Download your copy of the 2024-25 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook

LITTLE ROCK – The printers are running at full speed, and soon 2024-25 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guide will grace the checkout lines of sporting goods stores, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regional offices and AGFC nature centers across the state.

However, don’t wait to find out the latest Ducky details. Download the guide today at www.agfc.com. The guide can be downloaded to print at home, kept on your computer or laptop, and even downloaded to your mobile device so it is always available should a question arise on site.

This season features some changes to the regulations that many hunters have come to know in recent years as they head into the forests and waters of the Natural State. The most notable change is the reintroduction of spinning wing and other mechanically operated decoys to AGFC wildlife management areas. These decoys have been allowed on private property for several years and are now allowed on WMAs. However, hunters should note that these decoys are still illegal in the state’s national wildlife refuges.

Another liberalization for some WMAs that focus on duck hunting is the expansion of the shotshell limit from 15 to 25. To make the AGFC regulations more consistent, the Commission decided to adopt a standard limit of 25 cartridges and a maximum shotshell size of No. 2 to be implemented on all WMAs where boating and access time restrictions called “Common Restriction A” apply.

Hunters who purchase their state duck stamp electronically will also be able to use their electronic license as proof of purchase for the entire season, thanks to new legislation passed at the federal level and sponsored by U.S. Senator John Boozman and U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas.

Other notable changes include:

• Tree hooks no larger than 3/8 inch in diameter are now permitted on Commission-owned WMAs, but must be removed daily.
• Access to designated waterways by non-motorized boats is permitted from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. during regular duck season, all day during duck season splits, and all day November 18-22.
• One day (February 9) is available for waterfowl hunting for veterans and active military personnel. The two Special Youth Hunt days will take place on one weekend from February 8th to 9th, 2025.
• The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese (also called specklebellies) has been reduced from 3 to 2 for the 2024-25 season. The possession limit is 6. The white-fronted geese season has been shortened to 69 days and begins on October 26 for nine days, along with the snow geese, blue-fronted geese and Ross’s geese seasons.
• The annual price for the Resident Guide license has been increased to $250.
• The 5-day waterfowl hunting permit for non-residents has been abolished; The three-day WMA non-resident waterfowl hunting permit (NW3) costs $40 and a non-resident can purchase 10 permits. Non-residents may purchase a 30-day permit ($200) that may be used for 30 consecutive hunting days during regular waterfowl hunting days. The hunting ban days for foreigners were abolished.
• Egyptian geese can be taken with you at any time.
• The Petit Jean River WMA east of Arkansas Highway 7 is open for waterfowl hunting only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from November 23rd to January 23rd. 30. All-day hunting is permitted on January 31st.
• The Camp Robinson Special Use Area is open to waterfowl hunting with the exception of Lake Conway Nursery Pond.
• Camp Robinson WMA is open for waterfowl hunting only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from November 23rd to January 23rd. 30. All-day hunting is permitted on January 31st.
• While field trials are being conducted, dove hunting is permitted in the J. Perry Mikles Special Use Area.
• Only boat engines with factory-installed exhaust systems may be used on the following NWRs: Cache River, Dale Bumpers White River, Felsenthal and Overflow.
• General Restriction A applies in the Greentree Reservoir/Special Regulatory Area of ​​Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA.
• Waterfowl tracking is prohibited on the Cache River and Dale Bumpers White River NWRs after 1 p.m.

Visit www.agfc.com to download a copy of the 2024-25 Waterfowl Hunting Guide.