2008-09 Deer Hunt Permit Application

Many Arkansas WMAs can sustain only moderate hunting pressure during the modern gun season. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has established a lottery-style permit draw for certain hunts on these areas to prevent overcrowding and overhunting. Applying for these permits is free and offers an excellent chance at hunting some of Arkansas' best public land.

The AGFC uses the same system to distribute a limited number of doe tags usable during firearms seasons in certain deer management zones.

Each person (or party) may submit only ONE application for each type of permit hunt (gun, youth, doe, etc.).

Check the status of your application  

Applying for a Permit

Each person (or party) may submit only one application for each type of permit hunt (gun, youth, doe, etc.). Each applicant under 16 years old must supply his or her hunter education number on the application. Applicants under 16 supplying an out-of-state hunter education number should write the state of issuance on the permit application form. A $10 fee will be required of successful applicants for all permits except Zone and WMA Doe Quota Permits (no charge).

If you would like to be notified via e-mail when the permit application is available online and at license dealers, click here.

Preference Points

The Arkansas permit system uses a computerized drawing to select applicants who have accumulated the highest number of preference points. Preference points are accumulated by hunt type (modern gun, muzzleloader, archery, quota doe and youth). Qualified applicants receive a point each year they are not selected for a permit.

Once an applicant’s first choice is drawn and paid for, the applicant’s preference points are reduced to zero for that hunt type. If drawn for first choice (and not paid) or a second choice, the points will remain the same. Applicants who are disqualified do not receive a preference point for the next year’s hunts, but they do retain points they may have previously accumulated. Applicants who have accumulated 12 violation points within a three year period in the Commission’s “point system for hunting and fishing violations” are also disqualified for the current year’s permit hunt and their preference points are reduced to zero.

BE CONSISTENT in applying each year. The preference point selection program uses the applicant’s ID number (driver’s license number, social security number, or hunter education number) and the combination of first and last name and date of birth to identify the applicant and correctly apply preference points.

Applicants who change any information from one year to the next take the risk of being incorrectly identified. This applies to youth who turn 16 and begin using a driver’s license number or social security number instead of their hunter education card number. Also, if an applicant applies with their first name one year and a nickname or middle name the next.

Schedule

Permit applications deadline ................................................................July 1, 2008
irst drawing and notifications mailed ...................................................Late July
Second drawing and notifications mailed .......................................... Late August
Permits mailed ..........................................................................................Mid-September

Check the status of your application  

2008 Zone and WMA Doe Quota Permit

The Zone and WMA Doe Quota permit hunt applications were accepted from June 1 - July 1, 2008.  These permits can only be obtained by applying on the official forms or online. 

Application forms may be obtained at license dealers statewide, by calling the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at 501-223-6300 or 1-800-364-4263 or by visiting one of our offices.  Online applications eliminate errors in the application process, such as leaving off the zip code or birth date, resulting in fewer disqualifications.  

Each applicant under 16 years old must supply his or her hunter education number on the application. Applicants under 16 supplying an out-of-state hunter education number should write the state of issuance on the permit application form.   

There is no charge for the doe quota permits.

Online applications eliminate errors in the application process, such as leaving off the zip code or birth date, resulting in fewer disqualifications.  Applicants who provide an email address will receive e-mail notification whether the application is selected or not and will have the option of paying for the permit online. It also provides an opportunity for notification when the next application period starts. Applicants who do not provide an e-mail address will be notified by mail if selected.

Applicant Identification Number Requirements

Arkansas Resident: If 16 or older, use driver’s license or Social Security number. If under 16, use hunter education number. Nonresident: If 16 or older, use driver’s license or Social Security number. If under 16, use hunter education number. Write
the state abbreviation after the hunter education card number.

Schedule

Permit applications deadline                               July 1
First drawing and notifications mailed               Late July
Second drawing and notifications mailed         Late August
Permits mailed                                                       Mid-September

National Wildlife Refuge Permits

For more information regarding permit hunts on national wildlife refuges please contact:

Bald Knob NWR, Cache River NWR and Wapanoca NWR:  http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver or (870) 347-2614

Felsenthal and Pond Creek: http://www.fws.gov/felsenthal or (870) 364-3167

White River NWR: http://www.fws.gov/whiteriver or (870) 282-8200

What are my chances of being drawn for a permit?

Based on applications from 2007, the ratios of applicants to permits available are listed below.

Zone and WMA Doe Quota Hunt

Youth Hunt   

Archery Hunt

Muzzleloader Hunt

Modern Gun Hunt