Benson Creek Natural Area WMA
Zone: 023
Counties: Monroe, Woodruff
- 2021-22 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 24, 2022- Feb. 28, 2023
Deer Muzzleloader (permit hunt): Oct. 15-19, 2022
Deer Modern Gun (special youth hunt): Nov. 5-6, 2022
Deer Modern Gun (permit hunt): Nov. 12-16, 2022WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery,
- Three does with archery,
- One buck or doe with muzzeloader permit,
- One buck or doe with modern gun permit.
Deer Notes:
- Three-point rule.
- No dogs.
- A WMA Deer Hunt Permit is required to hunt deer with firearms on this WMA. Click here for details.
- This WMA is in Flood Prone Region D. Click here for details.
- 2022-23 Closed Seasons
- Bear
- Alligator
- 2022-23 Crow
Sept. 1, 2022-Feb. 20, 2023. Open Thursdays through Mondays. No limit.
- 2022-23 Quail
Nov. 1, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023. Daily limit - 6, possession limit -12. Bird dogs allowed.
- 2022-23 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2022-Feb. 28, 2023. Daily limit - 8, possession limit - 16. Dogs allowed.
- 2022-23 Squirrel
May 15, 2022-Feb. 28, 2023. Dogs allowed. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.
- 2022 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 9-10, 2022. One legal turkey.
Firearms: April 18-26, 2022. One legal turkey.
- About the Name
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA is named after the creek that runs through it.
- Access
From Brinkley go north on U.S. Highway 49 to Arkansas Highway 17. Go west on Arkansas Highway 17 about 3 miles to the bridge over Bayou DeView. Parking and boat access are available south of the bridge.
- Age
Aquired in 1993.
- 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.
- Motorized vehicles, horses, camping and construction of hunting stands are prohibited.
- Camping
Camping is not allowed.
- Description
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA is one of many natural areas owned by the Natural Heritage Commission that are available to the public. At 1,458 acres, it includes 610 acres of bald cypress/water tupelo swamps along Bayou DeView.
- Hunting Opportunities
Hunting opportunities exist for deer, small game and waterfowl.
- Management Practices
Restoration efforts are used to improve the ecological quality of previosuly disturbed plant communities.
- Ownership
- Phone
833-345-0283
- Purpose
All ANHC natural areas are lands specifically managed to preserve, and sometimes restore, natural communities that have become rare.
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
Canoeing and bird watching are popular on this area.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
Restaurants and other facilities can be found in Brinkley, about 5 miles south.