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Dave Donaldson Black River WMA

2026-27 season.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Deer

Aug 29–31, Sep 26 – Feb 28

Archery, buck only.

Buck only Aug 29–31.

In the guide: “Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.”

Nov 7–8, Jan 2–3

Firearms. Only for youth hunters.

In the guide: “Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.”

Nov 14–18

Firearms. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Deer Modern Gun (permit required): Nov. 14-18.”

Bear and alligator

Closed this season.

In the guide: “CLOSED: deer alternative firearms, bear and alligator.”

Turkey

Apr 10–11

Any legal weapon. Only for youth hunters.

In the guide: “Turkey Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.”

Apr 19–27

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Turkey: April 19-27. One legal turkey.”

Dove

Sep 5–6

Any legal weapon. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Dove (mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared): Sept. 5-6 (permit required, Brookings Field).”

Sep 7 – Oct 25, Dec 8 – Jan 15

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Dove (mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared): Sept. 7-Oct. 25 and Dec. 8-Jan. 15 (open hunting).”

Ducks and geese

Jul 1 – Nov 20, Jan 31 – Jun 30

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Ducks, regular duck season, geese, regular goose season, and teal, regular duck season: Jan 31
  • Ducks, youth and veteran/active-duty military, geese, youth and veteran/active-duty military, and teal, youth and veteran/active-duty military: Feb 6–7
  • Geese, early canada goose: Sep 1 – Oct 15
  • Geese, white-fronted and light goose: Oct 31 – Nov 8
  • Teal, early teal: Sep 19–27

In the guide: “Waterfowl Guidebook (p. 44): Unless noted, migratory game bird season dates are the same as statewide seasons.”

Nov 21 – Jan 30

Follows the statewide season (ducks, regular duck season, geese, regular goose season, and teal, regular duck season Nov 21–29, Dec 10–23, Dec 26 – Jan 30), shooting ends at noon.

Nonresident waterfowl hunters are prohibited on the WMA during the first segment (Nov. 21-29) of regular duck season. Lake Ashbaugh and Hubble Lake are closed to all hunting except early teal season.

In the guide: “Waterfowl Guidebook: [ends at noon] Waterfowl hunters must be off water by noon.”

Small game

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Squirrel: Jul 1 – Feb 28, May 15 – Jun 30
  • Rabbit: Sep 1 – Feb 28
  • Quail: Nov 1 – Feb 7

In the guide: “Small game (p. 62): Unless otherwise noted in the WMA listings, all WMA season dates, limits and regulations for quail, rabbit, squirrel and crow are the same as private land.”

Woodcock

Follows the statewide season (Nov 7 – Dec 21).

In the guide: “Waterfowl Guidebook (p. 44): Unless noted, migratory game bird season dates are the same as statewide seasons.”

Area rules

CLOSED: deer alternative firearms, bear and alligator. 15/18 Rule applies (not on youth hunts). The Winchester WRA and Brookings moist-soil units are closed to access Nov. 1-Feb. 15 except during Deer Modern Gun Permit and Youth Hunts. Lake Ashbaugh and Hubble Lake are closed to all hunting except early teal season (Sept. 19-27).

Nearby areas

Stateline Sandponds Natural Area WMA around 10 miles away

W.E. Brewer Scatter Creek WMA around 10 miles away

Ring Slough WMA around 15 miles away

Robert L. Hankins Mud Creek WMA around 20 miles away

Frierson WMA around 25 miles away

Hunters 16 and older on AGFC-owned WMAs need a hunting or fishing license or a WMA/Lake Conservation Permit. Leased Lands WMAs also need a Leased Lands Permit ($75). Deer, bear and turkey taken on WMAs count toward the statewide bag limits; the turkey limit is one per WMA. Unless a listing says otherwise, WMA dates and limits for quail, rabbit, squirrel and crow are the same as private land, and migratory bird dates are the same as statewide; waterfowl rest areas are closed to all access Nov. 1-Feb. 15. WMAs are closed to dogs except where a listing allows them, for bird dogs on quail and woodcock, retrievers, squirrel, rabbit and bobcat outside firearms deer hunts, and night raccoon, bobcat and opossum hunting. On WMAs, fox and mink are open Sept. 1-Feb. 28 by day, bobcat Sept. 1-Feb. 28, coyote July 1-Feb. 28 by day, and raccoon July 1-March 31. Feral hogs may not be hunted on WMAs but may be killed by hunters legally hunting deer, bear or elk. Youths, veterans and active-duty military may hunt ducks and geese Feb. 6-7.

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