Early Deer Hunt Provides New Opportunity for Bowhunters
Extending hunting opportunities in Arkansas, a modification to the state’s hunting regulations will enable bowhunters to participate in a buck-only archery season in 2024. This change marks the first adjustment to the Arkansas deer season rules since the establishment of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1915.
For the past two decades, bowhunters have been allowed to participate in special urban deer hunts in designated regions starting September 1, primarily aimed at managing deer populations. The new season, however, allows hunters to engage in a more thrilling experience by harvesting bucks while they are still covered in ‘velvet,’ which is the soft material on antlers during their growth phase.
This new opportunity will enable licensed archery hunters to harvest one buck, regardless of whether it is in velvet, throughout the season. The buck taken will count toward their seasonal limit. To ensure preservation of the antler velvet, hunters are cautioned against touching the antlers or allowing them to rub against surfaces during transport. Additionally, a product called Velvelock can be used to protect the velvet while en route to a taxidermist.
During this early season, it is crucial to prepare for warm weather conditions by using insect repellent containing DEET. The season is restricted to private lands, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission-managed Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), and AGFC WMAs designated leased lands, excluding lands owned by the U.S. Forest Service or the Army Corps of Engineers.
