Anyone can hunt in Arizona if they obtain a proper hunting license. There are several types of hunting licenses in Arizona. Children under the age of 10 can hunt without a license if accompanied by an adult. No one under the age of 14 can play a big game without having completed a Hunter education course. No one under the age of 10 can participate in Arizona.
Hunting license for residents and non-residents
In order to obtain an Arizona hunting license, a resident is someone who has lived in Arizona for at least six months prior to applying for the license. A non-resident can apply for a license that is valid for the capture of small game and game birds (except ducks, geese and swans). There are certain exceptions for servicemen stationed in Arizona.
How to buy a hunting or fishing license
Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online at the Arizona Game and Fish Department or at approved retailers throughout the state, including Walmart stores, some supermarkets, sporting goods stores, and tackle stores.
How to request a hunt
For small game, a general hunting license is generally required, except for the appropriate stamps for migratory and waterfowl species.
You must apply for a permit tag to hunt big game: antelope, black bear, buffalo, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelin, turkey, mountain lion, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Hunting permit tag application forms are available online, at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices, and at licensing locations. You can only submit one request per wildlife genus in any calendar year. Each genus of wildlife you are applying for must be submitted on a separate application. License fees must be included with each application.
Properly prepared and submitted applications will be submitted for the draw.
The Arizona Department of Fish and Game conducts three separate application and lottery cycles for big game permit tags in February, June and October, depending on the game involved.
Were you attracted?
You will not receive any notification. To find out if you were raffled, you can call the Arizona Game and Fish automated service. Press 2 and follow the instructions. You can also get sweepstakes results on the Arizona Game and Fish website. For either system, you must provide your department identification number and the month and date of birth. If you were unsuccessful in the draw, your money will be refunded.
When is hunting legal?
Open season dates are determined for a large and small game type. You can legally shoot during the day. Capturing wildlife by moonlight or artificial light is illegal, with the exception of raccoons, reptiles, and other mammals.
Where in Arizona hunting is allowed
Generally, you can hunt on land owned by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Arizona State Department of Lands. Land in Arizona is owned or managed by six different entities, all of which have different rules and regulations. They are the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the State of Arizona, Indian Reservations, National Wildlife Refuges, and Military Installations.
Common Violations While Hunting Big Game, Small Game, and Migratory Birds
These are some of the most common mistakes people make when hunting in Arizona. Penalties may include license revocation and / or fines. Some fines can be thousands of dollars.
- Take wildlife without a license
- Take wildlife during closed season, after legal hours, or use artificial light
- Exceeding the limits of the bag or possession
- Take wildlife that cannot be hunted
- Incorrect labeling of the big game
- Hunting from a vehicle
- Lying about being an Arizona resident
- Using a prohibited device
- Shooting too close to a residence or building
- Littering
- Shooting across a highway
How to report violations
You must report a violation (even if it was you who inadvertently committed it) to the Operation Game Thief Hotline.
How to get more details
The above nine points serve as an overview, but there are many details associated with hunting and fishing in Arizona. Specific information on completing applications, deadlines, license fees, bonus points, Arizona laws, maps, and more can be obtained from the Arizona Department of Fish and Gaming online.
Mark your calendars to visit the Arizona Game and Fish Expo each spring! It is a lot of fun for the whole family.
