New Hunting Regulations Announced by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has recently approved new hunting regulations and set dates for the 2024-2025 hunting seasons. Several significant changes are being implemented to enhance the hunting experience and manage wildlife populations effectively.
Isn’t it exciting that the Commission has considered public input in shaping these changes? During the public comment surveys, there was a strong response in favor of allowing the use of straight-walled centerfire rifle cartridges during muzzleloader seasons. This led the Commission to draft a formal proposal, which was ultimately included in the 2024-2025 regulations package.
One major relaxation is the removal of restrictions on spinning-wing decoys and motion decoys on Commission-owned wildlife management areas. This change should make the hunt more engaging for waterfowl enthusiasts. Additionally, the daily bag limit on mallard hens has been reduced from two to one per day, and the white-fronted goose season has been adjusted to be 69 days with a daily limit of two geese per day.
Another notable modification is allowing hunters to use modern straight-walled centerfire rifle cartridges .30 caliber or larger during a new alternative firearms season. This season precedes the modern gun hunt and provides more flexibility in primary firearms choices. The archery quota for black bears in Bear Zone 1 will also see an increase from 400 to 450 bears, reflecting the growing black bear population.
All of these changes aim to strike a balance between the needs of hunters and the need to manage and conserve wildlife populations sustainably. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission continues to engage with the public to ensure that these regulations meet their expectations and protect the environment effectively.
