Fort Chaffee WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Fort Chaffee WMA is 66,000 acres of public hunting land in Sebastian, Franklin and Crawford counties, AGFC's WMA zone 230. Hunters checked 389 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 199 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.
Fort Chaffee WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 66,000 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Sebastian County, Franklin County, Crawford County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 230 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 7 |
| Area rules | CWD Zone |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 389 (199 antlered bucks, 21 button bucks, 169 does) |
| Phone | 833-356-0871 |
| Nearest towns | Central City (next to it), Barling (next to it) and Charleston (next to it) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Fort Chaffee 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 (permit required): Nov. 22.
- Deer Modern Gun (permit required): Nov. 21.
- WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (no antler restrictions), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlered buck or antlerless deer with alternative firearms permit hunt,
- One antlered buck or antlerless deer with modern gun permit hunt.
2026 Bear
- Bear Archery: Sept. 9-Nov. 30.
- Bear Alternative Firearms: Nov. 22 (deer alternative firearms permit holders only).
- Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 21 (deer modern gun permit holders only).
2026 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, dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl. Their dates are on AGFC's page.
Source: AGFC, Fort Chaffee WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Fort Chaffee WMA?
Hunters checked 389 deer on Fort Chaffee WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 394 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 389 | 199 | 21 | 169 |
| 2023-24 | 321 | 151 | 23 | 147 |
| 2022-23 | 472 | 244 | 21 | 207 |
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 Fort Chaffee 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.
Public use compartments may be closed at any time due to military training.
All forms and permits of the Outdoor Recreation Program are online.
The Open Compartment Schedule is available online. Users required to check-in/out. Call the Environmental Branch of the training center, 1-479-484-3575, for details.
Modern gun and alternative firearms special hunt permit holders are required to have a valid FCJMTC permit.
Gates 16 and 22 open at 4:30 a.m. for the hunts.
Ownership
U.S. Army
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Fort Chaffee WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian County | 54,857 | 1,409 | 62nd |
| Franklin County | 9,696 | 2,190 | 46th |
| Crawford County | 708 | 2,893 | 29th |
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 Fort Chaffee WMA?
Highways through the area: AR 96, AR 217 and AR 22. Nearest towns: Central City (next to it), Barling (next to it), Charleston (next to it) and Greenwood (next to it).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Cherokee Prairie Natural Area WMA (2.9 miles), Ozark Lake WMA (3.5 miles), Cherokee WMA (4.2 miles) and Frog Bayou WMA (7.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Fort Chaffee WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Fort Chaffee WMA: Deer Archery, Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28. Deer Alternative Firearms (permit required), Nov. 22. Deer Modern Gun (permit required), Nov. 21.
How many deer can you take on Fort Chaffee WMA?
Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (no antler restrictions), which may include: two antlered bucks with archery, three antlerless deer with archery, one antlered buck or antlerless deer with alternative firearms permit hunt and one antlered buck or antlerless deer with modern gun permit hunt. (AGFC's 2026-27 rules for the area).
How many deer were killed on Fort Chaffee WMA last season?
Hunters checked 389 deer on Fort Chaffee WMA in the 2024-25 season: 199 antlered bucks, 21 button bucks and 169 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 394.
What county is Fort Chaffee WMA in?
Sebastian County (54,857 acres), Franklin County (9,696 acres) and Crawford County (708 acres), measured on AGFC's boundary.
Get a Arkansas hunt plan when they open
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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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