Arkansas is best known for world-class duck hunting, but seasoned waterfowlers know the Natural State also offers exceptional goose hunting. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain—stretching across eastern Arkansas—creates massive staging areas, endless agriculture, and reliable winter habitat for migrating snow geese, specklebellies, and Canada geese.
This guide breaks down where to hunt, when to go, which tactics perform best, and how to build a winning spread in Arkansas’s unique landscape. When you’re ready to line up a guided hunt in the Delta, compare outfitters and book through Find A Hunt to match your goals and group size.
Why Arkansas Is a Premier Goose Hunting State
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain concentrates millions of wintering geese thanks to:
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Extensive rice, soybean, and corn fields that provide abundant food.
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Shallow wetlands and flooded agriculture, ideal for loafing and roosting.
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Reliable winter weather that keeps birds active and moving.
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Strategic location in the Central and Mississippi Flyways.
Add in plentiful public land and strong private-land outfitter networks, and Arkansas quickly becomes a top goose destination—especially for specklebelly and snow goose hunters.
Key Goose Species in Arkansas
Specklebelly Geese (Greater White-Fronted)
The crown jewel of Arkansas goose hunting.
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Highly vocal
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Decoy well
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Excellent table fare
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Peak hunting from November through January
Snow & Blue Geese
Arrive in huge numbers as winter deepens.
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Ideal for conservation season hunts (unplugged guns, no limits)
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Large spreads and e-callers critical
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Fast-paced, high-volume shooting possible
Canada Geese
Less abundant than specks and snows but still present.
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Often mixed with speck flocks
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Late-season opportunities across agricultural fields
Best Regions for Goose Hunting in Arkansas
Goose opportunities stretch across the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, but some locations consistently shine.
1. Stuttgart & the Grand Prairie
Famous for ducks, but exceptional for specks and snow geese.
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Abundant rice fields
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High hunting pressure makes concealment critical
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Strong outfitter presence
2. Cache River & Black River Corridors
Prime wintering habitat with diverse public and private access.
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Flooded fields and moist-soil habitat
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Excellent mixed-species goose opportunities
3. Northeast Arkansas (Jonesboro, Paragould, Blytheville)
One of the best snow goose regions in the country.
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Massive wintering flocks
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Agricultural fields as far as the eye can see
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Peak action during conservation season
4. Mississippi River Delta (Helena to West Memphis)
Rich river-bottom habitat.
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Ideal migration funnel
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Productive for specks and snows through late winter
When to Hunt Geese in Arkansas
Early Season (November–Early December)
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Peak specklebelly hunting
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Less pressured birds
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Small spreads and light calling shine
Mid-Season (Late December–January)
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Snow geese pour into the Delta
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Weather fronts move birds frequently
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Larger spreads improve consistency
Late Season (February & Conservation Season)
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Snow goose numbers at their highest
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No-limit, high-action shooting
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E-callers, 1,000+ decoy spreads, and mobility are key
Essential Gear for Arkansas Goose Hunting
Shotguns & Ammo
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12-gauge is standard
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Shot sizes #2, BB, BBB, or #1 for specks
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Steel or approved non-toxic shot required
Decoys
Choose based on target species:
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Specks: 2–6 dozen full-bodies or silhouettes
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Snows: Massive spreads—200 to 1,200+ decoys
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Canadas: Full-bodies mixed with silhouettes
Calls
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Speck calls: yodels, murmurs, and two-note patterns
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Canada calls: honks, clucks, moans
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Snow geese: electronic callers during conservation season
Blinds
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A-frame blinds brushed heavily with Delta vegetation
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Layout blinds for dry fields
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Panel blinds along levees or ditches
Clothing
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Waterproof and windproof layers
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White camo suits for snow goose hunts
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Hand warmers, neck gaiters, and quality gloves
Scouting the Delta
Arkansas is a “scout to succeed” goose state. Geese shift between roosts and feeding fields daily.
What to Look For
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Fresh droppings on levees and field edges
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Torn-up rice stubble
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Morning flights leaving roosts
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Evening return paths
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Fields birds have fed in for multiple days
Tools
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Mapping apps with land ownership layers
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Optics for long-range glassing
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Contacts with landowners or outfitters
Pro Tip: Snow geese often refuse to feed in the same field two days in a row—mobility matters.
Decoy Strategies for Arkansas Geese
Specklebelly Spreads
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2–6 dozen decoys in loose family groups
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Mix feeders and uprights
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J-hooks and U-shapes with a defined landing pocket
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Keep blinds brushed-in better than you think is necessary
Snow Goose Spreads
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The bigger, the better
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200–1,200 decoys including windsocks, shells, and full-bodies
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Motion is king: flappers, rotaries, and wind-driven decoys
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Leave multiple landing holes throughout the spread
Canada Goose Spreads
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Use full-bodies along field edges
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Tight family groups for realism
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Combine with speck decoys if mixed flocks are present
Calling Strategies for Arkansas Geese
Speck Calling
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Two-note yodels
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Single clucks
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Whines and murmur calls
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Call aggressively when birds respond, go subtle when they don’t
Snow Goose Calling
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E-callers during conservation season
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High-volume sequences
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Mix feeding chatter, barks, and yelps
Canada Calling
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Classic honks, clucks, and moans
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Short sequences, not overdone
Timing and cadence beat volume—especially on pressured birds.
Public Land & Access Opportunities
Arkansas offers strong public access options:
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
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Bayou Meto
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Dave Donaldson Black River WMA
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Big Lake WMA
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Cache River NWR
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White River NWR (select areas)
Considerations
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Foot access often required
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Crowds common but geese move often
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Afternoon hunts can outperform pressured mornings
Private land—with permission or through an outfitter—is often the most reliable goose option in the Delta due to consistent field access.
Tips for Success in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
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Scout hard, hunt smart. You can’t out-call or out-decoy bad scouting.
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Focus on concealment. Birds flare more from blinds than bad calling.
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Follow the wind. Geese finish into the wind—set your spread accordingly.
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Adjust daily. Snow geese rarely hit the same field twice; specks prefer reliability.
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Hunt fronts. Cold snaps and wind shifts bring new birds into the valley.
When to Consider a Guided Hunt in Arkansas
A guide is ideal for hunters who:
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Want private field access
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Don’t have hundreds of snow goose decoys
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Are new to speck calling
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Prefer fast-paced conservation season hunts
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Are visiting from out of state
Explore vetted Arkansas goose outfitters and book through Find A Hunt to secure hunts tailored to your goals.
FAQs: Goose Hunting in Arkansas
Q: When is the best time to hunt specklebelly geese in Arkansas?
November through mid-January is prime.
Q: Do I need massive decoy spreads?
Only for snow geese. Specks can be hunted with small, well-placed spreads.
Q: Are electronic callers allowed?
Yes—during the Light Goose Conservation Order.
Q: Can I freelance-hunt public land?
Absolutely. WMAs and NWRs provide strong options, but scouting is essential.
Q: Should I hire a guide?
Highly recommended for snow geese; helpful but not required for specks.
Arkansas’s Mississippi Alluvial Plain provides one of the richest goose hunting experiences anywhere in the U.S. With smart scouting, tactical decoy work, and an understanding of local goose behavior, you can enjoy exceptional hunts season after season.
When you’re ready to plan your trip, compare outfitters and book through Find A Hunt to make the most of Arkansas’s world-class goose hunting.
