JUNIOR / YOUTH HUNTERS: The Arizona Game and Fish Department supports and promotes introducing children to the American tradition of hunting. It is important that the next generation learns how hunting plays a significant role in the conservation and management of wildlife. The Department offers a wide variety of juniors-only hunting and shooting programs. These programs are designed to get children in the field with a parent, guardian, or mentor who can focus completely on the child, and provide the guidance needed to teach the next generation of hunters and stewards how to be responsible and ethical conservationists.

• Youth & Juniors-Only Hunting (link coming soon)

SMALL GAME HUNTING: Arizona is also recognized for its abundant small game species. Upland hunters can pursue three species of quail (Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns’), mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared-dove, band-tailed pigeon, blue grouse, five types of squirrel, cottontail rabbits, as well as ducks and geese. Open country provides endless field time for hunting predators and fur bearing mammals as well. A general hunting license is typically all that is required, with exception to any appropriate stamps for migratory and waterfowl species.

• Statewide Small Game Outlook
  
  
• Small Game Species & Seasons
  
  
• MP3 radio PSA for small game season

BIG GAME HUNTING: Arizona is well known throughout the country and abroad for it's quality big game hunting opportunities. There are 10 big game animal species in this great state, all of them accessible through public land pursuit. Game species include antelope, black bear, buffalo, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelina, turkey (Merriam's and Gould's), mountain lion, mule deer, and white-tailed (Coues') deer. The country where these species can be found also runs the spectrum, from the dry rugged Kofa Mountains to the world renowned Kaibab Strip and all the country in between. Arizona offers every variety of hunting condition.

• Big Game Species & Seasons
  
  
• Draw Results & Bonus Points

NONPERMIT TAGS: There are many opportunities to go hunting that do not require hunters to submit an application for a hunt permit-tag via the Draw.

Referred to as over-the-counter tags, these permits are available for purchase from department offices and in many cases from license dealers.

Species and hunts available are: archery-only deer (some unit restrictions); limited opportunity elk; mountain lion; bear; archery-only javelina and juniors-only turkey (shotgun only).

• Over-the-counter nonpermit-tag information web page
  
  
• 2008 Changes to archery-only over-the-counter nonpermit tags [PDF, 119kb]

TAG TRANSFER PROGRAM: Under Arizona Revised Statutes and Arizona Game and Fish Commission Rules there are ways people can transfer big game tags to children. A parent, grandparent or legal guardian may transfer their big game tag to a minor child or minor grandchild to take big game pursuant to the following requirements:

1. The minor child is 10 to 17 years old on the date of transfer;
2. The minor child has a valid hunting or combination license on the date of transfer
3. A minor child less than 14 years old has satisfactorily completed a department-approved hunter education course by date of transfer;
4. The parent or guardian must accompany the child in the field or, if a grandparent allows a minor grandchild to use the grandparent’s permit or tag, the grandparent, parent or the child’s guardian must accompany the child in the field. In either case, the adult must be within 50 yards of the child when the animal is taken.

Once a tag is transferred, the original permittee may no longer use it.

Additionally, any person may transfer his or her big game tag for use by a child with a life threatening medical condition. Consult A.R.S. 17-332 for more information.