ARKANSAS, USA — In this week's edition of 5OUTDOORS Skot talks with Trey Reid from the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) about this years early goose season, as well as all things deer hunting in the Natural State!
Alternative firearms season a success:
In an effort to expand hunting opportunities, the AGFC allowed the use of straight-walled firearms in addition to traditional muzzleloaders. In doing so they've renamed the season "Alternative Firearms Season."
"This is something the public has asked for," said Trey Reid when asked why this new season was opened. "We have plenty of deer in Arkansas. The people wanted this new opportunity so the commission allowed it."
Early data indicates it's been a success for many hunters! More than 14,000 deer have been bagged already, compared to 11,000 in last year's entire muzzleloader season.
Of those taken, nearly 55% were taken with traditional muzzleloaders, with the remaining being taken with alternative firearms.
Modern gun youth season opens soon:
Youth between the ages of 6 and 15 will get the first chance to harvest a deer with a modern gun. This year the special youth hunt will take place Saturday, November 2 through Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Trey wants to remind those interested in this special season that while youth aren't required to have a hunting license, they do need to have a unique customer identification number.
The ID number is free and obtained at AGFC.com, using the same portal used to buy licenses and tags.
Changes To white-fronted goose season:
As in recent years, Arkansas will hold an early white-fronted (specklebelly) season. This year that season will be shorter, with only 9 days total running from Oct. 26 - Nov. 3.
This year's season structure will also change. After this early season ends on Nov. 3, it will stay closed until Nov. 23, which is also the opening day of regular duck season. At that point white-fronted, Ross's, and snow geese seasons will run concurrent with ducks season.
Why the change?
Trey tells us the idea is based around the idea of reducing hunting pressure on ducks. These geese share some habitats with ducks, so when the geese are being hunted, they are still feeling the disturbance.
This new season structure will reduce pressure on both ducks and geese.
In addition to season structure changes, this year the bag limit has been reduced on specklebellies from 3 to 2 per day. The possession limit is 6.
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