Arkansas bowhunters gain new opportunities with early deer hunt

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A change to Arkansas hunting regulations will allow bowhunters to get an early start on bow season.

Bowhunters will be able to participate in buck-only archery season in 2024. This is the first change to the Arkansas deer season regulation since the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission was formed in 1915, officials said.

For the past 20 years, archers have been allowed to participate in special urban archery deer hunts in certain areas beginning Sept. 1. Officials said those urban hunts were to keep heard size down in the selected areas instead of the intent of this new season.

With the 2024 change, AGFC officials said hunters can harvest bucks while they are still “in velvet,” a term referring to the soft coating on antlers while they are still being formed. This adds a special element to the hunt.

“Years ago, deer season opened on Sept. 15 for one season, and I was able to get a deer in velvet then,” AGFC commissioner from Pine Bluff Bill Jones said. “I’ve taken deer in a few other states during velvet seasons and those really have added some excitement to my hunts.”

Licensed archery hunters can harvest a single buck, in velvet or not, during the season. The buck does count against the seasonal limit. Hunters can check agfc.com or the AGFC app to determine if their licenses and tags are current.

The season is only open on private land, AGFC-owned Wildlife Management Areas and AGFC WMAs listed as leased lands in the 2024-25 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook. Officials said U.S. Forest Service or Army Corps of Engineers -owned land is off limits for this early season.

Officials warn hunters who want to preserve antler velvet should not touch the antler or allow it to rub while transported. A product called Velvelock can also be sprayed on to preserve velvet while waiting to get to the taxidermist.

Officials also recommend preparing for comparatively warm weather hunting using a DEET-based insect repellent.

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