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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — April 18, 2025
In a public meeting held Friday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) voted to approve several updates to the state’s upcoming 2025–2026 waterfowl hunting season, focusing on species-specific management and federal alignment. The approved changes reflect the latest biological data and aim to maintain sustainable hunting practices across the Mississippi Flyway.
Among the most notable adjustments is a modification to the special early teal season, which will now be shortened in duration. While teal are typically among the earliest migratory ducks to arrive in Arkansas wetlands each fall, biologists and regional conservation partners have recommended a reduced season to align with shifting migratory patterns and to avoid undue pressure on early flocks.
In a more favorable update for hunters, the Commission has also voted to increase the daily bag limit for northern pintails from one to three birds per person per day. This change follows updated harvest frameworks issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and consensus recommendations from the Mississippi Flyway Council, a body of state and federal waterfowl managers working to protect and manage migratory bird populations.
AGFC officials emphasized that both changes are grounded in recent survey data and modeling on waterfowl populations. Pintail numbers have shown measured improvements across breeding grounds in the northern U.S. and Canada, leading to the more generous harvest allocation for the 2025–26 season. However, officials stressed that continued monitoring is essential.
“The goal remains clear—to provide quality hunting opportunities while safeguarding waterfowl populations for future generations,” said AGFC Director Austin Booth. “These changes reflect our commitment to both sound science and responsive management.”
The newly adopted regulations ensure Arkansas’s waterfowl season remains fully compliant with federal frameworks and Flyway Council agreements, which establish guidelines for migratory bird hunting across multiple states. Cooperation across these jurisdictions is vital, as many of the species that pass through Arkansas in winter migrate thousands of miles along North America’s major flyways.
AGFC commissioners thanked hunters, biologists, and conservation partners for their continued engagement in the regulatory process, encouraging citizens to stay informed and involved as implementation begins.
Full details of the 2025–26 season, including dates, zone-specific guidelines, and species restrictions, will be published in the Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook later this year. Hunters are urged to review updates and participate in public comment periods when available. For more information and updates on regulations, visit the official AGFC website.
