Hunting Regulations in Arizona
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before hunting. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Arizona Game and Fish Department website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Hunting License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Youth
Arizona is an almost exclusively draw-tag system for big game. Elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, bison, and bear require permit-tags obtained through the draw. Application fees apply per species ($13 resident/$15 nonresident). Bonus points accumulate for unsuccessful draw applicants. HIP registration required for migratory birds. Federal Duck Stamp required for waterfowl. Javelina, dove, and small game may be pursued with a general license without a draw tag.
🦌 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer – Archery | August 22, 2025 – September 11, 2025 (varies by hunt unit) | 1 per tag (limited entry draw) | Per permit tag specifications (antlered or either-sex per unit) | All deer hunts in Arizona require a permit-tag obtained through the draw. Archery window: Aug 22 – Sept 4 or Aug 22 – Sept 11 depending on unit. Apply through the AZGFD draw system. Nonresidents compete in a separate allocation pool. |
| Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer – General (Rifle) | October 3, 2025 – October 12, 2025 (varies by unit; some earlier Sept 5-14 hunts) | 1 per tag (limited entry draw) | Per permit tag specifications | General rifle hunts run Sept 5-14, Sept 12-18, or Oct 3-12 depending on unit. Coues white-tailed deer hunts concentrated in southeastern AZ mountains. OTC deer tags are not available — all require draw permit. Muzzleloader: Sept 5-14 or Oct 3-12. |
| Elk – Archery | August 22, 2025 – September 4, 2025 (varies by unit) | 1 per tag (limited entry draw) | Bull only in most units; some cow hunts available | Arizona elk are world-class — Unit 9 and Unit 1 consistently produce 400-class bulls. Nonresident odds are highly competitive. Draw applications open in February. Bonus/preference points system in use. |
| Elk – General (Rifle) | September 5, 2025 – October 12, 2025 (varies by unit) | 1 per tag | Per permit specifications | Rifle elk seasons run Sept 5-14, Sept 12-18, or Oct 3-12 by unit. Late bull seasons available in some units Nov-Dec. Antlerless (cow) hunts available through the draw in select units to manage population. |
| Pronghorn Antelope | August 2025 – August 2025 (archery); September 2025 (rifle) | 1 per tag (limited entry draw) | Buck or doe per permit specifications | Draw required. Arizona pronghorn hunts are highly sought-after. Application deadline typically in February. Some units offer archery-only antelope hunts. Nonresident quotas are limited. |
| Javelina (Collared Peccary) | January 1, 2026 (archery OTC); January 2026 (general draw hunt) – January 31, 2026 (archery); varies for permit hunts | 1 per license year | None | Arizona is one of the best states for javelina hunting. Archery javelina is OTC (no draw needed) statewide Jan 1-31. General javelina requires a permit obtained through the draw. Sonoran Desert units are top producers. |
| Black Bear | August 9, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | 1 per license year | Females with cubs not permitted | Bear hunting is OTC (no draw required). License and bear tag required. Baiting is prohibited. Pursuit with hounds requires a separate permit. |
| Mourning Dove | September 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025 | 15 per day (mourning + white-winged combined) | None | Arizona's white-winged dove hunting in the Sonoran Desert (opening weekend in September) is spectacular. HIP registration required. Band-tailed pigeon requires a separate permit. Season: Sept 1-Nov 30 with a special early Sept opener for whitewings. |
| Gambel's Quail / Scaled Quail | October 3, 2025 – February 8, 2026 | 15 per day | None | Arizona quail hunting is phenomenal in good rainfall years. The Sonoran Desert and grassland areas hold both Gambel's and scaled (blue) quail. No tag or draw required — just a general hunting license. |
| Bighorn Sheep | Varies by unit (draw only) – Varies by unit | 1 per lifetime (most units) | Full-curl or legal-curl per unit regulations | Bighorn sheep tags are among the most coveted in North America. Resident odds typically 1-5% per application cycle; nonresident odds even lower. Bonus points system strongly favors long-term applicants. Unit 22 (Kofa NWR) is a premier desert bighorn destination. |
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department (azgfd.com). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Hunting in Arizona
Arizona is a draw-tag state for all big game, making it one of the most strategically complex — and rewarding — hunting landscapes in the West. The state's diverse habitats span Sonoran Desert lowlands, sky island mountain ranges, and high-elevation conifer forests, each supporting distinct wildlife communities. World-class elk inhabit the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim country, while trophy mule deer roam the Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon. Coues white-tailed deer, nicknamed the 'gray ghost,' challenge bowhunters across southeastern Arizona's oak grasslands.
Unlike many western states, Arizona offers an OTC archery javelina season that is genuinely excellent, providing hunters with an accessible entry point into the state's system. The bonus point structure rewards persistent applicants, and dedicated hunters often achieve their target draw tags after accumulating points over several years. Arizona's bird hunting is exceptional year-round — Gambel's quail, Mearns quail, and dove hunting are world-class in productive years and require no draw permits for most species.
Best Times to Hunt in Arizona
🌱 Spring
Spring is the off-season for big game but excellent for turkey (limited draw permits in certain units) and shed antler hunting. Javelina fawning season makes spotting family groups rewarding.
☀️ Summer
Summer monsoons determine quail and dove abundance for the fall season. Bear hunting opens in August. Late summer archery elk season is a highlight for drawn tag holders.
🍂 Fall
September through November is peak season — elk archery and rifle hunts, mule deer and Coues deer seasons, dove opener, and quail season all overlap. The most active hunting period in the state.
❄️ Winter
Late-season deer hunts in December-January offer post-rut bucks in predictable feeding areas. Quail hunting peaks mid-winter. Javelina archery season opens January 1.
🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Arizona
- Apply for Arizona elk in Units 1, 3A, or 9 for the highest-quality bull hunts — these units consistently produce 380-class or better bulls and are worth the wait for points.
- Archery javelina in Unit 36A around the Tucson Basin offers OTC opportunity with high javelina densities and accessible terrain for new hunters.
- Hunt Gambel's quail in the desert foothills of the Tonto National Forest after October rains — water sources and palo verde washes concentrate coveys throughout the day.
- For Coues deer, glass south-facing oak slopes at dawn in Unit 33 and 36B in November — cold snaps push mature bucks into scrapes and rubs during the rut.
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
🗺️ Nearby States (Southwest)
Also available: Fishing Regulations in Arizona — season dates, bag limits, size limits, and license info.