Bear Hunting Season in Arkansas: Dates, Zones, and Regulations You Need to Know
June 20, 2026
Arkansas has one of the most storied black bear hunting traditions in the South, and the state’s careful management of its bear population makes every tag a genuine prize worth pursuing. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or planning your first out-of-state bear hunt, understanding the rules before you head into the Ozarks or Ouachitas can mean the difference between a legal harvest and a costly mistake.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your Arkansas bear hunt — from the only species you can legally pursue, to season dates by zone, license and tag requirements, legal weapons, bag limits, harvest reporting steps, and field-tested tips for putting a bear on the ground.
Bear Species You Can Hunt in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to the American black bear, the only bear species that lives in the state. Despite its name, the black bear is not always black in color. The black bear is the smallest bear species in the United States and the most common bear found in North America, and its coat can range in color from brown to gray to cinnamon.
Arkansas was actually known as the Bear State long before it was known as The Natural State, with pre-settlement estimates of up to 50,000 bears. Their numbers drastically reduced due to mass hunting, but thanks to the Black Bear Restoration Program, there are now more than 5,000 black bears in Arkansas.
Arkansas is home to a strong and stable population of black bears, particularly in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, where the wildlife is plentiful. With a legacy that includes successful reintroduction and decades of management, the state offers a structured, rewarding, and highly traditional bear hunting experience.
Key Insight: The black bear’s successful comeback in Arkansas is considered one of the great wildlife conservation stories in the region. Today, the population is carefully managed through strict quota systems to maintain long-term sustainability.
Bear Hunting Season Dates in Arkansas
Black bear season in Arkansas typically occurs in the fall, with specific dates varying by zone. The state is divided into bear zones, with the Ozarks primarily covered by Bear Zone 1. Each zone offers different season structures and methods. The dates below reflect the 2025–2026 season as reported by multiple sources; always verify with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) before you hunt, as seasons can close early when zone quotas are met.
For the 2025–2026 season, Zone 1 and Zone 2 archery runs September 17 through November 30, 2025, with alternative firearms from October 18–26, 2025, and a special youth modern gun bear hunt November 1–2, 2025. Modern gun season runs November 8–30, 2025 for Zones 1 and 2, and December 20–26, 2025 for Zones 3, 4, 5, and 5A.
| Season Type | Zone(s) | 2025–2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 1 and 2 only | Sept. 17 – Nov. 30, 2025 |
| Alternative Firearms | 1 and 2 only | Oct. 18 – 26, 2025 |
| Special Youth Modern Gun | 1 and 2 only | Nov. 1 – 2, 2025 |
| Modern Gun | 1 and 2 | Nov. 8 – 30, 2025 |
| Modern Gun | 3, 4, 5, and 5A | Dec. 20 – 26, 2025 |
| All Methods | 6 and 7 | Closed |
To confirm the harvest number, hunters are required to call 833-345-0398 the evening before their hunt. The season concludes either on the morning after the quota is met or on November 30, depending on which occurs first. Always check the quota status before you leave for the field — a zone can close overnight.
Important Note: As of the 2025–2026 season dates reported above, always confirm with the AGFC that your zone is still open before each hunt day. Quotas fill quickly in high-traffic zones, and hunting a closed zone carries serious legal consequences.
Bear Hunting Licenses and Tags in Arkansas
You cannot head afield for bear in Arkansas with just a standard hunting license. All hunters must have a valid bear tag in addition to a valid Arkansas Annual Hunting License to hunt bear. The tag structure differs based on your residency status.
- Resident hunters must have a free Resident Bear Tag (RBT).
- Nonresident hunters must have a $300 Nonresident Bear Tag (NRB) in addition to a $410 Nonresident All Game License.
- Resident youth must have a free Resident Bear Youth Tag (YBT).
- Nonresident youth need a product code tag (YBTN).
If you are 16 or older, an Arkansas hunting license is required to hunt wildlife unless you are on a licensed game-bird shooting resort that supplies pen-raised birds. A valid printed license, reusable hard card, or acceptable electronic format license must be in your possession when hunting.
Hunter education is also a factor. Hunters who are 16 years of age or older, who were born after December 31st, 1968, are required to complete Hunter Education Certification in order to legally hunt within the state of Arkansas. You can check Arkansas hunting laws for a broader overview of licensing requirements that apply across all game species in the state.
Licenses and tags can be purchased online through the AGFC’s licensing portal or at authorized license agents statewide. Hunters can purchase licenses online or in person from an official agent location.
Legal Methods and Weapons for Bear Hunting in Arkansas
Arkansas allows multiple weapon types for bear hunting, but each season type restricts which equipment you can use. Legal hunting equipment for bear is the same as legal hunting equipment for deer, except shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger and may use only rifled slugs.
During archery season, you are limited to archery equipment. Rifles in .30 caliber or larger are recommended for ethical harvests, and hunters are required to follow AGFC guidelines regarding these recommended calibers. During modern gun and alternative firearms seasons, legal firearms include rifles, handguns, and muzzleloaders meeting state specifications.
One important restriction to note: large-bore air rifles are not legal for harvesting bear or elk. This differs from deer hunting rules, where certain large-bore air rifles have been approved under specific conditions.
Hunter orange requirements apply during firearm seasons. Hunters within the state of Arkansas are required to wear an outer garment above the waistline of daylight fluorescent orange or hunter safety green, no less than 400 square inches, and a hunter orange or safety green hat or cap. Hunter orange regulations apply to any person hunting wildlife, or accompanying a person who is hunting wildlife, within zones that are open to firearm deer, bear, or elk seasons.
Pro Tip: If you plan to hunt archery season in Zone 1 for its longer window, make sure your broadheads meet Arkansas’s minimum requirements for deer archery equipment — those same standards apply to bear. Check the current AGFC hunting guidebook for draw weight and broadhead specifications.
Baiting rules also vary by zone and land type. Bears may not be fed or baited for any reason (including photography or viewing) except from 30 days before bear season through the end of bear season on private land in bear zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5A. Baiting is prohibited on public WMA land. For a deeper look at bow-specific regulations that apply to archery bear seasons, see bow hunting laws in Arkansas.
Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting Requirements in Arkansas
The bag limit for Arkansas bear hunting is straightforward but strictly enforced. Hunters can harvest one bear of either sex using any method. This statewide one-bear limit applies across all zones, and once you’ve tagged a bear for the season, your hunt is over for that year.
Harvest reporting is mandatory and must happen immediately. Once you take a bear, you have two options for tagging and reporting:
- Immediately upon taking a bear (before moving it), you must check your harvest online or using the AGFC mobile app and have confirmation number readily available.
- Fill out the game tag provided in the guidebook in ink. You may substitute a piece of paper for this tag — it must include the hunter’s name, the date, and bear zone of harvest or confirmation number written legibly in ink. After tagging your game, visit www.agfc.com/license or use the AGFC mobile app within 12 hours to complete checking.
Beyond the immediate check-in, there is an additional biological data requirement. Before freezing or processing, collect a premolar and hair to submit later. Successful hunters must submit a premolar to fulfill the check requirements for a bear. Hunters who harvest a bear must submit a premolar within seven days of receiving their premolar package from AGFC. A hair sample from the bear is also highly encouraged.
Common Mistake: Some hunters freeze their bear meat before extracting the premolar tooth. Do not do this — collect the premolar and hair sample before any freezing or processing begins, or you risk failing to meet AGFC’s biological data submission requirements.
Each zone also operates under a strict quota system. Each zone has a quota. Once met, the zone closes immediately, and hunters are required to follow AGFC guidelines regarding harvest quotas and must verify daily status before hunting. For Zone 1, the archery quota is set at 450 bears, while the alternative firearms and combined modern gun quotas are capped at 50 bears each, per AGFC regulations.
Hunters in other states manage similar quota-based big game systems — if you’re curious how neighboring states approach their hunting frameworks, you can compare hunting laws in Tennessee or review hunting laws in Virginia for regional context.
Bear Hunting Zones and Units in Arkansas
Arkansas divides its bear hunting territory into numbered zones, each with its own season structure, quotas, and open or closed status. Understanding which zone you are hunting in is not optional — it determines your legal season dates, available methods, and whether the zone is open at all.
The Ozarks are home to large expanses of public land, including the Ozark National Forest and several Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The state is divided into bear zones, with the Ozarks primarily covered by Bear Zone 1. Zone 1 is the primary hunting zone and the only one that offers all three season types — archery, alternative firearms, and modern gun. It also carries the highest quotas and the longest season window.
| Bear Zone | Location / Notes | Archery | Alt. Firearms | Modern Gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Ozarks; primary bear zone, highest quota | Open | Open (Oct.) | Open (Nov.) |
| Zone 2 | Adjacent to Zone 1; same season structure | Open | Open | Open (Nov.) |
| Zone 3 | Modern gun only; Dec. 20–26 | Closed | Closed | Open (Dec.) |
| Zone 4 | Modern gun only; Dec. 20–26 | Closed | Closed | Open (Dec.) |
| Zone 5 | Modern gun only; Dec. 20–26 | Closed | Closed | Open (Dec.) |
| Zone 5A | Modern gun only; Dec. 20–26 | Closed | Closed | Open (Dec.) |
| Zones 6 and 7 | No bear hunting permitted | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Hunting is prohibited in all remaining bear zones except as listed. Several WMAs within Zone 1 also carry special restrictions. Zone 1 (including all WMAs in Zone 1 except Ed Gordon Point Remove, Harold E. Alexander Spring River, McIlroy Madison County, and Scott Henderson Gulf Mountain) carries an archery season quota not to exceed 450 bears. If you plan to hunt on a specific WMA, verify that WMA’s individual rules before your hunt, as some areas have additional access or method restrictions.
You’ll find plenty of WMA land and more than 3 million acres of public land for hunting across Arkansas. Ouachita National Forest covers nearly 1.8 million acres across Arkansas and Oklahoma for deer, turkey, and bear in mountain terrain. For hunters interested in how other states structure their big-game zone systems, hunting laws in Montana and hunting laws in Idaho offer useful comparisons from states with similarly complex zone frameworks.
Tips for a Successful Bear Hunt in Arkansas
Arkansas black bear hunting rewards hunters who put in the scouting work and respect the terrain. Bear hunting isn’t for everyone. You need to be in shape, patient, and ready for some of the most rugged terrain Arkansas has to offer. The following tips can help you make the most of your time in the field.
Scout food sources first. Zone 1’s archery season timing hits when bears are actively feeding for winter, making them more predictable around oak ridges and mast crops. Early season bears focus on soft mast like berries, while late season they’re hitting hard mast like acorns. Identifying productive food sources before the season opens is one of the most effective ways to locate bears consistently.
Focus on terrain features. Early scouting and identifying productive oak ridges, saddles, and creek basins will increase success. Bears travel predictable routes between bedding and feeding areas, and saddles between ridges are natural pinch points that concentrate movement. Bear hunting in the Ozarks peaks in late October when acorn mast draws bears to oak flats on the Sylamore and Boston Mountain ranger districts — glass with binoculars before setting up.
Verify your zone’s quota status daily. Tags are not limited by draw, but harvest quotas are strictly enforced, meaning hunters must check daily with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to ensure the zone remains open. A quick call to 833-345-0398 or a check on the AGFC website before you leave for the field takes two minutes and can save you from hunting an illegally closed zone.
Use public land strategically. Hunters should focus on natural food sources and avoid high-pressure areas near roads. Regulations may vary slightly by WMA, so reviewing area-specific rules and maps is essential. The deeper you push into roadless terrain, the less hunting pressure you’ll encounter and the more natural bear behavior you’ll observe.
Consider a guided hunt. Guided hunts offer an excellent way for hunters to maximize their experience in the Ozark Mountains. Reputable outfitters specialize in Ozark black bear hunts and possess intimate knowledge of the terrain and bear behavior. Guided hunts prioritize safety and conservation, ensuring a responsible and enjoyable experience for hunters.
Prepare for the harvest before you pull the trigger. Have your reporting method ready — whether that’s the AGFC mobile app loaded on your phone or the paper tag filled out in advance. All harvested bears must be checked within 12 hours through the AGFC’s online or phone check-in system. Also bring a small kit for premolar and hair sample collection, since you are required to submit a premolar after harvest.
Pro Tip: If you are also planning deer hunts around your bear season, review the dove hunting season in Arkansas and turkey hunting season in Arkansas pages to coordinate your full fall and spring calendar. Many hunters combine multiple species on the same trip to the Ozarks or Ouachitas.
Whether you are a resident hunter who has been waiting years to draw the right conditions or a nonresident making the trip to the Natural State for the first time, Arkansas black bear hunting offers a challenge that is both physically demanding and deeply rewarding. Regulations and season dates can change from year to year — and even during the season — so it’s important to double-check official sources like the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) before you go. With the right preparation, a solid understanding of the zone system, and respect for the quota rules that protect this population, you’ll be well-positioned for a successful and legal harvest.