Jim Kress WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 seasons and map
Jim Kress WMA is 11,774 acres of public hunting land in Cleburne County, AGFC's WMA zone 387. Hunters checked 69 deer on it in the 2024-25 season, 26 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); 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.
Jim Kress WMAOther AGFC WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 11,774 acres (AGFC) |
|---|---|
| County | Cleburne County |
| AGFC WMA zone | 387 |
| Deer zone around it | Zone 8 |
| Area rules | CWD Zone and Leased Land Permit Required |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 69 (26 antlered bucks, 6 button bucks, 37 does) |
| Phone | 833-356-0879 |
| Nearest towns | Pangburn (3 mi), Concord (5 mi) and Heber Springs (7 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Jim Kress 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); 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,
- 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 Bear Zone 1 quota is reached.
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, Jim Kress WMA, read October 2026. AGFC's page and its regulations are the final word.
How many deer are taken on Jim Kress WMA?
Hunters checked 69 deer on Jim Kress WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 3 seasons in AGFC's records, the area averaged 62 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Antlered bucks | Button bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 69 | 26 | 6 | 37 |
| 2023-24 | 60 | 27 | 5 | 28 |
| 2022-23 | 56 | 20 | 6 | 30 |
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 Jim Kress 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.
Hunters in possession of a valid Leased Lands Permit may use ATVs or bicycles only on open, maintained roads while hunting to travel to or from a campsite or hunting location.
A Leased Lands Permit is not required to operate a vehicle on state highways or county roads.
All ATVs are prohibited on Big Creek Natural Area.
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. not allowed
Description
Seasonal closure gates are closed early January through early October. Gates open in October for muzzleloader season and remain open until early January.
Ownership
Green Bay Packaging and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
From AGFC's page for the area.
Which county is Jim Kress WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | County deer, 2024-25 | Rank of 75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleburne County | 13,515 | 2,369 | 44th |
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 Jim Kress WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: AR 110, AR 25, AR 5 and AR 87. Nearest towns: Pangburn (3 miles), Concord (5 miles), Heber Springs (7 miles) and Letona (7 miles).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Cherokee WMA (3.1 miles), Greers Ferry Lake WMA (4 miles), Jamestown Independence County WMA (5.1 miles) and Foushee Cave Natural Area WMA (7.4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Jim Kress WMA in 2026-27?
AGFC's dates for Jim Kress WMA: Deer Archery, Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck); 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 Jim Kress 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 Jim Kress WMA last season?
Hunters checked 69 deer on Jim Kress WMA in the 2024-25 season: 26 antlered bucks, 6 button bucks and 37 does, by AGFC's deer check records. The 3-season average is 62.
What county is Jim Kress WMA in?
All of it is in Cleburne County, by AGFC's boundary.
Do you need a permit to hunt Jim Kress WMA?
Yes. AGFC lists Jim Kress WMA as leased land: hunters, trappers and campers 16 or older need a Leased Lands permit.
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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