Buffalo National River WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Buffalo National River WMA is 95,730 acres of public hunting land in Newton, Searcy and Marion counties, AGFC's WMA zone 080. Hunters checked 172 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 89 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.
Buffalo National River WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 95,730 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Newton County, Searcy County, Marion County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 080 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 2 |
| Area rules | CWD Zone |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 172 (89 antlered bucks, 11 button bucks, 72 does) |
| Phone | 833-340-7506 |
| Nearest towns | Gilbert (next to it), St. Joe (3 mi) and Jasper (3 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Buffalo National River WMA?
AGFC sets each WMA's own dates and limits. These are its big game seasons for the area.
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Furbearer Trapping
- 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. 6 and Dec. 26-28.
- Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
- WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (no antler restrictions), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Two antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlerless deer during alternative firearms season or the first two days of modern gun,
- During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer.
2026 Bear
- Bear Archery: Sept. 9-Nov. 30.
- Bear Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25.
- Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 14-30.
- Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 7-8.
- Bear Notes:
- Seasons close earlier when Bear Zone 1 quota is reached.
2026 Elk
- Elk (permit required): Oct. 5-9 and Oct. 26-30.
- Elk Youth (permit required): Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 24-25.
2027 Turkey
- Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.
- Firearms Hunt: April 19-May 9. One legal turkey.
Other seasons AGFC lists for the area: crow, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Their dates are on AGFC's page.
Source: AGFC, Buffalo National River WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Buffalo National River WMA?
Hunters checked 172 deer on Buffalo National River WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 189 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 172 | 89 | 11 | 72 |
| 2023-24 | 184 | 104 | 17 | 63 |
| 2022-23 | 211 | 116 | 17 | 78 |
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 Buffalo National River WMA?
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.
See www.nps.gov/buff for additional federal regulations.
Chase for pleasure and dog training are not allowed.
Discharging firearms across, into or from the Buffalo River and its gravel bars is not allowed.
Hunting is not allowed in developed areas.
Firearms and crossbows must be unloaded and cased or broken down when in a developed campground.
The operation of off-road motor vehicles is not allowed on roads, lands and waters within the Buffalo National River.
Vehicles may not travel off-road.
Campsites may not remain unattended for more than 24 hours.
Sylamore WMA seasons and regulations apply to Buffalo National River lands in Marion and Baxter counties lying east of Big Creek and south and east of the Buffalo River.
No trapping is allowed on Buffalo National River.
Ownership
National Park Service
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Buffalo National River WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | 42,304 | 1,319 | 64th |
| Searcy County | 23,183 | 1,976 | 54th |
| Marion County | 22,482 | 2,185 | 47th |
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 Buffalo National River WMA?
Highways through the area: AR 43, AR 21, AR 14 and AR 268. Nearest towns: Gilbert (next to it), St. Joe (3 miles), Jasper (3 miles) and Big Flat (5 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Gene Rush WMA (next to it), Loafer's Glory WMA (next to it), Sylamore WMA (next to it) and White Rock WMA (next to it).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Buffalo National River WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Buffalo National River 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. 6 and Dec. 26-28. Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts, Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
How many deer can you take on Buffalo National River WMA?
Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (no antler restrictions), which may include: two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun, two antlerless deer with archery, one antlerless deer during alternative firearms season or the first two days of modern gun and during youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer. (AGFC's 2026-27 rules for the area).
How many deer were killed on Buffalo National River WMA last season?
Hunters checked 172 deer on Buffalo National River WMA in the 2024-25 season: 89 antlered bucks, 11 button bucks and 72 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 189.
What county is Buffalo National River WMA in?
Newton County (42,304 acres), Searcy County (23,183 acres) and Marion County (22,482 acres), measured on AGFC's boundary.
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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.
Arkansas hunting All Arkansas WMAs Newton County deer harvest Searcy County deer harvest Marion County deer harvest