Arizona Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Arizona

Arizona is one of the best states in the United States for exclusive hunting possibilities. There are various creatures to exploit in Arizona, regardless of whether you prefer big-game hunting or small-game hunting. This adds to the enjoyment and memory of hunting in the state.

Hunting Regulations in Arizona

Arizona has hunting restrictions in place to ensure that the state’s hunting culture is protected and that recent activities do not have an impact on future hunts. In addition, the state encourages hunters and residents in general to report any type of infringement to the Arizona Fish and Game Commission.

In addition, the board encourages hunters to report any violations of state hunting laws and regulations. In such circumstances, the commission will be more compassionate than when infractions are discovered by wildlife officials or a third party.

As a hunter in Arizona, you should be aware of the following hunting regulations and laws:

Attractions and Luring in Wildlife

It is illegal to use any attractant, fragrance, or deer urine to entice game or wildlife. The use of any edible substance in the capture or hunting of big animals is likewise prohibited by the state. However, exceptions are provided for salt, water, or salt mixtures containing trace minerals that were originally intended for livestock.

Hunting Without a Permit

Before you can hunt or capture game or wildlife in the state, you must first have a valid fishing or hunting license. Every time you go hunting, you must also have your license with you. If a tag is required for hunting, you must also have one. Before engaging in any hunting activity in the state, the license and tags must be signed.

Possession of illegally taken games and wildlife

If you take any game or animals illegally, possession of such an animal is forbidden under Arizona hunting rules. It makes no difference if you were involved in the hunting or seizing of the wildlife; as long as it was not properly acquired, possessing it is illegal.

Possession of Wildlife and Bag Limits

For several species, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission imposes possession restrictions and bag limits. Wildlife hunting must adhere to the quantity and limitations established by the commission. As a result, it is critical that you conduct study before capturing wildlife.

Tagging Big Game

All big game collected in Arizona must be tagged. On the back of the tags are usually instructions for tagging. You must follow the instructions in the letter as well as the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s other tagging laws.

Wildlife hunting during closed seasons, under artificial lights, and during legal hours

In Arizona, you can only hunt wildlife and game during the seasons set by the hunting commission. The commission is also in charge of ending hunting seasons, and you may not pursue wildlife during the close season.

If you are a hunter who specializes in a specific species, make sure you gather information on the commission’s regulations before going on a hunting trip.

Arizona hunting laws restrict the use of artificial light during the state’s coyote hunting season. This also means that you cannot use vehicle headlights or spotlights when hunting. However, exceptions are permitted for theft reasons, however the firearm in the car must not be able to discharge when using the spotlight. It is better to keep all firearms, ammunition, bows, and arrows outside the vehicle or at the camp.

The use of artificial lights to extend hunting and shooting hours is likewise prohibited by the state.

Hunting from a moving vehicle

Taking games and wildlife from vehicles such as motor vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft is banned. Those who acquire authorization from the Arizona Fish and Game Commission are exempt. The term “Take” refers to the hunting, killing, catching, pursuing, and shooting of wildlife in the context of this rule.

Furthermore, this legislation states that you may not purposefully drive or hover in a vehicle to look for animals before stealing it. The scope of this rule extends beyond simply shooting an animal from a vehicle; you may even transfer animals in a vehicle. It is also illegal to drive off the main road in order to get closer to wildlife.

Using devices to hunt

Only devices certified by the Arizona Fish and Game Commission may be used to hunt game and wildlife. The use of any other device is prohibited.

Discharging a Firearm in the vicinity of a House

It is illegal to discharge firearms when hunting near a residential building unless you have permission from the residents. This ordinance also prohibits the use of bows and arrows,.35 caliber inflatable weapons, and hybrid weapons. Buildings in this rule also include structures such as cottages, huts, barns, and sheds.

Before hunting near structures, hunters must assume that they are populated. During dove and quail shooting seasons, violations of this restriction are widespread.

After Hunting, Clean Up

When hunters finish their activity, they are required to clean up. There should be no litter in camp, and any debris or castings should be removed. This includes cleaning the carcasses of animals. In most hunting jurisdictions, there are restrictions for the disposal of carcasses, and hunters must clean up in accordance with these regulations.

Shooting across a street

It is illegal for hunters to fire firearms from across the road or a railway while attempting to capture wildlife. These rules apply to bow and arrow shooting as well. Hunters should be wary of this rule because it is frequently broken during dove hunting seasons.

Permits and Tags for Hunting in Arizona

To hunt animals and wildlife in Arizona, you must first obtain a valid state license. For both residents and non-resident hunters in Arizona, the minimum age to apply for a hunting license is ten years old. People under the age of ten are permitted to hunt non-big game species as long as they are supervised by a licensed hunter who is at least eighteen years old. During a session, the licensed hunter can only supervise at least two children.

Even if you have a valid hunting license in Arizona, you will be prohibited from hunting games if you are under the age of 14 and have not completed the Hunter Education Training Course.

Hunting License for Arizona Residents

Residents of the state may purchase an Arizona resident hunting license. To be considered a resident of the state, you must have lived in the state for at least six months prior to applying for a license, permit, or tag. You also cannot be a resident of another state in the United States.

Members of the United States armed forces stationed in Arizona for either permanent or temporary duty may also apply for an Arizona resident license. Only Arizona residents may purchase a resident hunting license in the state. Others are only eligible to apply for a non-resident license.

Complimentary Hunting Permit

Arizona provides complimentary licenses to anyone who meet the requirements for free licenses in the state. Free licenses are available for fishing and hunting throughout the state. The Arizona Fish and Game Department is the only place where you may receive a free license.

Pioneer Hunting Permit

This is a sort of resident license awarded in Arizona to people who are at least 70 years old and have lived in the state for at least 25 years.

Veteran Disabled Hunting License

To receive this form of license, a veteran must show proof of disability from the state veteran administration. The applicant must also have lived in Arizona for two years prior to applying for the license.

Apprentice Hunting Permit

Arizona implemented an apprentice hunting license in 2009 in order to improve the state’s hunting culture. The license is free, and the state intends to use it to encourage more people to become hunters.

Licensed hunters in the state will be able to take prospective hunters on hunting expeditions with an Arizona apprentice hunting license. Because of the apprentice license, prospective or beginner hunters will not need to obtain a standard license to go hunting.

The license is not just valid for Arizona citizens, but non-residents can also apply for it for free.

An apprentice license, on the other hand, is only valid for consecutive days and can only be used to hunt small game, fur game, birds, predators, and nongame mammals.

The state Fish and Game Department can issue you an apprentice license. However, before applying, you must have a mentor who is an Arizona resident and a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years old. In addition, the mentor must not exceed the required two apprentice hunters per year. Beginner hunters are only permitted to obtain one apprentice license per year.

Boys Scouts and Girl Guides in Arizona can obtain an Arizona High Achievement License.

This is a combined hunting and fishing license granted to boys’ scouts and girls guides in the state who have achieved the highest level allowed for their respective organizations. Individuals applying for this license must also be at least 20 years old. This license will be available for a discounted fee of $5.

Arizona Lifetime Permit

These licenses are exclusively available to Arizona residents. The cost of a lifetime hunting license application in the state will vary depending on the type of license and the applicant’s age.

Non-Resident Hunting License in Arizona

Non-resident hunters who want to hunt in Arizona must obtain a non-permit tag form in order to purchase licenses, stamps, and hunting tags, among other things. They must submit the form to the state’s fish and game department separately, without submitting a hunt permit tag application.

Permits and Tags for Arizona Fishing

In Arizona, the following types of fishing licenses are available:

General fishing permits

Arizona general fishing licenses are available for both citizens and non-residents, with rates ranging from $37 to $55. The license is valid for all state fishing operations.

Licenses for both fishing and hunting are available.

In Arizona, this is a mix of fishing and hunting licenses. They are also offered to state residents and non-residents for $57 and $160, respectively.

Youth Hunting and Fishing Combo

This is a fishing license given by the Arizona Fish and Game Department for $5 to both citizens and non-resident kids.

Short-Term Hunting and Fishing

This is a limited hunting and fishing license valid for a set length of time. Residents can get this license for $15 for one day, while non-residents can get it for $20.

Community Fishing Permit

Residents and non-residents of Arizona can obtain community fishing licenses for $24.

When fishing on public water on a day when it is free for fishing, you do not need an Arizona fishing license. In Arizona, free fishing day is always held on the first Saturday following National Fishing and Boating Week.
If you register to participate in a fishing clinic offered by the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, you do not need a fishing license.
Fishing licenses are not required for activities on any private water in the state, including tanks and ponds, if permission is obtained from the property owner.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona is one of the states in the United States where you can hunt big game, small game, furbearers, waterfowl, and predators.

The following are some of the animal games available for hunting in the state:

Pronghorn Hunting in Arizona

Pronghorns are a type of big game hunt that is exclusive to the northern states of America. Pronghorns are found in Arizona’s northern plains and at high elevations among woodland areas. They can also be seen in herds in grassland areas in the state’s southeast.

Black bear hunting in Arizona

Black bears are large game that can be found throughout North America. They can be found in all of North America’s forests, including Mexico. In Arizona, they live in wooded environments such as oak woodland, chaparral, and coniferous forests.

Bison Hunting in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department oversees the state’s two bison herds. There are two herds: the Raymond herd and the House Rock herd.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Arizona

The Department of Fish and Game believes that there are roughly 6,000 bighorns in Arizona, which includes the Rocky Mountains and deserts.

Hunting for Elk in Arizona

Elks were once one of the most common deer species in North America, and they could be found practically wherever. However, their figure has been reduced due to agricultural operations and unregulated elk shooting in Arizona and other states. Elk numbers in Arizona are currently around 35,000.

Javelina Hunting in Arizona

Javelinas are native to South America, but they have migrated to North America and have just lately arrived in Arizona.

Turkey Hunting in Arizona

Turkeys are one of the most frequent large game in Arizona, and there are three different species to choose from: Rio Grande, Merriam, and Gould. Turkey hunting in Arizona is strictly regulated, with permits and tags required.

Mountain Lion Hunting in Arizona

Mountain lions are extensively distributed throughout Arizona, and they can be found in most areas where deer herds exist since they prey on deer.

Deer hunting in Arizona

Mule deer and white-tailed deer are the two most prevalent deer species accessible for big game hunting in Arizona.

Pigeon Hunting in Arizona

Pigeons in Arizona are bad-tailed pigeons, which are not the same as the feral pigeons commonly found in the state’s towns and cities.

Grouse Hunting in Arizona

In Arizona, dusky grouses live in aspen woods and mixed conifer forests.

Rabbit HuntiPheasantizona

Cottontail rabbits are accessible for small game hunting in three different species in Arizona. Mountain cottontail, desert cottontailQuail eastern cottontail are among them.

Dove Hunting in Arizona

In Arizona, there are numerous dove species, the most common of which is the Mourning Dove.

Pheasant Hunting in Arizona

Pheasants live in agriculturally important areas of Arizona with heavy humidity. Pheasant hunting is popular in Arizona.

Quail Hunting in Arizona

In Arizona, there are three major quail hunting species: Mearns, Gambel’s, and scaled. Although there is a fourth species, the California quail, it is not as heavily hunted as the others.

Squirrel Hunting in Arizona

Tree squirrels are one of Arizona’s most favorite small game birds to hunt. There are four different species and eight subspecies that live in the state’s forested areas.

Chukar Hunting in Arizona

Chukars in Arizona generally move from India because they are only found in the Middle East.

Waterfowl Species in Arizona

Waterfowl hunters in Arizona can choose from approximately 15 different species.

Bobcat Hunting in Arizona

Bobcats are a prevalent predator that is widely distributed throughout Arizona.

Hunting for Foxes in Arizona

In the state, there are three different species for fox hunting: gray fox, red fox, and kit fox.

Coyote Hunting in Arizona

Coyotes are fairly common in the state and can be found throughout the state.

Badger Hunting in Arizona

Badgers are a widely distributed furbearer game in Arizona that may be found throughout the state.

Raccoon Hunting in Arizona

Raccoons are one of the few animals in Arizona that can be captured with weapons at night.

2020/2021 Arizona Hunting Seasons

Despite popular belief that Arizona is a desert state, the ecology is ideally adapted for numerous forms of games and fauna.

Arizona offers a variety of wildlife hunting options, including turkey, quail, and deer. However, for big game, the state will only provide bison, bears, and bighorn sheep.

The Arizona Fish and Game Department governs hunting seasons in the state by area, and hunting permits are distributed through a lottery system. As a state hunter, it is recommended that you collect all relevant information before hunting in the state.

Alaska’s shooting season for various species in 2020/21 includes the following:

Deer Hunting Season in Arizona

General Season (October 23rd to December 31st)
General Youth-Only Season (October 9th to November 29th)
Hunter Access Mobility (September 18th to September 24th, and October 23rd to October 29th)
Muzzleloader Season (October 23rd to December 31st)
Muzzleloader Season for Youths (2nd October to 11th October and 20th November to 29th November)
Archery Season (August 21st to September 10th and December 11th to December 31st)

Season for hunting bighorn sheep in Arizona

General Seasons (October 1st to December 31st)

Furthermore, many bighorn sheep are almost unreachable, so you should only plan on hunting them in remote backcountry areas.

Season for hunting bison in Arizona

General Season (December 4th to December 6th and December 13th to December 15th)
General Season with Limited Opportunity (September 25th to December 31st)
Muzzleloader season with Limited Opportunity (September 11th to September 23rd)
Archery Limited Opportunity Season (August 21st to September 9th)

Turkey Season in Arizona

General Season (October 2nd to October 8th)
Youth Hunting Season (October 2nd to October 8th)
Archery Season (August 21st to September 10th)

A valid license and tag are required for Arizona turkey hunting. There is also a hunting limit of one turkey each year.

Seasons for hunting javelina in Arizona

Archery Season (August 21st to December 31st)
Youth Season (October 2nd to November 26th)

Arizona Javelina hunting needs a valid state permit, which is distributed through a lottery system run by the state Fish and Game Department. In Arizona, the annual quota for javelina hunting is two.

Season for Hunting Black Bears in Arizona

General Season (August 7th to December 31st)

All black bears are lawful to hunt in Arizona, with the exception of cubs and sows.

Mountain Lion Hunting Season in Arizona

General Seasons with Daylight Shooting Periods (August 21st to May 31st)

Archery Season (August 21st to May 31st)

Pursuit Season (August 21st to May 31st)

Mountain lion hunting in Arizona is restricted to one animal per year. Mountain lions have two shooting hours, daylight, and daylong times. Daylight hunts must take place during the day, whereas daylong hunts take place both during the day and at midnight.

Small Game Hunting Seasons in Arizona

Chukar Partridge Season (September 1st to February 7th)
Season of the Dusky Blue Grouse (September 1st to November 8th)
Cottontail rabbit season lasts from July 1st until June 30th.

Pheasant

Shotgun Season (September 1st to September 15th)
Archery Season (October 16th to February 7th)
Falconry Season (September 14th to February 7th)
Tree Squirrel Season (July 1st to June 30th)

Quail

General Season (October 16th to February 7th)
Falconry Season (July 1st to March 31st)
Jackrabbit Season (September 1st to March 31st)
Gunnison’s Prairie Dog (July 1st to March 31st)

For all games and wildlife in the state, the dates for each season may vary depending on zone.

Shooting Range in Arizona

The Arizona Fish and Game Department has approved the following state ranges:

Shooting Range with Three Points Shooting Range at Seven Mile Hill Archery Range in Silver Creek Shooting Range near Sierra Vista
Tri-State Shooting Park, St. John’s Shooting Range
The Shooting Range at Usery Mountain The Northern Arizona Shooting Range is located in northern Arizona.
Shooting Range at the Second Knoll

Hunting in Arizona and Land for Sale and Lease

Some of the Arizona hunting land for sale and leases includes:

9582 acres, Reidhead Ave., Holbrook, AZ 86025
Westwood Ranch, 40 acres, Seligman, Arizona 8633