Arkansas Youth Deer Hunt Set for Nov. 1–2: AGFC Reminds Hunters to Update App and Download Tags
Arkansas’s first youth deer hunt of the 2025–26 season is set for Nov. 1–2, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is reminding hunters to update their AGFC mobile app and download free youth deer tags in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable hunt.
“Youth deer hunters need to have their own tags and account at agfc.com
and the process is pretty straightforward through the website or the mobile app,” said Kyle Curry, assistant chief of AGFC’s Information Technology Division. “You can also visit a license dealer to make sure licenses and tags are up-to-date, but it’s easy to do online yourself. The biggest issue we see is when people try to get tags through an adult’s account—the youth tags won’t appear unless you’re logged in under the youth’s own account.”
How to Get Youth Deer Tags
Visit agfc.com and click “Get a License” in the top right corner of the homepage. From there, select either Resident Youth Deer Tags (#YDT) or Nonresident Youth Deer Tags (#YDTN)—both are free.
Click “Buy Now” and log in using your youth hunter’s information. If your youth does not yet have an account, you’ll need to create one before proceeding. Remember, youth licensing options appear only under youth accounts.
Smartphone users can also link their youth hunter’s account to their own in the AGFC app:
- Log in to the app and tap the profile button (the circle in the top right corner).
- Select “Profiles and Users”, then “Manage Linked Users”, and tap “Link a User.”
- Search for your youth’s profile using the on-screen prompts. Once the correct account appears, tap “Connect as Guardian.”
After linking, you can easily switch between your account and your youth’s to obtain tags, apply for special hunts, and check harvested game.
Youth hunters must check harvested deer just like adults. They can do so through the AGFC mobile app, the website or by calling 833-289-2469 at the location of harvest.
If the deer remains within the hunter’s immediate vicinity until arriving home, no physical tag is required. However, if the deer cannot be immediately checked, hunters must attach a temporary paper tag with the hunter’s name, customer ID number, date, time, zone or WMA of harvest, and method of harvest. This tag must stay with the deer until it is checked. All harvested deer must be checked within 12 hours of the time of harvest.
Youth hunters must be 6 to 15 years old to participate in Arkansas’s youth deer hunts.
- Youths who have not completed Hunter Education must be under direct supervision (within arm’s reach) of a licensed mentor. The mentor may call or rattle for the youth and help recover game but may not aim or fire a firearm or hunt other game species during the youth hunt.
- Youths who have passed Hunter Education may hunt without a mentor at the discretion of their parent or guardian.
For more information about deer hunting in Arkansas, visit www.agfc.com/deer