Maumelle River Hunting - Pulaski AR

Maumelle River WMA — Overview

Maumelle River WMA sits just west of Little Rock near Lake Maumelle in central Arkansas. The WMA was established through a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Central Arkansas Water (CAW), which manages Lake Maumelle as a drinking water reservoir. The two organizations signed a 99-year lease in 2013, and the area is managed by AGFC under standard WMA regulations. The huntable portion covers roughly 8,208 acres, a mix of hardwood timber, oak flats, and river bottom terrain along the Maumelle River corridor, with some of the land also bordering Lake Maumelle itself.

Animals You Can Hunt

Whitetail Deer — The deer population is solid, built up over many years of limited access when the watershed was largely off-limits to the public. Local hunters report good deer numbers, and neighboring private leases actually push deer onto the WMA during gun season, which can work in your favor. The area heats up well as the rut kicks in. The WMA deer bag limit is three deer, no more than one buck, with the three-point rule in effect. Deer archery runs September 27 through February 28, and no modern gun permit hunt is currently offered — archery and alternative firearms only for most of the season. Antler restrictions are tight here, so pay close attention to the regulations.

Wild Turkey — Turkey numbers are reported to be good throughout the area. The mix of oak flats and river bottom timber is classic turkey habitat, and birds have had years of light pressure in this watershed. Spring turkey season follows standard Arkansas WMA dates.

Waterfowl — Waterfowl hunting runs September 1 through February 21, open Thursdays through Mondays only with no limit. The Maumelle River corridor and lake edges provide solid duck habitat, especially during migration.

Dove — Dove season runs November 1 through February 1 with a daily limit of 6 and possession limit of 12. Non-toxic shot is required when hunting with a shotgun on this WMA.

Squirrel — Season runs May 15 through February 28. One specific regulation worth noting: squirrel hunting on the portion west of the Arkansas Highway 10 bridge is allowed by shotgun with non-toxic shot only, including during permit deer hunts.

Rabbit, Furbearers, and other small game — Available under standard Arkansas WMA regulations.

Key Access Requirements

A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required, available at agfc.com or by calling 833-345-0325. Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting of small game, waterfowl, and dove on this WMA — that's a blanket rule specific to Maumelle River, not just for waterfowl. Horses and mules are prohibited on Maumelle River WMA entirely.

Practical Tips

• Hunting pressure is real and growing. This used to be a quiet, overlooked spot but word has gotten out over the last several years. Popular access points get crowded quickly, particularly during archery season. The play here is the same as most public land — put on your boots and get away from the easy access. The guys pulling up to the obvious trailheads are your competition; the guys hiking or boating in deeper are finding deer.
• A boat is a big advantage here. Several hunters specifically note using a boat to reach spots that foot-only hunters skip, but be aware the water can get rough. Not the place for a small john boat in bad weather.
• Terrain changes are key. Look for the transition zones between the oak flats and the pine timber — those edges and pinch points are where the deer funnel, especially during the rut.
• The three-point rule applies — no shooting spike bucks or small bucks. Know your antler restrictions before you climb in the stand.
• CWD regulations apply since it sits in the central Arkansas zone.

Being just west of Little Rock, this is a convenient option from eastern Oklahoma if you're combining it with a longer Arkansas trip.

Property size: 8208 acres

Maximum Number of Hunters:

Cattle on Property?

Is fishing allowed?

Are family members allowed?

Are guests allowed?

Can this be used as a corporate lease?

Big Game Limits?

Shared bag limit applied?

Does the landowner require a phone or text notification before hunting?

Electric hookup on property?

Water hookup on property?

Is camping allowed on property?

Greg Willis

• (405) 674-4868
• sales@ushunts.com