AGFC Answers the Call with Expansive Hunting and Fishing Regulations
For the 2024-25 hunting season and 2025 fishing year, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has taken major strides to enhance hunting and angling opportunities across the Natural State. These changes, which were shaped by public input, encompass a broad spectrum of activities, ensuring that the interests of both seasoned outdoors folks and newcomers are well-represented.
Velvet Bucks and Firepower: Stunning Deer Hunting Additions
A highlight of the new regulations is the introduction of a buck-only archery deer hunt, scheduled for the first full weekend of September. This unique opportunity allows hunters to pursue deer still “in velvet” – a distinction previously available only in select states and briefly through controlled urban archery hunts. Additionally, the AGFC has expanded the range of acceptable firearms during the alternative firearms season, allowing for the use of modern straight-walled centerfire rifle cartridges .30 caliber or larger that fire from non-semiautomatic rifles.
Bear Hunting Quotas and Duck Season Flexibility
In response to the thriving black bear population in northwest Arkansas, the archery quota for Bear Zone 1 has been increased from 400 to 450 bears. Regarding waterfowl, duck hunters can rejoice as AGFC-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) will now permit the use of motorized decoys that mimic movement or wing motion. The AGFC considered three options for the 2024-25 duck season, including dates for youth and military hunts, to ensure a more inclusive and dynamic hunting experience.
From Feedback to Action: AGFC’s Commitment to Transparency
The agency’s dedication to public engagement is evident in its handling of the regulation-setting process. Following a comprehensive public comment survey that garnered input from over 36,000 respondents and more than 100,000 individual comments, the commission implemented changes based on the diverse needs of hunters and anglers. This transparent approach reinforces the AGFC’s aim to create meaningful opportunities for all interested parties.
