Thanksgiving may be coming early for hunters across Arkansas as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports a strong outlook for the 2026 turkey hunting season.
According to the agency’s 2025 Annual Turkey Program Report, hunters harvested 11,332 turkeys last spring, a 22 percent increase from 9,296 in 2024 and the highest total since 2017.
Biologists say increased reproduction from 2021 through 2023 and favorable hunting conditions contributed to the rise. Experts note most hunters pursue 2-year-old and older gobblers, meaning strong reproduction in recent years is now paying off.
Only 440 immature gobblers, or jakes, were harvested in 2025, just 4 percent of the total, leaving more mature birds available for upcoming seasons.
The largest gains were seen in the Ozark and Ouachita regions, while the Delta saw a slight decline.
Officials say brood surveys from 2024 and 2025 show the highest turkey production since 2013, pointing to even better opportunities this spring.
🦃 2026 Arkansas Turkey Season Dates:
Zone 1: April 20 through May 10, 2026
Zone 1A: April 20 through April 28, 2026
Zone 2: April 13 through May 3, 2026
Zone 2A: April 13 through April 21, 2026
Zone 3: April 6 through April 26, 2026
Officials encourage hunters to practice safety, know their zones, and report harvest data to help continue conservation efforts across Arkansas.
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