George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA is 33,832 acres of public hunting land in Arkansas and Jefferson counties, AGFC's WMA zone 010. Hunters checked 63 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 27 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.
George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMAOther AGFC WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 33,832 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Arkansas County, Jefferson County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 010 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 16 |
| Area rules | Mobility-Impaired Access, Waterfowl Season Access Restrictions, 15-Inch Inside Spread or 18-Inch Main Beam Rule and Valid Hunting or Fishing License or a WMA/Lake Conservation Permit is Required for All Users |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 63 (27 antlered bucks, 3 button bucks, 33 does) |
| Phone | 833-363-7638 |
| Nearest towns | Humphrey (next to it), Wabbaseka (3 mi) and Altheimer (7 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA?
AGFC sets each WMA's own dates and limits. These are its big game seasons for the area.
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Bear
- Alligators
2026-27 Deer
- Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
- Deer Alternative Firearms (permit required): Oct. 17-21.
- Deer Modern Gun (permit required): Nov. 14-18.
- Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
- WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (15/18 Rule applies), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- One antlered buck and one antlerless deer with alternative firearms permit,
- One antlered buck and one antlerless deer with modern gun permit,
- During the youth modern gun hunt, youth may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer.
2027 Turkey
- Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.
- Firearms Hunt: April 12-May 2. 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, George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA?
Hunters checked 63 deer on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 92 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 63 | 27 | 3 | 33 |
| 2023-24 | 81 | 48 | 0 | 33 |
| 2022-23 | 132 | 65 | 2 | 65 |
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 George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA?
Location
Bayou Meto WMA can be reached from U.S. highways 79, 165, 152, 88 and 276. There are AGFC signs on each highway.
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.
Wrape Plantation Waterfowl Rest Area and Halowell Reservoir are closed to access Nov.1-Feb. 15.
Camping
There are 52 primitive camp sites scattered over the entire area. Campsite boundaries are marked with signs.
Description
Bayou Meto is one of the largest state-owned wildlife management areas in the nation, encompassing 33,832 acres in Arkansas and Jefferson counties. The topography is generally flat with little more than an 11-foot change in elevation over the entire area. The area has a north-south elongation, with the southernmost extension of the area separated from the main body by a distance of one mile. Sixteen all-weather (graveled) roads are available, totaling 17.4 miles. In addition, 25 secondary (non-graveled) roads are scattered throughout the area, but are only for AGFC employees conducting management and enforcement work. There are eight permanent streams, totaling 30.5 miles, including Five Forks, Wabbaseka Bayou, Government Cypress Slough, Bear Bayou, Dry Bayou, West Bayou, Cross Bayou, Little Bayou Meto and Big Bayou Meto. Twelve intermediate streams, totaling 23 miles in length, form an extensive drainage network which feeds the major permanent waterways. Seventeen ditches totaling 26 miles contribute to the flooding and drainage. The largest and most significant is the Salt Bayou Ditch which extends 8 miles into the WMA. Six lakes, totaling 1,080 acres, are on the area. Halowell Reservoir is the largest, being 600 acres, followed by Grand Cypress lake (280 acres), Cox Cypress (150 acres) and Wrape Lake (80 acres). About 13,000 acres of Bayou Meto are flooded each fall to attract ducks. Two waterfowl rest areas, Halowell Reservoir and the Wrape Plantation, also attract ducks in fall and winter.
Ownership
Bayou Meto WMA is owned by the AGFC with four private in-holdings consisting of 380 acres. The in-holdings are posted against trespassing.
Age
Acquisition began in 1948.
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County | 25,121 | 4,427 | 6th |
| Jefferson County | 7,048 | 2,807 | 31st |
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 George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: AR 343, AR 152, AR 88 and AR 11. Nearest towns: Humphrey (next to it), Wabbaseka (3 miles), Altheimer (7 miles) and Humnoke (9 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Roth Prairie Natural Area WMA (7.6 miles), Trusten Holder WMA (16.3 miles), Prairie Bayou WMA (19.5 miles) and Ethel WMA (20.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA: Deer Archery, Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28. Deer Alternative Firearms (permit required), Oct. 17-21. Deer Modern Gun (permit required), Nov. 14-18. Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts, Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
How many deer can you take on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA?
Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (15/18 Rule applies), which may include: two antlered bucks with archery, three antlerless deer with archery, one antlered buck and one antlerless deer with alternative firearms permit, one antlered buck and one antlerless deer with modern gun permit and during the youth modern gun hunt, youth 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 George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA last season?
Hunters checked 63 deer on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA in the 2024-25 season: 27 antlered bucks, 3 button bucks and 33 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 92.
What county is George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA in?
Arkansas County (25,121 acres) and Jefferson County (7,048 acres), measured on AGFC's boundary.
Get a Arkansas hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Arkansas are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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.
Arkansas hunting All Arkansas WMAs Arkansas County deer harvest Jefferson County deer harvest