With summer’s relentless heat easing, Arkansas hunters are getting their first chance of the season to take to the woods. The early buck-only archery hunt, scheduled from Saturday, Aug. 29, to Monday, Aug. 31, allows hunters the chance to harvest a buck still “in velvet,” a condition that has gained popularity among deer enthusiasts for its rarity. Now in its third year, the special hunt has undergone several changes to better accommodate participants.
The event, proposed in 2023 by Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner Bill Jones, initially ran during the first week of September. However, in response to feedback from hunters and commissioners, the date was moved earlier to avoid conflicts with the opening of dove season and ensure better timing before most bucks shed their velvet covering, according to Brad Carner, Deputy Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).
“We heard from hunters that they wanted a little earlier opportunity,” Carner said. “This adjustment gives everyone a better chance to experience the unique hunt and enjoy time in the field before the deer lose their velvet.”
Male deer shed their antlers late each winter and grow new ones starting in spring. During development, the antlers are covered with a velvety tissue that nourishes the growing structure until it hardens into bone by autumn. By offering an exclusive chance to harvest a buck in this stage, Arkansas hunters can capture a rare moment appreciated by enthusiasts in other states.
In addition to rescheduling, this year’s hunt expands access. Initially limited to private lands and AGFC-managed wildlife management areas (WMAs), nearly all WMAs are now open for this hunt, except for the East Unit of Freddie Black Choctaw Island, Moro Big Pine, and Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMAs. On those lands, hunters must harvest a doe before being allowed to take a buck.
Hunters are allowed to harvest a single antlered deer using archery equipment during the three-day window, and the harvest counts toward the season’s bag limit of two bucks. While the deer does not require velvet antlers to qualify, it must meet the size or point restrictions for the hunting zone.
“The hunt doesn’t significantly affect deer populations or the overall harvest numbers,” Carner explained. “It simply shifts the timing of taking the first buck and might make hunters more selective in harvesting their second and final buck for the season.”
Participation in the early hunt has been steady. In 2025, hunters checked 1,431 bucks during the event, an increase from the 1,302 bucks checked during its inaugural year in 2024. Despite this summer’s heat, Carner anticipates good participation, especially with the expansion to more public lands.
“For early-season hunters, preparation is key,” Carner advised, encouraging participants to stay hydrated, use insect repellents, and plan carefully for their hunt. “Ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes are a reality this time of year. Make sure to bring insect protection and plenty of water to the stand.” He also recommended having a cooler with ice on hand to preserve harvested deer quickly in the heat.
For those wishing to preserve the velvet, careful handling of the deer is essential. Hunters on private lands should use an ATV to reduce dragging that could damage the antlers, while those using public lands are advised to bring a deer cart. Wrapping the antlers in a nonplastic game bag can also help protect the velvet and deter flies during transport to a taxidermist.
Hunters can find rules, guidelines, and licensing details in the AGFC’s 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook, available for download at www.agfc.com/guidebooks.