Arizona Regulations
Hunting and fishing regulations, seasons, species information, and public access resources for the state of Arizona.
Overview
Arizona offers rugged desert landscapes, high-country forests, canyons, and world-class big-game hunting — including some of the most coveted tags in the West.
Below are quick links to seasons, species, licensing, and access information.
Season Information
- Elk (archery, muzzleloader, rifle — limited entry)
- Mule Deer & Coues Whitetail Deer (draw-based)
- Pronghorn (limited entry)
- Bighorn Sheep (desert & Rocky Mountain — lottery)
- Black Bear & Mountain Lion
- Turkey seasons (spring & fall)
- Small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel)
- Waterfowl (Pacific Flyway)
- Fishing seasons (bass, trout, catfish, crappie)
Licensing
Arizona requires appropriate licenses for hunting and fishing activities.
- Hunting license (resident & non-resident)
- Fishing license (annual, combo, short-term)
- Big-game draw applications (elk, deer, pronghorn, sheep)
- Over-the-counter archery deer (select units)
- Turkey & small-game permits
- Harvest reporting (mandatory for select species)
Key Species
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Coues Whitetail Deer
- Pronghorn
- Bighorn Sheep (Desert & Rocky Mountain)
- Black Bear & Mountain Lion
- Trout (rainbow, brown, Apache)
- Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, striped)
- Catfish, Crappie, Sunfish
Public Land & Access
Arizona offers massive public access through national forests, BLM lands, state trust lands, and walk-in access programs.
- National Forests (Coconino, Kaibab, Tonto, Apache-Sitgreaves, Prescott)
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands
- State Trust Lands (permit required)
- Arizona Game & Fish Access Program
- Major lakes & rivers (Colorado River, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Pleasant)
- High-desert and mountain access areas