Gene Rush WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Gene Rush WMA is 20,255 acres of public hunting land in Newton and Searcy counties, AGFC's WMA zone 250. Hunters checked 61 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 31 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.
Gene Rush WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 20,255 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Newton County, Searcy County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 250 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 2 |
| Area rules | Mobility-Impaired Access, CWD Zone and Valid Hunting or Fishing License or a WMA/Lake Conservation Permit is Required for All Users |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 61 (31 antlered bucks, 6 button bucks, 24 does) |
| Phone | 833-340-7506 |
| Nearest towns | Western Grove (4 mi), Pindall (4 mi) and St. Joe (6 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Gene Rush WMA?
AGFC sets each WMA's own dates and limits. These are its big game seasons for the area.
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Quail
- 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 Hunt (permit required): Oct. 5-9 and Oct. 26-30.
- Elk Youth Hunt (permit required): Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 26-30.
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, rabbit and squirrel. Their dates are on AGFC's page.
Source: AGFC, Gene Rush WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Gene Rush WMA?
Hunters checked 61 deer on Gene Rush WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 74 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 61 | 31 | 6 | 24 |
| 2023-24 | 77 | 31 | 8 | 38 |
| 2022-23 | 84 | 40 | 5 | 39 |
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 Gene Rush WMA?
Location
The WMA is about 15 miles southeast of Jasper and 15 miles northwest of Marshall. The area is bordered to the north by the Buffalo National River and to the south by the Ozark National Forest.
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.
Horses and mules are not allowed for any use on that portion of Gene Rush WMA lying east of Searcy County Road 14 and west of the Buffalo National River property line from Woolum Ford to the intersection of Searcy County roads 12 and 14.
All caves closed.
Camping
Camping is primitive and is restricted only to designated campsites.
Description
The topography of the area is rolling hills to mountainous with some sheer bluffs with elevations ranging from 800 feet msl to 200 feet msl. Three major creeks flow through the area – Big Creek, Cave Creek and Lick Creek, all flow generally northward and are tributaries of the Buffalo River.
Ownership
The area was purchased by the AGFC in two major segments. The first segment totaled 9,198 acres and was purchased during 1966-1973 from Paul Meers, the Eleven Sixty-Six Corporation and some smaller landowners. This first segment is located south of the Buffalo River and west of Cave Creek. The second major segment was purchased from the Sutton family from 1978-1980 and consisted of 7,248 acres (this segment was officially designated the “Sutton Unit”. The Sutton Unit lies east of Cave Creek, south of the Buffalo River and west of Richland Creek. The purchase of several smaller tracts of land over the years has increased the total size of the WMA to 17,652 acres.
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Gene Rush WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | 13,488 | 1,319 | 64th |
| Searcy County | 6,971 | 1,976 | 54th |
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 Gene Rush WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: AR 123, AR 74, US 65 and AR 374. Nearest towns: Western Grove (4 miles), Pindall (4 miles), St. Joe (6 miles) and Everton (8 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Bearcat Hollow WMA (next to it), Buffalo National River WMA (next to it), Piney Creeks WMA (next to it) and Howard Hensley Searcy Co. WMA (13.5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Gene Rush WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Gene Rush 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 Gene Rush 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 Gene Rush WMA last season?
Hunters checked 61 deer on Gene Rush WMA in the 2024-25 season: 31 antlered bucks, 6 button bucks and 24 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 74.
What county is Gene Rush WMA in?
Newton County (13,488 acres) and Searcy County (6,971 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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