Seven Devils WMA
Zone | County |
---|---|
570 | Drew |
Waterfowl Season Access Restrictions
Three-point rule
Acres: 5,032
2024-25 Closed Seasons
- Alligator
- 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.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 19-27.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 9-Dec. 15 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 2-3 and Jan. 4-5.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Five deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Five does with archery, alternative firearms 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.
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.
2023-24 Waterfowl
- 2023-24 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook
- 2023-24 Statewide Waterfowl Season Dates and Bag Limits
- General WMA Regulations
Waterfowl Notes:
- No boats allowed Nov. 11-17, Nov. 27-Dec. 8 and Dec. 24-26. Exception – Boats allowed from 4 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
- Closed to all access (except in designated campsites, parking areas, boat launch ramps and boat staging areas) from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Nov. 18-Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. Boats may only be launched in boat staging areas after 2 a.m. and must remain occupied between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- Spinning-wing and mechanically operated decoys not allowed. See Page 43.
- No boats allowed from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. Nov. 18-Jan. 31.
Exception – Boats allowed from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and Jan. 31. - Waterfowl hunters may not possess shot shells containing shot larger than No. 2 and may possess no more than 15 shells unless hunters are in camping, parking or boat launching areas or during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts (Dec. 2, Feb. 3) and Special Military Hunt (Feb. 3).
- No airboats during duck season.
- Motors with factory exhaust systems only during waterfowl season.
2025 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 12-13. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 21-May 11. One legal turkey.
About the Name
It is named after the swamp it is a part of.
Access
Access to the west side and the parking area. Take state highway 35 east from Monticello for approximately 12 miles. A green WMA sign is located here on the left at the Cominto fire tower. A gravel road turns left here and goes 2 miles to the parking area. Currently, there are no campsites on the Seven Devils area, however, camping is available on the adjacent Casey Jones Area 1, provided at least one of the campers has a valid Casey Jones permit.
Age
The area was acquired in 1954.
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.
- For access restrictions that affect all users during waterfowl season, check the waterfowl guidebook.
Description
It is a true wetland ecosystem, composed almost totally of cypress, tupelo, buttonbush, locust and willow. There is one main stream contributing to the area and that is Cut-Off Creek which flows through the center of the area.
Hunting Opportunities
The area is widely known for its good duck hunting. No permanent blinds are allowed. Furbearer trapping is good especially for raccoon and mink. Squirrel, deer and rabbits can be hunted on the area before the area is flooded usually in late October.
Location
It is in southeastern Drew County 12 miles east of Monticello.
Management Practices
The area is managed as a greentree area for waterfowl and the water is controlled by a 3/4 mile dam and a stop log structure that impedes the flow of Cut-Off Creek. The gates are closed from September 15 and opened around February 15. There are 12 food plots scattered on the area that are maintained for wildlife.
Ownership
It is part of a 6,000 acre swamp located in Drew County. 512 acres are owned by the AGFC the remainder is owned mostly by Georgia-Pacific Corp. and other private individuals. The portion owned by Georgia-Pacific is in the land lease system known as the Casey Jones WMA.
Phone
833-363-7638
Purpose
The area was originally purchased for a fishing lake. The area is now managed mostly for waterfowl.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
Fishing on the area in the spring is considered good. Species include; bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. By summer, water levels are too low for good fishing. The swamp has a breeding population of anhingas, great blue herons, little green herons and American herons. There are occasional sightings of eagles in the fall and winter. There are some alligators present on the area.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
There are motels, supplies and restaurants in Monticello and Dermott. Supplies and food in Collins. There are two boat ramps on the area.
Safety
Getting lost on the area is a problem due to water and similarity of all the terrain. The area has a good population of mosquitoes and cottonmouths and deer flies. Access to the hunting area is by foot or boat.