Introduction to Hunting
Hunting is a cherished outdoor activity in Arkansas, offering enthusiasts the chance to pursue a variety of species, including deer, turkey, and furbearers like raccoon, opossum, and bobcat. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) plays a crucial role in regulating hunting within the state, providing necessary licenses, permits, and comprehensive guidelines to ensure a safe and sustainable hunting experience.
Hunters in Arkansas can employ various methods to hunt their desired species. Whether you prefer the precision of archery equipment, the range of a rifle, or the versatility of a shotgun, the AGFC ensures that you have the resources and education needed to hunt responsibly. The Commission also offers trapper education programs and hunting workshops to help hunters of all experience levels improve their skills.
Southern Brush and Ridge Line Setups
Arkansas offers a diverse blend of terrain that’s tailor-made for calling in foxes. With a mix of rolling hills, thick timber, farmland edges, and bottomland thickets, the state provides prime habitat for both red and gray foxes. For hunters who enjoy the challenge of setting up in the right place at the right time, Arkansas delivers with plenty of access to public and private land opportunities.
Understanding where foxes move and how to use the landscape to your advantage makes all the difference. Scouting carefully and planning calls around cover and visibility leads to better setups and more frequent sightings.
Habitat Preferences Across the State
Red foxes prefer field edges, brushy fence lines, and gently sloping ridges where small game is plentiful. They’re commonly found around the edges of clearings, near hayfields, and around old barns or farm structures. Gray foxes, on the other hand, stick tighter to cover and are more often found in dense woods, rocky hollows, and thick brush.
Focus your efforts on spots that combine food, cover, and natural movement corridors. Places where two or more habitat types meet—like the corner of a pasture and a woodlot, or where a drainage cuts through a timbered slope—are especially productive. Creek banks, old logging roads, and thickets on the back edge of fields can all draw foxes.
When to Call and What to Use
Foxes are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours, particularly in the cooler months when they’re more likely to respond to a call. Gray foxes tend to move later into the morning than red foxes, but both are crepuscular by nature.
Start your calling session with a high-pitched distress sound that mimics a small rodent or young rabbit. Mouth calls work well in close cover, while electronic calls give you range and volume in more open areas. Hunters can click to activate these electronic calls, making it easier to adjust the sound and attract foxes. Red foxes usually respond quickly, often within ten to fifteen minutes, while gray foxes may circle in slowly and require more patience.
Visual cues help hold their attention once they’re committed. Something as simple as a feather or fur strip hung from a branch can keep a fox focused long enough to offer a clean shot.
Best Locations to Set Up
In central and northern Arkansas, timbered ridges that break into fields or lowland brush offer strong setups. In the delta regions, look to the field edges and canal levees where small game and cover come together. Public hunting lands, wildlife management areas, and private farms with permission all provide opportunity. Notable locations for fox hunting also include Missouri and Texas, where community engagement and diverse hunting environments enhance the experience.
Set up with the wind in your face and use natural elevation or cover to break your outline. If calling in hilly country, choose knobs or benches with open shooting lanes. In flat areas, tall grass or brush rows can give you the concealment you need to stay hidden while keeping eyes on your call zone.
Equipment for Arkansas Terrain
Small-caliber rifles like .17 or .22 centerfires are ideal for longer shots in open ground. For tighter setups or thickets, a 12-gauge shotgun with a tight choke and small game load delivers fast-handling performance. Wear camouflage that matches the surroundings and moves quietly through brush.
A simple stool or cushion, binoculars, extra calls, gloves, and a lightweight pack are all useful additions. In addition, a solid pair of boots will help you move quietly across uneven or wet terrain, especially in the bottomlands or creek areas.
Licensing and Season Information
A valid Arkansas hunting license is required to hunt foxes. The season typically runs from September through the end of February. Only daylight hunting is permitted for foxes unless regulations change or special allowances are in place.
Hunters should always review the most current rules through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before heading out. Local regulations and WMA-specific restrictions may apply depending on where you plan to hunt.
Predator Control
Predator control is a vital aspect of wildlife management in Arkansas, as predators like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes can significantly impact game species populations. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) offers permits and guidelines to help manage these predator populations effectively.
One such permit is the Commission Predator Control Permit (PCP), which allows permit holders to conduct year-round shooting and trapping of certain predator species on private land. This permit is an essential tool for landowners looking to protect their property and manage wildlife populations.
Various methods can be used for predator control, including hunting with dogs, trapping, and shooting. Each method has its own set of guidelines and best practices, which the AGFC provides to ensure ethical and effective predator management.
Guided Tours
For hunters and outdoor enthusiasts looking to enhance their experience, guided tours in Arkansas offer a unique and educational opportunity. These tours are led by experienced guides and outfitters who provide valuable knowledge about the terrain, wildlife, and effective hunting methods.
Guided tours can be customized to fit individual needs and interests, whether you’re looking to hunt specific species or explore particular areas of the state. The expertise of a seasoned guide can make a significant difference in your hunting success and overall enjoyment.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) provides a list of licensed guides and outfitters on their website, making it easier for you to find and book a guided tour that matches your interests and skill level.
For more information on guided tours in Arkansas, visit the AGFC website or call 833 345 0325.
Conservation Efforts
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is deeply committed to conservation efforts, working tirelessly to protect and enhance the state’s natural resources. The AGFC offers a variety of programs and resources designed to help landowners and hunters conserve and manage wildlife habitats effectively.
Conservation efforts in Arkansas include habitat restoration, wildlife management, and education and outreach programs. These initiatives aim to ensure that the state’s natural resources are preserved for future generations while promoting sustainable use.
The AGFC also collaborates with other organizations and agencies to further conservation goals, creating a network of support for Arkansas’s diverse ecosystems.
Safety Precautions
Hunting and outdoor activities can be hazardous, making it essential to take safety precautions to minimize risks. Hunters should always wear blaze orange to ensure visibility and follow safe hunting practices, such as being aware of their surroundings and using proper firearm handling techniques.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) provides a wealth of safety tips and guidelines for hunters. This includes information on tree stand safety, hunting with dogs, and basic first aid. It’s crucial for hunters to be aware of their physical limitations and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, ensuring a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.
For more detailed safety information and guidelines, visit the AGFC website or call 833 345 0325.
Why Fox Hunting in Arkansas Is Worth It
Fox hunting in Arkansas is a quiet, focused pursuit that rewards patience and preparation. Every stand is a test of whether you’ve picked the right spot and the right sound. And when a red or gray fox suddenly appears, slipping through the brush with its nose in the air and eyes locked on your setup, you know it was worth the wait.
It’s not a hunt for those chasing quantity, but it’s one that builds skill and delivers a sense of satisfaction few other pursuits can match. Arkansas’s diverse landscape, generous seasons, and abundant habitat make it a great place to hone your predator hunting skills. The inclusion of species like the red fox and striped skunk under the Commission Predator Control Permit highlights their impact on the ecosystem and the importance of managing these predators to protect game species.
FAQs
When is fox season in Arkansas?
Fox season typically runs from September through February, with exact dates published by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission each year.
Do I need a special license to hunt foxes?
You need a valid Arkansas hunting license. No additional furbearer permit is required for fox hunting during the open season.
The trapper education program emphasizes the importance of using traps safely without harming people or domestic animals, ensuring that new trappers adopt legal and ethical practices considerate of both wildlife and human safety.
Are electronic calls allowed?
Yes, electronic calls are allowed and are commonly used for fox hunting in Arkansas. For more information on electronic calls and other resources, you can click the designated 'All hunts' link to view a comprehensive list of options.
What time of day is best for calling foxes?
Early morning and just before dusk are prime times for calling in red or gray foxes.
Hunters often asked about the best times for calling foxes, and these periods are consistently recommended.
What terrain should I focus on?
Brushy edges, old fields near timber, creek bottoms, and transitional zones between cover and open land are all productive areas to call.
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