Over 300,000 hunters are expected in Arkansas for the start of the modern guns deer season

Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas’s contemporary firearms deer season begins this weekend.
“November 9th, Saturday, is a significant day. Trey Reid of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said, “It’s probably the biggest hunting day in Arkansas.”

This weekend, more than 300,000 hunters are anticipated to don bright orange and head out into the woods.

“To put it in perspective, since the archery season began in late September, we have checked between 44,000 and 45,000 deer as of right now,” Reid said.

“Our alternative firearm season which lasted nine days, we will have that many checked probably in one day on Saturday.”

However, according to Reid, the state has not historically had this many white-tailed deer.
“We have got records dating back to the 1930s and I want to say it was like a couple of hundred deer were checked in 1938 and 1939, and now we are on average checking about 200,000 deer a year,” said Reid.

Reid acknowledged conservation work.

“We are managing our habitats better and obviously with the modern game and fish commission that has been around since 1945, using science and research to manage our populations, they have come back,” said Reid.

Reid advised being aware of Chronic Wasting Disease, a dangerous and infectious neurological condition that affects deer, if you choose to take part in the contemporary gun opening weekend.

“Be aware of your hunting location and the laws pertaining to chronic wasting disease. The transfer of deer carcasses and parts, as well as what can be taken out of a CWD zone, are subject to some very stringent regulations. “Be mindful of those and have that animal tested as well,” Reid said.