Railroad Prairie Natural Area WMA

Zone: 539

Counties: Lonoke, Prairie

2023-24 Closed Seasons

Alligator
Bear
Deer Modern Gun
Deer Muzzleloader
Turkey

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 Firearms: Closed

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

Two bucks with archery,
Three does with archery.

Deer Notes:

Three-point 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.

About the Name: Railroad Prairie Natural Area occupies portions of the abandoned right-of-way of the former Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific railroads along U.S. Highway 70 between Carlisle and 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.

Camping: Camping is not allowed.

Description: Its long, linear shape encompasses a variety of habitats and communities including prairie, herbaceous wetlands and forests. A large portion of Railroad Prairie consists of tallgrass prairie, a habitat that was once much more common across the Grand Prairie of eastern Arkansas.

Hunting Opportunities: Hunting opportunities exist for deer, small game and quail.

Ownership: Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

Phone: 833-345-0283

Recreation Other Than Hunting: Bird watching is a popular recreational activity on this WMA

Restaurants and Other Facilities: Restaurants and other facilities can be found in the cities of Carlisle and DeValls Bluff.

Safety: This area is adjacent to U.S. Highway 70, visitors should be aware of traffic.

Detailed Interactive Map Public Use Maps