Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27

Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.

Arkansas duck season 2026–27 opens Saturday, November 21, 2026. It runs in three segments: November 21–29, December 10–23 and December 26, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Youth and military/veteran hunts follow on February 6–7, 2027. This year comes with a big caveat: after 14 months of drought, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is warning hunters to expect a dry start. Dates and limits come from the AGFC waterfowl dates, rules and regulations page.

Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance

Arkansas Duck Zones

Arkansas runs one set of duck dates statewide, with no zones. The two breaks, Nov. 30 – Dec. 9 and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, give the birds a rest.

Arkansas Duck Bag Limits

The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits from AGFC:

Possession is three times the daily bag. Any species not listed, such as gadwall, wigeon, shovelers or teal, can make up the whole 6-duck bag.

Youth, Veteran and Military Days

Youth 15 and younger can take ducks, geese, coots and mergansers on February 6–7, 2027. A youth who hasn’t finished hunter education needs a mentor 21 or older, and mentors can call but not hunt. The active-duty military and veteran hunt is the same weekend. On these days, WMAs are open from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset, per AGFC.

Licenses, Stamps and HIP

Hunters 16 and older need a Federal Duck Stamp (signed in ink, or the electronic code), Arkansas HIP registration, an Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp and a hunting license. The resident state waterfowl stamp is $7 and the nonresident stamp is $50. Nonresidents also need a WMA waterfowl permit to hunt any WMA: $40 for 3 days or $200 for 30 days. Prices come from AGFC.

Where and When to Hunt Ducks in Arkansas

The 2026 drought is the story this year. In its Oct. 22 drought report, AGFC said Arkansas was more than 20 inches behind in rainfall. At the start of October, it had enough water to flood only about 42% of the moist-soil units it manages. AGFC Chief of Wildlife Management Luke Naylor said hunters “should expect lower duck numbers statewide and tougher hunting conditions as duck season begins.”

• Green timber reservoirs: AGFC won’t use lake water to flood the GTRs at Shirey Bay Rainey Brake or Harris Brake until those lakes recover, so those famous timber holes may stay dry.
• Raft Creek WMA: AGFC is pumping from the White River around the clock, with a best case of about 34 permit-hunt spots by Christmas.
• Rain is the wild card: AGFC says rice fields need far less water than timber to hold ducks, so a few good winter rains could turn things around quickly.
• WMA hours: shooting on WMAs ends at noon from Nov. 21 to Jan. 30, and runs until sunset on Jan. 31.

The bird numbers aren’t great either. In its breeding survey update, AGFC reported mallards at 5.9 million, down 11% from 2025 and 26% below the long-term average. Gadwall, wigeon and green-winged teal remain above their long-term averages, so expect more mixed bags than usual.

Planning Around Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, 2026. See what else is open that week in our Thanksgiving hunting guide, and sharpen up before opening day with 5 pro tips from a wingshooting expert.

Arkansas Duck Season FAQ

When does duck season start in Arkansas in 2026?

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.

What are the Arkansas duck season splits for 2026–27?

Nov. 21–29, Dec. 10–23 and Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027.

How many mallards can you shoot in Arkansas?

Four per day, and no more than two can be hens.

What time does duck hunting end on Arkansas WMAs?

Noon from Nov. 21 to Jan. 30. On Jan. 31 and the Feb. 6–7 youth and veteran days, you can hunt WMAs until sunset.

Will the drought affect Arkansas duck season?

AGFC expects fewer flooded acres and tougher hunting early in the season. Timely winter rain could improve conditions, especially on rice fields.

Gear Up for the Season

Every Hunt One More® design is built around faith, service and time in the field. Layer up in The Lord Is My Guide® tees and hoodies for those cold mornings in the blind, and put a Hunt One More decal on the truck or the boat before opening day.

Trust the process. Trust the hunt. And when the birds are still working, hunt one more.

Keep Reading on Camp Talk

• Arkansas Deer Season 2026–27
• North Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
• Virginia Duck Season 2026–27
• Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27
• 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
• Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open

Season dates and bag limits come from AGFC. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with AGFC before you hunt.

More from Camp Talk: Southeast duck season dates 2026–27