Permit system opens for turkey hunts

Process limits hunters on management areas

The application period for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s wildlife management area turkey hunt permits opened Monday. The season begins in April.

Many good public turkey hunting opportunities exist, particularly on the large cooperative wildlife management areas owned by the U.S. Forest Service. However, turkeys and turkey hunters need room to spread out, which can lead to conflicts between hunters on some smaller tracts.

Game and Fish restricts the number of hunters allowed during turkey season through random drawings to increase the quality of the hunt on some of the more popular public areas.

Only permit holders may hunt on the wildlife management area during the permit hunt. However, a permit holder can have a friend alongside them to call for them and to help them harvest a bird. Friends and family may camp with permit holders at designated campsites on the management area.

“Spring is a great time to be out in the woods with family and friends, and we want to help keep that tradition going, even if only one person is hunting,” said Jason Honey, turkey program coordinator for Game and Fish.

Applications are taken electronically through www. agfc.com through Feb. 15. Winning applicants will be notified by email.

Applications require a $5 nonrefundable processing fee, but winning applicants are not required to pay any additional fees other than the purchase of their hunting license.

“The new system was put in place last year and really streamlined the application and draw process,” said Brad Carner, chief of wildlife management for Game and Fish. “Each year, many permits were left unclaimed because people applied who did not go through with purchasing the permit. With the up-front fee, only people who are serious about claiming and using a permit are likely to apply.”

Carner said the new system saw a decrease in the number of applicants to the agency’s permit draws for all species which was expected, but harvest numbers and participation in the hunts remained high.

“We received some reports from our staff of noticeable increases in participation for some hunts,” Carner said. “And with the streamlining of the process, unclaimed permits were minimal when it came time to sell them, which resulted in much less confusion.”