Applications for Elk Hunt Begin May 1

Brent Hohenstein

LITTLE ROCK – If you want to go after an Arkansas elk, circle May 1 on your calendar. That’s the beginning of the application period for public land permits next fall in the Buffalo River country of northwest Arkansas.

Applications are accepted through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s website, www.agfc.com, from 12 a.m. May 1 until 11:59 p.m. June 1. The total number of elk permits available for public draw will be set during the Commission’s May 17 meeting, he expects it to be the same number as last season. Twenty-six permits will be proposed for the online draw applications and an additional three permits will be reserved for onsite draws at the 21st Annual Buffalo River Elk Festival, June 23.

Applicants for Arkansas elk hunt permits must have a valid Resident Sportsman Hunting License or must be a holder of a Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit. Hunters under 16 (as of May 1, 2017) must enter their social security number to create an account and apply, unless they have not yet been assigned one by the U.S. government. Applicants must be 6 or older as of the beginning of the hunt to participate. Anyone with 12 or more violations points are ineligible to apply.

Visit https://ar-web.s3licensing.com/ to apply. Elk permits are listed under the WMA permit section of the licensing menu. Applications require a $5 nonrefundable processing fee, but no additional fees are required of hunters who successfully draw.