LITTLE ROCK - Do you need a little something extra for deer hunting next fall?

A zone quota doe permit may be the ticket. It’s a no-cost extra for several deer zones and wildlife management areas (WMAs) in Arkansas where limited take of female deer is encouraged by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife biologists.

But time is running short. You have to apply by June 30 to be eligible for a permit this year. After that date - sorry, it will be bucks-only hunting for you in these zones during the muzzle-loader and modern gun seasons.

There are more zone doe permits available this year, as the AGFC increased numbers after finding improved deer populations in many areas of the state. All except one zone will have more permits available, with a few zones having more than twice as many permits.

The process begins by applying for a free zone doe quota permit for Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. This is roughly the Ozark, Ouachita and Arkansas River Valley sections of the state. The permits are also required for doe hunting for six wildlife management areas within these zones. Permits are required for the Christmas Holiday Modern Gun Deer Hunt Dec. 26-28 in these zones and WMAs.

Permits are needed for the Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt on Nov. 5-6.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission adjusts its deer hunting regulations each year to help improve and maintain deer populations throughout the state. Cory Gray, AGFC’s deer program coordinator, said, "In the Ozarks, Ouachitas and Arkansas River Valley, the deer herd is primarily in a rebuilding state. This reduction in the doe harvest will allow additional females in the population to be protected. In areas such as the Delta and Gulf Coastal Plain regions, the deer population is stable to increasing and can sustain a moderate doe harvest. By taking these additional steps in deer management, the balance of bucks and does should come closer to reaching a desired balance."

Applications can be obtained at www.agfc.com, from any AGFC license dealer in Arkansas and from any AGFC office in the state.

The zone doe quotas for the 2005-2006 deer season are: Zone 1 - 1,304; Zone 2 - 1,018; Zone 3 - 2,812; Zone 6 - 2,216; Zone 7 - 620; Zone 8 - 1,462; Zone 10 - 830; Zone 11 - 2,681; Blue Mountain WMA - 20; Caney Creek WMA - 20; Gene Rush WMA - 50; Muddy Creek WMA - 60; Sylamore WMA - 100 and Winona WMA - 60.

The applications can be submitted any time during June, with the deadline June 30. Postmarks on the applications are the determining factor on meeting the deadline. Archery hunters do not have to have a zone quota doe permit except if they want to harvest a doe during a muzzle-loader or modern gun season