A new, durable hard card soon will be available from the Game and Fish Commission for hunters and anglers who wish to purchase the upgrade.
The new license option and the solution to complaints over the standard paper big game tags were discussed in a special August 25 meeting of the Game and Fish Commission.
“We have heard from quite a few people about their experience purchasing a license this year and being disappointed with the plain paper option,” said Commission Director Jeff Crow.
Crow explained that a durable, plastic card option for licenses has been in the planning stages since May. However, other priorities with the functionality of the AGFC’s new license system took precedence over its implementation.
“This discussion has fast-tracked that effort, and we look at having this new option available very soon,” Crow said. “This will be an additional option for hunters and anglers to carry as their hunting license and will cost $3.”
Earlier this year, the Commission modified the Code of Regulations to allow license holders to print their own duplicate copies of licenses, as well as carry a digital copy of their license on their phone. The new hard card is not required, but offered in addition to previous options.
Even if someone’s phone battery died or the paper license was destroyed by rain or water, wildlife officers have the ability to look up someone’s license by calling into the radio room.
Once the final design of the card is approved and tested, the card will be available through the AGFC licensing system, and will arrive by mail within two to three weeks after purchase.
The durability of paper big game tags provided on the printed license also was discussed August 25.
The AGFC will distribute sample tags made of heavier stock paper to regional offices, nature centers and other license vendors around the state as hunting season approaches.
These tags may be used in place of the ones printed on a hunter’s license, or the hunter may craft their own paper tag to secure to their deer until it is properly checked via phone or internet.
During the scheduled hunting regulations cycle, two major changes were made to streamline the tagging process, and make it easier on successful big game hunters. Instead of being required to use the tags provided on the license printout, hunters also can use the tags provided in the 2017-18 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook. They also can create their own tag from any material, as long as their name and the time, date and zone of the harvest are written on it. They then have 24 hours after harvest to check the deer as they normally would.
The second option for transporting harvested deer is to check it online or by phone in the field. No tag is required for transport once the deer has been checked.