Poison Springs WMA
Zone: 530
Counties: Nevada, Ouachita
- 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: Oct. 21-29, 2023 and Dec. 29-31, 2023
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 11-Dec. 17, 2023 and Dec. 26-28, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 and Jan. 6-7, 2024WMA Deer Bag Limit: Five deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
- Five does with archery, muzzleloader and modern gun combined.
- During youth hunt, youths may take five deer, no more than two bucks (no antler restrictions) or up to five does.
Deer Notes:
- Three-point rule.
- No dogs.
- 2023-24 Dove
Sept. 2-Oct. 22, 2023 and Dec. 8, 2023-Jan. 15, 2024
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Daily Limit - 15, possession limit - 45Eurasian Collared-Dove
No daily or possession limit
Eurasian Collared Doves must remain fully feathered in the field and while being transported from the field.Dove Notes:
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission prepares a few fields each year for the opening weekend of dove season so the public has a place to enjoy this exciting form of wingshooting.
Dove fields on WMAs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. WMA acreage put into dove fields is relatively small because most hunters only pursue doves the first few days of the season. However, after opening weekend of dove season, many wildlife species feed in the fields, particularly those that were topsown with winter wheat.
- 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 Hunt: April 15-May 5, 2024. One legal turkey.
- Access
The area is located 25 miles west of Camden on state hwy 24. There are green WMA signs posted at the entrance of the larger tracts.
- Age
Poison Springs WMA was established in 1972.
- 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.
- An additional free permit from the Arkansas Forestry Commission is required to hunt, camp or collect firewood. Call 870-836-5882 to reserve a campsite and obtain a permit.
- Horses and mules are allowed for legal hunting activities during specific hunting seasons and at night during furbearer season.
- Camping
The Arkansas Forestry Commission has designated several areas as primitive campsites. A free permit must be obtained from them in order to use these campsites.
- Description
Poison Springs WMA is located entirely in the West Gulf Coastal Plain Physiographic Region. Most of the tracts are of an Upland habitat type and are characterized by pine and upland oaks, rolling hills, sandy soils, and small streams.
- Hunting Opportunities
Deer and turkey hunting is good to excellent throughout the area. Quail hunting is fair near old fields, clearcuts and wildlife openings. Rabbit hunting is fair in old fields and clearcuts. Squirrel hunting is fair to good.
- Location
The tracts that make up Poison Springs WMA are located in Ouachita and Nevada Counties and are widely dispersed.
- Management Practices
The area is managed intensively for pine by the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Hardwood species are retained in draws and along streams. Some pine stands are subjected to prescribed fire to reduce fuel loads and control woody brush. The AGFC manages approximately 75 wildlife openings that are well dispersed throughout the area.
- Ownership
22,162 acres, includes Arkansas Oak Natural Area (Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; Poison Spring State Forest Sand Barren (Arkansas Forestry Commission) and Oak-Pine Forest Preserve Natural Area (Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission).
- Phone
833-372-2434
- Purpose
The purpose of the cooperative effort between the AGFC, Natural Heritage Commission and the Arkansas Forestry Commission is to provide hunting and other outdoor opportunities in south Arkansas.
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
White Oak Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is noted for its bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Eagles and many other interesting migratory bird species may be seen around the lake in the fall and winter. Poison Spring State Park.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
Chidester: food and supplies. Camden: motels, restaurants and supplies. Prescott: motels, restaurants and supplies.
- Safety
There are few hazards on the area. Some roads require 4WD or ATV but most are in fair shape.