Arkansas · License · 2026 Edition
Arkansas Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $25 for residents and $410 for nonresidents. The cheapest short-term option for nonresidents is the Nonresident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License at $80.
Arkansas bundles deer, turkey and bear tags directly into its base resident licenses (Sportsman's / Combination Sportsman's include 6 deer, 2 turkey and 1 bear tag) — there is no separate resident deer tag purchase. Nonresidents get 6 deer tags with their All Game license, but turkey and bear each need their own add-on tag on top of it.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Sportsman's License | $25 | All game species, hunting only; includes 6 deer, 2 turkey and 1 bear tag. Expires June 30. |
| Resident Wildlife Conservation License | $10.50 | Small game and furbearers, plus 1 deer tag. Expires June 30. |
| Combination Sportsman's License | $35.50 | All game species plus fishing; includes 6 deer, 2 turkey and 1 bear tag. Expires June 30. |
| Nonresident Annual All Game Hunting License | $410 | Includes 6 deer tags. Turkey and bear need separate add-on tags. |
| Nonresident 3-Day Hunting License | $225 | Includes 6 deer tags for the 3-day period. |
| Nonresident 1-Day Hunting License | $100 | Includes 6 deer tags for the day. |
| Nonresident Annual Small Game Hunting License | $110 | |
| Nonresident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License | $80 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident Hunting Dog Owner's Permit | $100 | Required in addition to a nonresident deer license to hunt, chase or retrieve deer with a dog. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident Annual Turkey Hunting License | $325 | A stand-alone turkey-only license — no separate turkey tag needed with this one. |
| Nonresident Turkey Tag | $100 | Required in addition to the Nonresident All Game License to take turkey — not included with it. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp | $7 | |
| Nonresident Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp | $50 | |
| Federal Duck Stamp (paper) | $25 | Also valid for nonresidents. |
| Federal Duck Stamp (electronic) | $30 | Also valid for nonresidents. Usable immediately while the physical stamp is mailed. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Arkansas duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
Arkansas requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969. A free Deferred Hunter Education License lets certified-hunter-supervised beginners hunt for a year at a time without it. Certificates from other states, Canada and Mexico are accepted.
Arkansas hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through AGFC Online Licensing, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Arkansas — WMAs by county & access rules →
Arkansas hunting licenses run a fixed annual cycle expiring June 30 each year, regardless of purchase date.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Arkansas without a license?
No — Arkansas's own regulation is unconditional: a resident must carry a hunting license to hunt by any means, with only two listed exceptions (licensed game-bird shooting resorts, and a narrow age-based carve-out) — neither is a landowner exemption. This directly contradicts a claim that circulates on several third-party sites.
How much is a hunting license in Arkansas?
A resident annual Arkansas hunting license costs $25, and the nonresident annual license costs $410. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Arkansas?
$410 for the annual nonresident license. The cheapest short-term option is the Nonresident 5-Day Small Game Hunting License at $80. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Arkansas?
Nonresident Hunting Dog Owner's Permit — $100. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through AGFC Online Licensing, the state's official portal. Arkansas hunting licenses run a fixed annual cycle expiring June 30 each year, regardless of purchase date.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy an Arkansas hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. Required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969. A free Deferred Hunter Education License lets certified-hunter-supervised beginners hunt for a year at a time without it. Certificates from other states, Canada and Mexico are accepted.
Verified · Arkansas Game and Fish Commission · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the AGFC license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-06-01. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.