Benson Creek Natural Area WMA
Zone: 023
Counties: Monroe, Woodruff
- 2023-24 Closed Seasons
- Alligator
- Bear
- 2023-24 Crow
Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 19, 2024. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
- 2023-24 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 23, 2023- Feb. 29, 2024
Deer Muzzleloader (permit hunt): Oct. 21-25, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023
Deer Modern Gun (permit hunt): Nov. 11-15, 2023WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery,
- Three does with archery,
- One buck or doe with muzzeloader permit,
- One buck or doe with modern gun permit.
- During special youth modern gun hunt, limit is three deer, two bucks (no antler restrictions) and one doe.
Deer Notes:
- Three-point rule.
- No dogs.
- This WMA is in Flood Prone Region D. Click here for details.
- 2023-24 Quail
Nov. 1, 2023-Feb. 5, 2024. Daily limit - 6, possession limit -12.
While training bird dogs, you may use handguns or shotguns with blank ammunition. Pen-raised quail may be taken with a Shoot-To-Kill Bird Dog Field Training Permit. This permit is available from your local wildlife officer.
- 2023-24 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024. Daily limit - 8, possession limit - 16.
- 2023-24 Squirrel
May 15, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024. Dogs allowed. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48.
- 2024 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 6-7, 2024. One legal turkey.
Firearms: April 15-23, 2024. One legal turkey.
- About the Name
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA is named after the creek that runs through it.
- Access
From Brinkley go north on U.S. Highway 49 to Arkansas Highway 17. Go west on Arkansas Highway 17 about 3 miles to the bridge over Bayou DeView. Parking and boat access are available south of the bridge.
- Age
Aquired in 1993.
- 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.
- Motorized vehicles, horses, camping and construction of hunting stands are prohibited.
- Camping
Camping is not allowed.
- Description
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA is one of many natural areas owned by the Natural Heritage Commission that are available to the public. At 1,458 acres, it includes 610 acres of bald cypress/water tupelo swamps along Bayou DeView.
- Hunting Opportunities
Hunting opportunities exist for deer, small game and waterfowl.
- Management Practices
Restoration efforts are used to improve the ecological quality of previosuly disturbed plant communities.
- Ownership
- Phone
833-345-0283
- Purpose
All ANHC natural areas are lands specifically managed to preserve, and sometimes restore, natural communities that have become rare.
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
Canoeing and bird watching are popular on this area.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
Restaurants and other facilities can be found in Brinkley, about 5 miles south.