2 |
| Redheads | 1 | 2 |
| Different Geese | 6 | 12 |
Taking pictures Hours and Strategies
Zone Designations
Arkansas is split into three duck looking zones: Northeast, Southeast, and Western. Every zone has its personal particular season dates and bag limits.
Taking pictures Hours
Taking pictures hours for all three zones are from half-hour earlier than dawn to sundown.
Strategies of Take
Authorized strategies of take for duck looking in Arkansas embody:
- Shotgun
- Bow and arrow
- Crossbow
- Falconry
Further Laws for Waterfowl Looking
Along with the final looking rules, there are a variety of particular rules that apply to waterfowl looking in Arkansas. These rules embody:
Identification of Species
Hunters are required to have the ability to determine the species of waterfowl they’re looking earlier than capturing. That is to assist stop the unlawful killing of protected species.
Non-toxic Shot
All waterfowl looking in Arkansas should be achieved with non-toxic shot. That is to assist cut back the quantity of lead ingested by waterfowl, which might trigger well being issues.
Plugging of Shotguns
Shotguns used for waterfowl looking should be plugged to a capability of three shells. That is to forestall hunters from exceeding the authorized each day bag restrict.
Youth and Apprentice Hunts
Arkansas gives particular hunts for younger hunters and people new to the game of waterfowl looking. These hunts are designed to offer a protected and gratifying expertise for aspiring hunters.
Youth Hunts
Youth hunts are open to hunters beneath 16 years of age. These hunts are usually held on the opening weekend of the common duck season. Youth hunters should be accompanied by a licensed grownup hunter who’s not less than 18 years of age. The grownup should stay close by and sound of the youth hunter.
Apprentice Hunts
Apprentice hunts are open to hunters who’re 16 years of age or older who haven’t beforehand held a looking license. These hunts are usually held on the second weekend of the common duck season. Apprentice hunters should be accompanied by a licensed mentor hunter who’s not less than 21 years of age and has been attempting to find not less than three years.
Looking Laws
| Bag Restrict: | 6 geese per day, not more than 4 mallards |
| Taking pictures Hours: | half-hour earlier than dawn to sundown |
| Shot Measurement: | No bigger than #2 metal shot |
| Possession Restrict: | 18 geese |
Particular Hunts for Wounded Warriors and Disabled Hunters
Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) gives particular hunts for wounded warriors and disabled hunters to offer them with alternatives to benefit from the looking expertise. These hunts are designed to accommodate the particular wants of those hunters and guarantee a protected and profitable looking expertise.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a particular hunt, wounded warriors will need to have a Purple Coronary heart or a documented service-connected incapacity. Disabled hunters will need to have a incapacity that forestalls them from accessing or looking in conventional looking areas.
Software Course of
Purposes for particular hunts can be found on-line or at AGFC places of work. The deadline for functions is usually within the spring. Hunters should submit a accomplished software together with a incapacity certification or documentation of a Purple Coronary heart.
Hunt Particulars
Particular hunts are usually held on AGFC-managed wildlife administration areas or non-public land. The hunts are structured to offer a wide range of looking alternatives, together with duck, deer, turkey, and small sport. Hunters are usually assigned to a information who assists them with looking and different features of the expertise.
Lodging
Particular hunts are designed to accommodate the particular wants of wounded warriors and disabled hunters. Lodging could embody accessible blinds, transportation to and from looking areas, and help with looking tools. AGFC employees work carefully with hunters to make sure that their wants are met.
Further Data
| Hunt | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Duck | November 15-21, 2024 | Cache River NWR |
| Deer | October 1-7, 2024 | White Rock WMA |
| Turkey | April 15-21, 2025 | Ozark Nationwide Forest |
License and Allow Necessities
Looking License
All hunters aged 16 and older should possess a legitimate Arkansas looking license. Residents can buy a license for $25, whereas non-residents pay $150. Licenses might be bought on-line, at license distributors, or at Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee places of work.
Duck Stamp
Along with a looking license, all hunters should even have a legitimate Arkansas Duck Stamp. The stamp prices $7.50 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Stamps might be bought on the similar areas as looking licenses.
Federal Duck Stamp
Federal legislation requires all waterfowl hunters to own a legitimate Federal Duck Stamp. The stamp prices $25 and might be bought at submit places of work, sporting items shops, or on-line. It’s not included within the Arkansas Duck Stamp.
HIP Certification
The Harvest Data Program (HIP) is a nationwide program that collects information on waterfowl harvest. All waterfowl hunters are required to be HIP licensed earlier than looking. Certification is free and might be obtained on-line or on the similar areas as looking licenses.
Arkansas Waterfowl Zone Stamp
Waterfowl hunters who want to hunt in sure areas of the state should additionally buy an Arkansas Waterfowl Zone Stamp. The stamp prices $10 and might be bought at license distributors or Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee places of work.
Public Looking Lands and Entry Factors
Arkansas gives an enormous array of public looking lands and entry factors for duck hunters, offering ample alternatives to expertise the fun of the hunt. The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) manages over one million acres of public looking lands, together with wildlife administration areas (WMAs), wildlife refuges, and pure areas.
Wildlife Administration Areas (WMAs)
WMAs are the most important class of public looking lands in Arkansas, totaling over 900,000 acres. These areas are managed primarily for wildlife habitat and public looking alternatives. WMAs usually characteristic a wide range of habitats, together with wetlands, forests, and grasslands, offering various looking alternatives for geese.
Wildlife Refuges
Wildlife refuges are areas designated for the safety and administration of particular wildlife species. Whereas looking is usually not permitted on refuges, some refuges could supply restricted looking alternatives for geese throughout particular seasons. Contact the AGFC for data on looking alternatives at wildlife refuges.
Pure Areas
Pure areas are areas designated for the safety and preservation of pure sources. Looking is usually not permitted in pure areas, as their main goal is conservation.
Entry Factors
Along with public looking lands, the AGFC offers entry factors to personal lands by way of the Public Entry Program. This system permits hunters to entry over 200,000 acres of personal lands for duck looking. Hunters should receive a allow from the AGFC to take part in this system.
Boat Ramps
Arkansas has quite a few boat ramps situated alongside rivers and lakes, offering easy accessibility for duck hunters. Boat ramps are usually paved and have parking areas, making it handy for hunters to launch their boats and entry looking areas.
Public Looking Blinds
The AGFC offers a restricted variety of public looking blinds on WMAs. These blinds can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation and are designed to offer hunters with a protected and cozy place to hunt geese. Hunters ought to test with the AGFC for data on the supply of public looking blinds.
| Public Looking Lands | Acres |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Administration Areas (WMAs) | 900,000+ |
| Wildlife Refuges | Varies |
| Pure Areas | Varies |
Climate and Habitat Circumstances
The climate and habitat circumstances throughout duck season in Arkansas can range extensively from yr to yr. Nevertheless, there are some common tendencies that may be anticipated.
Fall Climate
The autumn climate in Arkansas is usually gentle, with common temperatures within the 60s and 70s. Nevertheless, there might be durations of chilly climate, particularly within the northern a part of the state. These chilly spells could cause geese emigrate south extra rapidly than traditional.
Water Ranges
The water ranges in Arkansas’s wetlands also can range from yr to yr. In years with heavy rainfall, the wetlands could also be flooded, which might make it troublesome for geese to seek out meals. In years with much less rainfall, the wetlands could also be dry, which might make it troublesome for geese to seek out water.
Habitat Circumstances
The habitat circumstances in Arkansas’s wetlands also can range from yr to yr. In years with good habitat circumstances, there will likely be loads of meals and canopy for geese. In years with poor habitat circumstances, there will likely be much less meals and canopy, which might make it troublesome for geese to outlive.
Duck Migration
The timing of the duck migration also can range from yr to yr. In years with gentle climate, the geese could migrate later than traditional. In years with chilly climate, the geese could migrate sooner than traditional.
Arkansas Duck Season Dates
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee units the duck season dates annually. The dates for the 2024-2025 season are:
| Zone | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | November 16, 2024 | January 25, 2025 |
| Central | November 23, 2024 | January 18, 2025 |
| Southwest | November 30, 2024 | January 25, 2025 |
Looking Laws and Enforcement
Zone and Season Dates
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee (AGFC) has established particular zones and season dates for duck looking within the state. These zones range of their opening and shutting dates, bag limits, and different rules. Hunters should concentrate on the zone they are going to be looking in and cling to the corresponding rules.
Bag Limits
The AGFC units each day bag limits for geese, geese, and mergansers throughout every season. These limits are designed to make sure sustainable looking practices and shield waterfowl populations. Hunters are answerable for being conversant in the each day bag limits and adhering to them.
Taking pictures Hours
Duck looking is permitted solely throughout authorized capturing hours, that are usually from dawn to sundown. Hunters should stop looking after sundown and should not start looking earlier than dawn.
Non-toxic Shot Requirement
Arkansas requires using non-toxic shot for all waterfowl looking. Non-toxic shot is much less dangerous to waterfowl and the setting than lead shot, which has been banned for waterfowl looking in the US since 1991.
Enforcement
AGFC conservation officers are answerable for implementing looking rules and guaranteeing hunter compliance. They patrol looking areas, test licenses and permits, and examine violations. Hunters ought to cooperate with conservation officers and report any noticed violations to assist shield the integrity of looking.
Penalties for Violations
Violations of looking rules can lead to penalties, together with fines, license suspensions, and even jail time. Hunters ought to concentrate on the potential penalties of violating looking legal guidelines and take all essential precautions to adjust to them.
Hunter Schooling
The AGFC gives hunter schooling programs to show new and skilled hunters about protected, accountable, and moral looking practices. These programs cowl matters resembling firearm security, wildlife identification, hunter ethics, and looking rules. Hunters are inspired to finish a hunter schooling course earlier than collaborating in looking actions.
Hunter Harassment
Harassment of hunters is prohibited and won’t be tolerated. Hunters ought to report any incidents of harassment to conservation officers or native legislation enforcement officers.
Further Sources
Hunters can discover further details about duck looking rules and enforcement in Arkansas on the AGFC web site at https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/regulations/.
Duck Season Arkansas 2024-2025 Schedule
The Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee has introduced the duck season dates for the 2024-2025 season. The season will open on Saturday, November 9, 2024, and shut on Sunday, January 25, 2025. The each day bag restrict will likely be six geese, with a possession restrict of 18. The season will likely be divided into three zones, with completely different opening and shutting dates for every zone. The North Zone will open on November 9 and shut on January 11, the Central Zone will open on November 16 and shut on January 18, and the South Zone will open on November 23 and shut on January 25.
Along with the common duck season, there will even be a youth waterfowl looking weekend on September 28-29, 2024. This weekend is open to youth hunters aged 16 and beneath, and they are going to be allowed to hunt geese, geese, and coots. The each day bag restrict for youth hunters will likely be three geese, three geese, and three coots.
Hunters are reminded to buy a legitimate Arkansas looking license and duck stamp earlier than looking. They have to additionally comply with all state and federal looking rules.
Individuals Additionally Ask About Duck Season Arkansas 2024-2025 Schedule
When does duck season begin in Arkansas in 2024?
Duck season in Arkansas begins on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
When does duck season finish in Arkansas in 2025?
Duck season in Arkansas ends on Sunday, January 25, 2025.
What’s the each day bag restrict for geese in Arkansas?
The each day bag restrict for geese in Arkansas is six, with a possession restrict of 18.
Is there a youth waterfowl looking weekend in Arkansas?
Sure, there’s a youth waterfowl looking weekend in Arkansas on September 28-29, 2024.
