Arkansas deer season isn’t just a tradition — it’s a lifeline for hunters and rural communities. The Delta fills with hunters chasing whitetails each fall, while the Ozarks provide rugged terrain for archery and muzzleloader fans.
But 2025 brings a harder reality: feral hogs are shifting the hunt. Sounders trample soybean fields, root through food plots, and push deer herds deeper into cover. In counties like Desha, Drew, and White, hog damage has been so severe that farmers estimate millions in crop losses annually.
This year, deer hunters can’t afford to ignore hogs. The question is no longer if hogs affect your season, but how much.
Arkansas Deer Season 2025 FAQs for Hunters
Are hogs considered game animals in Arkansas?
No. Feral hogs are classified as an invasive species and nuisance animal — not a game species.
Do you need a license to hunt hogs in Arkansas?
Yes. A valid hunting license is required, even though hogs can be taken year-round.
Can hogs be trapped in Arkansas?
Yes, but only by landowners or with landowner permission. State rules restrict live transport, and traps must be labeled.
Do hogs impact deer movement in the Delta and Ozarks?
Yes. Hunters in the Delta report deer leaving food plots overrun by hogs, while in the Ozarks, hog rooting pushes deer into higher ridges and harder-to-hunt terrain.
What traps actually work in Arkansas terrain?
- Boar Blanket → Best for single operators in uneven ground or woodlots.
- HogEye Camera Systems → Best for large properties with cell coverage.
- Cage/Corral Traps → Work for Delta farms but less effective in rocky or hilly areas.
Arkansas Deer Season 2025 Dates
| Season Type | Dates (2025–2026) | Notes |
| Archery | Sept 27 – Feb 28 | Statewide |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 19 – 27 | Varies by zone |
| Modern Gun | Nov 8 – Dec 7 | Varies by zone |
| Youth Hunts | Nov 1–2, Jan 3–4 | Special weekends |
Bag limits vary by deer zone and land type.
How Feral Hogs Are Reshaping Arkansas Deer Season
The Hog Explosion in Arkansas
According to USDA Wildlife Services, Arkansas has one of the fastest-expanding hog populations in the Southeast. The Delta’s row crop farms are particularly vulnerable: corn, peanuts, and soybeans are destroyed overnight.
Impact on Deer Hunters
- Delta farms: Deer abandon food plots raided by hogs.
- Ozark foothills: Rooting turns acorn flats into churned mud, limiting deer feeding.
- Statewide: Sounders disrupt normal deer movement patterns, making hunters think deer numbers are down when in fact they’ve just relocated.
See related analysis in Why Feral Hogs Are Taking Over the South.
Hunting Regulations 2025
Deer Regulations
- Valid license required.
- Zone-specific bag limits apply.
- Antler restrictions in some counties.
Hog Regulations
- No closed season, no bag limits.
- Live transport requires a permit and registration with the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission.
- Trapping is legal on private lands with permission.
Arkansas Deer Season 2025: Hunting Preparation Tips
Strategies for Success in Hog-Heavy Areas
- Delta farmers: Run traps along crop edges before planting fall plots.
- Ozark hunters: Deploy traps on ridge access trails where hogs funnel.
- Keep deer stands and traps separate to reduce stress on deer herds.
Which Gear Works Best in Arkansas
- Boar Blanket Hog Trap → Perfect for uneven, wooded, and hilly terrain common in the Ozarks.
- HogEye Systems → Best for big Delta row-crop farms with signal access.
- Steel Cages → Work on flat Delta ground, but cumbersome to move and noisy to deploy.
Compare systems here: Cage vs Net Hog Traps.
Economic and Hunting Impacts
Landowner Losses
Delta farmers report hundreds of thousands in annual replanting costs from hog rooting and trampling. USDA has designated feral hogs as a top agricultural threat in Arkansas.
Deer Hunter Experience
Hunters in Drew County have shared reports of entire food plots going quiet after sounders arrive. In the Ozarks, hog rooting damages acorn flats, leaving deer with fewer feeding sites.
Read case study results: Boar Blanket Case Study.
Conclusion: Taking Back the Hunt in 2025
Arkansas deer season is a tradition worth protecting — but feral hogs are rewriting the playbook.
- Cage traps fit Delta farms with crews and equipment.
- HogEye works for outfitters with tech access.
- But for hunters in the Ozarks or Delta managing 100–500 acres, the Boar Blanket Hog Trap offers the best balance of portability, silence, and full-sounder capture.
See costs in Feral Hog Trapping Costs: A Full Breakdown and learn the trapping method in How Whole Sounder Trapping Works.