How to Hunt in Arizona

Hunters are drawn to Arizona for its challenging terrain and diverse hunting opportunities. With the opportunity to hunt waterfowl, predatory animals and game both big and small, an excursion into the Arizona brushland or mountains can be an exhilarating experience for both visitors and residents of the state.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ammunition
• Hunter education training
• Arizona hunting license
• Hunting rifle(s)

Get an Arizona Hunting License

1. Complete an Arizona Hunter Education Course. While children under the age of 14 are permitted to hunt if accompanied by an adult, they too must complete an education course in order to hunt big game.

2. Buy a general hunting license, available through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It permits the holder to hunt and fish during regular hunting seasons. When you apply, you will be issued a temporary permit right away, and your permanent hunting license will be mailed to you.

3. Apply for a special hunting permit-tag using the Hunt Permit-Tag Application Form. You can get the application form at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Hunting permit-tags permit holders to hunt specified types of prey year-round, but keep in mind that you will have to make a separate application--and pay a separate fee--for each type of game you want a permit-tag to hunt.

4. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at [phone]. Select option 2 from the automated menu. Have your Arizona Game and Fish Department identification number ready and follow the automated prompts to see if you were drawn in the hunting permit-tag lottery.

Go Hunting in Arizona

5. Learn all the laws and regulations governing hunting practices and hunting seasons in Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's website is an excellent place to do your research (see Resources below).

6. Hunt only on land owned by federal or local government agencies. The United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona State Land Department are the 3 departments that own the majority of the hunting-eligible areas of Arizona. Maps of lands you can hunt on are provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department website.

Tips & Warnings

• Visitors to Arizona qualify for a nonresident license, which permits them to hunt small game and birds. However, geese, ducks and swans are not covered by the visitors' hunting permit, and you will face high fines if you are caught hunting them.
• Stiff penalties accompany violations of Arizona's hunting laws. You must have a valid hunting license at all times. Honor all laws governing hunting seasons on specific animals. Remember that, with few exceptions, it is illegal to take an animal at night or by artificial light.

Resources

• Arizona hunting regulations from the Arizona Game and Fish Department website
• Maps of lands you can hunt on from the Arizona Game and Fish Department website

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