Arizona Hunting Guide

Pronghorn

Although Pronghorn were once a struggling species in Arizona, they have made a significant comeback and are now one of the state’s most popular game species. Pronghorn are found all over the state, often in mixed-sex herds. However, in the spring, bucks travel alone or in small groups. In the falls, bucks will travel with harems of 15-20 does and protect them from other bucks. They breed in August and September, and give birth in May and June.

Black Bear

Black bears can be found in woodland habitats in Arizona, notably in pinyon-juniper, oak woodland, coniferous forests, and chaparral. Black bears are generally solitary animals outside of mating and watering congregation sites. There is a bag limit of one black bear per calendar year. There is an annual female harvest limit, which will close down the season for the year.

Bison

Bison are native to the southwestern portion of the United States. After suffering from severe overhunting, bison can now be found in healthy abundance in Arizona.

Elk

Arizona holds a healthy population of elk, distributed mostly in the north in fir-aspen and pine-juniper forests. Elk can be found in areas of higher elevation throughout most of the year, before being forced downward by colder temperatures. Arizona offers a system for patient hunters to wait for their names to be drawn, as well as a lottery system. Late season archery elk hunts, November/December rifle hunts, and pursuing cow elk instead of bulls will all help a non-resident hunter secure a tag more quickly.

Turkey

Arizona is home to three subspecies of turkeys: Merriam’s, Gould’s, and Rio Grandes. Merriam’s and Gould’s turkeys are native to the state, while Rio Grandes were introduced from Utah. Wild turkeys can be found in ponderosa pine forests and other vegetations in elevations from 3,500-10,000 feet. The best populations of Merriam’s turkey are in the ponderosa pine forests north of the Gila River, while the Gould’s are most often found in southeastern Arizona sky island habitats.

Deer

Arizona state is home to whitetail deer and mule deer. Deer hunters must obtain a tag through the Arizona draw system, which can take time especially for non-residents. Summer velvet bucks season happens in August/September, and the rut and pre-rut for mule and Coues deer is in December and January. A hunter may kill one antlered deer per calendar year in Arizona.

Dove

The mourning dove is the most abundant game bird found in Arizona. Hunters can also find white-winged doves scattered across the state. The Eurasian Collared dove is also present, as a newcomer and problematic invasive species.

Pheasant

There is only one game management area in Arizona where you may hunt pheasant with a shotgun. This is unit 40B, near Yuma. Permits are issued through the draw for pheasant hunting. There is also an archery or falconry pheasant season, which is open statewide and runs concurrently with the quail season.

Grouse

In Arizona, Grouse can be found in mixed Conifer forests above 8,500 feet of elevation. Because of this requirement, grouse can only be found in the White, Blue, Escudilla, Chuska, and Buckskin (North Kaibab) mountains, and on the San Francisco Peaks.

Sandhill Crane

Three populations of sandhill cranes winter in Arizona. During this time, they can be found in the Sulphur Springs and Gila River valleys of southeastern Arizona. It is not permitted to hunt cranes that are wintering on the lower Gila and Colorado Rivers. Hunters most obtain permits for sandhill crane hunting through a lottery.

Quail

There are three popular game species of quail in Arizona: Gambel's, scaled, and Mearns'. The Gambel’s quail is the most popular and most often hunted. They can be found all across Arizona, and are often hunted in open desert areas.