Arkansas Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 1 – February 1, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Official License Fees (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission)

  • Resident:
    • Resident Wildlife Conservation License (Small Game & 1 Deer): $10.50
    • Resident Sportsman’s License (All Game): $25.00
    • Resident Senior (65+) Hunting License: $3.50
  • Non-Resident:
    • Annual Small Game Hunting License: $110.00
    • 5-Day Small Game Hunting License: $80.00
    • Annual All-Game Hunting License: $410.00
    • 5-Day All-Game Hunting License: $225.00
    • 3-Day All-Game Hunting License: $175.00

Season Dates, Daily Bag Limits & Possession Limits

Northern Bobwhite Quail

  • Statewide (Privately-Owned & Select Public Lands):
    • Season Dates: November 1 – February 1
    • Limits: 6 daily / 12 in possession

American Woodcock

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: November 1 – December 15
    • Limits: 3 daily / 9 in possession (Harvest Information Program – HIP certification required)

Wilson’s Snipe

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: November 1 – February 15
    • Limits: 8 daily / 16 in possession (HIP certification required)

Mourning & White-Winged Dove

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: September 6 – October 26 (First Split); December 7 – January 15 (Second Split)
    • Limits: 15 daily in aggregate / 45 in possession

Virginia Rail & Sora

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: September 13 – November 21
    • Limits: 25 daily in aggregate / 75 in possession

Ring-Necked Pheasant & Ruffed Grouse

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: No open season

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

Arkansas experienced moderate winter conditions followed by prolonged drought and localized heat across the Gulf Coastal Plain and Delta regions through spring and early summer. Moisture deficits during peak nesting months created challenging conditions for early Bobwhite quail clutches by reducing vegetation canopy cover and suppressing essential insect populations. While late spring rainfall provided localized relief across the Ozark and Ouachita highlands, wild quail recruitment remains heavily constrained by overarching habitat limitations. Consequently, hunters should expect wild quail populations to be patchy and concentrated strictly around managed, early-successional habitats. Migratory species such as American woodcock, snipe, and mourning dove will offer the most consistent action, particularly on managed moist-soil units, river bottomlands, and agricultural fields near reliable water sources.

This summary focuses on quail, as it’s the primary upland game bird in Arkansas per the provided sources. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, especially for any additional upland species or changes to 2025 regulations, consult the AGFC’s official Hunting Guidebook or website.

 

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