Hunting in Arkansas: 4 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Your Kids

With game that includes elk, bear, alligator, waterfowl, and all manner of small game, there are a wide variety of hunts on which to introduce kids to hunting in Arkansas.

But just as there are rules and regulations for adults who wish to hit the swamp or the woods with their rifle or bow, kids who hunt must adhere, too.

Here are four things to know before applying for a hunting permit for your kids:

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1. Legal Hunting Age
Children must be at least 6-years-old in order to hunt game like elk, bear, deer, or turkey. A child of any age can accompany their parent on a hunting excursion, but they must be at least 6-years-old to claim game as their own, according to the Magnolia Reporter.

2. Hunter Education
For any and all hunters born in or after 1969, a hunter education course is required to obtain a license. There is no restriction on what age a child has to be when the course is taken, but the material is based on a sixth grade reading level and covers wildlife and conservation, firearm safety, and more. The course is available in person or online with a final field day exam.

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3. Hunting License
A hunting license isn’t required until a child turns 16, as long as they are hunting under the supervision of a hunter 21-years-old or older who has a valid license. Once a child turns 16, they can apply for a deferred hunter education code that allows them to hunt for one year without completing a hunter education course as long as they’re hunting with someone who has a valid license and is over 21. The code can only be obtained once in a lifetime.

4. Information
On the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website, there are pages full of information just for young hunters. It includes maps of where to hunt, photos and facts on species, and even printable certificates and photo frames for when kids bag their first deer, turkey, or duck.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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