Arkansas’s first youth deer hunt of the 2025-26 season is coming up Nov. 1-2, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is reminding hunters to make sure their mobile app is updated and youth deer tags are downloaded ahead of the hunt.
“Youth deer hunters need to have their own tags and account at agfc.com,” said Kyle Curry, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Information Technology division. “The process is straightforward through the website or mobile app. The biggest issue we see is when people try to get tags through an adult’s account. Youth tags will only show up if you’re logged in under the youth’s account.”
Hunters can visit www.agfc.com, click “Get a License,” and select either Resident Youth Deer Tags (#YDT) or Nonresident Youth Deer Tags (#YDTN). Both options are free. If the youth hunter doesn’t already have an account, parents or guardians will need to create one.
Smartphone users can also link their youth hunter’s account to their profile in the AGFC app. Once connected, guardians can switch between their account and the youth account to procure tags, apply for special hunts, and check harvested deer.
All youth hunters must check their harvested deer just like adults. They can use the app, website, or call 833-289-2469. If a deer remains near the harvest location until it reaches home, a physical tag isn’t required. Otherwise, hunters must attach a temporary paper tag with the hunter’s name, ID number, date, time, zone or WMA, and method of harvest until the deer is checked. Hunters have 12 hours after harvest to complete this.
Participants must be 6 to 15 years old. Youth who have not passed Hunter Education must be directly supervised by a licensed mentor, who may call or assist in game recovery but cannot aim or fire the firearm. Mentors may not hunt other game while accompanying the youth. Those who have completed Hunter Education may hunt independently under a parent or guardian’s discretion.
For more information on deer hunting in Arkansas, visit www.agfc.com/deer.
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