How Much Does an Arkansas Hunting License Cost?

An Arkansas hunting license costs as little as $10.50 a year for residents, while non-residents pay $410 for the annual all-game license, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). That range is wide because Arkansas builds deer, turkey, and bear tags directly into its resident license tiers rather than selling every tag separately, so the license you choose determines a lot about what you can hunt without buying anything else.

Arkansas licenses run on a fixed annual cycle. Nearly all hunting licenses expire June 30 each year, regardless of when you buy, so a license purchased in the fall covers a shorter window than one purchased at the start of the season.

Once you factor in add-on tags for bear, elk, or turkey (for non-residents), waterfowl stamps, and WMA access permits, the total cost of a season in Arkansas can look very different depending on what you're after. Here's how the costs for an Arkansas hunting license break down.

How Much Does an Arkansas Hunting License Cost?

Arkansas keeps its resident base license notably affordable, but the real decision is which tier to buy, since the mid-range Sportsman's License already bundles in most of the tags a typical hunter needs.

Arkansas residents under 16 are not required to hold a hunting license at all, which is worth knowing before paying for one on a child's behalf. For hunters chasing more than small game, the $25 Sportsman's License is almost always the better value over the $10.50 Wildlife Conservation License, since it adds deer, turkey, and bear privileges for just $14.50 more.

Required Stamps and Permits

An Arkansas license alone doesn't cover every hunt. Depending on where and what you're hunting, you may need to add one or more of these.

Waterfowl hunters need three things in place before heading out:

1. The Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp
2. The Federal Duck Stamp
3. Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration, which is free but still required.

Non-residents planning to hunt bear, elk, turkey, or alligator should budget for those tags separately, since the base non-resident license doesn't include them.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

Arkansas offers several ways to lower costs for younger hunters, older residents, and disabled residents.

• Resident Youth Game Tags: Free tags that attach the deer, turkey, and bear bag limits to resident youth hunters ages 6 to 15.
• 65-Plus Lifetime Hunting License: A one-time $25 purchase for residents 65 and older who have lived in Arkansas at least one year, covering the same privileges as the Sportsman's License for life.
• Resident 3-Year Disability License: Available for $25 to totally and permanently disabled residents, valid for three years before recertification is required.

These discounts can make a meaningful difference for households getting a young hunter started or supporting a senior or disabled family member in the field, so it's worth checking eligibility before defaulting to a standard license.

What Is an Arkansas Hunting License?

An Arkansas hunting license is the legal authorization issued by the AGFC to hunt game animals and furbearers in the state. Unlike states that sell a bare-bones base license, Arkansas's resident tiers bundle in a set number of deer, turkey, and bear tags, so the license itself often functions as your season's tag allotment.

The license is separate from your hunter education certificate. The certificate proves you completed a required safety course and does not expire once earned, while the license itself is tied to Arkansas's license year and must be renewed by June 30 each year to keep hunting.

Who Needs an Arkansas Hunting License?

Arkansas residents and non-residents age 16 and older need a hunting license to legally hunt in the state. Residents and non-residents 15 and under are not required to hold one. A small number of exemptions apply beyond age, including hunters on licensed game-bird shooting resorts that supply pen-raised birds, and those hunting under Arkansas's Deferred Hunter Education program before completing their safety course.

For the full breakdown of license types and exemptions by category, AGFC's hunting license fee schedule lays out every option in detail.

What Are the Requirements to Get a License?

Before buying a license, most Arkansas hunters need to clear the state's hunter safety requirement. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license, unless hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 21 or older, or using a one-time Deferred Hunter Education permit.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety
• Wildlife identification and conservation
• Arkansas-specific hunting laws and ethics

Arkansas is one of the few states where the entire hunter education requirement can be completed online with no in-person field day. The Hunter-Ed Arkansas course is one AGFC-approved option, and hunters can print their certificate immediately after passing.

How to Get an Arkansas Hunting License

Getting licensed in Arkansas is a straightforward process once you know the order of operations.

1. Complete an approved hunter safety course if you were born on or after January 1, 1969. Costs range from $30–$50 depending on the course and the state.
2. Pass the final exam. Since Arkansas doesn't require a separate field day for the online course, you can print your hunter education certificate as soon as you pass.
3. Decide which license fits your plans: the Wildlife Conservation License, the Sportsman's License, or a non-resident option.
4. Purchase your license online through AGFC's licensing system, by phone, or at an authorized dealer or regional office.
5. Add any tags, stamps, or permits required for what you're hunting, such as the waterfowl stamp or a non-resident turkey tag.
6. Carry your license and hunter education certificate any time you're in the field.

You can purchase your hunting license directly through AGFC, including online, phone, and in-person methods at regional offices and nature centers.

Why It's Important to Have a License

Buying an Arkansas hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.

• Legal Compliance: Hunting without a valid license or the right tag can result in fines and citations that add up to more than the cost of getting licensed correctly.
• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License dollars go straight into AGFC's work managing Arkansas's deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl populations.
• Population Management: Built-in tag limits on licenses like the Sportsman's License help AGFC track harvest and keep game numbers sustainable across zones.
• Ethical Hunting: A license ties every harvest to a set season, zone, and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and consistent for everyone afield.
• Public Land Access: Permit revenue helps maintain the wildlife management areas and lakes Arkansas hunters depend on each season.

Costs and rules vary by zone, so it's worth checking current deer season dates and limits before you finalize your plans. And because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Arkansas's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in Arkansas? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

An Arkansas hunting license can be one of the most affordable in the country if you're a resident, but the real cost depends on which tier you choose and what you plan to hunt. Whether you're after deer and turkey with the $25 Sportsman's License or introducing a young hunter to the field with free youth tags, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.

Complete your hunter safety course if it applies to you, then decide which license fits your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Arkansas hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No, an Arkansas hunting license expires June 30 each year and must be renewed to keep hunting, regardless of when you originally purchased it. But the hunter safety course is a one-time requirement, and your certification does not expire once earned.

Q: Are there discounts for Arkansas hunting licenses?

A: Yes, Arkansas offers free youth game tags for resident hunters ages 6 to 15, a one-time $25 Lifetime License for residents 65 and older, and a $25 three-year license for totally and permanently disabled residents. Documentation requirements vary, so check AGFC's licensing page before assuming you qualify.

Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Arkansas?

A: A non-resident Annual All Game License costs $410, though shorter options exist, including a 3-day license for $225 and a 1-day license for $100. Non-residents hunting only turkey can instead buy an Annual Turkey-Only License for $325.

Q: Do Arkansas youth hunters need a hunting license?

A: No, Arkansas residents and non-residents age 15 and under are not required to hold a hunting license. Many families still register for the free Resident Youth Game Tags, which attach deer, turkey, and bear bag limits for young hunters ages 6 to 15.

Q: What's included in the Arkansas Sportsman's License?

A: The $25 Resident Sportsman's License includes six deer tags, two turkey tags, and one bear tag, covering most of what a typical Arkansas hunter needs in a single purchase. It does not include fishing privileges, which require the $35.50 Combination Sportsman's License instead.

Q: Do non-residents need a separate tag to hunt turkey in Arkansas?

A: It depends on the license. Non-residents with the Annual Turkey-Only License don't need an additional tag, but those hunting turkey under the Annual All Game License must add the separate $100 Nonresident Turkey Tag.

Q: How much does the Arkansas hunter safety course cost?

A: Arkansas's hunter safety course costs vary by provider, generally ranging from about $30 to $35 for the online-only option. Because Arkansas doesn't require an in-person field day for the online course, there's no additional in-person fee to budget for.