A.R.S. Title 17, the Commission rules and the 2026-27 regulations
Arizona Hunting Laws
What Arizona law says about legal and protected wildlife, weapons for each season, vehicles, roads and occupied buildings, dogs, bait, trail cameras and drones, private land posting, State Trust Land and tribal land, waste and tagging, clothing color and Sundays, and the penalties, civil values and license revocation that back it up. 15 method rules and 11 penalty rows in all.
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0)
What counts as game, the Arizona way
A.R.S. 17-101 sorts Arizona wildlife into big game, small game, migratory game birds and predatory and fur-bearing animals; Commission Order 14 adds a season for a short list of other birds and mammals such as coati, crow and jackrabbits.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game (A.R.S. 17-101) | wild turkey, deer (mule deer and white-tailed deer), elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep (desert and Rocky Mountain), bison, javelina (peccary), black bear, mountain lion | All have 2026-27 seasons. Big game needs a hunt permit-tag or a nonpermit-tag (over the counter) plus a license. |
| Small game (A.R.S. 17-101): game mammals and upland game birds | tree squirrels (tassel-eared squirrels named for Units 31 and 33), cottontail rabbit, quail (Gambel's, scaled, California, Mearns'), chukar partridge, dusky (blue) grouse, pheasant | |
| Migratory game birds (A.R.S. 17-101) | ducks and mergansers, geese, coots, gallinules, common snipe, mourning dove, white-winged dove, band-tailed pigeon, sandhill crane | Swans are migratory game birds in A.R.S. 17-101 but no swan season is set. |
| Predatory animals and fur-bearing animals (A.R.S. 17-101) | coyote, foxes, skunks, bobcat, raccoon, ringtail, weasels, badger, beaver, muskrat | River otter is a fur-bearing animal in A.R.S. 17-101 but is excluded from all seasons. |
| Other birds and mammals (Commission Order 14) | coati, crow, house (English) sparrow, European starling, Northern bobwhite, Gunnison's prairie dog, jackrabbits (black-tailed and antelope), Eurasian collared-dove, other nongame mammals (with exceptions) |
Sources: A.R.S. 17-101; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 58. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Arizona protected wildlife
The Mexican gray wolf is the protected animal an Arizona hunter is most likely to meet: the wolf area spans the White Mountains and the Blue Range, and killing one carries federal and state penalties.
Mexican gray wolf
Federally protected under the Endangered Species Act; killing one can bring up to $50,000 and/or one year in jail and a civil penalty up to $25,000, plus a minimum $8,000 state civil assessment and up to five years of lost hunting privileges. A wolf may be harassed, injured or killed in defense of human life, reported within 24 hours.
Mount Graham red squirrel
Excluded from the general tree squirrel season ("any tree squirrel except the Mount Graham red squirrel").
Masked bobwhite
Endangered, federally protected; quail hunters in Units 36A, 36B and 36C are advised masked bobwhites may be present.
Bats, black-footed ferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine and wolves
Excluded from the year-round season on other mammals (Commission Order 14); no season.
Bear cubs, sows with cubs; spotted lion kittens and females with spotted kittens
Not legal wildlife in any bear or mountain lion season.
Bald and golden eagles
Protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act; waterfowl hunters are asked to avoid disturbing bald eagle breeding areas. Operation Game Thief pays at least $500 for eagle cases.
Nongame birds
Nongame birds are all birds except upland and migratory game birds (A.R.S. 17-101); only the birds named in Commission Order 14 (sparrow, starling, bobwhite, crow) have seasons.
Sources: 2026-27 waterfowl leaflet, p. 4; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 46; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 53; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 58; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 61; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 77; A.R.S. 17-101. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Legal weapons by season under AZGFD rules
Each hunt number names its weapon class: general, archery-only, muzzleloader, HAM (handgun, archery, muzzleloader) or limited weapon with shotgun shot. Night vision, thermal optics and visible lasers are illegal while taking wildlife in every one of them.
| Season | Legal | Not legal |
|---|---|---|
| General big game seasons | Centerfire rifles and handguns, muzzleloading rifles and handguns, black-powder rifles, shotguns with slugs, pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 cal.+ (.40 cal.+ and 500 ft-lb for elk and bison), bows 30 lb+ (40 lb+ bison) and crossbows 125 lb+ with 7/8-inch broadheads; .22 and 5 mm rimfire magnum and atlatls also for javelina; shot also for lion and turkey. | Fully automatic firearms, tracer or armor-piercing ammunition, smart devices and self-guided projectiles; full-jacketed non-expanding bullets for big game; poisoned or explosive projectiles; night vision, thermal or visible-laser devices. |
| Archery-only | Bows and arrows, falconry and atlatls where lawful for the species; crossbows only with a crossbow permit (R12-4-216). | Any other weapon, including crossbows or bows held drawn by a device without a permit. |
| Muzzleloader | Muzzleloading rifles or handguns, bows and arrows, crossbows. | Other firearms. |
| HAM (handgun, archery, muzzleloader) | Muzzleloading rifles, handguns without a stock or foregrip, muzzleloading handguns, bows, crossbows, pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 cal.+ or with broadheads, atlatls. | Centerfire rifles and shotguns. |
| Limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot (turkey, small game, predators) | Shotguns shooting shot, crossbow, bow and arrow; for small game also pneumatic weapons, slingshots and falconry. | Centerfire rifles, muzzleloading rifles and handguns (turkey). |
| Migratory game birds | 10-gauge or smaller shotgun holding no more than three shells, falconry, bow and arrow, crossbow; pneumatic weapons only for Eurasian collared-doves; nontoxic shot statewide for ducks, geese and coots. | Lead shot for waterfowl; electronic calls; bait. |
| Trapping | Traps under R12-4-307 (padded, offset or enclosed foothold traps on private land; confinement traps anywhere), checked daily. | Leghold, instant-kill body-gripping traps, snares and poison on any public land (A.R.S. 17-301(D)); traps with teeth; oversize jaws. |
Sources: 2026-27 waterfowl leaflet, p. 1; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 36; 2026-27 trapping leaflet, p. 1; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 176; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 195. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Arizona method rules
These rules apply on every hunt. The quarter-mile rule around occupied buildings, the ban on shooting from a vehicle or across a road, and the bar on camping beside the only water in an area come up most often in the field.
- Shooting hoursDaylight hours unless the Commission prescribes otherwise; no jacklights or artificial light except as the Commission allows (A.R.S. 17-301(A)). Migratory birds: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Vehicles and roadsNo taking wildlife or discharging a firearm or other device from a motor vehicle, aircraft, powerboat or sailboat except as the Commission permits; no shooting upon, from, across or into a road or railway.
- Occupied buildingsNo discharging a firearm (or arrow, bolt, hybrid device or .35 cal.+ pneumatic weapon) while taking wildlife within 1/4 mile (440 yards) of an occupied farmhouse, residence, cabin, lodge or building without permission.
- DogsBig game may not be taken with dogs except bear (August 1-December 31) and mountain lion; the hunter must be present for the whole hunt; pursuit-only seasons for lion and raccoon.
- Baiting and attractantsNo edible or ingestible substances to take big game (water, salt and livestock supplements excepted); nothing placed to attract bears; no lures containing cervid urine.
- Trail cameras, satellites, audio devices, drones and aircraftNo trail camera images or data, satellite images or audio location devices to take or locate wildlife; no aircraft to take, pursue or locate wildlife for take.
- Private land and postingLandowners may close land to hunting with signs (8-by-11-inch, 1-inch letters) at access points, corners and every 1/4 mile, or orange-painted posts between signs; entry to take wildlife is criminal trespass only where signs say "no trespassing" or after a request to leave.
- State trust landLicensed hunters lawfully taking wildlife are permittees for trespass purposes on state trust land, so "State Land – No Trespassing" signs do not bar them. No one may lock gates, fence or block existing roads that give legal access to state land; state land within 1/4 mile of an occupied building or of livestock corrals, feed lots or holding pens may be posted closed, and other closures need a Commission permit. The rule does not allow crossing private land to reach state land.
- Tribal landsTribal governments set hunting and fishing rules for their reservations; hunting there, if allowed, is controlled by the tribe. A state license, permit or tag is not required to hunt or fish on a reservation, and wildlife lawfully taken there may be transported anywhere in Arizona if identifiable as to species and legality (R12-4-117).
- Camping at waterUnlawful to camp within 1/4 mile of a natural water hole or man-made watering facility containing water where wildlife or stock would be denied the only reasonably available water.
- Waste of gameUnlawful to let edible portions of game go to waste; revocation applies for wasting breast meat of game birds and turkey, and the quarters and loins of big game.
- Tagging and transportTag big game immediately (paper tag or E-Tag); a carcass of big game may not be possessed or transported without a valid tag attached; wildlife in possession must be identifiable as to species and legality.
- Other weaponsPossessing weapons not authorized for the season is allowed if they are not used to take wildlife; taking wildlife with them is a class 1 misdemeanor.
- Hunting accidentsRender assistance; report a fatality to the nearest law enforcement officer immediately; file a report with AZGFD within 10 days for any hunting accident.
- Predator contestsOrganizing or taking part in contests with prizes for killing predatory or fur-bearing animals is unlawful.
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 20; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 23; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 78; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 176; A.R.S. 17-301; A.R.S. 17-304; A.R.S. 17-305; A.R.S. 17-308; A.R.S. 17-309. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Bait, scent, Sundays and clothing color in Arizona
Arizona sets no clothing color rule and no day-of-week limit. Bait is where the rules bite: nothing edible to take big game, nothing at all to draw in bears, and no deer or elk urine lures, a rule aimed at keeping chronic wasting disease out of the state.
Clothing color
No hunter orange or blaze requirement appears in the 2026-27 regulations, the Commission rules (R12-4) or A.R.S. Title 17.
Sundays and holidays
No Sunday restriction: seasons run every day; neither the regulations, the Commission rules nor A.R.S. Title 17 limit hunting by day of week.
Bait for big game
Unlawful to use edible or ingestible substances to aid in taking big game (placing them or knowingly hunting over them); water, salt and livestock salt or supplements placed in normal livestock operations are allowed (R12-4-303(A)(7)-(8)).
Bears
Unlawful to place any substance in a manner intended to attract bears (R12-4-303(A)(4)(d)).
Cervid urine
Unlawful to use any lure, attractant or cover scent containing cervid urine (R12-4-303(A)(3)(c)).
Doves and waterfowl
Federal baiting rule: no hunting over a baited area (baited for 10 days after removal); doves may be taken over normal agricultural operations; waterfowl, coots and cranes may not.
Refuges and Parashant
Baiting prohibited on national wildlife refuges; feeding or baiting prohibited on NPS lands in Parashant.
Trap bait
No live animals, edible parts of small or big game or game fish, or any part of a game or nongame bird as bait in confinement traps; no foothold trap within 30 feet of sight-exposed bait (R12-4-307).
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 23; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 78; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 176. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Arizona penalties and civil values
Most violations are class 2 misdemeanors. On top of the criminal case, the Commission can recover the value of the animal: the statute sets minimums, and the Commission civil values run from $62.50 for small game to $21,679.62 for a bison.
| Offense or rule | Penalty | Law |
|---|---|---|
| General violation | Violating Title 17 or a Commission rule or order is a class 2 misdemeanor unless another penalty applies (A.R.S. 17-309(B)): up to 4 months and $750. | A.R.S. 17-309; 13-707; 13-802 |
| Big game in closed season | Knowingly taking, possessing, transporting or buying big game taken in a closed season is a class 1 misdemeanor: up to 6 months and $2,500. | A.R.S. 17-309(C); 13-707; 13-802 |
| Selling unlawfully taken wildlife | Knowingly selling or bartering unlawfully taken big game or wildlife taken in closed season, assisting unlawful take of big game for gain, or taking wildlife while permanently revoked is a class 6 felony (fines up to $150,000). | A.R.S. 17-309(D); 13-801 |
| Unauthorized weapon | Taking wildlife with a weapon, device, ammunition or magazine not authorized for that wildlife is a class 1 misdemeanor. | A.R.S. 17-305 |
| License fraud | Obtaining a license, permit, tag or stamp by fraud is a class 2 misdemeanor and the license is void. | A.R.S. 17-341 |
| Civil penalties (statutory minimums) | Commission may recover at least: turkey or javelina $500; bear, lion, pronghorn or deer $1,500; elk or eagle $2,500; predatory, fur-bearing or nongame animal $250; small game or aquatic wildlife $50; bighorn sheep, bison or endangered species $8,000. Doubled for a second and tripled for a third violation. | A.R.S. 17-314 |
| Commission minimum civil values | Bison $21,679.62; elk $9,983.94; bighorn sheep $8,000; bear $5,559.09; mountain lion $4,505.41; mule deer $3,973.13; whitetail $3,366.62; pronghorn $3,237.95; javelina $2,481.91; turkey $1,946.88; predator/furbearer $307.21; small game/aquatic $62.50; threatened and endangered calculated per animal. | |
| License revocation | Commission may revoke or suspend hunting privileges up to 5 years for unlawful take or possession, careless use of firearms causing injury, damage to livestock or property, littering, letting someone use your big game tag, trespass or closed-area violations, license fraud, waste, aircraft use or guiding without a license; up to 10 years for a second and longer or permanently for a third offense. | A.R.S. 17-340 |
| Guiding | Guiding requires a guide license ($300; 18+); violations can cost the license for 5 years, 10 years or permanently. | A.R.S. 17-362 |
| Mexican wolf | Unlawful killing is a violation of A.R.S. 17-309(A)(10) with a minimum $8,000 civil assessment and up to five years lost privileges, plus federal penalties. | |
| Operation Game Thief rewards | Minimum $500 for pronghorn, eagles, bear, bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk, javelina, lion, turkey or listed species; $50-$150 for other wildlife; up to $20,000 in some cases. Hotline 1-800-352-0700. |
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 77; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 79; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 81; A.R.S. 17-305; A.R.S. 17-309; A.R.S. 17-314; A.R.S. 17-340; A.R.S. 17-341; A.R.S. 17-362. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Arizona access rules by landowner
Land ownership in Arizona is a patchwork of tribal, federal, state and private ground. A state license opens federal and State Trust Land under their own rules, never a reservation, and private land only where the owner has not posted it closed.
Tribal lands
Tribal governments set hunting and fishing rules for their reservations; hunting there, if allowed, is controlled by the tribe. A state license, permit or tag is not required to hunt or fish on a reservation, and wildlife lawfully taken there may be transported anywhere in Arizona if identifiable as to species and legality (R12-4-117).
Federal trespass law
Tribal land: closed to hunting under an Arizona license. Hunting on tribal land is governed by the tribe (tribal permits and rules); 18 U.S.C. 1165 makes it a federal offense to go on Indian trust or reservation land to hunt, trap or fish "without lawful authority or permission".
Hopi Three Canyon Ranches
Hopi Trust lands on the Hopi Three Canyon Ranches (Aja Ranch in Unit 4A, Clear Creek Ranch in Unit 5A, Hart Ranch in Unit 5B) are open to holders of the listed "Hopi Hunt" permits and other hunts by written permission under an AZGFD-Hopi Tribe agreement (Commission Order notes 30-32).
State Trust Land
Licensed hunters lawfully taking wildlife are permittees for trespass purposes on state trust land, so "State Land – No Trespassing" signs do not bar them. No one may lock gates, fence or block existing roads that give legal access to state land; state land within 1/4 mile of an occupied building or of livestock corrals, feed lots or holding pens may be posted closed, and other closures need a Commission permit. The rule does not allow crossing private land to reach state land.
Posted private land
Landowners may close land to hunting with signs (8-by-11-inch, 1-inch letters) at access points, corners and every 1/4 mile, or orange-painted posts between signs; entry to take wildlife is criminal trespass only where signs say "no trespassing" or after a request to leave.
Killing contests
Contests to kill predatory or fur-bearing animals for prizes are unlawful (R12-4-303(A)(4)(i)).
Off-highway vehicles
OHV decal required; no cross-country travel; no shooting from an OHV.
Operation Game Thief
1-800-352-0700, 24 hours; rewards up to $20,000; minimum $500 for big game, eagles or listed species, $50-$150 for others.
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 20; 18 U.S.C. 1165; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 81. Checked: booklet pages reread November 7, 2026.
Arizona hunting law questions
Can I hunt deer with dogs in Arizona?
Big game may not be taken with dogs except bear (August 1-December 31) and mountain lion; the hunter must be present for the whole hunt; pursuit-only seasons for lion and raccoon.
How close to a house can I shoot while hunting in Arizona?
No discharging a firearm (or arrow, bolt, hybrid device or .35 cal.+ pneumatic weapon) while taking wildlife within 1/4 mile (440 yards) of an occupied farmhouse, residence, cabin, lodge or building without permission.
What is the fine for poaching an elk in Arizona?
Knowingly taking big game in a closed season is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $2,500). The statutory civil minimum for an elk is $2,500 and the Commission civil value is $9,983.94, and privileges can be revoked for up to 5 years.
Are trail cameras legal for hunting in Arizona?
No trail camera images or data, satellite images or audio location devices to take or locate wildlife; no aircraft to take, pursue or locate wildlife for take.
Are coyote calling contests legal in Arizona?
Contests to kill predatory or fur-bearing animals for prizes are unlawful (R12-4-303(A)(4)(i)).
Is it legal to camp next to a water tank while hunting?
Unlawful to camp within 1/4 mile of a natural water hole or man-made watering facility containing water where wildlife or stock would be denied the only reasonably available water.
Does Arizona require hunter orange?
No hunter orange or blaze requirement appears in the 2026-27 regulations, the Commission rules (R12-4) or A.R.S. Title 17.
What happens if I shoot a Mexican wolf?
Unlawful killing is a violation of A.R.S. 17-309(A)(10) with a minimum $8,000 civil assessment and up to five years lost privileges, plus federal penalties.
Can I shoot from my truck in Arizona?
No taking wildlife or discharging a firearm or other device from a motor vehicle, aircraft, powerboat or sailboat except as the Commission permits; no shooting upon, from, across or into a road or railway.
Straight from AZGFD
Unit boundaries trace highways, rivers and ridgelines; the booklet maps and the written boundary descriptions are worth carrying when a hunt sits near a line.
Other photos on this page: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Department of Agriculture (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).