With Arkansas’s Early Buck Archery Hunt starting September 6-8 and the main archery season beginning September 28, now is the time to ensure you’re fully prepared. Whether you’re a first-time bowhunter or a seasoned veteran, this comprehensive checklist will help you get ready for what promises to be an exciting season in the Natural State.

Before diving into our checklist, here’s what Bentonville-area hunters need to know about this season:

• Early Buck Archery: September 6-8, 2024 (velvet-antlered bucks)
• Main Archery Season: September 28, 2024 – February 28, 2025
• Bag Limit: Five deer total, no more than two bucks
• Minimum Draw Weight: 35 pounds for all bow types

Note: Bentonville falls within the CWD Management Zone (Benton County), so special feeding and baiting restrictions apply.

1. Bow and Equipment Inspection

Your Bow:

• Inspect strings and cables for fraying or wear
• Check cams and pulleys for smooth operation
• Verify draw weight meets Arkansas’s 35-pound minimum
• Test arrow rest alignment and function

Pro Tip: If you need to replace strings or cables, make sure to order them as soon as possible before the rush. Manufacturer get backed up!

2. Arrow Selection and Preparation

What You Need:

• Proper spine rating for your bow’s draw weight and length
• Appropriate broadheads for your intended game (Note: Broadheads are not allowed at The Quiver Archery Range)
• Field points that match your broadhead weight exactly
• Extra arrows (plan for lost or damaged arrows)

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3. Sight Calibration and Accuracy Testing

This is where many hunters fail. Arkansas enforces antler point restrictions in many zones, requiring at least three points on one side, making accurate shot placement crucial for ethical harvests.

Essential Steps:

• Sight in at multiple distances (20, 30, 40+ yards)
• Practice from elevated positions (tree stand scenarios)
• Test accuracy with both field points and broadheads
• Document your sight settings for quick adjustments

4. Safety Equipment

Non-Negotiable Items:

• Hunter orange or pink clothing (required during certain seasons)
• Safety harness for tree stand hunting
• First aid kit
• Emergency whistle
• Headlamp with extra batteries

Arkansas-Specific: While not required during archery-only seasons, hunter orange becomes mandatory during overlapping gun seasons. Plan ahead.

5. Hunting Licenses and Tags

Required Documentation:

• Arkansas hunting license
• Big game permit
• Landowner permission (if hunting private land)

Arkansas Requirement: All harvested deer must be checked within 24 hours through the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s system.

6. Practice Hunting Scenarios

Reading about hunting and actually executing shots under pressure are completely different skills. You need realistic practice.

Key Scenarios to Practice:

• Shots from tree stands or elevated positions
• Angled shots (uphill/downhill)
• Quick target acquisition
• Shooting in low-light conditions
• Various distances and target positions

7. Physical Conditioning

Bow hunting demands specific physical skills:

• Drawing and holding your bow steadily
• Climbing into tree stands safely
• Walking/hiking to hunting locations
• Maintaining steady aim under pressure

Training Tip: Regular practice at our archery range builds the muscle memory and endurance you’ll need in the field. Our flexible scheduling means you can train around your work schedule.

8. Knowledge of Game Behavior

Understanding deer patterns in Arkansas is crucial:

• Early season deer are still in summer patterns
• Food sources shift from agricultural crops to acorns and browse
• Hunting pressure changes deer movement
• Weather fronts trigger increased activity

9. Field Dressing and Processing Preparation

Essential Knowledge:

• Proper field dressing techniques
• Meat cooling and storage
• Local processing options
• Transportation requirements

Arkansas Requirement: All research deer must be tagged and checked within 12 hours of harvest by calling 833-356-0824.

10. Mental Preparation and Ethics

Successful bow hunting requires:

• Patience for the right shot opportunity
• Discipline to pass on questionable shots
• Knowledge of when NOT to shoot
• Respect for the game and environment

Building Confidence: Nothing replaces proper preparation. The more realistic practice you get before season, the more confident and successful you’ll be.

The difference between hoping for success and achieving it lies in proper preparation. Our September programs at The Quiver Archery Range are designed specifically to get Bentonville-area hunters ready for Arkansas’s challenging and rewarding bow hunting opportunities.

Don’t leave your success to chance. Join our certified instructors and fellow hunters who are serious about preparation. With our comprehensive programming, you’ll enter the woods confident, skilled, and ready for whatever opportunities present themselves.