The wait is nearly over for Arkansas turkey hunters looking to get back into the woods and enjoy the quest for that first gobbler. However, hunters may notice a few changes in the upcoming turkey hunting season, starting April 17.
Zoning codes and season opening dates are included in new guidelines. These guidelines’ continued aim is to protect the state’s declining eastern turkey population, as originally reported by Jeremy Wood, wild turkey program coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in the Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Newsletter from 2020.
Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Arkansas, with thousands eagerly awaiting opening day each spring. The 2024 turkey season dates and regulations have now been announced by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), so let’s take a look at when turkey season opens in Arkansas along with other key details.
Overview of Arkansas Turkey Season Dates
There are a few different segments that make up turkey season in Arkansas:
- Youth Hunt – April 6-7, 2024 (2 days)
- Zone 1 – April 15-23, 2024 (9 days)
- Zone 2 – April 15-May 5, 2024 (21 days)
So the regular turkey season opens on April 15th in both zones, with the youth hunt a week prior
Youth Turkey Hunting Season
The youth turkey hunt is a special 2-day segment open only to young hunters ages 6-15. It takes place on April 6-7, 2024 statewide.
Some key notes about the youth hunt
- Must have a free Customer ID Number (CID) from AGFC
- 1 turkey bag limit
- Adult supervision required under age 16 if not hunter education certified
- Helps introduce youth to turkey hunting before the regular season
This is a great opportunity to get the next generation outdoors enjoying the turkey woods,
Arkansas Turkey Hunting Zones
Arkansas has two turkey hunting zones with different season lengths and bag limits:
- Zone 1 – Primarily Northwest and Northeast Arkansas
- Zone 2 – The majority of the rest of the state
It’s important hunters verify which zone they will be hunting in to know the specific regulations. Zone maps are published in the AGFC turkey hunting guidebook.
Here are the opening and closing dates for each zone:
- Zone 1 – April 15-23, 2024 (9 days)
- Zone 2 – April 15-May 5, 2024 (21 days)
So turkey season opens on the same date (April 15th) statewide, the zones just have differing season lengths.
Turkey Bag Limits in Arkansas
Bag limits also differ by zone, so hunters must be aware of the following:
Statewide Limits
- 2 turkeys total, no jakes (except youth)
- 1 turkey during first 7 days
- 1 turkey per day
Zone 1
- 1 turkey, no jakes (see statewide exceptions)
Zone 2
- 2 turkeys, no jakes (see statewide exceptions)
The youth turkey hunt has a 1 turkey limit statewide.
Arkansas Turkey Hunting Permits
In addition to a hunting license, some special permits may be required to hunt turkeys in Arkansas:
- WMA Permit – Required for all hunters 16+ on AGFC Wildlife Management Areas
- Leased Land Permit – For certain leased land WMAs that require camping permits
- Mobility Impaired Permit – For disabled hunters needing special access
Be sure to verify rules for the area you’ll be hunting.
Turkey Hunting License Costs in Arkansas
To legally hunt turkeys in Arkansas, proper licenses are required. Resident and nonresident license options include:
Resident
- Sportsman’s License – $35.50
- Resident Sportsman’s License – $25
Nonresident
- All Game Hunting License – $350
- 5-Day All Game License – $180
- 3-Day All Game License – $125
- 1-Day All Game License – $55
Voluntary turkey stamps are $9.50. All hunters 16+ also need a free WMA permit. Licenses can be purchased online through the AGFC website.
Arkansas Turkey Hunting Regulations
Some other turkey hunting regulations hunters should be aware of include:
- No hunting turkeys from boats
- No electronic calls permitted
- No baiting allowed
- 100 foot setback from center of roads
- No shooting across roads
Be sure to consult the AGFC turkey hunting guidebook for all specific regulations.
Turkey Population Outlook in Arkansas
Based on surveys, Arkansas turkey populations are recovering well after a few down years. The 2023 season saw increased reproduction and harvest rates, especially in the Gulf Coastal Plain region.
If trends continue as predicted, the 2024 Arkansas turkey season could be one of the best yet. Hunters are eagerly counting down to opening day on April 15th for the opportunity to bag a spring longbeard. Be sure to scout early and often to pattern local birds.
The 2024 Arkansas turkey hunting season promises exciting opportunities for hunters across the Natural State. With separate zones, segmented season dates, and varying bag limits, be sure to do your homework before opening day. Overall populations look promising this spring.
Mark your calendars for April 6th for the start of youth season, then opening day on April 15th. Turkey hunting is an amazing way to welcome spring in Arkansas. Here’s to a safe and successful season!
Regular Turkey Season Dates
- Zone 1: April 17-25
- Zone 2: April 17-May 7
What to Expect for the 2023 Turkey Season
In last January’s Outdoor Life, Wood stated that his outlook during the 2022 turkey season was for hunters to see great improvements. Last year continued a growing trend of year-over-year growth that made 2022 the best year for reproduction throughout Arkansas, topping the previous year.
The Gulf Coastal Plain ecoregion was a hot spot last year, and looks to remain one in 2023. This is thanks in part because of the continued improvement in harvest rates, as well as the strongest estimated reproductive rate in the state during the last few seasons.
The 2023 Turkey Hunting Guidebook for wildlife management zones will be available in March.
Opening Day Turkey Season Arkansas – Turkey VLOG #3 S9
FAQ
What are the dates for turkey season in Arkansas?
- Zone 1: April 21-29, 2025.
- Zone 2: April 21-May 11, 2025.
- Zones 1 and 2: April 12-13, 2025.
- Zone 1: One legal turkey (not a jake or female) (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). …
- Zone 2: Two legal turkeys (not jakes or females) (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions).
What day does turkey season start?
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has set the 2025 Spring Turkey Season as follows: Regular Season: March 30 – May 5, 2025. Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025.
What states does turkey season open first?
The season opens on March 15 in Mississippi, March 16 in Florida, March 25 in Alabama, Nebraska and Nevada, and March 30 in California.
How many turkeys were killed in Arkansas in 2024?
LITTLE ROCK — According to the latest harvest statistics compiled through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission licensing system, Arkansas hunters harvested 9,335 turkeys during the 2024 annual turkey season, a few hundred birds more than last year. This is the third year in a row of an upward harvest trend.
When does Turkey season start in Arkansas?
The Turkey season in Arkansas normally begins on April 15 in Zone 1 and lasts through April 23. In Zone 2, the season is from April 15 to May 5. Please note that actual dates may change, so the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s most recent rules and changes are the greatest sources of information. Can youth hunters participate in the Arkansas turkey season?
At what age can you hunt Turkeys in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, hunters aged 6 to 15 can participate in the Special Youth Hunt for Turkeys, and the bag limit is one. The regular Turkey season starts at different times for different zones. It begins on April 15 for hunters aged 6 to 15 in Zone 1, and lasts through April 23. For Zone 2, the season runs from April 15 to May 5.
Does Arkansas have separate turkey hunting zones?
Yes, Arkansas has two turkey hunting zones: Zone 1 and Zone 2. Most of Northeastern Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas is in Zone 1, while the majority of the remainder of the state is in Zone 2.
When can I Hunt a Turkey in WMA?
See the current Hunting Guidebook for WMA Zone info. Regular Turkey Season Dates Zone 1: April 21-29, 2025 Zone 2: April 21-May 11, 2025 Special Youth Turkey Hunt Zones 1 and 2: April 12-13, 2025 Youth must have a free Customer Identification Number (CID) to hunt and check a turkey.
Where can I find Turkey season dates & regulations?
TurkeySeason.com provides state by state turkey season dates and regulations through an interactive map of the United States. It is a one-stop source for every state’s turkey season information.
Are there public turkey hunting opportunities in Arkansas?
While there are many public turkey hunting opportunities in Arkansas, AGFC restricts the number of hunters allowed during turkey season through random drawings to increase the quality of the hunt at some of the more popular wildlife management areas. Resources