Arkansas Offers Free Deer Tags for Youth Hunters Ahead of November Youth Hunt
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has announced the availability of free deer tags for youth hunters participating in the state’s first youth deer hunt scheduled for November 1-2, 2025. This initiative aims to encourage safe and responsible hunting practices among young athletes, ensuring a smooth and efficient hunting experience.
Kyle Curry, assistant chief of the AGFC Information Technology division, emphasized the importance of updating the AGFC mobile app and downloading the appropriate youth deer tags ahead of the hunt. “Youth hunters must have individual accounts to access their free tags, which can be obtained easily online or through licensed dealers,” he stated.
Tag Application Process and Requirements
Youth deer hunters must register for their own accounts at agfc.com to obtain tags, which are issued separately from adult licenses. Tags are available in two categories:
- Resident Youth Deer Tags (#YDT)
- Nonresident Youth Deer Tags (#YDTN)
Both tag types are provided at no cost, streamlining access for young hunters. It is crucial that tags be obtained under the youth hunter’s specific login credentials, as attempts to acquire tags through an adult’s account will not display these options.
The step-by-step process includes:
- Visiting the AGFC website and clicking “Get a License.”
- Selecting the appropriate youth deer tag.
- Logging in using the youth hunter’s account or creating a new account for first-time users.
Linking Youth Accounts for Guardian Oversight
Families using the AGFC mobile app can consolidate management by linking youth accounts to adult guardian profiles. This allows guardians to assist with tag acquisition, special hunt applications, and the required game-checking process. The linkage is completed by:
- Logging into the AGFC app and accessing “Profiles and Users.”
- Selecting “Manage Linked Users” and searching for the youth’s customer profile.
- Confirming and connecting as guardian.
Mandatory Game-Checking Rules for Youth Hunters
Similar to adult hunters, youths must promptly check any harvested deer through one of three options: the AGFC app, the website, or by phone at 833-289-2469. Proper game-checking is essential for wildlife management and disease monitoring, helping maintain healthy white-tailed deer populations (Odocoileus virginianus) across Arkansas’s diverse habitats.
If immediate electronic check-in is not possible, a temporary paper tag must be attached to the deer containing the hunter’s name, customer ID, date, time, hunting zone or Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and method of harvest. This ensures compliance with state regulations until official check-in occurs.
Hunters have a 12-hour window to complete this process, supporting accurate tracking of harvest data critical to assessing deer population dynamics and ensuring sustainable hunting practices.
Additional reporting and sources from: Free deer tags available for youth deer hunters | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Arkansas’ Best News Source
