Bayou Des Arc WMA

Zone: 5

County: Prairie County

2018-19 Deer

Deer Archery: Sept. 22, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019
Deer Muzzleloader: Oct. 20-28, 2018 and Dec. 29-31, 2018.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 10-Dec. 16, 2018 and Dec. 26-28, 2018.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 3-4, 2018 and Jan. 5-6, 2019.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:

Two bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
Three does with archery,
Two does with muzzleloader and modern gun combined.
During youth hunt, youths may take three deer, no more than two bucks (no antler restrictions) or up to two does.

Deer Notes:

This WMA is in Flood Prone Region B. Click here for details.
Three-point rule.
No dogs.
Limit during the modern gun special youth hunt is three deer, no more than two bucks (no antler restrictions) or up to two does.

2018-19 Quail: Nov. 1, 2018-Feb. 4, 2019. Daily limit - 6, possession limit -12. Bird dogs allowed.

2018-19 Rabbit: Sept. 1, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019. Daily limit - 8, possession limit - 16. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts.

2018-19 Squirrel: May 15, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.

2019 Turkey: Youth Hunt: April 6-7, 2019. One legal turkey, no more than one jake.
Firearms Hunt: April 8-16, 2019. One legal turkey, no jakes (youths may take one jake as part of their statewide seasonal limit).

About the Name: This 953-acre wildlife management area received its name from the city of Des Arc, a historical river town on the White River in Prairie County.

Access: Access to the WMA is limited to walk-in visitors. Parking is available at lake parking facilities.

Age: Des Arc WMA was created in 1966 after the acquisition of property for the construction of a 320-acre public fishing lake. After the creation of Lake Des Arc, bottomland hardwood habitat remained outside the levee system, providing an opportunity for development of this small management area.

Area Type: WMA

Camping: Primitive camping is available.

Description: The 300-acre area is a bottomland hardwood overflow tract.

Hunting Opportunities: Although signs identify a small buffer zone around the immediate area of the lake as closed to hunting, hunting is allowed on land outside the levee. Swamp rabbits, deer, ducks and squirrels are the most frequently hunted species. Raccoons may be taken and hunting is good to excellent depending upon water levels.

Location: Bayou Des Arc is 5 miles north of the city of Des Arc on Highway 11.

Management Practices: The hardwood habitat is managed as other typical bottomland areas. Timber inventories evaluate the vigor and quality of the habitat for wildlife. The 320-acre lake is managed by an AGFC fisheries biologist.

Ownership: The AGFC owns the lake and Wildlife Management Area.

Phone: 877-734-4581

Purpose: This tract provides additional public use opportunities close to a public fishing lake.

Recreation Other Than Hunting: This management area provides an opportunity to observe many species of wetland birds and Neotropical migrants for bird enthusiasts and photographers.

Restaurants and Other Facilities: The nearest facilities are in Des Arc and Hazen. Several restaurants provide various types of food and small grocery stores provide camp foods.

Safety: When accessing the WMA by boat across Lake Des Arc, make sure proper personal flotation devices for all members are aboard the vessel.

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps