Big game hunting for Mule Deer, wild turkey, Pronghorn, and Bighorn Sheep occurs each year in Arizona.  The hunts are administered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and cooperatively occur on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered public lands.

No gas or other services are available in the hunting areas, nor is drinking water provided. Animal densities are generally low. Weather conditions can change quickly and vary widely. Be prepared for a rugged hunt that should provide memories for a lifetime.

Where to Hunt?

Almost all public lands in Arizona are open to lawful hunting under state regulations. Three Game Management Units (GMUs) have been established on the Arizona Strip by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. They are: GMU 12B, which includes BLM and tribal lands on the Arizona Strip from Kanab Creek east to the Colorado River and south to the Kaibab National Forest; GMU 13A, which includes all lands on the Arizona Strip from the Hurricane Cliffs east to Kanab Creek and south to the Colorado River; and GMU 13B, which includes all lands from the Nevada border east to the Hurricane Cliffs and south to the Colorado River. Each of the GMUs is bordered on the north by the State of Utah. You are responsible for knowing where the boundaries are.

National Parks are closed to hunting. Wilderness areas are open to hunting, but motor vehicles, as well as mechanized equipment such as mountain bikes, generators and chain saws, are prohibited in wilderness area. All Cultural Resources on public lands, including arrowheads, pottery, and historic sites, are protected by federal laws and should neither be collected nor disturbed. Whether you hunt or not, please be careful not to camp or build fires on archaeological sites. Also, please remember to leave fence gates as you find them.

Safety and Conservation Tips

• Be prudent on muddy roads
• Identify your target
• Wear blaze orange clothing
• Show respect for the land
• Carry out all trash
• "Leave No Trace"

Hunting Seasons

Check on specific hunting season dates and permit requirements with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.  They publish an annual guide to hunting regulations in Arizona that lists all the season dates.

Back