Quail Hunting Season in Arkansas: Dates, Limits, and Public Land Rules
October 20, 2026
Quail hunting season in Arkansas runs longer than most hunters expect, stretching from the first day of November well into February. The catch is that wild bobwhites are harder to find here than they were a generation ago, so knowing the rules and where to look matters as much as having a good dog.
This article walks you through the 2026-27 season dates, daily and possession limits, license requirements, legal methods, shooting hours, and your options on public land and licensed preserves. If you are planning a hunt, read the AGFC regulations alongside this article, because dates and rules can change from year to year.
Important Note: Sources disagree on some details, especially bag limits. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is the official authority, and its quail page lists a daily limit of 6 and a possession limit of 12 for the 2025-26 season. Confirm the 2026-27 numbers on the AGFC site before you head out.
Quail Hunting Season Dates in Arkansas
For the 2026-27 season, third-party summaries of AGFC dates list the statewide quail season as Nov. 1, 2026 to Feb. 7, 2027. That is a little longer than last year. The 2025-26 statewide season ran Nov. 1, 2025 to Feb. 1, 2026, according to the AGFC.
Keep in mind that statewide season dates apply to private land. Wildlife management areas (WMAs) can carry their own schedules. Some WMA dates differ from statewide private-land dates, especially for quail, deer, and waterfowl access.
| Season | Dates | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Northern Bobwhite | Nov. 1, 2025 to Feb. 1, 2026 | Private land (per AGFC) |
| 2026-27 Northern Bobwhite | Nov. 1, 2026 to Feb. 7, 2027 | Private land (per third-party summaries of AGFC dates) |
You may see articles claiming quail season starts in September or October. Those claims come from older or unreliable pages, and the AGFC’s own listing shows a November 1 opener. If you hunt on a WMA, check that area’s page for its specific dates first.
If you also hunt other game in the state, our guides to dove hunting season in Arkansas and deer hunting season in Arkansas can help you plan around overlapping dates.
Quail Species You Can Hunt in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the quail you can hunt is the northern bobwhite. The AGFC lists its season under the heading “Northern Bobwhite,” and it is the only wild quail species found in the state. Hunters value the bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) for its explosive covey rises and its tendency to hold tight for a good pointing dog.
Bobwhites need a mix of native grasses, shrubby cover, and open ground. Early successional cover with native grasses, forbs, and scattered shrubs gives quail a place to feed, nest, and escape predators. Think field edges, recently burned pine stands, and thinned timber rather than dense, shaded forest.
Populations have fallen over the decades. Bobwhite numbers have declined because of habitat loss, though focused management still gives hunters chances at wild birds. The AGFC’s quail biologist has said that Arkansas may never hold the quail destination title it enjoys for waterfowl, but upland birds can be an overlooked opportunity for hunters.
Pro Tip: Pen-raised birds at licensed preserves are typically bobwhites too, but they are regulated differently from wild birds. Treat the two as separate hunts when you read the rules.
Quail Bag and Possession Limits in Arkansas
The official AGFC listing for the 2025-26 season shows a daily limit of 6 and a possession limit of 12. Several 2026-27 summaries repeat the same daily number, and one lists a daily limit of 6 for the 2026-27 quail season.
You may run into a different figure online. One hunting tool site lists a daily limit of 8 and a possession limit of 24, and another lists a possession limit of 18. Those numbers do not match the AGFC’s own page, so go with the AGFC figures unless the agency publishes a change.
| Source | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| AGFC (2025-26 season) | 6 | 12 |
| HuntWise guide | 6 | 12 |
| Hunter Passport (as of January 2026) | 8 | 24 |
| Ultimate Upland | 6 | 18 |
Special draw hunts can have tighter caps. On the two WMAs that ran quail draw hunts in 2024-25, the bag limit on each hunt was four quail per person. Always read the rules attached to your specific permit.
Licenses and Permits Required to Hunt Quail in Arkansas
To hunt wild quail on private or public land, you need a valid Arkansas hunting license. Resident and nonresident options differ, and you can buy either online or from authorized dealers. Proof of hunter education is required for hunters born after 1968, so carry your certification card if you fall in that group.
Hunting on AGFC land adds a permit. Beginning July 1, 2026, hunters age 16 and older using AGFC-owned WMAs and lakes must carry the AGFC WMA/Lake Conservation Permit ($10.50) unless exempt. One summary also notes that leased land WMAs are now tied to a single $75 leased lands permit.
- Arkansas hunting license: required for wild quail on private and public land
- Hunter education proof: required for hunters born after 1968
- WMA/Lake Conservation Permit: $10.50 for hunters 16 and older on AGFC WMAs (as of July 2026)
- Draw hunt permit: required for managed quail hunts on select WMAs
Licensed preserves work differently. One Arkansas preserve states that you do not need an Arkansas hunting license, as it is a licensed preserve. Confirm that with any preserve before you book, since policies can vary.
Legal Weapons and Methods for Quail Hunting in Arkansas
Shotguns are the standard tool for quail, and a light, fast-handling gun suits the short-range flushes. A 20-gauge shotgun with open chokes is well suited for close-flushing quail. Many hunters carry a 28-gauge or .410 for the same reason, and you will see all three gauges in the field.
Most hunting is done on foot, walking cover behind a pointer or setter. Many hunters rely on dogs such as pointers or setters to locate and flush birds. Without a dog, you can still hunt by walking field edges and brushy fencerows slowly and stopping often to let birds hold.
- Pick a cover type with grass, brush, and bare ground, such as a recently burned or thinned stand.
- Work into the wind when possible so your dog can scent birds.
- Mark where singles land after a covey rise and walk them up again.
- Shoot only at flushed birds and keep a clear safe zone of fire.
Common Mistake: Assuming every method is legal everywhere. WMAs can add their own equipment restrictions, so read the area rules for your WMA before you load up the truck.
Some older pages claim an archery quail season or other special methods. The AGFC’s quail page does not list one, so treat those claims with caution and stick with shotguns unless the agency says otherwise.
Shooting Hours and Sunday Hunting Rules for Quail in Arkansas
My research did not turn up a clear AGFC statement of quail shooting hours, so I will not guess at a specific time. Arkansas generally ties small game hunting to daylight, with legal hours starting around sunrise and ending around sunset. Check the current AGFC guidebook for the exact wording before you hunt.
For comparison, AGFC furbearer rules for the 2026-27 season run from sunrise to sunset on their listed dates, which shows the agency often frames hunting windows that way. Some game, like waterfowl, adds noon cutoffs on certain areas, so always read the rules for your specific hunt.
The same caution applies to Sunday hunting. I did not find a quail-specific Sunday restriction in the sources I reviewed, and Arkansas does not list one on its quail season page. Still, WMAs and private preserves may set their own days, so confirm with the landowner or area manager if you plan a Sunday trip.
Quail Hunting on Public Land and Hunting Preserves in Arkansas
Public land gives you the cheapest access, but expect to work for birds. Hunters on a local forum noted that most AGFC areas do not have good quail numbers because deer or waterfowl are the featured management species. The better bets are WMAs with native grass, thinned pine, and regular prescribed burns.
The AGFC has pointed hunters toward a handful of managed areas. Stone Prairie, Little Bayou, Jack Mountain Leased Land, and Harold E. Alexander Spring River WMAs have habitat management that has supported population recovery. Others, like Felsenthal and Poison Springs, have management plans that include prescribed burning and pine thinning to support quail.
Draw Hunts on Select WMAs
The AGFC has used a permit draw to protect rebuilding coveys. For 2024-25, Stone Prairie WMA in Faulkner County and Little Bayou WMA in Ashley County allowed quail hunting only during two managed hunts. Check the AGFC site for how these hunts are handled in 2026-27 and when applications open.
Hunting Preserves
If you want more reliable action, a licensed preserve is the alternative. Some offer long seasons, and one Arkansas operation states that its quail, pheasant, and chukar season runs from October 1 through March 31. Preserve birds are raised, so these hunts are about dog work and shooting rather than wild-bird scouting.
Pro Tip: Hunters can also help the state’s quail program. The AGFC invites hunters to log wild-bird hunts, and the program sends a custom decal to everyone who submits hunting journal entries. Pen-raised birds and field trials do not count.
For more Arkansas planning, see our guides on turkey hunting season in Arkansas and bear hunting season in Arkansas. Check the AGFC quail page before opening day for any updates, and good luck this season.