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Buffalo National River WMA

Zone: 080

Counties: Baxter, Marion, Newton, Searcy

2023-24 Closed Seasons
  • Alligator
  • Furbearer Trapping
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: Oct. 21-29, 2023 and Dec. 9-11, 2023
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 11-Dec. 3, 2023 and Dec. 26-28, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 and Jan. 6-7, 2024

WMA Deer Bag Limit: Four deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:

  • Two antlered bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun (no antler restrictions),
  • Four antlerless deer with archery,
  • Two antlerless deer with muzzleloader or modern gun.
  • During the youth hunt, youths may take four deer, two antlered bucks and two antlerless.

Deer Notes:

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. Daily limit - 12, possession limit - 48. 

2023 Bear

Bear Archery: Sept. 13-Nov. 30, 2023
Bear Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023
Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 11-30, 2023
Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023

Bear Notes:

2023 Elk

Elk (permit hunts): Oct. 2-6, 2023 and Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2023
Elk Youth (permit hunts): Oct. 7-8, 2023 and Oct. 28-29, 2023

2024 Turkey

Youth Hunt: April 6-7, 2024. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 15-May 5, 2024. One legal turkey.

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.
  • CWD regulations apply in Marion, Newton and Searcy counties. Due to ongoing research, collared or ear-tagged deer may be present. Research deer are legal for harvest. Tag and check research deer as required and call 833-289-2469 within 12 hours of harvest.
  • Research deer are legal for harvest. Tag and check research deer as required and call 833-289-2469 within 12 hours of harvest.
  • This area is administered by the National Park Service in conjunction with AGFC. Please visit the Superintendent’s Compendium available at www.nps.gov/buff for additional Federal regulations.
  • Chase for pleasure and dog training are not allowed.
  • Discharging firearms across, into or from the Buffalo River and its gravel bars is not allowed.
  • Hunting is not allowed in developed areas.
  • Firearms and crossbows must be unloaded and cased or broken down when in a developed campground.
  • The operation of off-road motor vehicles is not allowed on roads, lands and waters within the Buffalo National River.
  • Vehicles may not travel off-road.
  • Campsites may not remain unattended for more than 24 hours.
  • Sylamore WMA seasons and regulations apply to Buffalo National River lands in Marion and Baxter counties lying east of Big Creek and south and east of the Buffalo River.
  • No trapping is allowed on Buffalo National River.
Ownership

National Park Service

Phone

833-340-7506

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps