Hunting Seasons & Licensing · AZ
Arizona Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonArizona offers some of the most diverse hunting in the West, from Coues white-tailed deer and desert mule deer to elk, pronghorn, javelina, bighorn sheep, and mountain lion. The state manages over 19 million acres of public land. Arizona's draw system is one of the most competitive in the country — some elk and bighorn sheep units take 20+ years of bonus points to draw. The state uses a bonus point system (weighted random) rather than a strict preference point queue.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | General Rifle | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Elk | Archery-Only | Sep (varies by unit) | 1 elk per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Mule Deer | General | Oct through Dec (varies by unit) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Coues White-tailed Deer | General | Oct through Dec (varies by unit) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Pronghorn | General | Aug through Oct (varies by unit) | 1 pronghorn per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Javelina | General | Jan through Feb (HAM season) | 1 javelina per tag | Rifle, handgun, bow, muzzleloader |
| Black Bear | General | Aug through Dec (varies by unit) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Lion | General | Year-round | 1 lion per year | Rifle, bow, handgun |
| Bighorn Sheep | General | Nov through Feb (varies by unit) | 1 sheep (once in lifetime) | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
Elk (General Rifle): All elk tags by draw. Bonus point system. Some units take 15+ years.
Elk (Archery-Only): Slightly easier to draw than rifle tags
Mule Deer (General): Draw required. Kaibab and Strip units are premium.
Coues White-tailed Deer (General): Southern Arizona units. Highly sought for trophy quality.
Pronghorn (General): All tags by draw
Javelina (General): Draw or OTC depending on unit
Black Bear (General): OTC tags available in some units. No spring bear season.
Mountain Lion (General): OTC tag. Hound hunting permitted.
Bighorn Sheep (General): Extremely limited — one of the hardest tags in North America to draw
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam's Turkey | Spring | Apr through May (varies by unit) | 1 bearded turkey per tag | Shotgun, bow |
| Merriam's Turkey | Fall | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Merriam's Turkey (Spring): Draw required in most units
Merriam's Turkey (Fall): Draw required
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambel's Quail | General | Oct 17 – Feb 8, 2026 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
| Mearns' Quail | General | Dec 5 – Feb 8, 2026 | 8 daily | Shotgun |
Mearns' Quail (General): Southern Arizona only
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Pacific Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Jul 1 – Jun 30 (year-round) | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Jackrabbit | General | Year-round | No limit | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident General Hunting License | $37 | — |
| Non-Resident General Hunting License | $160 | — |
| Resident Youth Combo (10–17) | $5 | — |
| Non-Resident Youth License | $10 | — |
| Draw Tag Application Fee | $13 per application (resident) / $15 (non-resident) | — |
| Non-Resident Elk Tag | $665 (bull) / $415 (cow) | If drawn |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | $300 | If drawn |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Arizona uses a bonus point system for big game draws. Unlike preference points (which guarantee the highest-point applicant draws first), bonus points give additional random entries — so an applicant with 0 points can theoretically draw over someone with 20 points, though the odds increase with more points. Applications are due in mid-June for the fall draw. A second draw (called the October draw) covers some remaining tags. Leftover tags go on first-come, first-served sale. Some javelina and bear tags are available over the counter.
Harvest Reporting
Arizona requires harvest reporting for all big game species within 10 days. Reporting is done through the AZGFD portal or by phone. Mandatory CWD sampling is required in designated surveillance areas. Failure to report can result in loss of bonus points and future license eligibility.
Arizona Wildlife Resources
- Arizona Game and Fish Department — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-352-0700
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.