Ozan WMA
Zone: 495
County: Hempstead
- 2022-23 Closed Seasons
- Alligator
- Bear
- 2022-23 Crow
Sept. 1, 2022-Feb. 20, 2023. Open Thursdays through Mondays. No limit.
- 2022-23 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 24, 2022-Feb. 28, 2023
Deer Muzzleloader: Oct. 15-23, 2022 and Dec. 29-31, 2022
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 12-Dec. 18, 2022 and Dec. 26-28, 2022
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 5-6, 2022 and Jan. 7-8, 2023WMA 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.
- 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 except during firearms deer hunts.
- 2022-23 Squirrel
May 15, 2022-Feb. 28, 2023. Dogs allowed except during firearms deer hunts. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.
- 2023 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 8-9, 2023. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 17-May 7, 2023. One legal turkey.
- Access
The area has two public parking lots - one on the west border to access the moist soil unit, and one on the east border to access the WMA interior. Travel is restricted to foot traffic only.
- Age
The area was established as a WMA in 1991.
- 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.
- Camping
Nearest camping facilities are in Hope or on Millwood Lake.
- Description
The 580-acre area is within the Blackland Prairie belt in Hempstead County. Levees and water-control structures create many moist-soil units on the area, which provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and wading birds. Hills covered in pine/hardwood and cedars blanket sections of the WMA.
- Hunting Opportunities
The area provides excellent public hunting and wildlife viewing for a variety of game and non-game animals. White-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, eastern wild turkey, and squirrels frequent the upland forested areas, while sections of old-field habitat provide excellent rabbit hunting. During winter, the moist-soil units offer excellent waterfowl habitat.
- Location
The WMA is east of the Ozan community on Arkansas Highway 278 in Hempstead County.
- Management Practices
Prescribed burning is implemented on this area to setback succession and stimulate browse production. Water-control structures enable area managers to flood moist-soil units and retain semi-aquatic vegetation preferred by waterfowl and wading birds.
- Ownership
This 580-acre area is owned by the AGFC.
- Phone
833-372-2434
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
The area also is excellent for watching wildlife, such as wading birds, waterfowl and Neotropical migrants like Bell's Vireo. Rick Evans/Grandview Prairie WMA is approximately 5 miles to the southwest. Old Washington Historic State Park is approximately 7 miles south on Hwy 4.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
Facilities are in Washington, Nashville or Hope.