2026–27 White-tailed Deer Hunting Calendar

Quick Guide

One calendar. Four hunting references.

Jump straight to the location you need, then use the combined timeline to compare the season windows chronologically.

ArkansasZones 11, 12 & 15→ Arkansas WMAHope Upland→ Arkansas WMABois d’Arc→ TexasNorth Zone→

Arkansas • Private land & non-restricted areas

Arkansas — General Seasons (Zones 11, 12 & 15)

These are the statewide/zone regulations for private land and non-restricted areas. Individual WMAs often have shorter seasons and permit requirements (see below).

Statewide Opportunities

Season Type	Dates	Notes
ArcheryEarly Buck	Aug 29 – 31, 2026	One antlered buck only
ArcheryRegular	Sept 26, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027	Statewide
YouthModern Gun	Nov 7–8, 2026 & Jan 2–3, 2027	Statewide (except certain closed WMAs)
SpecialChristmas Holiday	Dec 26–28, 2026	Statewide (except certain closed WMAs)

Alternative Firearms (formerly Muzzleloader)

Zone	Dates
Zone 11	Oct 17–25 and Dec 12–14, 2026
Zone 12	Oct 17–25, 2026 only
Zone 15	Oct 17–25 and Dec 19–21, 2026

Modern Gun

Zone	Dates
Zone 11	Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Zone 12	Nov 14 – Dec 20, 2026
Zone 15	Nov 14 – Dec 13, 2026

Arkansas • Wildlife Management Area

Hope Upland WMA

Located in Hempstead County. Known for quality bucks and extensive food plots / firelanes. Regular firearms seasons are closed — only archery and youth modern-gun opportunities.

Season	Dates	Details
Archery	Aug 29–31, 2026 Sept 26, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027	Early period: one antlered buck only
YouthModern Gun	Nov 7–8, 2026 Jan 2–3, 2027	Youth only

WMA Bag Limit (12/15 Rule applies)

Three deer total, no more than two antlered bucks. May include:

Two antlered bucks with archery
Three antlerless deer with archery
During youth hunt: two deer — one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) + one antlerless

Arkansas • Wildlife Management Area

Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d’Arc WMA

Hempstead County. Includes the Red Slough Waterfowl Rest Area with restricted archery windows. Firearms hunts are short and often permit-required.

Season	Dates	Details
Archery	Aug 29–31, 2026 Sept 26, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027	Early period: one antlered buck only
ArcheryRed Slough WRA	Aug 29–31, 2026 Sept 26 – Oct 31, 2026 Feb 20–28, 2027	Restricted unit — limited archery windows
Alt. Firearms	Oct 17–25, 2026	—
Modern Gun	Nov 14–18, 2026	Permit required
YouthModern Gun	Nov 7–8, 2026	—

WMA Bag Limit (12/15 Rule applies)

Three deer total, no more than two antlered bucks. May include:

Two antlered bucks with archery
Three antlerless deer with archery
One antlered buck + one antlerless with alternative firearms
One antlered buck + one antlerless with modern gun permit
During youth hunt: two deer — one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) + one antlerless

Texas • North Zone

Texas — North Zone Only

Bag limits, antler restrictions, doe days, and mandatory harvest reporting are set by county. Always verify your specific county in the TPWD Outdoor Annual.

Season Type	Dates	Notes
Archery-Only	Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026	Archery Endorsement required
Youth-Only Early	Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026	Ages 16 and under
General Season	Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027	North Zone
Special Late	Jan 4 – 17, 2027	Antlerless + unbranched-antlered bucks only
Youth-Only Late	Jan 4 – 17, 2027	—
Muzzleloader-Only	Jan 4 – 17, 2027	In counties that offer it

Statewide annual bag limit: five white-tailed deer, no more than three bucks (does not apply on MLDP properties). County exceptions are common.

Season planning

Combined Chronological Timeline

Late Aug 2026

AR Early Buck Archery (Aug 29–31) — Zones + both WMAs

Late Sep – Early Oct

AR Regular Archery opens (Sept 26)
TX Archery-Only opens (Oct 3)

Mid–Late Oct

AR Alternative Firearms (Oct 17–25) — Zones & Bois d’Arc
TX Archery continues; Youth-Only (Oct 30–Nov 1)

Early–Mid Nov

AR Youth hunts (Nov 7–8); Modern Gun begins (zones longer; Bois d’Arc Nov 14–18 permit)
TX General Season opens (Nov 7)

Mid Nov – Mid Dec

AR Modern Gun continues (zone end dates differ); Archery open
TX General Season continues

Late Dec

AR Christmas Holiday Hunt (Dec 26–28) + Archery
TX General Season continues

Early–Mid Jan 2027

AR Youth (Jan 2–3 at Hope Upland) + Archery continues to Feb 28
TX General ends Jan 3; Special Late / Youth / Muzzleloader (Jan 4–17)

Mid Jan – Late Feb

AR Archery only (through Feb 28)
TX Closed

Field reference

Important Notes & Reminders

Permits — Many Arkansas WMA firearms hunts (especially modern gun on Bois d’Arc) require a drawn or leftover permit. Check agfc.com early.
12/15 Rule — On both listed WMAs a legal buck generally must have a 12-inch inside spread or a 15-inch main beam (youth hunts often waive this).
Texas Endorsements — Archery Endorsement is required for the archery-only season (and year-round in a few counties).
County-level detail — Texas bag limits, antler restrictions, and doe days vary by county. Always cross-check the Outdoor Annual.
CWD & Carcass Rules — Both states have carcass movement and disposal regulations. Know the zones you hunt.
Licenses — Valid Arkansas and/or Texas hunting licenses (plus any required stamps/endorsements) must be in possession.

This calendar is a planning summary compiled from official 2026–27 AGFC and TPWD sources and the specific WMA pages you supplied. Regulations can be amended. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, and special rules on the official agency websites before hunting.