Arkansas Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under Arkansas default rule, plus 3 species-specific exceptions.
Arkansas Shooting Hours
3 Arkansas species (Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
Arkansas shooting-hours quirks
The AR-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
In flooded green timber, "first shooting light" feels different than the printed rule — birds work the canopy long before legal sunrise on overcast December mornings. Wait for actual sunrise on waterfowl days.
Arkansas Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Deer: 30min before to 30min after
- Turkey: 30min before to 0min after
- Waterfowl: 0min before to 0min after
- Wildlife Agency
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Confirm with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before each hunt — AR reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Arkansas shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Arkansas (AR) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
Arkansas species exceptions
3 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Deer | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Turkey | 30 minutes before sunrise | Sunset | Spring season ends at sunset |
| Waterfowl | Sunrise | Sunset | Sunrise to sunset only |
Arkansas Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in Arkansas.
What are the legal shooting hours in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Deer (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Turkey (30 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset); Waterfowl (0 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official Arkansas hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for Arkansas can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in Arkansas's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in Arkansas?
In flooded green timber, "first shooting light" feels different than the printed rule — birds work the canopy long before legal sunrise on overcast December mornings. Wait for actual sunrise on waterfowl days.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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