Fifth annual Umarex Big Squirrel Challenge set for Jan. 9-10

LITTLE ROCK — It’s almost time to go nuts, or acorns, for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s annual statewide squirrel hunting competition, The Umarex Big Squirrel Challenge. Now in its fifth year, this celebration of the bountiful bushytail has become a favorite January event for families across The Natural State.

The concept is simple: Grab a hunting partner, hit the woods and spend the afternoon and following morning searching the treetops for the fattest three acorn-fueled acrobats you can find Jan. 9-10.

“You’re welcome to harvest your full limit of 12 squirrels per day during the event, but we’re only weighing the biggest three,” Eric Maynard, AGFC assistant chief of the Education Division, said. “We have divisions for fox squirrels, gray squirrels and mixed bags. Hunters are welcome to enter multiple categories if they have enough squirrels to enter, but each squirrel can only count toward one entry.”

You can hunt solo, but squirrel hunting, like squirrel and dumplings, is so much better when it’s shared. There are specific age divisions for Adult Teams and Youth Teams (two hunters under 16, or a youth with an adult mentor).

There’s no need to register beforehand or pay an entry fee. Just start hunting at noon on Friday, Jan. 9, and show up to one of the 13 weigh-in stations by noon Saturday, Jan. 10, ready to weigh in. Squirrels must be field-dressed with their skin on before weighing.

“We’ll hand out medals for first and second place in each category at each weigh-in location,” Maynard said. “The top teams in the state for each category also will win high-powered Umarex air rifles.”

Even if you don’t take home the top prize, just showing up pays off. Every hunter who weighs a squirrel is entered for door prizes at each location.

“It’s a competition, sure, but it’s mostly about having a good time and getting to know the outdoors,” Maynard said. “Plus, everyone loves a door prize.”

Visit www.agfc.com/education/2026-big-squirrel-challenge to learn more.

2026 Weigh-In Locations: (Hunters must be in line with their harvest by noon on Jan. 10 to qualify.)

Springdale
J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center
3400 N. 40th St., Springdale, AR 72762

Pine Bluff
Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center
1400 Black Dog Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601

Mayflower
Camp Robinson Special Use Area (SUA)
331 Clinton Road, Conway, AR 72032

Jonesboro
Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center
600 E. Lawson Road, Jonesboro, AR 72404

Fort Smith
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, AR 72916

Yellville
Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center
851 Conservation Lane, P.O. Box 489, Yellville, AR 72687

Columbus
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center
1685 CR35N, Columbus, AR 71831

Hazen
Wattensaw WMA Shop
1693 Ark. Highway 11 North, Hazen AR 72064

Batesville
Paul H. Willmuth Shooting Sports Complex
3600 N. St. Louis, Batesville, AR 72501

Magnolia
SAU Laney Farm
833 Old McNeil Road, Magnolia, AR 71753

Russellville
Russellville Regional Office
1266 Lock and Dam Road, Russellville, AR 72802

Monticello
Monticello Regional Office
771 Jordan Drive, Monticello, AR 71655

Ponca
Ponca Nature Center
4642 Ark. Highway 43, Ponca, AR 72670

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