• What kinds of licenses or permits do I need to hunt in Arkansas?
• Where can I find a license dealer? 
• How do I buy a license by telephone?
• How do I buy a license online?
• How do I replace a lost license?
• Do I qualify as a resident?
• Are there any additional residency requirements for licenses?
• What are disability licenses?
• Who needs to register for HIP?
• Which licenses do hunting guides need?
• Who needs a hunter education card?
• Which commercial or wildlife-related activities require a license or permit?
• Which other wildlife-related activities require a license or permit?
• More license information
  • Hunting License Prices
  • Lifetime Licenses
  • 3-Year Disability License 
  • Mobility-impaired Access Permits
  • Deferred Hunter Education License 
  • Leased Land Permits
  • Reciprocal Licenses 
  • Buy a License Online
  • Resident Trapper Permit

What kinds of licenses or permits do I need to hunt in Arkansas?

If you are 16 or older, an Arkansas hunting license is required to hunt wildlife unless you are on a licensed game-bird shooting resort that supplies pen-raised birds. The license must be carried with you. You may not possess a license that belongs to someone else or one that has been altered, backdated or counterfeited. If you are a nonresident, you may not possess a resident license. If you guide, aid or assist someone else for pay or other value, you must have a guide license.

Where can I find a license dealer?

Sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing supplies stores, some discount chains and AGFC Offices sell most licenses.

How do I buy a license by telephone?

Call (501) 223-6349 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Little Rock area. Or call (800) 364-GAME (4263) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Please have your credit card and an identification number ready. Your identification number can be a driver’s license, Social Security number, hunter education number, state ID number or passport number. Small game and fishing privileges become effective immediately. A valid license obtained by mail from the AGFC must be in your possession before hunting big game (deer, turkey, bear, elk or alligator). Lifetime and commercial licenses are not available by phone or online.

How do I buy a license online?

Licenses may be purchased online at https://www4.wildlifelicense.com/ar/start.php. You will be asked to supply personal information and a Visa or MasterCard number. A receipt and confirmation number will be printed on your home printer. A valid license obtained by mail from AGFC must be in your possession before you may hunt big game (deer, turkey, bear, elk or alligator). Small game hunting and fishing privileges are effective at the time of purchase.

Purchase a license online

How do I replace a lost license?

You may be able to get a replacement for a lost license at a reduced cost. Call (501) 223-6349 or (800) 364-4263 during office hours for details.

Do I qualify as a resident?

A resident is any person who physically inhabits a bona fide residence within Arkansas for at least 60 days and declares themselves a full-time resident of Arkansas.

Also, the following students (who must carry proof of full-time enrollment in schools, colleges or universities while hunting or fishing in Arkansas) are eligible to purchase annual resident licenses: resident foreign exchange students attending school outside of Arkansas; nonresident foreign exchange students attending school in Arkansas; residents of Arkansas enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities outside of Arkansas; and nonresidents enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities in Arkansas.

Ownership of Arkansas real estate by a person living outside the state does not qualify the owner as a resident.

Active-duty military personnel assigned to duty stations in Arkansas are granted annual or trip resident privileges for hunting and fishing. Active-duty servicemen and women who were Arkansas residents at the time of entering service are granted annual or trip resident privileges for hunting and fishing, regardless of where they are stationed.

Are there any additional residency requirements for licenses?

The Resident Special Guide License and the nonexpiring Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportman’s Permit have a 60-day residency requirement. The 65 Plus Lifetime Hunting License and the 65 Plus Lifetime Combination License have a 60-day residency and age requirement.

What are disability licenses?

Resident disabled hunters may purchase a three-year disability hunting license for $25 or a three-year combination license for $35.50 (includes fishing privileges). Proof of at least 60 day's Arkansas residency and proof of 100 percent disability from the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs or the Railroad Retirement Board is required. These licenses expire three years from the date of purchase. These licenses are available through the Little Rock AGFC Office. Other required permits and stamps must be purchased annually.

Who needs to register for HIP?

Hunters 16 or older are required to carry proof of Arkansas Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration when hunting ducks, geese, doves, coots, woodcocks, snipe, rails, gallinules or moorhens. Available at no charge, HIP registration can be obtained by completing a short survey at license dealers or any Game and Fish Commission office and will be noted on the license form.

Which licenses do hunting guides need?

A guide is someone who guides hunters for pay or other consideration. An Arkansas resident may guide hunters on land not owned or leased by the AGFC with a Resident Guide License ($25).

An Arkansas resident, who provides proof of at least one year’s residency, may guide hunters, but not waterfowl hunters, on land owned or leased by the AGFC with the Resident Special Guide License ($150). There is no nonresident equivalent of this license.

A nonresident may guide hunters on land not owned or leased by the AGFC with the Nonresident Guide License/Hunting ($150).

Hunting guide licenses expire June 30 and do not include hunting privileges. These licenses are available from AGFC offices. 

Who needs a hunter education card?

A hunter born after 1968 must carry a valid hunter education card, unless ‘HE-VERIFIED’ is noted on your hunting license. Hunters under 16 do not need to have a card if they are under the direct supervision of a holder of a valid hunting license at least 21 years of age. Arkansas honors the home state hunter education cards of nonresidents. Call (800) 482-5795 or check here for a class schedule.

Which commercial or wildlife-related activities require a license or permit?

Resident Fur Dealer ($50), Nonresident Fur Dealer ($200), Resident Trappers Permit (Free), Wildlife Breeder/Dealer’s Permit ($50), Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort Permit ($500), Special Commercial Quail Permit ($25) and Game-bird Shooting Resort ($150). A complete list is available. Call (800) 364-4263 ext. 6456 during business hours. These licenses expire June 30.

Which other wildlife-related activities require a license or permit?

These include falconry, alligator or alligator snapping turtle commerce or farming. Call (800) 364-4263 ext. 6456 during business hours for information about these licenses or permits.

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