Howard County WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 370 | Howard |
Howard County WMA is a leased land WMA, meaning hunters, trappers and campers 16 years of age or older must purchase a Leased Lands permit (LLP) for $75. Permits are available online by clicking “Buy Licenses” at agfc.com or by calling 833-345-0325 or any regional office.
Three-point rule
Leased Land Permit Required
Acres: 23,721
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Alligator
2026-27 Crow
Sept. 3, 2026-Feb. 21, 2027. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2026-27 Deer
Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3. No antler restrictions apply.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (3-Point Rule applies), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless der with alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
2026-27 Quail
Nov. 1, 2026-Feb. 7, 2027. Daily limit – 6
2026-27 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Daily limit – 8
2026-27 Squirrel
May 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12
2026 Bear
Bear Archery: Sept. 9-Nov. 30.
Bear Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25.
Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 14-30.
Bear Youth Modern Gun Hunt: Nov. 7-8.
2027 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 19-May 9. One legal turkey.
Access
Access on the west side is facilitated by crossing Gillham Lake dam and following Gillham Lake Rd. (County Rd.) through the area. Access on the north and east is facilitated by utilizing Weyerhaeuser roads off Hwy. 4.
Age
The area became a WMA in the 1970s.
Area Notes
- Free georeferenced maps are available for this WMA and others at https://apps.agfc.com/maps/. These maps are frequently updated and include features such as parking, types of road and land boundaries.
Camping
Camping is permitted on the area at designated campsites. Additional campsites area available at Blue Ridge Recreational Area on Dierks Lake and at the Gillham Lake dam area.
Description
Typical Athens Piedmont Plateau habitat includes rolling hills intensively managed for pine production and pine/hardwood mixed stands along creeks. The area is bordered on the west by Gillham Lake and the Cossatot River and partially on the south by Dierks Lake.
Hunting Opportunities
Deer, quail, turkey, squirrel, and rabbits. This area is known for producing large bucks. See current regulations for season and permit requirements.
Location
Located in Howard County, 10 miles north of Dierks and 3 miles southwest of Umpire.
Management Practices
Wildlife management practices are integrated with timber management practices to provide quality wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities. These management practices provide substantial open land habitats and stimulate excellent browse production. Several food plots are planted throughout the area and along the lake to supplement natural browse.
Ownership
This area is made up of approximately 23,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser Company land.
Phone
833-372-2434
Purpose
The primary objective of this management area is to provide quality wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
Fishing opportunities are good in both Gillham Lake and Dierks Lake. Cossatot River State Park and Natural Area lies upstream on the Cossatot River. The Ouachita National Forest is located approximately 10 miles north.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
Facilities are located in Dierks and Umpire. Corps of Engineer campground at Blue Ridge Recreational Area on Dierks Lake is equipped with a concrete boat ramp.
Safety
Due to the large network of Weyerhaeuser roads that run throughout the area it is recommended that anyone not familiar with the area obtain an area map from the AGFC office.