U of A Pine Tree Experimental Station WDA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 635 | Cross, St. Francis |
Mobility-Impaired Access
Acres: 11,850
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Bear
- Alligator
2026-27 Crow
Sept. 3, 2026-Feb. 21, 2027. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2026-27 Deer
Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
Deer Alternative Firearms (permit required): Oct. 17-21.
Deer Modern Gun (permit required): Nov. 14-18 and Nov. 21-25.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
WMA Deer Bag Limit:
Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (no antler restrictions), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlered buck and one antlerless deer with alternative firearms permit,
- One antlered buck and one antlerless deer with modern gun permit.
- During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer.
2026-27 Dove
Sept. 5-Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 8, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Daily Limit – 15, possession Limit – 45
Eurasian Collared-Dove
No daily or possession limit
Eurasian Collared Doves must remain fully feathered in the field and while being transported from the field.
Dove Notes: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission prepares a few fields each year for the opening weekend of dove season so the public has a place to enjoy this exciting form of wingshooting. Dove fields on WMAs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. WMA acreage put into dove fields is relatively small because most hunters only pursue doves the first few days of the season. However, after opening weekend of dove season, many wildlife species feed in the fields, particularly those that were top sown with winter wheat.
2026-27 Quail
Nov. 1, 2026-Feb. 7, 2027. Daily limit – 6
2026-27 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Daily limit – 8
2026-27 Squirrel
May 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12
2027 Turkey
Youth Hunt (permit required): April 10-11. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt (permit required): April 24-26. One legal turkey.
About the Name
The name is from the small farming community of Pine Tree, Arkansas. The WDA was established as a branch experiment station. The University of Arkansas has conducted agricultural experimentation over many years dealing with various research efforts.
Access
Access is provided from Highway 306 either from Colt, or Hunter, Arkansas, depending upon direction of travel. Several St. Francis County roads (107 and 267) cross the management area. Field roads provide seasonal access, but can become impassable during wet periods.
Age
The University of Arkansas received ownership in 1960 from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
Area Notes
- Free georeferenced maps are available for this WMA and others at https://apps.agfc.com/maps/. These maps are frequently updated and include features such as parking, types of road and land boundaries.
- Camping restricted to Sept. 1-Feb. 28.
Camping
No camping is allowed.
Description
The area consists of hardwood timber intermixed with fields planted in various crops. Several beaver ponds provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. Large tracts of pasture are established with an occasional small fishing pond providing a water source for wildlife. The area comprises about 11,850 acres of habitat – 3,940 acres in forests, 5,630 in pastures and 2,280 acres in crops.
Hunting Opportunities
The management area is regulated by permit quota hunting for deer. Small game, such as rabbits, quail, squirrels and furbearers, doves and ducks are hunted under statewide seasons.
Location
The area is in St. Francis County about 6 miles west of Colt, Ark. State Highway 306 bisects the northern portion of the management unit.
Management Practices
Management initiatives are conducted by a cooperative effort between the AGFC and the University of Arkansas. Various wildlife management practices are implemented to enhance habitat diversity to meet various habitat needs of wildlife.
Ownership
This 11,850-acre area is owned by the University of Arkansas.
Phone
833-345-0283
Purpose
The management area purpose is twofold. One is to experiment in the agricultural field as to various needs of the farming industry. Secondly is to provide under a cooperative effort with the AGFC to manage the resource for public use. The WDA is managed for all species of resident wildlife and wintering migratory species.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
Many outdoor opportunities exist on Pine Tree, including fishing, birding and hiking some of the woodland roads.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
The town of Colt, Arkansas, approximately 6 miles from Pine Tree, provides several places to enjoy a meal and a grocery store.