Valid Arizona License Needed For All Hunts

You must have a valid hunting license for all hunts, and permit tags for some. You must read the regulations. You can pick up a hard copy at many outdoor stores and all Game and Fish offices. You can also read and/or download all the regulation booklets at http://www.azgfd.gov.

Application Deadlines This Month

Elk and antelope online application deadlines:

• Antelope permit tag fees: resident $103, non-resident $565 Deadline for paper applications was January 15. Apply online until February 12.

• Elk permit tag fees: resident, $148, non-resident, $665 Deadline for paper applications was January 15. Apply online until February 12.

• First come for leftover tags: applications accepted by mail on or after 8 a.m. March 18; left over permit tags available for purchase at offices after 8 a.m. on March 25 until gone.

• First come are issued if available and go fast.

Javelina season: There are many different kinds of hunts and tags for javelina. Read the regulations carefully to see if you are able to hunt for javelina in February if you didn't apply for and receive a permit tag. There are some non-permit* tag hunts this month, like the HAM hunt, which is handguns, muzzle loading rifles, muzzle loading handguns, crossbow or bow and arrow. Archery only is bow and arrow or crossbow only (read the regulations!).

Mountain lion: Buy a non-permit tag from a dealer. Season runs through May 31, 2019. There is an annual harvest limit for each zone. Once that limit is reached in a zone, that zone will close to mountain lion hunting. If you harvest a mountain lion, you must contact Game and Fish and report the information in person or by telephone within 48 hours. Read the hunting regulations for details.

Other birds and mammals:No permit required for the following hunts in most cases. Check regulations to be sure.In most cases, open areas do not include National Wildlife Refuges. Be sure to check the regulations.

• House sparrows and European starlings, season is open all year (Jul 1, 2018-June 30, 2019)

• Coati: season ends March 31, 2019. (Sept 1, 2018-March 31, 2019)

• Gunnison's Prairie dog: Season ends March 31.

• Predatory and Fur-bearing mammals – there are many different seasons for different areas and animals. Please read the regulations carefully.

• Predators: coyote, skunk.. Open year-round (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019)except for National Wildlife Refuges. Check regulations for additional information on open areas and dates.

• Predators: Coyote and foxes. Ends February 10 in Kofa and Imperial Refuges.

• Predators: Raccoon, bobcat, foxes, ringtail, weasel, and badger. Ends March 31 (Aug 1, 2018-Mar 31, 2019)

• Mammals except game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, predatory mammals, bats, coati, black-footed ferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine, and wolves: all year (July 1, 2018-June 20, 2019.

• Jackrabbits in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: ends March 31 (September 1, 2018-March 31, 2019.

• Rabbits: season is open all year for most areas except wildlife refuges. Check regulations for dates. You need a valid license. Read regulations for details on areas, limits, weapons, etc.

• There are also separate seasons for shotgun for these animals – read the regulations.

Hunters 18 and older who want to hunt ducks, geese, coots, snipe, common moorhens, doves, and/or band-tailed pigeons must buy a 2018-2019 Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (it is included with a Youth Combo Hunt/Fish license). You can buy them at any license dealer, Game and Fish office, or online at http://www.azgfd.gov.

• Youth-only Waterfowl (desert zone) Feb 2-Feb 3 Check Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations booklets for areas and notes.

• Eurasian Collared-Dove Sept 1, 2018-Aug 31, 2019. Unlimited daily bag and possession limit. You will need a migratory bird stamp and a license.

• Quail: Gambels, Scaled, and California quail, season ends February 10. (Oct 19, 2018-Feb 10, 2019) Open areas statewide except for National Wildlife Refuges: Bill Williams River, Cibola, Havasu, Imperial, Kofa, and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuges are open for Gambels, Scaled, and California quail Oct 19, 2018-Feb 10, 2019)

• Mearns Quail: Ends February 10 (Dec 7, 2018-Feb 10, 2019) except National Wildlife Refuges.

• Chukar season: Ends February 10. (Sept 1, 2018-Feb 10, 2019) Open areas statewide except for National Wildlife Refuges.

*A non-permit tag is one that you simply purchase without having to be drawn.