Hunting in Arkansas: Regulations for Hunting With Dogs

It is a long-respected tradition among hunters, but there are rules for using dogs when hunting in Arkansas in order to regulate wildlife and keep other hunters safe.

Some hunters like to head into the woods alone to bag their game. Some enjoy hunting with friends and family, experiencing the thrill of the hunt with others — and some want nothing more than to bring along their four-legged friends that they have worked hard to train in taking game.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is in charge of maintaining these rules and hunters who wish to participate must keep in mind several regulations for hunting with dogs before they head to the marsh or the woods.

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First of all, hunting dogs, like any other dogs in Arkansas, are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Penalties in the form of fines are a result for those who do not comply. Where hunting is concerned, hunting dogs can only be released on land the hunter owns, leases or on which he has permission to be.

A Permission to Hunt Card is required when hunting on posted land. Public property is more regulated with only certain wildlife management areas open to hunting dogs, and only for certain game, according to the Animal Center.

All hunting dogs must wear collars with tags with its owner’s information while in the field. The exception is for bird dogs that don’t have to be wearing a collar as long as it is in the owner’s possession.

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Those looking to train bird dogs may do so with guns with blank ammunition and with the approval of the AGFC chief of wildlife management, can also utilize captive foxes, raccoons, coyotes, or pen-raised quail for training or authorized field trials.

During modern gun seasons in permitted zones, dogs can also be trained to chase deer from October through December.

During training or chasing for pleasure – which is prohibited with a few exceptions from April 1-May 15, and always during seasons that are prohibited – only weapons that are permitted in the current season can be carried.

So, if there is currently no open season, no firearms or archery equipment may be taken into the field.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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