Arkansas alternative firearms deer hunting season opens Saturday in Little Rock
Deer hunters across Little Rock can take to the woods Saturday, Oct. 17, for a special hunt. State wildlife officials expect strong participation as new gear rules enter their third year.
Hunters may use straight-wall cartridge rifles alongside traditional muzzleloaders. Qualifying large-bore air rifles and non-semiautomatic firearms of .30 caliber or larger are also legal. Shotguns are not allowed.
Interest in the hunt continues to grow, according to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officials. Deer Program Coordinator Ralph Meeker said the hunt shifted more harvest to earlier months. Overall harvest totals have not changed significantly, Meeker said.
Meeker said cooler temperatures this weekend could draw more hunters afield. The shift follows weeks of triple-digit heat. Despite the hot weather, this year’s harvest runs ahead of last year’s pace, Meeker said.
Arkansas hunters harvested about 186,000 deer last year. Meeker said the state herd remains healthy. It is too early to predict this season’s final total, Meeker said.
He encouraged hunters to take does to balance the herd. Early hunts have increased pressure on bucks, Meeker said. Acorn production has been uneven across Arkansas, including Little Rock region woods.
Drought conditions were not as severe as initially feared, Meeker said. Some areas still have good mast crops. Persimmon trees are producing fruit, according to Meeker.
Meeker said hunters should focus on oak trees near reliable water sources. Food supplies have been strongest in those specific spots, Meeker said. Hunters can check the 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for cartridge rules.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages wildlife populations across the state. The agency sets annual season dates, limits and legal equipment guidelines for all zones in Little Rock and statewide. Staff monitor habitat conditions throughout the year.
Hunters can visit AGFC.com/guidebooks for complete hunting regulations and deer-zone limits. Detailed Wildlife Management Area maps and rules are available at AGFC.com/wheretohunt.
