Hunting License Arkansas - Steps to Buy in AR

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 18, 2025

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Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Arkansas hunting license:


AR Hunter Education Certification

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, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for use in Arkansas for AR residents and non-residents alike.

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

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Arkansas), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US 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, 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 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 are able to 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: