Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA/Deer Research Area West Unit

Zone: 132

County: Desha

2023-24 Closed Seasons

Alligator
Bear
Deer Archery
Deer Muzzleloader
Turkey

2023-24 Crow: Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 19, 2024. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.

2023-24 Deer

Deer Modern Gun (Disabled Veteran Permit hunt): Oct. 28-29, 2023
Deer Modern Gun (youth permit hunt): Nov. 18-19, 2023, Nov. 25-26, 2023, Dec. 2-3, 2023 and Dec. 9-10, 2023.

WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than one buck, which may include:

Two does with modern gun permit,
During youth and disabled veteran permit hunts, youths and veterans may take three deer, one buck (no antler restrictions) and two does with a permit.

Deer Notes:

No dogs.
No antler restrictions.

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.

2023-24 Waterfowl

Waterfowl Notes:

Spinning-wing and mechanically operated decoys not allowed. See Page 43.
Closed to waterfowl hunting except for permit holders during permit waterfowl hunts.
- Hunting allowed in designated locations through online permit lottery.
- Visit agfc.com and click on "Buy Licenses" to apply. Youth permit applications only appear if logged in under the youth hunters' Customer ID.
- All day hunting on Saturday and Sunday (Youth/Adult Hunt) and half day hunting on Wednesday (Adult Hunt). All-day hunting allowed Jan. 31.
- No more than four participants per party are allowed in each designated location. During Youth/Adult Hunt there is a minimum of one adult mentor per party, not to exceed one adult mentor per youth hunter. During Youth/Adult Hunts all members of the party may hunt.

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.
Check antler restrictions for important additional information.
Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA Deer Research Area East Unit closes to deer hunting when the Mississippi River gauge at Arkansas City reaches 31 feet and remains closed until the gauge falls to 29 feet or below.
The West Unit does not flood and should remain independent of the East Unit.
Horses and mules are prohibited during deer season.
For access restrictions that affect all users during waterfowl season, check the waterfowl guidebook.

Ownership: AGFC

Phone: 833-363-7638

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps