Arkansas Hunters Get New Options for Deer Hunting
Alternative Firearms Season to the Rescue
Arkansas deer hunters are in for a treat, thanks to a significant change in regulations approved by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. As of the new alternative firearms season, hunters are now allowed to use non-semiautomatic firearms that shoot straight-wall metallic cartridges of at least .30 caliber during muzzleloader season. These firearms will also be legal during modern gun season in Deer Zones 4 and 5, which previously only permitted muzzleloaders and shotguns firing slugs.
Leaving Shotguns Behind
Shotguns firing slugs, legal during modern gun season, are not allowed during the alternative firearms season. All cartridges used during this season must be metallic cartridges. Zones 4 and 5 still allow shotguns like before, but they won’t be allowed during the alternative firearms season. Hunters can breathe easy though, as they won’t have to worry about accidentally bringing the wrong gun to the hunt.
Straight-Wall Cartridges in the Spotlight
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has been flooded with questions about what cartridges are considered straight wall. The answer lies in the profile of the cartridge’s case. Cartridges with a shoulder where the brass is necked down to accommodate a smaller bullet diameter than the base of the case are out. However, extractor grooves near the base, common in some straight-wall cartridges, are acceptable.
Modern Muzzleloaders Still Legal
Hunters who have invested time and energy into their perfect black-powder load can rest easy. Muzzleloaders meeting Arkansas’s traditional regulations can still be used during the hunt. Front-stuffers must have barrels 19 inches or longer and must be .40 caliber or larger. Additionally, scopes and other magnifying sights are allowed.
Handguns Join the Fight
Non-semiautomatic handguns (including revolvers and single-shots) chambered for straight-wall cartridges of at least .30 caliber are also legal. These firearms must have a barrel at least 4 inches long and are recommended for ethical hunting within 50 yards.-commanding cartridges like .357 Magnum and .44 Remington Magnum and using soft points or hollow points instead of full-metal jacket ammunition.
