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• Permit Application Schedule
• Applying for a WMA Hunt Permit
• Preference Points
• National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Permits

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Management Areas offer some of the best public hunting opportunity in the United States. To prevent overcrowding on popular WMAs, the AGFC limits some hunting opportunities through a permit draw system. Lowering hunter numbers not only regulates harvest, it offers a better hunting experience for the hunters who draw the tags.

Permit Application Schedule

Permitting dates are subject to change.

Applying for a WMA Hunt Permit

• Applications must be submitted online by the application deadline to be eligible.
• Each person may submit one application for each type of permit hunt (youth deer, archery deer, muzzleloader deer, modern gun deer, youth turkey and WMA turkey).
• Youth hunters must be at least 6 years old, but no older than 15, the day the hunt begins.
• Youths are required to have their hunter education certificate in order to apply for any youth hunt permit. Applicants under 16 years old must supply a hunter education number on the application. If supplying an out-of-state hunter education number, the state of the hunter education number must be supplied.
• Permit winners will be notified by e-mail (an e-mail address must be included with each application).
• Applying is free, but successful applicants must pay $10 to receive WMA hunt permits. (There is no charge for WMA Doe Quota Permits or waterfowl permits.)
• Permit winners who pay for their permit must print it:
  • Click https://www.ark.org/agfc/permitting/status.php and enter your name and date of birth (be sure to use slashes in the date).
  • When your name comes up with the list of permits you've paid for appears, click "Paid" on the far right of the screen.
  • Click "Get Permit"
  • Print the screen that appears in your browser, this is your permit.
• Call 501-223-6440 or 501-223-6359 for more information on AGFC permit hunts.

2012 WMA Turkey Permit Hunt applications are available Dec. 15-Jan. 15. Click the link below to apply.

• 2012 WMA Turkey Permit Hunt Application

Preference Points End Soon

The preference point system for WMA hunt permits has been abandoned due to the misuse of party hunt applications to "cheat the system" and cheat other hunters of hunting opportunity. Beginning with the 2013-14 season, WMA hunt permits will be assigned by a non-weighted random draw. However, hunters who have accumulated preference points will have two deer seasons to use them. Here is how the phase-out will work:

• Hunters drawn for either first- or second-choice hunts will have preference points reduced to zero, regardless of if they pay for the permit or participate in the hunt.
• No points will be accrued if hunters do not draw a hunt.
• Hunters who do not apply for a hunt in the 2011-12 season will not lose their points and may use them during the 2012-13 season, but all preference points will be eliminated for the 2013-14 season.
• Preference points are used by hunt type (modern gun deer, muzzleloader deer, archery deer, youth deer, youth turkey and WMA turkey).
• Purchasing a leftover permit when they are available does not change a person’s preference points in any way.
• Applicants who are disqualified in 2011-12 won't lose their preference points and may use them toward the 2012-13 season.
• If an applicant accumulates 12 or more violation points within a three-year period for hunting or fishing regulation violations, they are automatically 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.

National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Permits

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

Bald Knob NWR, Cache River NWR and Wapanocca NWR
Visit the website or call 870-347-2614

Felsenthal NWR and Pond Creek NWR
Visit the website or call 870-364-3167

White River NWR
Visit the website or 870-282-8200