Big Timber WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Big Timber WMA is 40,585 acres of public hunting land in Clark, Pike and Nevada counties, AGFC's WMA zone 045. Hunters checked 240 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 92 antlered bucks among them (AGFC's deer check records). AGFC's 2026-27 dates for the area: Deer Archery, Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and area rules: AGFC's page for the area. Harvest: AGFC's deer check records, 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Big Timber WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 40,585 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Clark County, Pike County, Nevada County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 045 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 12, Zone 13 |
| Area rules | Mobility-Impaired Access, Three-point rule and Leased Land Permit Required |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 240 (92 antlered bucks, 21 button bucks, 127 does) |
| Phone | 833-356-0860 |
| Nearest towns | Whelen Springs (next to it), Amity (next to it) and Arkadelphia (2 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Timber WMA?
AGFC sets each WMA's own dates and limits. These are its big game seasons for the area.
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Alligator
2026-27 Deer
- Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
- Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25.
- Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28.
- Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3. No antler restrictions apply.
- WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (3-Point Rule applies), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Three antlerless deer with archery, alternative firearms and modern gun combined.
2026 Bear
- Bear Archery: Sept. 9-Nov. 30 (only on that part of the area that lies in Bear Zone 2).
- Bear Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25 (only on that part of the area that lies in Bear Zone 2).
- Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 14-30 (only on that part of the area that lies in Bear Zone 2).
- Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 7-8 (only on that part of the area that lies in Bear Zone 2).
2027 Turkey
- Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.
- Firearms Hunt: April 12-May 2. One legal turkey.
Other seasons AGFC lists for the area: crow, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Their dates are on AGFC's page.
Source: AGFC, Big Timber WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Big Timber WMA?
Hunters checked 240 deer on Big Timber WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 207 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 240 | 92 | 21 | 127 |
| 2023-24 | 169 | 71 | 15 | 83 |
| 2022-23 | 213 | 75 | 25 | 113 |
Source: AGFC deer check records, 2022-23 to 2024-25, counted by FilledTag from the records AGFC files under this WMA.
What should you know before hunting Big Timber WMA?
Location
The scattered areas that make up the Big Timber Leased Lands WMA are in various parts of Clark County.
Area Notes
Free georeferenced maps are available for this WMA and others at https://apps.agfc.com/maps/. These maps are frequently updated and include features such as parking, types of road and land boundaries.
Upland WDA is closed to motor vehicles (except ATVs, which may be used on the main road).
Only one hunting stand or blind per MIA card holder allowed.
Camping
Designated campsites are located in various areas of the WMA. No electricity or running water is provided.
Description
The various tracts within the Big Timber Leased Lands WMA provide a diversity of habitat types, including upland pine, upland pine/hardwood mix, upland hardwood, bottomland pine/hardwood mix, and bottomland hardwood.
Ownership
Big Timber Leased Lands WMA is a group of privately owned tracts that are leased annually by the AGFC. Private landowners that participate include The Ross Foundation, Clark Timberlands, Anthony Timberlands and Red River Texarkana (managed by Hancock Forest Management).
Age
The Big Timber Leased Lands WMA was established in 1988.
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Big Timber WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | 42,949 | 5,965 | 2nd |
| Pike County | 160 | 3,908 | 15th |
| Nevada County | 66 | 3,706 | 19th |
Acres measured by FilledTag on AGFC WMA boundaries and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries. County harvest: AGFC deer check records, 2022-23 to 2024-25.
How do you get to Big Timber WMA?
Highways through the area: AR 8, AR 7, AR 51 and AR 53. Nearest towns: Whelen Springs (next to it), Amity (next to it), Arkadelphia (2 miles) and Gurdon (2 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: DeGray Lake WMA (next to it), Terre Noire Natural Area WMA (1.9 miles), Poison Springs WMA (4.6 miles) and Jack Mountain WMA (7.6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Timber WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Big Timber WMA: Deer Archery, Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28. Deer Alternative Firearms, Oct. 17-25. Deer Modern Gun, Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28. Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts, Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3. No antler restrictions apply.
How many deer can you take on Big Timber WMA?
Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (3-Point Rule applies), which may include: two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun and three antlerless deer with archery, alternative firearms and modern gun combined. (AGFC's 2026-27 rules for the area).
How many deer were killed on Big Timber WMA last season?
Hunters checked 240 deer on Big Timber WMA in the 2024-25 season: 92 antlered bucks, 21 button bucks and 127 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 207.
What county is Big Timber WMA in?
Clark County (42,949 acres), Pike County (160 acres) and Nevada County (66 acres), measured on AGFC's boundary.
Do you need a permit to hunt Big Timber WMA?
Yes. AGFC lists Big Timber WMA as leased land: hunters, trappers and campers 16 or older need a Leased Lands permit.
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Where these numbers come from
- Seasons, limits, size and area notes: AGFC's page for each WMA (AGFC Wildlife Management Areas).
- Deer harvest on the area and by county: AGFC deer check records, 2022-23 to 2024-25.
- Boundary: AGFC WMA boundaries. Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer. Refuges: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
FilledTag is not part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Numbers are copied from AGFC or measured from public maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.
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