LITTLE ROCK - At issue is the best way for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to serve the hunting public while managing the resource to its fullest potential. In an effort to meet these objectives, the Commission is considering a system of tags and hunting licenses that would expire on a fixed date.

At the present time, AGFC hunting licenses expire a year from the date of purchase. Before 1991, the Commission had a set of game tags along with a license that expired June 30 of each year. This system of an annual fixed expiration date coincides with the regulation-setting process and will enable the agency to print the exact number of tags for the fall/spring hunting seasons. Annual fishing licenses will not change and will continue to expire a year from the date-of-purchase.

For hunters who buy licenses from Jan. 1 through July 30, 2005, the agency will mail a replacement license with tags and a new expiration date of June 30, 2006.  The new forms will be in place by July 31, 2005.

Under this proposal, annual Sportsman's hunting licenses will be printed with three deer tags and three turkey tags. The $10.50 resident Resident Wildlife Conservation License will have one modern firearm deer tag. The expiration date will be printed on each tag.

AGFC Director Scott Henderson said the motivation behind the change was to improve data collection on harvested deer and turkey. "Game tags attached to a license are a recognized and standard method to match a harvested animal, and to help ensure that it is properly checked," he said. "We need this data so that we can make informed decisions on the management of our resources."