Registration is now open for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s annual Urban Deer Hunt Program, offering hunters an opportunity to help manage nuisance deer populations in several Arkansas communities.
The 2026 archery-only hunts will be held in Cherokee Village, Fairfield Bay, Heber Springs, Helena-West Helena, Horseshoe Bend and Russellville.
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the hunts provide an inexpensive and effective method of deer management while helping reduce overpopulation in urban areas.
One unique benefit of the program is that deer harvested during urban hunts do not count toward a hunter’s seasonal deer limit. There is also no limit on the number of deer that may be harvested during the hunts.
Participants are required to donate their first harvested deer to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. The organization processes the venison into ground meat and distributes it to food pantries across Arkansas.
Hunters must complete additional safety requirements before participating. These include passing the International Bowhunters Education Program, attending a hunt orientation session, learning local hunt regulations and successfully completing a shooting proficiency test.
Officials encourage interested hunters to register early and complete all required training before hunt dates are announced.
Additional information is available through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Urban Hunt Program.
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