Hunting License Arkansas - Steps to Buy in AR July

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain an Arkansas hunting license:

Step 1: Complete an online Hunter Education Certification course
Step 2: Select your license type
Step 3: Buy your Arkansas Game and Fish Commission license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.

AR Hunter Education Certification

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter education course and carry a valid hunter education card to hunt in Arkansas. Children under 16 who have not completed hunter education may hunt as long as they are under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter at least 21 years old.

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Arkansas.

Complete an in-person course through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). This is a 10-hour, instructor-led classroom and hands-on demonstration course.
An online course through an AGFC exclusive partner.
Or complete our 3 hour online-only all video based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The AGFC Website states that "Arkansas recognizes hunter education cards from other states."

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico, and Canada (including in Arkansas from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission).

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Arkansas), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.

Select Your AR Hunting License

Arkansas offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences, and is governed by specific regulations.

Arkansas residents and non-residents age 15 or under are not required to have a hunting license.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days. Active-duty military members and non-resident full-time students who live in Arkansas and attend an educational institution in Arkansas are considered residents. All Arkansas residents age 16 or older must have a resident hunting license.

Resident Sportsman’s License – Allows residents aged 16 and older to hunt all game species during open seasons; includes six deer tags and privileges for furbearers.
Resident Combination Sportsman’s License – Combines hunting and fishing privileges; includes six deer tags and allows hunting of all game species and fishing with sport tackle.
Resident Trapper’s Permit – Required in addition to a hunting license to trap furbearers.
Resident 65-Plus Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes privileges of the Resident Sportsman’s License.
Resident 65-Plus Lifetime Combination License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes hunting and fishing privileges.
Resident Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit – Provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges; includes deer, turkey, and bear tags, and waives fees for certain permits.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents age 16 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.

Nonresident Annual All Game Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt deer, small game, and furbearers; includes six deer tags and requires payment of license fees.
Nonresident 5-Day Deer Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt deer for five consecutive days; includes two deer tags.
Nonresident 3-Day Deer Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt deer for three consecutive days; includes one deer tag.
Nonresident Annual Small Game Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt all species of small game and furbearers.
Nonresident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt small game and furbearers for five consecutive days.
Nonresident Trapper’s Permit – Required in addition to a hunting license to trap furbearers.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

Youth Hunting License – Not required for residents and non-residents under age 16; however, they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
Hunter Education Requirement – Individuals born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete a hunter education course before obtaining a hunting license. Youth under age 16 may hunt without a hunter education certification if accompanied by a licensed adult.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

Resident 65-Plus Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes privileges of the Resident Sportsman’s License.
Resident 65-Plus Lifetime Combination License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes hunting and fishing privileges.

Lifetime Licenses

Resident Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit – Provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges; includes deer, turkey, and bear tags, and waives fees for certain permits.
Nonresident Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit – Available to non-residents; provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.

Disability & Military Licenses

Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Hunting License – Available to resident veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled; includes privileges of the Resident Sportsman’s License.
Resident 3-Year Disability Combination License – Available to permanently disabled residents; includes hunting and fishing privileges.
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License – Available to resident veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled; includes hunting and fishing privileges.
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License and Permit – Available to resident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher, or 50% or higher with a Purple Heart; includes hunting, fishing, trout, and state duck stamp privileges.

Required Endorsements & Tags

Deer Tags – Included with appropriate hunting licenses; required to hunt deer.
Turkey Tags – Included with appropriate hunting licenses; required to hunt turkeys.
Bear Tags – Included with appropriate hunting licenses; required to hunt bears.
Elk Permit – Required to hunt elk; available through a quota drawing system.
Alligator Permit – Required to hunt alligators; available through a quota drawing system.
Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration – Required to hunt migratory birds; must be renewed annually.
State Waterfowl Stamp – Required to hunt waterfowl; must be purchased in addition to the hunting license.
Federal Duck Stamp – Required for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be purchased in addition to the State Waterfowl Stamp.
WMA General Use Permit – Required to hunt on Wildlife Management Areas; must be purchased in addition to other required licenses.

AR Hunting licenses expire on June 30 of each year. Arkansas residents can purchase a lifetime hunting license.

Where to buy your Arkansas Hunting License

To hunt in Arkansas, you can purchase your license either online through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's (AGFC) licensing platform or in person through an authorized license agent. A comprehensive list of all in-person approved license agents is available here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Arkansas:

Bass Pro Shops – Little Rock, AR Address: 1 Bass Pro Dr, Little Rock, AR 72210 Phone: (501) 954-4500
Walmart Supercenter – Fayetteville, AR Address: 3919 N Mall Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703 Phone: (479) 443-7679
Cabela's – Rogers, AR Address: 2300 S Promenade Blvd, Rogers, AR 72758 Phone: (479) 616-1925
Academy Sports + Outdoors – Jonesboro, AR Address: 2800 Parkwood Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: (870) 910-6100
AGFC Regional Office – Monticello, AR Address: 771 Jordan Dr, Monticello, AR 71655 Phone: (870) 363-7638

Where to Find Additional Resources

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Contact Information:
Phone: (833) 345-0325 Email: [email protected] Website: www.agfc.com

FAQs

Can you take the Arkansas Hunter Education online?

Yes, our online hunters education course is entirely online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

Do you need hunter education to buy a license in Arkansas?

Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter education course and carry a valid hunter education card to hunt in Arkansas. Children under 16 who have not completed hunter education may hunt, provided they are under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter at least 21 years old.

HunterSafetyUSA is fully online and one of the fastest ways to complete your hunter education requirements to obtain a valid hunter education card.

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Arkansas?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Arkansas and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).