The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is considering moving most of Arkansas’ 2027 spring turkey season one week earlier, with commissioners seeking public comment before deciding whether to adopt the proposed dates.
The proposal received its first reading during the commission’s meeting on Nov. 5 in Hot Springs. The commission announced the proposed schedule Nov. 6. The dates remain subject to a final vote after a 30-day public-comment period.
Proposed season dates
Under the proposal, the regular spring season would open April 5, 2027, in Zones 2 and 3. Zone 2 would close April 25, while Zone 3 would follow the same April 5-25 schedule. Zone 2A, which includes Miller and Little River counties, would run from April 5 through April 13.
The proposed dates for the state’s mountain and northwestern zones would be different:
- Zone 1: April 12-May 2
- Zone 1A: April 12-20
- Zones 2 and 3: April 5-25
- Zone 2A: April 5-13
- Youth turkey season: April 3-4
The youth hunt would occur before the regular season in all listed zones. The commission’s proposal would not extend the overall spring turkey season, and the agency said no other turkey hunting regulation changes are being considered as part of the proposal.
Commission review
The proposed schedule followed discussions by the commission’s Regulations and Resource Management Committee. Former commissioners Jim Hinkle and Ken Reeves provided input on turkey hunting opportunities and the timing of the spring season.
Reeves previously served during a period when Arkansas’ wild turkey population was declining. The commission’s discussions included the development of restrictions and shorter seasons intended to address turkey numbers and reproduction. Commissioners later changed the opening date and adopted other limits, including restrictions involving juvenile gobblers and a one-gobbler limit during the first week of the season.
Hunters may review the proposed schedule and submit comments through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s online public-comment survey. Commissioners are expected to consider action after the 30-day comment period, meaning the listed dates are not yet final.
