Buffalo River Elk Festival offers one last chance to apply for an Arkansas elk hunting license

If you didn’t apply for one of Arkansas’ public lands elk hunting permits in May, you still have the chance to get one of the most coveted hunting tags the Natural State has to offer.

In addition to the 15 public elk hunting tags taken from applicants who applied in May, three special permits will be drawn from participants who register for this year’s Buffalo River Elk Festival in Jasper on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29.

Registration for the on-site moose permit drawing will be at the Little Buffalo River Visitor Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The requirements are the same as for the online process.

Only Arkansas residents may apply. You must have a valid Arkansas Sportsman combined hunting and fishing license. And you must be present for the drawing of these three permits at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The on-site drawing is a separate drawing from online entrants, who do not need to be present to win and will receive a drawing notice the week following the festival. Hunters who have already applied online can also request these tags to increase their chances of shooting.

Elk hunting permits are the cornerstone of the festival, but there are many other activities and events to keep families entertained throughout the two-day celebration of the return of elk to Arkansas. Music and street dancing will be available until 11 p.m. Friday. The festivities continue Saturday with elk calling contests, a fishing tournament, a Dutch oven cooking competition, shotgun shoots and a 5K race called “Running with the Elk.”

You might even catch a glimpse of “The King” as an Elvis impersonator is listed during appearances on the main stage on Saturday. The music and festivities will continue well after the permit drawing, and the festival will end with a fireworks display in the square at 9:50 p.m. Saturday.

Visit https://www.buffaloriverelkfestival.com/wp/ for more information about the Buffalo River Elk Festival. Dates and information for the 2024 Arkansas elk hunting season are available at www.agfc.com/elk