Arkansas

Like its neighbor to the north, Arkansas is home to a diverse landscape that boasts an abundance of opportunities for sportsmen and women. Anglers in Arkansas can pursue a wide variety of popular fish, including bass, crappie, catfish, and trout, in its many lakes and rivers. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs and more than 9,700 miles of rivers and streams, Arkansas has earned its reputation as one of the premier fishing destinations in the country. Hunters in Arkansas can also enjoy a wealth of opportunities, with plentiful populations of deer, turkey, and quail, among other species. However, Arkansas is arguably best known for its world-renowned waterfowl hunting in the fabled flooded timber. The state’s abundant public lands, such as the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, provide plenty of chances for enterprising hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers.

For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Arkansas, please contact: Kent Keene

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Senator John Boozman Senator Tom Cotton Representative Rick Crawford Representative French Hill Representative Bruce Westerman Representative Steve Womack

Arkansas Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr. Senator Missy Irvin Representative Shad Pearce Representative Jay Richardson Senator Clark Tucker

Arkansas Policy Highlights

2023 – Passed a bill creating a discounted lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for youth under the age of 10.

2025 – Passed a bill updating Arkansas’ No-Net-Loss of public access baseline, ensuring that access for sportsmen and women remains a priority across the state.

2025 – Passed a bill requiring firearm safety education, which can include hunter education, to be taught in public schools across the state, building upon the 2021 effort that first authorized hunter education in schools.

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Paid Hunting License Holders

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Paid Angling License Holders

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Arkansas Policy Briefs

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Straight-Walled Rifle Cartridges

Over the past decade, several states have introduced regulations allowing these cartridges, which provide effective, safe hunting options in densely populated zones. Straight-walled cartridges are… Read more.

Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)

In recent years, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use has increased rapidly across the country.The unmitigated consequences of such growth not only threatens the environmental health… Read more.
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Arkansas Latest News

Arkansas Governor's conference
February 23, 2026

CSF Highlights Collaborative Stewardship on Shared Outdoor Lands at Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Why It Matters: If done correctly, bringing groups together around a shared commitment to stewardship can help ensure safe access, strong conservation outcomes, and a lasting outdoor legacy. By recognizing the critical role sportsmen and women play in funding wildlife management and habitat conservation, collaboration and mutual respect can be encouraged to strengthen both Arkansas’s natural resources and…

April 21, 2025

Arkansas Legislative Session Recap: A Collection of Excellent News for Sportsmen and Women

Why It Matters: Even states as pro-sportsmen as Arkansas have opportunities to further support sportsmen and women by enacting new legislation. This session, Arkansas saw several important bills introduced, with many of them successfully crossing the finish line before the Legislature adjourned last week. From updating the No-Net-Loss baseline, to preempting laws related to knife…

March 17, 2025

NASC Executive Council President Introduces Several CSF Priorities in Arkansas

Why It Matters: Though the sporting-conservation community often finds itself in a defensive position, there are opportunities to advance proactive measures to protect and advance our outdoor pursuits. In Arkansas, these opportunities have recently taken shape in the form of a resolution to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Act, and bills that would…

February 3, 2025

Arkansas Celebrates Forestry Day at the State Capitol

Why It Matters: Active management activities are critical to maintaining forest health and habitat for many important wildlife species. Well managed forests also support jobs and provide important products through a vibrant forest industry. As such, opportunities to highlight and celebrate forests and their contributions should be appreciated by conservationists across the country. Highlights: On…

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Arkansas Reports

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Impact You Can See

Efforts to recruit and retain college-aged sportsmen and women were enhanced in AR.

Hunters & recreational shooters in AR will not be subject to having their purchases tracked or halted by financial institutions.

AR Legislature recognized the critical role healthy, working forests play in supporting the state’s ecosystems and economy.

More than 250,000 acres of public hunting and angling access were protected in AR.

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.