Triple Trophy award gives reason to keep Ol’ Betsy handy

LITTLE ROCK — With the new alternative firearms season upon us, some hunters have switched to the newly allowed rifles that shoot straight-walled cartridges, but many still plan to take this year’s deer with the same muzzleloader they’ve relied on for the last decade or so. Even if you’ve made the switch, don’t pitch the old front-stuffer just yet. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Triple Trophy Award still celebrates those who take at least one of their deer with black powder and a cloud of gray smoke.

The Triple Trophy Award is given to anyone who harvests a deer using the three historical methods of harvest: archery equipment, muzzleloader and modern gun. The intent was to promote archery and muzzleloader use in the state and begin to shift public perception toward harvesting female deer. With only two bucks in the seasonal bag limit, hunters had to harvest at least one doe to achieve the award.

Now that hunters are accustomed to taking female deer to help balance Arkansas’s deer herd, the award primarily serves as a celebration for hunters who challenge themselves to hunting with various weapon types.

“Rifles shooting straight-walled cartridges being allowed in alternative firearms is a great way to maybe get a few more hunters in the woods who were intimidated by learning how to shoot a muzzleloader, but we still want to recognize hunters who enjoy that added challenge” Jeremy Brown, AGFC Deer Management Assistance Program Coordinator, said. “We have many hunters who have really worked hard over the years to achieve this goal, and we do want to protect the integrity of their accomplishments.”

AGFC Deer Program Coordinator Ralph Meeker says retaining the muzzleloader requirement also avoids confusion over which weapon type was used for which deer.

“Many of the firearms allowed during the alternative firearms season are technically considered modern guns. The award is based on the weapon type, not the season when it is harvested, so maintaining the three distinct weapon categories for the award makes it easier for the hunter to fulfill the challenge without confusion,” Meeker said.

Applications for the Triple Trophy Award must be received by April 10, 2025, at www.agfc.com/tripletrophy. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a special patch and certificate to commemorate your achievement.

Visit www.agfc.com/tripletrophy for more information about the Triple Trophy Award and how to apply this deer season.

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CUTLINES:

AT RANGE
Working up the preferred load for the muzzleloader you plan to use is one of the steps that adds more challenge to achieve the Triple Trophy Award. Photo by Mike Wintroath.

MUZZLELOADER
Muzzleloaders must be used for at least one of the deer checked to be eligible for the AGFC Triple Trophy Award.

TREESTAND
Modern muzzleloaders are similar to single shot rifles, but still require hunters to load the firearm from the front for each shot. Photo by Mike Wintroath.

PATCH
Hunters who check at least one deer with archery, muzzleloader and modern gun in the same season are eligible for the AGFC’s Triple Trophy Award.