Photo by JOHN FORD

What’s the best state to live in if you’re a serious bowhunter? No one probably knows for sure, but it’s certain that Arkansas would have to be on almost anyone’s short list. Opportunities for bowhunting are unsurpassed here.

For the past several decades, Arkansas has had one of the longest archery seasons in the nation. Until a few years ago, stick-and-string enthusiasts had five months to hunt. Even with the recent reduction in length, it still runs four and a half months in most of the state, from October through mid-February.

Annual limits have been generous, ranging from three to four deer over the last 30 years, so Arkansas archery hunters have had not only lots of time to get out there and chase ‘em, but also the opportunity to make winter meat as well.

In addition, Arkansas was one of the first states to legalize crossbows for deer hunting and has consistently been a leader in this respect. Although “traditional” archery hunters have lobbied against the state’s liberal crossbow season (which has usually been concurrent with and identical to the bow season), the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has maintained its position that the crossbow is a legitimate tool and provides another option for hunters without harming the deer population.

Several years ago, when I was the assistant wildlife chief for the AGFC I had an opportunity to defend the commission’s liberal archery season at a public meeting.

“The AGFC’s goal is to provide maximum recreational opportunity without harming the resource. Because the impact of archery hunters is so low, we can allow a liberal season structure without having a negative affect on the deer population.”

The commission has been liberal with its crossbow regulations for precisely the same reason. Some conventional archers rail against crossbows, maintaining that crossbow hunting lacks tradition and doesn’t require as much dedication or practice. Both may be true, but they’re beside the point. Crossbow hunters and “traditional” archers account for almost identical percentages of the total statewide deer harvest -- about 3 to 4 percent of the total kill for each type of equipment. Clearly, neither hunting method is detrimental to the deer population.

However, archers and crossbow hunters alike would be out of luck if the deer weren’t there to hunt. Arkansas hunters are fortunate in that respect. The Natural State deer herd had a substantial setback several years ago and hunter success reflected that downturn, but deer numbers are once again on the rise. Arkansas is home to nearly a million deer, and every county has a huntable population.

Since about 90 percent of Arkansas land is privately-owned, it naturally follows that the majority of the annual deer harvest occurs on private land. However, the land in public ownership amounts to well over 5,000 square miles, and encompasses a staggering amount and variety of public deer hunting opportunity. Here’s a sampling: