Buffalo National River WMA

CWD Zone

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Acres: 95,730

2025-26 Closed Seasons

• Alligator
• Furbearer Trapping

2025-26 Crow

Sept. 1, 2025-Feb. 21, 2026. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.

2025-26 Deer

Deer Archery: Sept. 27-Feb. 28.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 1-2 and Jan. 3-4.

WMA Deer Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:

• Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun (no antler restrictions),
• Four antlerless deer with archery,
• Two antlerless deer with alternative firearms or modern gun.
• During the youth hunt, youths may take four deer, two antlered bucks and two antlerless.

Deer Notes:

• No antler restrictions.
• No dogs.
• CWD regulations apply in Baxter, Marion, Newton and Searcy counties.

2025-26 Quail

Nov. 1, 2025-Feb. 1, 2026. Daily limit – 6, possession limit – 12.

2025-26 Rabbit

Sept. 1, 2025-Feb. 28, 2026. Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.

2025-26 Squirrel

May 15, 2025-Feb. 28, 2026. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.

2025 Bear

Bear Archery: Sept. 17-Nov. 30.
Bear Alternative Firearms: Oct. 18-26.
Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 8-30.
Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 1-2.

Bear Notes:

• Statewide bag limit.
• No dogs.
• Seasons close earlier if zone quota is reached. Click here for details.

2025 Elk

Elk (permit required): Oct. 6-10 and Oct. 27-31.
Elk Youth (permit required): Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 25-26.

2026 Turkey

Youth Hunt: April 11-12. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 20-May 10. One legal turkey.

Area Notes

• A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap on WMAs. Permits are available online by clicking “Buy Licenses” at agfc.com or by calling 833-345-0325 or any regional office.
• CWD regulations apply in Marion, Newton and Searcy counties. Due to ongoing research, collared or ear-tagged deer may be present. Research deer are legal for harvest. Tag and check research deer as required and call 833-289-2469 within 12 hours of harvest.
• Research deer are legal for harvest. Tag and check research deer as required and call 833-289-2469 within 12 hours of harvest.
• This area is administered by the National Park Service in conjunction with AGFC. Please visit the Superintendent’s Compendium available at www.nps.gov/buff for additional Federal regulations.
• Chase for pleasure and dog training are not allowed.
• Discharging firearms across, into or from the Buffalo River and its gravel bars is not allowed.
• Hunting is not allowed in developed areas.
• Firearms and crossbows must be unloaded and cased or broken down when in a developed campground, per the National Park Service.
• The operation of off-road motor vehicles is not allowed on roads, lands and waters within the Buffalo National River.
• Vehicles may not travel off-road.
• Campsites may not remain unattended for more than 24 hours.
• Sylamore WMA seasons and regulations apply to Buffalo National River lands in Marion and Baxter counties lying east of Big Creek and south and east of the Buffalo River.
• No trapping is allowed on Buffalo National River.

Ownership

National Park Service

Phone

833-340-7506