Wildlife Management Area Details 

Where to Hunt | View all Wildlife Management Areas

 

NameSteve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
WMA Zone605
Region2
County CoverageWhite
Phone877-734-4581
Seasons and Regulations
Turkey:
Turkey season closed
Waterfowl:
Nov. 17-25, Dec. 6-23, Dec. 26-Jan. 27
Deer:
Deer Archery: Sept. 15-Feb. 28.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunt (permit hunt):
Nov. 3-4. This area has special firearms restrictions; see Area Notes.
WMA Bag Limit:
Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
• Two bucks with archery,
• Three does with archery.
Deer Notes: Three-point rule. No dogs. Limit during the modern gun youth permit hunt is one deer, buck (no antler restrictions) or doe.
Deer Permit:
Deer hunting on this area is restricted to special permit hunts.
Click here for more information and to apply.
Quail:
Nov. 1, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013.
Daily limit - 6, possession limit -12. Bird dogs allowed.
Rabbit:
Sept. 1, 2013-Feb. 28, 2014. Daily limit - 8, possession limit - 16. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts.
Squirrel:
May 15, 2013-Feb. 28, 2014. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.
Crow:
Sept. 3, 2012-Feb. 21,2013. Open Thursdays through Mondays. No limit.
CLOSED:
  • Alligator
  • Elk
  • Deer muzzleloader
  • Bear
Area Notes:
  • This area is in Flood Prone Region B. Click here for details.
  • Anyone entering flooded or inundated areas must have a signed Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms Waterfowl Hunting Daily Use Permit on their person.
    • On Tuesdays and Wednesdays and during the Youth Waterfowl Hunt, permits will be available for pick up at the area headquarters and Boat Ramps A and B to any hunter wishing to access the area. Hunters are not restricted to designated locations on these days.
    • On Saturdays and Sundays, a limited number of permits will be available by drawing. Permits will be for designated locations. The permit drawing will take place at the area headquarters two-and-a-half hours before sunrise.
    • Five permits and one mobility-impaired blind permit will be available through online drawing. Online permit winners must check in at area headquarters two-and-a-half hours before sunrise. If an online permit hunter does not check in, their permit will be redrawn at the on-site drawing. Click here to apply for the online permit drawing.
    • All permits must be completed and returned to the collection box at the end of the hunt.
  • Boats with outboard motors larger than 25 horsepower or surface-drive motors of more than 36 horsepower and airboats may not be used.
  • Waterfowl hunters may not enter inundated areas before 4 a.m. and must exit inundated areas by 1 p.m. during duck season (including opening days of season segments), except on Jan. 26-27, 2013 and during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Feb. 2-3, 2013, where all day hunting is allowed.
  • Goose season opens the day after duck season closes.
  • Nonresidents need a Nonresident Wildlife Management Area Waterfowl Hunter Permit in addition to their permit acquired through the daily drawing to hunt waterfowl.
Leased Land Permit RequiredNo
About the Name
The management area was named for the creek and tributaries that dominated the property prior to the 1960's and for Steve N. Wilson, former director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Raft Creek was a natural overflow hardwood bottomland and backwater area until the late 1960's and early 1970's when it was cleared for soybean farming.
Ownership
AGFC
Purpose
The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the AGFC are in the process of restoring the area's hydrology and native vegetation. This includes creating approximately 1400 acres of shallow water areas and about 11 miles of restored channels (Raft Creek and tributaries), which can be utilized as boat lanes. Restored channels, sloughs and breaks are fringed with Cypress/Overcup plantings. The remainder of the site (above flood pool) is planted in Nuttall Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Willow and Water Oak, Sweet Pecan and Green Ash. The escarpment to the south, as well as the area around the headquarters will be seeded to native prairie plants.

Raft Creek has played an important role in providing wetland habitat for thousands of wintering migratory birds. Placing this gem under public ownership has secured a perpetual guarantee in providing this unique wildlife management complex for generations to enjoy.
Description
Steve N. Wilson/Raft Creek Bottoms WMA consists of 4,000 acres in White County.
Access
From Searcy:
Take HWY 36 to West Point, at West Point, take HWY 323 south approximately 8 miles to Showalters Corner. At Showalters Corner turn east onto Jones Island Road. Go approximately 5 3/4 miles to the second Raft Creek WMA project sign. Turn south on Cypert Road, go 1/2 mile to WMA Headquarters

From DesArc:
Take HWY 11 North approximately 14 miles to Showalters Corner. At Showalters Corner turn east onto Jones Island Road. Go approximately 5 3/4 miles to the second Raft Creek WMA project sign. Turn south on Cypert Road, go 1/2 mile to WMA Headquarters.
Hunting Opportunities
Deer and turkey (archery only), waterfowl, quail, rabbit, squirrel, crow, coyote and furbearers.