The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved on April 17 a package of more than 200 changes to its Code of Regulations during a meeting at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The updates include modifications to deer hunting limits, fishing rules, waterfowl season dates for 2026-27 and preliminary dates for 2027-28.
These changes are intended to simplify regulations for hunters and anglers while addressing public input. The commission’s action aims to make rules easier to understand by eliminating outdated or redundant requirements.
Tommy Laird, chief of the Fisheries Division, presented several new fishing regulations. These include catch-and-release only at Lake Wilhelmina, new size limits for smallmouth bass in ten designated streams, adjustments allowing certain tackle types under recreational netting permits, an increase in allowed commercial tackle length from 100 feet to 100 yards, and updated rules regarding unattended passive gear during nighttime hours. Laird said these adjustments were based on years of research as well as public comments: “Two of the regulations changes in fishing this year are the direct result of public comments… They made great sense without any large impact to the resource, so we moved those forward this year.” He also said many changes involved removing unnecessary rules: “We were given a mandate to reduce the complexity of our regulations.”
For deer hunting, Wildlife Management Division chief Luke Naylor highlighted efforts led by Deer Program coordinator Ralph Meeker: “All these changes may seem daunting… but the overall consolidation… will make things uniform and simpler.” Notable updates include rescheduling early archery buck-only seasons on specific wildlife management areas (WMAs), making bag limits more consistent across WMAs (no more than three deer per WMA), adjusting private land seasonal limits, clarifying how harvested deer count toward seasonal totals regardless of zone, adding counties to chronic wasting disease management zones with corresponding restrictions, allowing modern centerfire firearms in some zones, and requiring GPS collars on dogs used for pursuing game on public land.
Other significant adjustments affect general WMA rules such as redesignating certain areas (for example Camp Robinson Special Use Area is now Lake Conway Wildlife Management Area), creating Oakwood WMA after a land trade with federal agencies which will allow duck and deer hunts by permit once established; consolidating leased lands permits into one $75 permit; closing some spring turkey seasons; and establishing new non-motorized boat access areas in popular waterfowl-focused WMAs. Waterfowl permit hunt opportunities have been expanded at multiple locations starting with upcoming seasons.
Waterfowl season dates set for 2026-27 include Nov. 21-29; Dec.10-23; Dec.26-Jan.31 for ducks; Canada goose seasons begin Sept.1-Oct.15 then align with duck dates later in fall/winter; other goose species follow similar schedules with special youth/military hunts Feb.6-7.
Commission Chairman Anne Marie Doramus acknowledged contributions from commissioners, staff members and the public: “We do our regulations every two years… We receive many emails and phone calls that we take at all hours… because it’s part of our mission statement ‘…public understanding and support.’”
A video recording from Thursday’s meeting is available on AGFC’s YouTube channel along with full details about all regulatory changes passed.
