Are you aware that in Arizona, hugely massive areas exceeding 800,000 acres are officially protected as Wildlife Management Areas? These are spaces specially put aside for outdoor activities and safeguarding nature. Arizona, given its extensive public land, unique and diverse geological features, and the multitude of wildlife, stands as one of the most sought-after hunting locations nationwide.
Knowing Arizona’s hunting timelines and rules is key to planning a fun nature trip, no matter how familiar you are with woodland adventures. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of Arizona’s 2025 waterfowl, big, and small game seasons.
This guide holds details about important dates, limits on bags, and special license needs for a range of animals like deer, elk, javelina, and bighorn sheep. We also delve into prime falconry seasons and explore opportunities for lesser-known small game.
Game Schedule in Arizona
Arizona Hunting Seasons Overview
🦌 Deer Hunting
Mule Deer & Coues Whitetail
- General Firearm: Oct 24 – Dec 31 (varies by unit)
- Youth-Only: Oct 3 – Oct 12
- Archery (OTC Tags):
- Aug 22 – Sep 11
- Dec 12 – Dec 31
- Jan 1 – Jan 31
Tag Details
- Residents: $58 + $13 application
- Non-residents: $315 + $15 application
🐗 Javelina
General & Youth Draw Hunts
- Oct 3 – Oct 12
- Some zones: Nov 20 – Nov 27
Year-Round OTC (Select Zones)
- Jan 1 – Dec 31 (Archery & General)
🐻 Bear
- General Season: Aug 8 – Dec 31
- Archery-Only: Aug 22 – Dec 31
🦁 Mountain Lion
- Aug 22, 2025 – May 31, 2026
- Mandatory reporting within 48 hours
🦃 Turkey Hunting
General Shotgun
- Oct 3 – Oct 9 (varies by unit)
- Youth-Only: Oct 10 – Oct 16
Archery Hunts
- Permit-Tag Areas: Aug 29 – Sep 11
- Nonpermit-Tag Zones: Aug 22 – Sep 11
Tag Fees
- Residents: $38
- Non-residents: $105
🐾 Predators & Furbearers
Year-Round (Daylight Only)
- Coyote, fox, bobcat, skunk, raccoon, badger, ringtail, weasel
- Season: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026
Trapping Season
- Aug 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 (bobcat, fox, ringtail, weasel, badger)
🐦 Upland Birds & Small Game
Quail
- Gambel’s, Scaled, California: Oct 17, 2025 – Feb 8, 2026
- Mearns’: Dec 5, 2025 – Feb 8, 2026
Other Birds
- Chukar: Sep 1, 2025 – Feb 8, 2026
- Dusky Grouse: Sep 1 – Nov 9, 2025
- Pheasant:
- Shotgun (Unit 40B): Sep 1 – Sep 15
- Archery (Statewide): Oct 17, 2025 – Feb 8, 2026
Small Mammals
- Tree Squirrel: Oct 3, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Cottontail Rabbit: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026
🦆 Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Sandhill Crane (Draw Only)
- Nov 21, 2025 – Jan 26, 2026 (3-day hunts)
- Requires state & federal stamps
Ducks & Geese
- Dates in separate migratory bird supplement
- Federal duck stamp ($25) + State stamp ($5) required
All hunters must check regulations for unit-specific rules.
Permits And Licenses
| License/Tag Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Licenses | ||
| General Hunting | $37 | Not Available |
| Combination | $57 | $160 |
| Youth Combination | $5 | $5 |
| Short-Term Combination | $15/day | $20/day |
| Hunt Permit-Tags (Draw Application) | ||
| Bonus Point | $13 | $15 |
| Pronghorn | $103 | $565 |
| Bighorn Sheep | $313 | $1,815 |
| Turkey | $38 | $105 |
| Bear | $38 | $165 |
| Javelina | $38 | $115 |
| Elk | $148 | $665 |
| Deer | $58 | $315 |
| Bison | Varies | Varies |
| Sandhill Crane | $43 | $45 |
| Raptor Capture | $13 | $190 |
| Nonpermit-Tags (Over-the-Counter) | ||
| Archery Turkey | $25 | $90 |
| Bear | $25 | $150 |
| Mountain Lion | $15 | $75 |
| Javelina | $25 | $100 |
| Elk | $135 | $650 |
| Archery Deer | $45 | $300 |
| Stamps | ||
| Migratory Bird | $5 | $5 |
| Federal Waterfowl | $25 | $25 |
- Additional Considerations: If you’re planning a hunt, extra permissions or stamps might be necessary. You might require things like tags for javelina or turkey, or stamps for migratory birds. The prices for these differ, so check the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) website to get the specifics.
AZ Game Laws
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)
- Manages wildlife via hunting and fishing permit sales (no state taxes applied).
- Provides permits, forms, harvest updates, and violation alerts.
- Contact line for wildlife issues: Operation Game Thief (1-800-352-0700 or 1-800-VANDALS)
Game Seasons and Methods
- There are different seasons for animals like deer, elk, javelina, mountain lions, pronghorns, turkeys, and others.
- The State advocates for ethical methodologies which include honoring landowners and keeping our environment clean.
- The law permits various hunting tools for different species – this could be anything from centerfire rifles to crossbows.
Locations
- Follow National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks, and military reservations’ guidelines.
- Procedures for pursuing on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and State Trust Lands.
- Limitations on motorized travel in untouched nature spaces.
General Regulations
- Urgent help is needed if hunting accidents occur, then you must report to AZGFD.
- You have to get rid of carcasses the right way.
- Don’t take wildlife from vehicles or go over bag limits, it’s against the law.
- Check Commission Orders for specific season dates and rules.
- If you’re retrieving big game with a vehicle on national forest lands, you need permits.
Getting Started
- Find out what you’re hunting, get legal permits, look into places and times, and obey rules.
Licensing and Trapping
- You need valid licenses, but there are some restrictions.
- The licenses are non-transferable and only valid for a set period (you can get refunds).
- For trapping licenses, you need to take educational classes (but there are some exemptions).
- If you can’t see, you don’t need a license to fish.
- People who trap and guide need to report what species they’ve caught and how many clients they’ve served.
Hunter Education
- Necessary for hunting (classes open for kids 9 and above).
- Earn extra points per species when you finish a course.
- Department-certified instructors hand in papers after courses.
Hunt Permit Applications
- Specific eligibility criteria, deadlines, and submission methods.
- Bonus point system for increased chances in future draws.
- Need to have affidavits and pay fees for duplicate tags and licenses.
- Tags for nonlocals are determined by species and the Commission can adjust these.
Permit-Tags
- Species with fewer than five tags per hunt get special storage (fair distribution).
- Tags distributed by luck of the draw (priority for applicants with most bonus points).
- Rest of tags scattered around based on preference.
- Go for digital tags via the Arizona E-Tag app.
- For archery-only seasons, grab a crossbow permit (conditions may apply).
- CHAMP permits enable those with serious impairments.
Big Game Regulations
- The management, handling, and moving of large animals comes with strict rules (huge punishments for breaking them)
- Appropriate licenses needed for moving lawfully caught wildlife (standards differ depending on the species).
Migratory Bird Stamps and Guide Licenses
- It’s a must for some bird hunting and guiding services.
- Continuing education courses are needed every five years for guide licenses.
Wildlife Parts and Transportation
- You can possess, sell, and move certain animal parts (except for birds that migrate).
- “Bow” has different meanings, with certain types having unique pull and hold rules.
Supplemental Hunts and Programs
- Unused tags can be given back to gain rewards such as recovered bonus points through surrender programs.
- Through tag transfer programs, tags can be passed on to youngsters or gifted to approved groups.
- Unused tags can be obtained by veterans living with disabilities and eligible non-profit groups.
Bonus Points
- The more points you have, the better your odds in random draws for specific species.
- You can gain extra points through loyalty bonuses and conservation/education programs.
- If you’re in the military or an emergency responder, you can get your points back under special cases.
Violations and Penalties
- A phone line to report about wildlife wrongdoings (you could win up to $8,000).
- Could lead to minor or major charges, fines, loss of license, and more legal trouble.
- Fines are in place for illegal wildlife hunting (calculated by economic worth).
- Pioneer permits provide lifelong benefits for people 70 years and older.
- Veterans with disabilities have the option for free or cheaper licenses.
Top Locations in Arizona
Deer
- Coconino National Forest: Nestled in north Arizona, the Coconino Forest is vibrant with a combo of ponderosa pines, junipers, and fields. It’s an ideal place for mule deers.
- Santa Catalina Mountains: Near Tucson, with its hills and desert plants, you’ll need to be strong and smart.
- Gila National Forest: Covering parts of New Mexico and Arizona, Gila is the hotspot for mule and Coues deer. The Gila Wilderness within it provides an exclusive feel of hunting in the wild.
Elk
- Rocky Mountain Elk Range: This place in northeastern Arizona is home to the world’s biggest group of elks staying in one area. Its grand scenery and chance for bagging a notable elk make it a top spots.
- Adjoining Grand Canyon National Park: Hunting is not possible in the Park, but nearby forests open paths to migrating elk.
- Kaibab National Forest: Northern Arizona’s Kaibab Forest is famous for the notable elk groups it hosts. The expansive ponderosa pine forests and meadows make for a perfect home for these creatures.
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Covering a huge area in eastern Arizona, the Apache-Sitgreaves forests provide superb options for elks using both bow and rifle. The varied landscape includes mountains, canyons, and mesas, making hunting both demanding and satisfying.
- Roosevelt Lake: Located east of Phoenix, Roosevelt Lake is a favorite for elk hunters. The mountains and riverside ecosystems around it provide lots of hiding spots and food for elks.
Pronghorn Antelope
- Sonoran Desert: In southern Arizona, the expansive Sonoran Desert serves as the perfect home for pronghorns. Anyone hunting in this terrain should brace themselves for the intense heat and dryness, as they chase these hard-to-catch creatures.
- Arizona Strip: This different kind of desert scenery also has herds of pronghorns.
Bighorn Sheep
- Harquahala Mountains: They’re in Arizona’s southwest. Desert bighorn sheep are seen here. The area’s rugged, meaning hunters must be fit.
- Santa Catalina Mountains: These mountains are near Tucson, Arizona. One can hunt bighorn sheep here. The rules are strict, hunting is limited to ensure sustainability
- Kofa National Wildlife Refuge: West of Phoenix, this refuge safeguards desert bighorn sheep. Getting picked for a bighorn sheep hunt here is often tough because it’s in demand.
- Sierra Estrella Mountains: Situated close to Phoenix, bighorn sheep hunts are a thing here too. Due to its rough landscape and restricted entry, hunting here is physically challenging.
Javelina
- Southern Arizona: In places like the Sonoran Desert and semi-desert grasslands, you can find a lot of Javelina. They like to hang out together which makes hunting them unique.
- Juniper Woodlands: You can find it in the higher juniper forests. These areas give hunters a wonderful view.
- Sonoran Desert: Areas around Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma offer excellent opportunities.
- Santa Rita Mountains: Right south of Tucson, you’ll find the Santa Rita Mountains. They love the mix of desert scrub and oak forests
- Lower Colorado River Valley: Along Arizona’s western border, you’ll find the Lower Colorado River Valley. This area has many Javelina. The river banks and fields are a steady source of food for them.
Turkey
- Pine-Crested Mountains: Merriam’s turkeys call east-central Arizona’s Pine-Crested Mountains home. Spring and fall offer prime seasons in this area.
- Mogollon Rim: Central Arizona’s scenic Mogollon Rim is home to abundant Merriam’s turkeys. The unusual landscape makes hunting these careful birds thrilling and challenging.
Small Game
- Cottontail Rabbit: You’ll find Cottontail rabbits all over Arizona. Start by checking out public lands at low elevations like Units 1-10 and 35-37.
- Quail: They are at home in Arizona’s foothills and mountain ranges. Places to go are Units 18, 22, and 23, including the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
- Band-tailed Pigeon: Oak woodlands and riparian areas are perfect, especially in the Patagonia Mountains and Chiricahua National Monument.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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