Elk Season Dates and Bag Limits
2023 Elk Season Dates
Core Elk Management Zone Public Land Hunts (By Drawn Permit Only)
- Youth Hunts: Oct. 7-8 and Oct. 28-29, 2023
- Regular Elk Hunts (youth eligible): Oct. 2-6 and Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2023
Core Elk Management Zone Private Land Hunt (By Private Land Elk Permit Only)
- Youth Hunts (antlerless elk only): Oct. 7-8 and Oct. 28-29, 2023
- Regular Elk Hunts: Oct. 2-6 and Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2023
Private Land Quota
The Core Elk Management Zone Private Land Hunt only takes place in Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties and has a quota is 35 total, 10 bulls and 25 antlerless elk. Bull hunters must call 833-345-0398 after 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day to see if the quota has been reached. Antlerless hunters only have to call in after 8 p.m. each day. The season ends Nov. 3 or the evening the quota is reached, whichever comes first.
Statewide Elk Management Zone
In all counties outside the Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties), hunters may take any elk they see while deer hunting with muzzleloaders and archery equipment legal for deer or with modern guns of at least .24 caliber.
Season Limit
One elk, either sex
