JASPER — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has selected 23 Arkansans to participate in this year’s annual public land elk hunt.

The hunters were randomly drawn from 5,275 applicants who applied in May through a third-party vendor. Wes Wright, elk program coordinator for the AGFC, says this is the same system used for deer, turkey, waterfowl and alligator permit drawings.

“We always like to draw these permits on stage at the Buffalo River Elk Festival in Jasper, but this year the festival was canceled due to COVID-19,” Wright said. “We hope to go back to the old system next year if conditions allow it.”

Hunters are allowed to choose their weapons from archery, including crossbows, muzzleloaders, modern rifles, modern shotguns and handguns.

All public land hunts occur on the Buffalo National River, Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area and Bearcat Hollow Wildlife Management Area. Hunters are assigned to specific zones within these public lands. Public land permit holders are required to attend an orientation before the hunt and will be notified of the time and location.

Arkansas 2020 elk hunt permit winners:

Oct. 3-9 Youth Hunt

Zone 3 Antlerless — Joshua Gray, Bauxite

Oct. 5-9

Zone 1 Either Sex — Benjamin Vaughn, Marion

Zone 1 Antlerless — Christopher Gueydan, Prairie Grove

Zone 2 Antlerless — Jeffery Farmer, St. Joe

Zone 4 Antlerless — Zachary Semeniuk, Rogers

Oct. 24-30 Youth Hunt

Zone 4 Antlerless — Eli Kennedy, Oak Grove

Oct. 26-30

Zone 1 Either Sex — Johnny Schader, Fayetteville

Zone 1 Antlerless — Dorothy Marable, Malvern

Zone 1 Antlerless — Billie Smith, Harrison

Zone 2 Either Sex — Dallin Freshour, Benton

Zone 2 Antlerless — Jacob Odom, Quitman

Zone 2 Antlerless — Jeremy Ball, Floral

Zone 2 Antlerless — Michelle Fitzgerald, Ward

Zone 2 Antlerless — Nickolas

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