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Bell Slough WMA

Zone: 022

Counties: Faulkner, Pulaski

2020-21 Closed Seasons
  • Deer muzzleloader
  • Deer modern gun
  • Bear modern gun
  • Alligator
2020-21 Crow

Sept. 1, 2020-Feb. 21, 2021. Open Thursdays through Mondays. No limit.

2020-21 Deer

Deer Archery: Sept. 26, 2020- Feb. 28, 2021
Deer Muzzleloader (Permit Hunt): Oct. 17-21, 2020
Modern Gun (special youth hunts): Nov. 7-8, 2020
Modern Gun: Closed

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

  • Two antlered bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
  • Four does with archery
  • Two antlerless with muzzleloader or modern gun,
  • During youth hunt, youths may take four deer, two antlered bucks and two antlerless.

Deer Notes:

  • Three-point rule.
  • No dogs.
2020-21 Quail

Nov. 1, 2020-Feb. 7, 2021. Daily limit - 6, possession limit -12. Bird dogs allowed.

2020-21 Rabbit

Sept. 1, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021. Daily limit - 8, possession limit - 16. Dogs allowed.

2020-21 Squirrel

May 15, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.

2020-21 Waterfowl

Statewide Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits

General WMA Regulations

Waterfowl Notes:

  • No boats allowed Nov. 16-20, Dec. 1-10 and Dec. 24-25.
  • Closed to all access (except in designated campsites, parking areas and boat launch ramps) from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., Nov. 21-Jan. 31 and Feb. 6.
  • The Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area is closed to all access from Nov. 1-Feb. 15.
  • It is unlawful to use any device that simulates wing movement or movement of any kind through electrical or mechanical means, except jerk strings. See exact code.
  • Waterfowl hunters may not possess shotgun shells containing shot larger than No. 2 and may possess no more than 15 shells unless hunters are in camping, parking or boat-launching areas or during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts and Special Military Hunts, Dec. 5 and Feb. 6.
  • No boats allowed from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m., Nov. 21-Jan. 31.
    Exception – Boats allowed from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Jan. 31 and Feb. 6.
  • Boating regulations on WMAs and NWRs.
  • Airboats may not be operated within Bell Slough WMA during duck season.
  • Non-motorized boat access to water trails in afternoon during duck season is allowed.
  • Hunters gaining access to Grassy Lake from Bell Slough are not required to have a sportsman’s pass, but must stay in or on the water. For information on the sportsman’s pass, call 501-212-4090.
  • In addition to a valid Arkansas hunting license, nonresidents need a a valid Arkansas waterfowl stamp (DSN) and a 5-day Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit (NW5) to hunt waterfowl on wildlife management areas. The permit costs $30.50 and is valid only Nov. 21-30, Dec. 27-Jan. 5, Jan. 22-31. It is available online, by telephone or from license dealers. Nonresidents will also need a free WMA General Use permit (WMP) when hunting on any WMA.
2020 Bear

Bear Archery: Sept. 26-Nov. 30, 2020
Bear Muzzleloader: Oct. 17-21, 2020
Firearms: Closed

Bear Notes:

  • Statewide limit.
  • No dogs.
  • Bear seasons close earlier if bear zone quota is reached.
2020 Turkey

See Camp Robinson WMA for turkey season details.

2020 Turkey Permit

A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA. Click here for details. 

Access

Access to Bell Slough is available from Grassy Lake Road and from the backside of the Lake Conway Dam.

Area Notes
  • Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area closes to access Nov. 1 and reopens Feb. 16.
  • Firearms are restricted to shotguns and rimfire rifles.
  • Boats may only be launched in boat staging areas after 2 a.m. and must remain occupied at all times between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
  • A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap.
Description

Bell Slough WMA consists of 2,040 acres of woodlands and wetlands nestled between Little Rock and the growing city of Conway. Palarm Creek Rest Area offers birders a chance to view waterfowl, shorebirds and Neotropical migrants, and provides feeding and loafing habitat for migrating waterfowl.

Hunting Opportunities

Waterfowl hunting is available at Bell Slough. Mallards, gadwall and wood ducks are the primary waterfowl species seen on the area during winter. Bowhunting for deer and squirrel hunting are available on the area as well.

Location

Bell Slough WMA lies just south of Mayflower off Interstate 40.

Ownership

AGFC

Phone

877-967-7577

Recreation Other Than Hunting

The area is home to Kenny Vernon Nature Trail and Bell Slough Water Trail. These trails offer excellent bird-watching and the hiking trail boasts an observation area with mounted binoculars near Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area.

Restaurants and Other Facilities

Restaurants are available in Mayflower, Conway and Little Rock, all less than a 15-minute drive from the area.

Safety

Because the area is home to a nature trail, hunters should pay particular attention to hikers and birdwatchers who may not be wearing safety orange. Hikers and birdwatchers are strongly encouraged to wear safety orange during hunting seasons.

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps