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Muddy Creek WMA

Zone County
460 Montgomery, Scott, Yell
2023-24 Closed Seasons
  • Alligator
2023-24 Crow
Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 19, 2024. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2023-24 Deer
Deer Archery: Sept. 23, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024
Deer Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023 and Dec. 9-11, 2023
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 11-Dec. 3, 2023 and Dec. 26-28, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 and Jan. 6-7, 2024

WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks, which may include:

  • Two antlered bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
  • Three antlerless with archery,
  • One antlerless with muzzleloader or one antlerless first two days of modern gun season.
  • During youth hunt, youths may take three deer, two antlered bucks and one antlerless.

Deer Notes:

  • No antler restrictions.
  • No dogs.
2023-24 Quail
Nov. 1, 2023-Feb. 5, 2024. Daily limit – 6, possession limit -12.
2023-24 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024. Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.
2024-25 Squirrel
May 15, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.
2023 Bear
Bear Archery: Sept. 13-Nov. 30, 2023
Bear Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023
Bear Modern Gun: Nov. 11-30, 2023
Bear Modern Gun Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023

Bear Notes:

  • Statewide bag limit.
  • No dogs.
2024 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 6-7, 2024. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 15-May 5, 2024. One legal turkey.
About the Name
The name derived from a creek located on the area.
Access
The area can be reached from Mt. Ida via U.S. highway 270 west; 10 miles. From Waldron, take U.S. highway 71 south, 6 miles to Needmore then state highway 28 east; 12 miles.
Age
The area was established in 1968 as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between the USDA Forest Service and AGFC.
Area Notes
Camping
Camping is unrestricted on Forest Service land so finding a campsite is no problem. No developed campsites are available.
Description
Muddy Creek consists of 150,000 acres of moderate to rugged mountain terrain and narrow valleys. The predominate timber types are upland hardwoods, shortleaf pine and mixed pine-hardwood. Typical of the Ouachitas, the ridges run in an east-west fashion. Hardwoods a re generally found on the north and east aspects of the mountains while pine occupies the south and west aspects. Numerous streams are found on the area.
Hunting Opportunities
Numerous hunting opportunities exist on the area. In order of importance they include: deer, turkey, squirrel, furbearers, bobwhite, cottontail, raccoon, mourning dove, coyote, woodcock, snipe and ducks. The area is noted for its quality deer potential, primarily due to its terrain and older deer population. The area is famous for its outstanding turkey hunting.
Location
It is in Montgomery, Scott and Yell counties. 10 miles Northwest of Mt. Ida.
Management Practices
Several practices are used on the area to enhance wildlife. These include approximately 150 food plots, several hundred acres of controlled burning, overstory mast development to increase acorn production, timber harvesting, waterhold development, midstory thinning and bushhogging.
Ownership
Primary ownership is by the USDA Forest Service.
Phone
833-356-0871
Purpose
The area was created to enhance management of all wildlife species in west central Arkansas.
Recreation Other Than Hunting
For those who enjoy hiking and backpacking, the Ouachita Trail crosses the area from state highway 27 near Story west to US highway 270 west of Pencil Bluff.
Restaurants and Other Facilities
Motels and restaurants are available at Mt. Ida and Waldron and groceries can be found at Pencil Bluff, Parks, Story and Mt. Ida.
Safety
There are some safety considerations to be aware of. There is the possibility of being temporarily lost. Keep in mind that the ridges run east-west and you should be able to travel in a consistent direction and eventually hit a main road. Potential bear problems will be avoided if you use common sense in dealing with garbage and cooking materials.