Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 180 | Hempstead |
AGFC Camping Permit Required
12-Inch Inside Spread of 15-Inch Main Beam Rule
Waterfowl Season Access Restrictions
Mobility-Impaired Access
Factory Exhaust Only
Shell Limit (25 shells max per hunter)
HP Restrictions
Waterfowl Hunting Ends at Noon
Acres: 13,658
2024-25 Closed Seasons
- Bear
2024-25 Crow
Sept. 1, 2024-Feb. 17, 2025. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2024-25 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 7-9 (one buck only); Sept. 28-Feb. 28.
Red Slough Waterfowl Rest Area: Sept. 7-9 (one buck only); Sept. 23-Oct. 31 and Feb. 17-28.
Deer Alternative Firearms (permit hunt): Oct. 19-27.
Deer Modern Gun (permit hunt): Nov. 9-17.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery,
- Four does with archery,
- One buck and two does with alternative firearms permit,
- One buck and two does with modern gun permit.
- During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one buck (no antler restrictions) and one doe.
Deer Notes:
- 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam rule.
- No dogs.
2024-25 Quail
Nov. 1, 2024-Feb. 2, 2025. Daily limit – 6, possession limit – 12.
2024-25 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.
2024-25 Squirrel
May 15, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.
2024-25 Waterfowl
- 2024-25 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook
- 2024-25 Statewide Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits
- General WMA Regulations
Waterfowl Notes:
- No boats allowed Nov. 16-22, Dec. 3-9 and Dec. 24-26.
- Closed to all access (except in designated campsites, parking areas, boat launch ramps and boat staging areas) from 2-4 a.m., Nov. 23-Jan. 31 and Feb. 8-9.
Boats may only be launched in boat staging areas after 2 a.m. and must remain occupied between 2-4 a.m. - Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc Lake Waterfowl Rest Area is open for fishing and nonhunting access.
- No boats allowed except on parking areas from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. Nov. 23-Jan. 31.
Exception – Boats allowed from 1-6:30 p.m. Jan. 31. and Feb. 8-9. - No outboard motors larger than 25 horsepower, surface-drive motors larger than 37 horsepower or airboats during duck season (except for Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc Lake).
2024 Alligator
Alligator (permit hunts): Sept. 20-23 and Sept. 27-30. Permit required.
2025 Turkey
Youth Hunt (permit required): April 12-13. One legal turkey.
Archery: April 24-25 and April 29-May 11 (closed during firearms permit hunts). One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt (permit required): April 21-23 and April 26-28. One legal turkey.
Turkey Notes: A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA. Click here for details.
Access
From Hope, take Ark Hwy. 29 south about 6 miles, take Ark. Hwy. 355 west toward Springhill and follow into the area. The west side of the area can be accessed from U.S. Hwy. 67 west of Hope.
Age
The area was established as a WMA in 1950s.
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.
- Red Slough Waterfowl Rest Area closes to access Nov. 1-Feb. 15. Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc Lake is open for fishing and nonhunting access.
- Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc Lake is open for fishing and non-hunting access.
- For access restrictions that affect all users during waterfowl season, check the waterfowl guidebook.
Camping
Primitive campsites are available around the lake and on the west side of the WMA.
Description
The area consists primarily of bottomland hardwood habitats. This includes a 660-acre greentree waterfowl area. Little Grassy Duck Area is a 150-acre moist-soil management unit.
Hunting Opportunities
Waterfowl, deer, quail, turkey, squirrel, and rabbits.
Location
The WMA is 16 miles south of Hope.
Management Practices
A system of levees and water control structures facilitate inundating the area for waterfowl habitat. A forest management prescription and open lands management system provide excellent wildlife habitat.
Ownership
This 13,658-acre area is composed of 5,866 acres of state-owned land and 7,792 acres leased from Red River Texarkana (managed by Hancock Forest Management) and Potlatch timber company.
Phone
833-372-2434
Purpose
The primary objective of this management area is to provide high-quality wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
Bois d’Arc Lake provides excellent fishing and bird-watching opportunities.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
Facilities are located in Springhill and Hope.
Safety
Bois d’Arc Lake and the associated creeks and sloughs are also home to the American Alligator. Caution should be used at all times, especially during warm weather, and swimming is not allowed. The lake also has numerous stumps and logs which require slow boat operations.