Caney Creek WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Caney Creek WMA is 85,000 acres of public hunting land in Polk, Montgomery, Pike and Howard counties, AGFC's WMA zone 120. Hunters checked 73 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 49 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.
Caney Creek WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 85,000 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County, Montgomery County, Pike County, Howard County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 120 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 11 |
| Area rules | Three-point rule and Additional USDA Forest Service Regulations |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 73 (49 antlered bucks, 2 button bucks, 22 does) |
| Phone | 833-356-0871 |
| Nearest towns | Black Springs (9 mi), Vandervoort (9 mi) and Daisy (9 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Caney Creek 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. 6 and Dec. 26-28.
- Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
- 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,
- 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.
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, Caney Creek WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Caney Creek WMA?
Hunters checked 73 deer on Caney Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 64 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 73 | 49 | 2 | 22 |
| 2023-24 | 59 | 36 | 4 | 19 |
| 2022-23 | 59 | 45 | 1 | 13 |
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 Caney Creek WMA?
Location
The area is in the Ouachita Mountains, about 12 miles southeast of Mena.
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.
Refer to USDA Forest Service website for more information.
Camping
Camping opportunities are endless. The Forest Service allows unrestricted camping. Bard Springs Recreational Area and Shady Lake Recreational Area all have developed camping areas with restroom facilities and drinking water. Camping is free at Bard Springs, but a nominal fee is charged at Albert Pike and Shady Lake. Camping with electricity and cabins is available at a private campground at Albert Pike. For more information call 870-356-3964.
Description
Caney Creek consists of 85,000 acres of rugged mountain terrain and narrow valleys which form the headwaters of the Little Missouri and Cossatot Rivers. The predominant timber types on the area are upland hardwoods, shortleaf pine and mixed hardwood. Typical of the Ouachitas, the ridges run in an east-west fashion. Hardwoods are generally found on the north and east aspects of the mountains while pine occupies the south and west aspects. In addition to the Little Missouri and Cossatot rivers, there are several smaller streams on the management area. These include Caney Creek, Short Creek, Sugar Creek, Mine Creek, Straight Creek, Crooked Creek, Long Creek, Blaylock Creek and East Saline Creek. One man-made lake, Shady Lake, is located on the south side of the management area.
Ownership
Primary ownership is by the USDA Forest Service although there is some privately owned land within the management area boundary.
Age
The area was established in 1968 as a result of a “memorandum of understanding” between the USDA Forest Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Caney Creek WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 53,154 | 3,669 | 20th |
| Montgomery County | 16,101 | 1,993 | 53rd |
| Pike County | 3,369 | 3,908 | 15th |
| Howard County | 2,771 | 2,550 | 37th |
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 Caney Creek WMA?
Highways through the area: AR 8 and AR 375. Nearest towns: Black Springs (9 miles), Vandervoort (9 miles), Daisy (9 miles) and Mena (9 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Howard County WMA (5.1 miles), Lake Greeson WMA (7.1 miles), Iron Mountain Natural Area WMA (10.8 miles) and Muddy Creek WMA (15.5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Caney Creek WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Caney Creek 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 Special Youth Hunt, Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
How many deer can you take on Caney Creek 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, three 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 Caney Creek WMA last season?
Hunters checked 73 deer on Caney Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season: 49 antlered bucks, 2 button bucks and 22 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 64.
What county is Caney Creek WMA in?
Polk County (53,154 acres), Montgomery County (16,101 acres), Pike County (3,369 acres) and Howard County (2,771 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.
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