Cherokee WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Cherokee WMA is 40,663 acres of public hunting land in Conway, Cleburne, Independence, Stone, Van Buren, Logan, Pope and Scott counties, AGFC's WMA zone 128. Hunters checked 237 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 133 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.
Cherokee WMAOther AGFC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 40,663 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Conway County, Cleburne County, Independence County, Stone County, Van Buren County, Logan County, Pope County, Scott County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 128 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 11 |
| Area rules | CWD Zone and Leased Land Permit Required |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 237 (133 antlered bucks, 16 button bucks, 88 does) |
| Phone | 833-356-0879 |
| Nearest towns | Pleasant Plains (2 mi), Heber Springs (4 mi) and Higden (4 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Cherokee 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 (no antler restrictions), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlerless deer with alternative firearms or modern gun combined.
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 if zone quota is reached in the section in Bear Zone 1.
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, Cherokee WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Cherokee WMA?
Hunters checked 237 deer on Cherokee WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 205 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 237 | 133 | 16 | 88 |
| 2023-24 | 188 | 109 | 14 | 65 |
| 2022-23 | 190 | 108 | 9 | 73 |
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 Cherokee 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.
Leased land permit holders may use ATVs or bicycles only on open, maintained roads while hunting to travel to or from a campsite or hunting location.
Dogs may be used for coyote, fox and bobcat hunting when the declared furbearer hunting season is open and firearms deer season is closed.
Camping limited to 14 consecutive days or fewer (unlawful to camp for more than 30 days during one calendar year).
Camps may not remain unoccupied for more than 48 hours.
Creating a disturbance after 10 p.m. is not allowed.
Ownership
Green Bay Packaging, Inc.
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Cherokee WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway County | 11,979 | 2,547 | 38th |
| Cleburne County | 10,045 | 2,369 | 44th |
| Independence County | 5,385 | 3,220 | 24th |
| Stone County | 4,299 | 2,116 | 50th |
| Van Buren County | 2,588 | 2,851 | 30th |
| Logan County | 2,513 | 2,541 | 39th |
| Pope County | 2,419 | 4,046 | 10th |
| Scott County | 2,220 | 1,920 | 55th |
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 Cherokee WMA?
Highways through the area: AR 16. Nearest towns: Pleasant Plains (2 miles), Heber Springs (4 miles), Higden (4 miles) and Concord (4 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Greers Ferry Lake WMA (next to it), Jamestown Independence County WMA (next to it), Piney Creeks WMA (next to it) and Scott Henderson Gulf Mountain WMA (next to it).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Cherokee WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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, three antlerless deer with archery and one antlerless deer with alternative firearms or modern gun combined. (AGFC's 2026-27 rules for the area).
How many deer were killed on Cherokee WMA last season?
Hunters checked 237 deer on Cherokee WMA in the 2024-25 season: 133 antlered bucks, 16 button bucks and 88 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 205.
What county is Cherokee WMA in?
Conway County (11,979 acres), Cleburne County (10,045 acres), Independence County (5,385 acres), Stone County (4,299 acres), Van Buren County (2,588 acres), Logan County (2,513 acres), Pope County (2,419 acres) and Scott County (2,220 acres), measured on AGFC's boundary.
Do you need a permit to hunt Cherokee WMA?
Yes. AGFC lists Cherokee WMA as leased land: hunters, trappers and campers 16 or older need a Leased Lands permit.
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Arkansas included.
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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