Arkansas Offers Free Deer Tags for Youth Hunters Ahead of November Hunt
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has announced that youth deer hunters will receive free deer tags during the upcoming youth deer hunt scheduled for November 1 and 2, 2025.
AGFC officials urge hunters to update the mobile app to access and download these complimentary youth tags, noting that the tags are only available through a youth’s individual AGFC account.
Tag Procurement and Harvest Reporting
Kyle Curry, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Information Technology division, emphasized the ease of obtaining tags through the mobile app, authorized dealers, or the AGFC website.
All harvested deer, including those taken by youth hunters, must be properly checked within 12 hours of harvest. This can be completed at the harvest site via the app, website, or by calling 833-289-2469.
Hunters unable to check their deer immediately are required to attach a temporary paper tag displaying the hunter’s name, ID number, harvest date and time, zone or Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and method of harvest to the deer carcass.
Youth Hunting Regulations and Mentorship
The youth hunt is open to participants aged 6 to 15 years old. Those who have not completed a Hunter Education Course must hunt within arm’s reach of a licensed mentor. Youth hunters who have completed the course may hunt independently under parental discretion.
While mentors may assist youth hunters during the hunt, the youth themselves must aim and shoot to fulfill the hunt’s educational and skill-building objectives.
Wildlife Context and Significance
White-tailed deer populations in Arkansas are robust, benefiting from habitat management and regulated hunting seasons designed to maintain ecological balance and promote healthy herds. Youth hunts play a critical role in fostering ethical hunting practices and respect for wildlife stewardship among the next generation.
Research indicates early hunting experiences positively influence lifetime conservation support and awareness of wildlife biology, including deer behavior and habitat requirements during fall, the peak of their rutting season.
Photos and Community Stories
The AGFC shared community highlights, including Camden Gorman, who recently tagged his first deer during the alternative firearms hunt. Such experiences underscore the importance of youth engagement in regulated hunting programs.
Hunters are encouraged to download free youth tags before the hunt to streamline the harvest check-in process and comply with state regulations.
Additional reporting and sources from: Free deer tags for Arkansas youth deer huntersClose Modal
