Arkansas Youth-only Deer Hunt Scheduled for Cooks Lake

White River National Wildlife Refuge, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation will be holding a youth-only deer hunt at Cooks Lake during the 2013 hunting season. The hunt will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Only 10 permits will be issued to youth 15 years of age and under as of Dec. 2, 2013. A mandatory hunter orientation will be held on Nov. 23.

The hunt will only be available to hunters who have not been selected for the hunt in the past. Each selected participant will be required to have an unarmed chaperone 21 years of age or older.

All participants will be required to have completed a hunter education course prior to the hunt. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15.

To apply for the hunt, print or type the youth applicant’s complete name, hunter education number and phone number on the back of a U.S. postcard. Send the postcard to White River National Wildlife Refuge, c/o Jay Hitchcock, P.O. Box 205, St Charles, AR, 72140.

Applicants also may apply in person at the visitor center in St. Charles. For more information contact Hitchcock at 870-282-8246.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plays an important role in keeping The Natural State true to its name. During the last 100 years, the agency has overseen the protection, conservation and preservation of various species of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. This is done through habitat management, fish stocking, hunting and fishing regulations, and a host of other programs.