Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Code of Regulations - Section 20
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA REGULATIONS
20.00 Establishment of Wildlife Management Areas.
20.01 Killing and Capture Devices Prohibited in WMAs.
20.02 Firearm Restrictions on WMAs.
20.03 Loaded Firearms Prohibited in Camping Areas on All WMAs and WDAs.
20.04 Removal of Objects Prohibited on WMAs and WDAs.
20.05 Livestock Ranging Prohibited on WMAs.
20.06 Cutting Devices Prohibited on Commission Owned WMAs and WDAs.
20.07 Trespassing Prohibited Where Posted on WMAs and WDAs.
20.10 Structures on Commission Leased Land, Commission-owned and Cooperative WMAs and WDAs.
20.11 Permit Requirements on Certain WMAs.
20.12 Season Restrictions Within Camp Robinson Demonstration Area.
20.13 Killing or Capture Devices and Dogs Prohibited.
20.14 Baiting or Hunting on Baited Portions of WMAs Prohibited.
20.15 Hunting from Roads Prohibited on WMAs.
20.17 Hunting Restricted During Flooding within Certain WMAs.
20.22 Bird Dog Training Restrictions Within Camp Robinson Wildlife Demonstration Area.
20.23 Compliance with Camp Robinson WMA and Ft. Chaffee WMA Post Regulations Required.
20.24 Hunting From Motorized Land Vehicles Prohibited on WMAs and WDAs.
20.25 Non-Compliance With Terms of Permit Hunts on WMAs, WDAs and NWRs (National Wildlife Refuges) Prohibited.
20.26 Season Restrictions During Permit Hunts on WMAs.
20.27 Camping Restrictions on WMAs.
20.28 Motorized Vehicle Restrictions on Commission-owned, Leased, Licensed and Cooperative WMAs.
20.29 Horse and Mule Restrictions on Commission-owned WMAs.
20.30 Hunting/Camping Prohibited on Electric Island WMA.
20.31 Use or Possession of Alcohol or Illegal Controlled Substances Prohibited.
20.32 Hunting Restrictions on Casey Jones WMA.
20.33 Season Restrictions on Wylie Cox Field Trial Area.
20.34 Feral Hog Restrictions on WMAs.
20.35 Restrictions on all Natural Area Wildlife Management Areas.
20.36 Geocaching Restrictions On Commission-Owned Property
20.00 ESTABLISHMENT OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS. If the
04-05 Commission, upon proper and thorough investigation, shall determine that intensified game management through the
increased production of food, more rigid enforcement, restocking or other methods are needed in an area for the
increased production of wildlife; the Commission may set aside and define certain specific areas on lands owned or
controlled by the Commission and suitable markers shall be put up by the Commission in such places as shall be
determined, defining and identifying the areas as a wildlife management area or a wildlife demonstration area (herein
referred to in abbreviated forms as either “WMA”, “WMAs”, “WDA”, “WDAs”, “SP-CA”, “NWR”or “NWRs”). All seasons/limits
and regulations are same as the surrounding zone unless otherwise specified in Commission Codes.
20.01 KILLING AND CAPTURE DEVICES PROHIBITED IN WMAs.
03-08 It shall be unlawful to hunt, trap or possess a killing device in any wildlife management area.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) During open seasons for wildlife on said areas.
(2) Ozark National Forest WMA.
(3) Sanctioned Shoot-to-Kill Walking Trials.
(4) For activities permitted by the Commission.
(5) For Commission employees in the performance of their official job duties.
(6) Holders of a valid state-issued concealed handgun license recognized and honored by the State of Arkansas in
accordance with Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 73, Subchapter 3, may possess the handgun covered by the license,
except in places where otherwise prohibited under federal, state or local law or where disallowed by a landowner in
accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this exception is intended to supersede or limit the regulations of any
federal, state or local authorities that prohibit the possession of concealed handguns on their property, including, but
not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Park Service.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.02 FIREARM RESTRICTIONS ON WMAs. It shall be unlawful to
03-08 possess any buckshot, rifled slugs, centerfire firearms, muzzleloaders larger than .40 caliber, or rimfire firearms larger
than .22 caliber on any wildlife management area other than during any open modern gun deer, bear or elk seasons. (Ref.
06.02, Guns and Ammunition Prohibited During Modern Gun Deer Seasons; and 16.02, Killing Device Restrictions for Bear
Hunting and 17.02, Weapon Restrictions for Taking Elk.
(A) Big Lake, Brushy Creek, St. Francis Sunken Lands, U OF A Pine Tree Experimental Station, W. E. Brewer Scatter
Creek and Wedington WMAs – only shotguns (.410 or larger), with slugs (no buckshot allowed), or muzzleloading
rifles (in compliance with Commission Code 07.02) shooting a single projectile only during modern gun season.
(B) Beaver Lake WMA (islands only), Greers Ferry WMA and that part of Trusten Holder, including all Corps lands, lying
north and east of the centerline of the Arkansas River which fall within the area that lies east of the Pendleton Bridge
to just south of Dam #2 and those lands west of Tichnor Blacktop and Nady Road - no rifles (including
muzzleloading rifles) for any season.
(C) Big Lake WMA – it shall be unlawful to transport firearms in that portion of Ditch 28 within the Big Lake WMA without
said firearms having been dismantled or encased.
(D) Lafayette County WMA – no buckshot of any size.
(E) Bell Slough WMA – shotguns or rimfire rifles only.
(F) The Farm Units within Bald Knob and Cache River NWRs, Johnson County WRA within Dardanelle WMA and
Wapanocca NWR– muzzleloaders shooting a single projectile only or shotguns with slugs.
(G) Trusten Holder WMA – within the delineated boundaries of the Arkansas Post National Park buffer zone, discharge of
any firearm is prohibited.
(H) DeGray Lake WMA – within the delineated boundaries of the Lower DeGray Lake Waterfowl Rest Area, possession of
loaded firearms is prohibited.
(I) Where not otherwise prohibited above, bobcat, fox and coyote may be taken during daylight hours with firearms no
larger than .30 caliber during bobcat, fox and coyote seasons on commission-owned WMAs.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Private landowners within boundaries of WMAs where they maintain a bona fide residence, within their homes or on
their own land where normal agricultural activity is conducted.
(2) Law enforcement officers and Game and Fish Commission employees in performance of their official job duties.
(3) Trusten Holder WMA mobility impaired muzzleloader deer hunters may use shotguns with slugs.
(4) Holders of a valid state-issued concealed handgun license recognized and honored by the State of Arkansas in
accordance with Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 73, Subchapter 3, may possess the handgun covered by the license,
except in places where otherwise prohibited under federal, state or local law or where disallowed by a landowner in
accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this exception is intended to supersede or limit the regulations of any
federal, state or local authorities that prohibit the possession of concealed handguns on their property, including, but
not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Park Service.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.03 LOADED FIREARMS PROHIBITED IN CAMPING AREAS ON ALL
12-07 WMAs AND WDAs. It shall be unlawful to possess a loaded firearm in any camping area on any wildlife management area,
wildlife demonstration area or in any fishing or boating access area. (Ref: Section 01.00-C, Loaded Firearms).
EXCEPTION:
(1) Holders of a valid state-issued concealed handgun license recognized and honored by the State of Arkansas in
accordance with Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 73, Subchapter 3, may possess the handgun covered by the license,
except in places where otherwise prohibited under federal, state or local law or where disallowed by a landowner in
accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this exception is intended to supersede or limit the regulations of any
federal, state or local authorities that prohibit the possession of concealed handguns on their property, including, but
not limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Park Service.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.04 REMOVAL OF OBJECTS PROHIBITED ON WMAs.
03-04 (A) It shall be unlawful to remove any items or objects from any wildlife management area, including rocks, fruits, nuts,
acorns, artifacts, plants, etc., without previously approved permission from the Commission or its designees.
(B) It shall be unlawful to remove endangered plants from Commission-owned lands without the issuance of a Scientific
Collection Permit. A permit from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is also required to remove objects from
Natural Areas managed in conjunction with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.05 LIVESTOCK RANGING PROHIBITED ON WMAS. It shall be
07-80 unlawful to range or allow ranging by livestock on any property owned, controlled or leased by the Commission.
EXCEPTION:
(1) Under permit issued by landowner on cooperative WMAs.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.06 CUTTING DEVICES PROHIBITED ON COMMISSION OWNED WMAs,
03-07 WDAs AND SUAs. It shall be unlawful to use and/or possess chainsaws, handsaws, hatchets, axes, weed trimmers, string
trimmers or other such cutting devices or chemical defoliants on Commission owned WMAs, WDAs or SUAs.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Common hunting knives, pocketknives and pocket saws.
(2) Timber contractors.
(3) Campers in designated camping areas.
(4) Trappers using hatchets during trapping season.
(5) By written permit issued by the Commission.
(6) For Commission employees in the performance of their official job duties.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.07 TRESPASSING PROHIBITED WHERE POSTED ON WMAs AND WDAs.
10-00 It shall be unlawful to trespass on any property owned or controlled by the Commission where signs prohibiting such are
posted and during waterfowl season in specified areas that have been marked with red paint.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.10 STRUCTURES ON COMMISSION LEASED LAND, COMMISSION-
04-05 OWNED AND COOPERATIVE WMAs AND WDAs. It shall be unlawful to construct, build, fabricate, install, place, attach or
occupy any type of structure on any Commission-leased land, Commission-owned, cooperative WMA or WDA; including but
not limited to hunting "stands", buildings, shelters, moored houseboats, etc.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Portable hunting stands and associated equipment using no metal objects (such as screw-in steps) to be screwed
or driven into trees, and having owner's name and address permanently affixed and which is moved a distance of at
least 200 yards (600 feet) from current location after seven consecutive days thereon. Stands may not be placed more
than 7 days before deer archery season and must be removed within 7 days after the close of deer archery season.
(2) On U. S. Forest Service Cooperative WMAs portable stands must comply with U.S. Forest Service regulations.
(3) Structures built by Commission personnel or built under the auspices of a Commission issued land use permit.
(4) In compliance with Commission Code 19.10 (Camping and Driving Restrictions on Certain WMAs) and Code 20.27
(Camping Restrictions on WMAs).
(5) In compliance with Commission Code 25.06, Permanent Duck Blinds Prohibited on WMAs.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.11 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS ON CERTAIN WMAs. It shall be unlawful to
04-04/04-07 take or attempt to take any wildlife during an open season on certain WMAs without first obtaining the required permit
(Ref. Code 20.25, Non-Compliance with Terms of Permit Hunts on WMAs, and Code 20.26, Season Restrictions
During Permit Hunts on WMAs) as specified herein:
(A) A permit is required on Bald Knob NWR, Big Lake NWR, Cache River NWR, Choctaw Island, Crossett Experimental
Forest WMA, Felsenthal NWR, Holla Bend NWR, Overflow NWR, Pond Creek NWR, U of A Pine Tree Experimental
Station WDA and Wapanocca NWR.
(B) A lease land permit is required for persons 16 years and older to camp, hunt or trap any type of wildlife on Big Timber,
Casey Jones, Cherokee, Gum Flats, Jim Kress, Lafayette County (except no permit is required to camp on Lafayette
County), Moro Big Pine and Provo Leased Lands WMAs.
(C) A permit is required to camp, hunt, fish or for the operation of an ATV on White River NWR.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.12 SEASON RESTRICTIONS WITHIN CAMP ROBINSON SPECIAL
03-07 USE AREA. It shall be unlawful to take, attempt to take or possess, dove, furbearing animals, rabbit, squirrel, quail and
waterfowl, within Camp Robinson Wildlife Demonstration Area.
EXCEPTION:
(1) Dove hunting as permitted under Commission Code 24.05.
(2) Furbearer hunting in accordance with Commission Code 24.07,
Furbearer Seasons and Bag Limits on WMAs.
(3) Squirrel hunting as permitted under Commission Code 24.04.
(4) Possession of waterfowl is allowed during open season while accessing Dix Creek Bay or Pierce Creek Bay on Lake
Conway or while camped in designated campsites.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.13 KILLING OR CAPTURE DEVICES AND DOGS PROHIBITED.
04-03 It shall be unlawful to possess any killing or capture device or to allow dogs within the Blanchard Springs recreation area.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.14 BAITING OR HUNTING ON BAITED PORTIONS OF WMAs
07-01 PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful to place, deposit or scatter any grain or other feed so as to constitute a lure, attraction or
enticement of wildlife; or to take or attempt to take wildlife on such bait on any wildlife management area if the person knows
or reasonably should know that the area is a baited area.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Sowing of wildlife food areas by Commission personnel.
(2) Baiting by Commission personnel for trapping and restocking purposes.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.15 HUNTING FROM ROADS PROHIBITED ON WMAs. It shall be unlawful to shoot across, or to hunt
03-08 within one hundred (100) feet from the center line of any city, county, state or federal maintained road open to public
vehicular traffic on any WMA. It shall also be unlawful to shoot across, or to hunt within one hundred (100) feet from the center
line of any privately maintained road which is open to public vehicular traffic and falls under the regulatory control of the
Commission through ownership, lease, cooperative agreement, conservation easement or memorandum of understanding
on any WMA. It shall also be unlawful to place or leave any stand, blind or other hunting apparatus with the intent of hunting
from any of these said roads or railroad rights-of-way on any WMA. In addition to other evidence introduced in a prima facie
case of road hunting, there shall be a rebuttable presumption a person is “hunting” if the person points, aims, shoots or
attempts to shoot a firearm or other killing device from a said road or railroad right-of-way in a direction in which game or
other wildlife is present or likely to be present (including shooting at a game or wildlife decoy).
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Persons engaged in a lawful action to protect their livestsock or property.
(2) Law enforcement officials while performing their official job duties.
(3) Commission employees taking wildlife in performance of their duties.
(4) Persons having a valid Mobility Impaired Access Permit may hunt from designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access
Trails where public vehicular access is not allowed in compliance with Code 20.20 (Mobility Impaired Access Permit
Restrictions On Commission-owned WMAs).
(5) Persons having a valid Mobility Impaired Access Permit may hunt from the two specially designated abandoned
railroad rights-of-way on the Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA.
(6) Small game (excluding fox, bobcat and coyote) pursued or treed by a dog or is under point of a dog may be taken
within 100 feet from the centerline of a road on Big Timber, Casey Jones, Cherokee, Gum Flats, Howard County,
Jim Kress, Lafayette County, Lake Greeson, Moro Big Pine Natural Area and Provo WMAs provided the road is not
city, county, state or federally maintained.
(7) Persons utilizing foothold and Conibear (body-tripping) traps and the use of the firearms to dispatch live animals
caught in legally set traps.
(8) Licensed/permitted falconers hunting with or trapping birds of prey in accordance with state and federal falconry
regulations.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00
20.17 HUNTING RESTRICTED DURING FLOODING WITHIN CERTAIN WMAs.
03-08 It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take deer for each WMA as specified herein:
(A) Big Lake WMA closes when the Seven Mile access gauge exceeds 236 MSL.
(B) Benson Creek Natural Area WMA closes when Flood Prone Region D closes.
(C) Brushy Creek WMA closes when Flood Prone Region A closes.
(D) Choctaw Island WMA closes when the gauge at Arkansas City on the Mississippi River exceeds 31 feet and will
remain closed until the gauge falls to 29 feet or below.
(E) Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA closes when Flood Prone Region D closes.
(F) Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA closes when the Black River
Flood Prone Region closes.
(G) Earl Buss/Bayou DeView WMA closes when Flood Prone Region A closes.
(H) Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake WMA closes when the White River gauge at Augusta exceeds 26 feet and will remain
closed until the gauge falls to 14 feet or below at Georgetown.
(I) Rex Hancock/Black Swamp WMA closes when the Cache River
gauge at Patterson exceeds 10 feet and will remain closed until Cache River falls below 8.5 feet on said gauge.
(J) St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA closes when the St. Francis River
Flood Prone Region closes.
(K) Trusten Holder WMA closes when Flood Prone Regions F and H close. WMA lands lying east of Tichnor Blacktop
Road, Nady Road and all WMA lands lying east of the Arkansas River below the Nady Road and west of the Medina
Road intersection, except the WMA lands lying south of the WhiteRiver Cut Off close when Flood Prone Zone F
closes. WMA lands lying west of Tichnor Blacktop Road and Nady Road to the Pendleton Bridge and land lying east
of the Arkansas River and south of the White River Cut Off close when Flood Prone H closes.
(L) Mike Freeze/Wattensaw WMA closes when Flood Prone Region D closes.
(M) Whitehall WMA closes when Flood Prone Region A closes.
(N) Shirey Bay/Rainey Brake WMA closes when the Shirey Bay/Rainey Brake Flood Prone Region closes.
(O) Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA closes when Flood Prone Region B closes.
Flood prone region closures can be obtained by calling AGFC toll free and by accessing the AGFC Wildlife Hotline
toll free number and by accessing the AGFC website.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.20 MOBILITY IMPAIRED ACCESS PERMIT RESTRICTIONS ON
03-08 COMMISSION-OWNED WMAs. It shall be unlawful to participate in the Commission’s Mobility Impaired Access Permit
program without complying with the following terms and restrictions of the program:
(A) A person who is permanently mobility impaired may apply to the Commission to receive a Mobility Impaired Access
Permit allowing the person to use an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or similar form of specialized motorized transportation
for certain access uses on Commission-owned Wildlife Management Areas. To qualify, an applicant must submit a
completed official form with certification from a physician duly licensed to practice medicine by a state medical board
attesting the applicant either:
(1) Has a permanent physical condition severely impairing the applicant’s mobility and requiring permanent use
of a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair or walker; or
(2) Is permanently restricted by lung disease to such an extent the applicant’s forced expiratory volume for one
second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than
60mm/hg of room air at rest; or
(3) Has a permanent physical condition requiring use of portable oxygen; or
(4) Has a permanent cardiac condition to the extent the applicant’s functional limitations are classified in severity
as Class III or Class IV according to current standards set by the American Heart Association.
(B) Upon issuance of a Mobility Impaired Access Permit, the following terms and conditions shall apply:
(1) The Mobility Impaired Access Permit is not a license to hunt or fish. While engaging in hunting or fishing
activities, a Mobility Impaired Access Permit holder must have on his or her person the appropriate hunting or
fishing license, permits, and/or stamps in addition to the Mobility Impaired Access Permit.
(2) Only ATVs or other similar specialized transportation devices with three or more wheels may be used. No two-
wheel ATVs or trailers may be used.
(3) Upon the receipt of and successful processing of a Mobility Impaired Access Permit application, the
Commission shall issue two (2) Mobility Impaired Access Permit Tags to the applicant. One tag must remain
on the Mobility Impaired Access Permit holder at all times while engaged in any hunting or fishing activity on
any Commission-owned WMA. The second tag must be clearly displayed on his or her ATV or other similar
specialized transportation device while engaged in any hunting or fishing activity on any Commission-owned
WMA.
(4) The ATV or other similar specialized transportation device shall only be used for the following purposes:
(a) To travel on graveled, all-weather roads unless otherwise posted as closed to vehicular traffic.
(b) To travel on designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access Trails.
(c) To travel off graveled, all-weather roads and designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access Trails during
muzzleloader and modern gun deer seasons; the allowable distance traveled off graveled, all-weather
roads and designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access Trails if a minimum of 100 feet from the center
line in compliance with Code 18.04 (Hunting From Road Prohibited) and a maximum of 300 feet; ATV use
within this special access zone is specifically for placement of hunting stands and
bona fide hunting activities; Mobility Impaired Access Permit holders must maintain clear visual
contact with his or her ATV or other similar specialized transportation device at all times while engaged in
hunting or fishing activities on any Commission-owned WMA.
(d) Travel off graveled, all-weather roads and designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access Trails, as well as
outside the special access zone is permitted only for the retrieval of big game taken by the Mobility
Impaired Access Permit holder.
(e) If a condition exists where a single helper is required to assist the Mobility Impaired Access Permit holder,
this helper must first be approved through issuance of a Mobility Impaired Access Helper Permit issued
by the Regional Wildlife Supervisor for a particular Wildlife Management Area; for safety concerns, the
helper must ride a separate ATV and remain within eyesight or normal voice range of the Mobility Impaired
Access Permit holder at all times; if the Mobility Impaired Access Permit holder is
incapable of safely operating an ATV or other similar specialized transportation device, the helper may be
approved by the Regional Wildlife Supervisor to accompany the Mobility Impaired Access Permit holder
and operate an ATV or similar specialized transportation device that is designed to safely carry two
persons; no additional passengers are allowed.
(f) During all ATV or similar specialized transportation
device use, all weapons must be unloaded and firearms
must be cased at all times.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00
20.22 BIRD DOG TRAINING RESTRICTIONS WITHIN CAMP ROBINSON
03-07 SPECIAL USE AREA. The area is divided into seven public use compartments and registration for Compartments 1-4 and 6-
7 is located at the Headquarters Information Station. Compartment 5 has a registration station located at its entrance. It
shall be unlawful to train waterfowl retrievers, rabbit dogs (beagles) and bird dogs within the Camp Robinson Special Use
Area without a current hunting license or to fail to register prior to participating in the training of waterfowl retrievers, rabbit
dogs (beagles) and bird dogs on the area, or to use live ammunition. Dog trainers are not to exceed three (3) days of use
per week and not more than two (2) consecutive days in a two week period. Individuals may not possess more than eight (8)
dogs on the area at any given time.
EXCEPTION:
(1) Individuals participating in organized field trails need not have a current hunting license.
(2) Training dogs will not exceed three (3) days use per week and not more than two (2) consecutive days in a two week
period. Individuals actively participating in an organized field trial are not restricted to possessing eight dogs.
(3) Other dog training or events not listed may be allowed by written permit.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.23 COMPLIANCE WITH CAMP ROBINSON WMA AND FT. CHAFFEE
03-06 WMA POST REGULATIONS REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with Post Regulations pertaining to the taking or
attempting to take fish and wildlife within Camp Robinson WMA and Ft. Chaffee WMA PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.24 HUNTING FROM MOTORIZED LAND VEHICLES PROHIBITED ON
04-05 WMAs. It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take any species of wildlife from a motorized land vehicle on WMAs.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Persons having a valid Mobility Impaired Access Permit may hunt from an ATV or similar specialized device for
transportation in compliance with Code 20.20 (Mobility Impaired Access permit restrictions on Commission-owned
WMAs).
(2) Persons participating in the Choctaw Island WMA Special Mobility Impaired deer hunt.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.25 NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS OF PERMIT HUNTS ON WMAs,
10-99 WDAs AND NWRs (NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES) PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with terms of permit
hunts on any WMA, WDAor NWR having said hunts.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.26 SEASON RESTRICTIONS DURING PERMIT HUNTS ON WMAs.
03-08 It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take any species of wildlife during any permit hunts on any WMA, without first
obtaining said permit. All other seasons not named on permit are closed during permit hunts on Commission-controlled
WMAs.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Waterfowl during the open waterfowl seasons.
(2) On Howard County, Lake Greeson, Rick Evans/Grandview Prairie WMAs, all other hunting seasons remain open
during permit hunts without said permit.
(3) Gene Rush and Buffalo National River WMAs.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.27 CAMPING RESTRICTIONS ON WMAs. It shall be unlawful to
04-03 camp on Commission owned or leased WMAs during a permit hunt, without first obtaining said permit.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) When camping with a permit holder.
(2) Waterfowl hunters during waterfowl seasons.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.28 MOTORIZED VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS ON COMMISSION OWNED,
03-07 LEASED, LICENSED AND COOPERATIVE WMAs. It shall be unlawful to operate any motorized vehicle off any open access
road and parking area, behind gated, cabled or earthen barriers, where no road exists, on trails, levees, dams, on any food
plot/wildlife opening, firelane, or road which has been disked, seeded, developed for wildlife, or in a direction of travel
contrary to posted signs. The use of two-wheeled, three-wheeled or four-wheeled ATV's (all terrain vehicles), dune buggies
and amphibious vehicles is prohibited.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) For Commission authorized uses only.
(2) Motorized vehicles or ATVs may be used on Commission ownedlands only by persons having a valid Mobility
Impaired Access Permit on graveled, all-weather roads; on designated, signed Mobility Impaired Access Trails; and
for other expressed access uses of the Commission’s Mobility Impaired Access permit program (ref. Code 20.20
Mobility Impaired Access Permit Restictions on Commission-owned WMAs).
(3) Persons participating in the Choctaw Island WMA Special Mobility Impaired deer hunt.
(4) Motorized vehicles, except for ATVs on main access roads, may not be used on Big Timber Upland WDA.
(5) ATV’s allowed on existing open access roads and trailways on Gum Flats, Provo, Lake Greeson, Howard County,
Lafayette County, Casey Jones and Big Timber lease land areas.
(6) Motorized vehicles and ATVs allowed on Muddy Creek, Caney Creek and Winona, except on a road, temporary
trailway or other areas posted as closed by an earthen mound, gate, sign or other object. Note: Same as U.S. Forest
Service forest-wide regulations – Ouachita National Forest.
(7) ATVs allowed on open, maintained roads within Cherokee and Jim Kress WMAs by hunters in possession of a valid
leased lands permit for the purposes of ingress and egress to hunting locations and/or camping sites only.
(8) On Ozark National Forest, White Rock, Piney Creeks, Mt. Magazine, Sylamore and St. Francis National Forest WMAs,
all vehicles and OHVs are subject to the U.S. Forest Service OHV policy on roads and trails as published in Code
CFR 36.261.1.3. Refer to annual travel management map for designated uses on roads and trails.
(9) Motorized vehicles and ATVs prohibited within the Hope Upland WMA, except for valid Mobility Impaired Access Permit
holders in compliance with Code 20.20 (Mobility Impaired Access Permit Restrictions on Commission-owned
WMAs).
(10) Persons participating in approved reserved/permitted organized events on the Camp Robinson Special Use Area
and persons training waterfowl retrievers in Public Use Compartment 5 in accordance with posted signs.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.29 HORSE AND MULE RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN WMAs.
03-07 Organized events similar to trail rides and horse riding for pleasure are prohibited on Commission-owned, Cherokee and
Jim Kress WMAs during the months of October - January, April and May. Permits are required for organized events of
more than ten horses or mules per party during the remainder of the year, and a condition of the permit shall stipulate that
riders are restricted to established trails or roads. Permits are available at the area headquarters and must be requested
14 days in advance of the event. Horses and mules are allowed only in camping areas that are designated for equestrian
use. Horses in camping areas may only be tied to trailers or to a highline using tree saver straps. It shall be unlawful to
allow horses or mules to damage trees or other woody vegetation. Soil disturbance must be restored, manure must be
scattered and excess feed, hay and any trash must be removed.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Legal hunting activities may use horses and mules during specified hunting seasons.
(2) At night during furbearing season.
(3) Horses and mules are prohibited on the Jardis Point (Desha County) portion of the Trusten Holder WMA.
(4) Horses and mules are prohibited on the Choctaw Island WMA during any open deer season.
(5) The Camp Robinson SUA is divided into seven public use compartments and non-reserved/open compartments 1,3,
4 and 7 are open year round for pleasure riding, except when closed for reserved events. Compartments 2 and 5 are
closed for horse and mule riding for pleasure. No permit/reservation is required unless participant is requesting to
reserve any of the public use facilities or compartments.
(6) All organized horse and mule events on J.Perry Mikles/Blue Mountain SUA are required to be scheduled/reserved
annually by July 1 through the Area Manager. All pleasure riding is restricted to dates when no field trials are being
conducted. Annual field trail schedule will be posted at area headquarters.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00
20.30 HUNTING/CAMPING PROHIBITED ON ELECTRIC ISLAND
04-93 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA. It shall be unlawful to hunt or kill wildlife, possess firearms or dogs, or to camp or build
fires of any sort on Electric Island Nongame Wildlife Management Area.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00
20.31 USE OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL CONTROLLED
04-98/04-05 SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful to use or possess alcoholic beverages or illegal controlled substances
while hunting on Commission-owned, leased or controlled WMA.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00
20.33 SEASON RESTRICTIONS ON WYLIE COX FIELD TRAIL AREA. It
04-99 shall be unlawful to hunt on the Wylie Cox Field Trial Area.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.34 FERAL HOG RESTRICTIONS ON WMAs
05-03/6-08 It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with the following restrictions relating to feral hogs on any Wildlife Management Area:
(A) It shall be unlawful to shoot or possess feral hogs on wildlife management areas except during any open daytime
hunting season. Feral hogs may only be shot with the weapons allowed for that hunting season. During any
deer, turkey or elk special permit hunts only special permit hunt permit holders may shoot or possess feral
hogs. Those shooting feral hogs must possess a valid hunting license or be less than 16 years of age. Feral
hogs shot in compliance with this regulation may be taken from the wildlife management area by the hunter of left
where they were shot.
(B) It shall be unlawful to take, attempt to take, or pursue feral hogs on wildlife management areas by the use of dogs.
(C) It shall be unlawful to release hogs on any wildlife management area.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Law enforcement officers and employees of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and/or their designees in
performance of their official job duties.
PENALTY: $500.00 to $2000.00
20.35 RESTRICTIONS ON ALL NATURAL AREA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
08-02/03-08 AREAS. It shall be unlawful to construct, build, fabricate, install, place, attach or occupy a permanent hunting stand or
camp on any of the natural area wildlife management areas. It shall also be unlawful to have a motorized vehicle,
horse, mule or bicycle on any of the natural areas wildlife management areas.
EXCEPTION:
(1) Motorized vehicles, horses, mules and bicycles may only be used on gravel/graded roads on Moro Big Pine Natural
Area WMA.
PENALTY: $100.00 to $1,000.00.
20.36 GEOCACHING RESTRICTIONS ON COMMISSION-OWNED
01-07 PROPERTY. It shall be unlawful to establish or maintain a geocache on any Commission-owned property without first
obtaining a Commission issued Geocaching Permit and complying with the terms of permit or the following restrictions:
1. All persons applying for a Commission issued Geocaching Permit must be at least 16 years of age.
2. All Geocaching Permit applications must contain the following information provided by the applicant: name, valid address,
telephone number, email address, driver’s licensenumber, the exact GPS location provided by the Commission and any non-
Commission website address on which the cache will be posted.
3. All permitted caches must be placed at the location designated by the Commission and must be clearly and permanently marked
with the required permit number issued by the Commission.
4. All Geocaching Permit holders failing to renew their permit must notify the Commission in writing if their permit will not be
renewed, remove the physical cache from Commission property and remove the cache location from all non-Commission
websites or other information source.
5. If a Geocaching Permit holder fails to comply with the terms and condition of the Commission issued Geocaching Permit; or if the
permit holder fails to remove a physical cache upon expiration or non-renewal of a Geocaching Permit; or if the geocache has
been determined by the Commission to have caused adverse environmental damage, poses a public safety hazard or caused
user group conflicts; then the Commission reserves the right to remove the cache without notice and cancel the Geocaching
Permit.
6. Caches may not be buried nor may vegetation or stones be disturbed to place a cache without written approval of the
Commission. The use of dead, downed debris to assist in concealing the cache is allowed. The cutting or destruction of living
vegetation is prohibited.
7. Metal detectors may not be used in cache searches.
EXCEPTION:
(1) Establishment and maintenance of official geocache locations on Commission-owned property by Commission personnel
is allowed without a permit.
PENALTY: $250.00 to $1,000.00