Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Zone: 025
Counties: Ashley, Union
- 2020-21 Closed Seasons
- Bear
- 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: Oct. 17-25, 2020 and Dec. 29-31, 2020
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 14- Dec. 20, 2020 and Dec. 26-28, 2020
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 7-8, 2020 and Jan. 2-3, 2021WMA Deer Bag Limit: Five deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
- Five does with archery, muzzleloader and modern gun combined.
- During youth hunt, youths may take five deer, no more than two bucks (no antler restrictions) or up to five does.
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 except during firearms deer hunts.
- 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
Waterfowl Notes:
- 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.
- Hunters may not enter the WMA before 4 a.m. (excluding the Ouachita River). Waterfowl hunting ends at noon.
- All waterfowl hunting equipment (blinds, guns, decoys, etc.) must be removed by 1 p.m. each day. Fishing and non-hunting activities allowed.
- Boating regulations on WMAs and NWRs.
- Airboats may not be operated within Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA (excluding the Ouachita River) during duck season.
- 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.
- 2021 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 10-11, 2021. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 20-22, 2021. One legal turkey, no jakes. (Youths may take one jake as part of their statewide seasonal limit).Turkey Notes: A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA. Click here for details.
- About the Name
The area was named after a former AGFC commissioner who assisted with acquisition of the area. Before it was renamed, this area was known as Lower Ouachita WMA.
- Access
There are two access roads on the Union County side of the WMA. One road exists along the west side of the river. The other road coming off First Street on the west side of the WMA is seasonally gated when the WMA is flooded.
- Age
The AGFC purchased the land in 1987.
- Area Notes
- A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap.
- Only non-toxic shot may be possessed and used while hunting small game with shotguns.
- The Clear Lake access road is subject to seasonal closures due to high river levels on the Ouachita River. Unless otherwise specified, during these closure periods the Clear Lake Access Road Gate will be closed to all vehicular traffic to include ATVs. Prior to reopening, this access road will be evaluated for obstructions, safety hazards and overall suitability for travel. Current information regarding road conditions and vehicular accessibility can be obtained on the AGFC Hotline at 1 800-440-1477
- Camping
Currently, two designated primitive campsites exist along the access road on the west side of the river.
- Description
The Beryl Anthony WMA comprises seasonally flooded bottomland hardwoods. A few pine ridges and prairie remnants also occur on the area.
- Hunting Opportunities
The area provides excellent waterfowl hunting opportunities when the Ouachita River floods. Deer and squirrel hunting is fair to good.
- Location
The area is 15 miles west of Crossett between Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas and Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.
- Management Practices
Management goals for this area are to sustain bottomland hardwood habitat by protecting the existing young hardwood forest from disease and year-round flooding caused by beavers.
- Ownership
This 7,020-acre area is owned by the AGFC. It includes Coffee Prairie Natural Area, which belongs to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
- Phone
877-836-4612
- Purpose
The area was purchased in order to provide hunting fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities in south Arkansas.
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
The Ouachita River, oxbows and sloughs provide excellent fishing opportunities.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
Nearest towns are Huttig, Crossett and El Dorado.
- Safety
Care should be taken when driving along the access road. There are a couple of places where it gets very near the high bank of the Ouachita River. Care should also be taken when the area becomes flooded.
- WMA Master Plan
View this AGFC-owned WMA's master plan for operations details.