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Fort Chaffee 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 21

Firearms. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Deer Modern Gun (permit required): Nov. 21.”

Nov 22

Muzzleloader. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Deer Alternative Firearms (permit required): Nov. 22.”

Bear

Sep 9 – Nov 30

Archery.

In the guide: “Bear Archery: Sept. 9-Nov. 30.”

Nov 21

Firearms. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 21 (deer modern gun permit holders only).”

Nov 22

Muzzleloader. Quota hunt.

In the guide: “Bear Alternative Firearms: Nov. 22 (deer alternative firearms permit holders only).”

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 – May 9

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Turkey: April 19-May 9. One legal turkey.”

Dove and woodcock

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Dove: Sep 5 – Oct 25, Dec 8 – Jan 15
  • Woodcock: Nov 7 – Dec 21

In the guide: “Waterfowl Guidebook: Waterfowl hunting is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset during the waterfowl season.”

Ducks and geese

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Ducks, regular duck season, geese, regular goose season, and teal, regular duck season: Nov 21–29, Dec 10–23, Dec 26 – 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: Waterfowl hunting is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset during the waterfowl season.”

Quail

Dec 1 – Feb 7

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Quail: Dec. 1-Feb. 7.”

Squirrel and rabbit

Follows the statewide seasons.

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

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.”

Alligator

Closed this season.

In the guide: “CLOSED: alligator.”

Area rules

No antler restrictions. Public use compartments may be closed at any time due to military training. Users must check in and out; permits and the Open Compartment Schedule are at fortchaffee.recaccess.com (479-484-3575). Modern gun and alternative firearms permit holders need a valid FCJMTC permit.

Nearby areas

Cherokee Prairie Natural Area WMA around 9 miles away

H.E. Flanagan Prairie Natural Area WMA around 10 miles away

Frog Bayou WMA around 15 miles away

Ozark Lake WMA around 15 miles away

Sugarloaf Mountains-Midland Peak Natural Area WMA around 15 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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