Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA

Zone: 433

County: Prairie

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 (permit hunt): Nov. 11-15, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 and Jan. 6-7, 2024

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

Two bucks with archery,
Three does with archery,
One buck and one doe with muzzleloader permit,
One buck and one doe with modern gun permit.
During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one buck (no antler restrictions) and one doe.

Deer Notes:

12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam rule.
No dogs.

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.
No airboats during duck season.

2024 Turkey

Youth Hunt (permit required): April 6-7, 2024. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt (permit required): April 15-17 and April 20-22, 2024. One legal turkey.

Turkey Notes: A WMA Turkey Hunt Permit is required to hunt turkeys on this WMA. Click here for details.

About the Name: The name is derived from Wattensaw Bayou, which transects the northern part of the area west to east flow. The bayou empties into the White River on the area's East Side.

Access: Access to the west side of the area is from Highway 11 off I-40 exit at Hazen. One access road is 1.5 miles north of the exit and the other is 3 miles north of the exit. The southeastern portion is accessed from US Highway 70 via Webb Lake Road 1 mile west of DeValls Bluff.

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.
A hunting or fishing license or AGFC Camping Permit is required to camp.
Check antler restrictions for important additional information.

Camping: There are 38 primitive campsites maintained by area personnel.

Description: There are approximately 270 acres of old beaver ponds that provide valuable habitat for furbearers and waterfowl. There are 2024 acres of old fields managed on a rotational basis by control burning, bush hogging, disking and planting. There is 14,419 acres of timber, primarily oak and hickory; 96 acres in streams and 113 acres in ponds and lakes. The main streams include; Wattensaw Bayou, Hurricane Creek, Miller Creek, Clark Creek, Barkley Branch and Bell Branch. There are numerous small ponds, 9 ponds created by removing dirt for I-40 construction and Webb and Mooreês lake which are oxbow lakes off the White River on the east side of the area.

Hunting Opportunities: Whitetail deer hunting is limited to permit hunts for gun and muzzleloader. Bow hunting opportunities are very liberal and is regulated the same as statewide. The area deer are known for good racks and heavy body weights. This area was one of the first in the state to initiate a 3-point rule in the harvest of buck deer; it also is one of the first to expand into main-beam and minimum spread requirements to help produce high-quality bucks for hunters Squirrels are usually abundant along the White River and streams on the area. Raccoon hunting is usually good along the waterways. Fox and bobcat are trapped in the upland areas. Cottontail rabbits are hunted in the old fields and field trials are held on the WMA. Swamp rabbits can hunted along the streams. Quail hunting is usually fair and thickets make hunting difficult. Ducks are hunted on beaver ponds and Wattensaw Bayou when there is adequate water. Coyote populations are excellent but few hunters take the opportunity to pursue them. Woodcock inhabit sweet gum thickets along waterways providing seasonal hunting during migratory periods.

Location: The area is in Prairie County. It is 40 miles east of Little Rock, 93 miles west of Memphis, 26 miles north of Stuttgart and 3 miles north of Hazen.

Management Practices: There is an extensive system of wildlife openings on the area. They are managed by bush hogging, control burning, disking and planting perennial cover crops in fall. Wildlife habitat enhancement treatments are carried by compartment entry.

Ownership: The AGFC purchased the area in 1959 while under the control of the USFS. There are still tracts of land under private ownership within the area boundary.

Phone: 833-345-0283

Purpose: The area has mainly been used for upland game management. Quail were featured for a long period of time in the early years of AGFC ownership.

Recreation Other Than Hunting: Fishing is popular on the area. The main areas are Wattensaw Bayou, Moore's Lake, Webb Lake, White River and the I-40 borrow pits. Fishing is also available in some of the old ponds. Fishing derbies for youngsters are held periodically. The Grand Prairies District to the Boy Scouts of America uses the area for camporees and jamborees. The old Forest Service Fire Tower is still standing but no climbing is allowed due to its condition.

Restaurants and Other Facilities: Hazen provides motel accommodations along I-40 and several restaurants are available in the immediate area. The famous Craig's Barbecue is located in nearby De Valls Bluff. Special use facilities include three retriever trial areas, 28 target archery ranges and a Concrete launch ramp at Wattensaw Bayou Access.

Safety: Abundant mosquitoes necessitate the use of insect repellent. Roads open for travel are well maintained. Non-graveled roads are closed. No one allowed on the area without a permit during gun and muzzleloader deer hunts. ATVs are restricted to mobility impaired permit holders and those accessing inholding property.

WMA Master Plan: View the master plan for this AGFC-owned WMA.

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps