If you were born on or after January 1, 1969, Arkansas law says you cannot legally hunt in the state without a valid hunter education certificate in your possession. That single birth-year cutoff shapes almost everything about hunter education requirements in Arkansas, from who needs a class to who can skip it entirely.
Before you buy a license or head into the woods this season, you need to know exactly where you fall under this rule, what counts as an exemption, and how out-of-state certificates factor in. Here’s what the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) actually requires, section by section.
Is Hunter Education Required in Arkansas
Yes. Arkansas hunting license holders born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete a state-approved hunter education course and carry proof of certification while hunting. Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter education course and carry a valid hunter education card to hunt in Arkansas.
The rule applies uniformly across game types and license classes. It is unlawful for persons born after 1968 to hunt wildlife without having on the person a valid Arkansas hunter education certificate. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission administers the program and sets the course standards…