Arizona December 2020 Hunting Calendar

December 2020 Hunting Calendar

Compiled By Margie Anderson

Applications for Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear, and Raptor Capture were accepted until October 13, 2020. Permits will be mailed out by December 4, 2020.

2020-21 Fees:

General Hunting, resident: $37 Non-resident: not available see combination

Combination Hunt and fish, resident: $57 Non-resident: $160

Youth combination hunt and fish (ages 10-17), resident: $5 Non-resident: $5

Short-term combination license, resident: $15/day, Non-resident: $20/day

There are also fees for permit-tags and nonpermit-tags. See the 2020-2021 Hunting Regulations at http://www.azgfd.com for details.

Report Vandalism: 1-800-VANDALS

Report poachers: Operation Game Thief 800-352-0700 rewards for information that results in an arrest.

Be sure to check the hunting regulations carefully before you hunt. Many of the following hunts have notes and legal requirements listed. You must check the regulations. Pick up a paper copy at outdoor stores, Game and Fish offices, or go online at http://www.azgfd.com and click on regulations to download the booklet. "Open areas" have restrictions beyond what is listed here.

ALL HUNTS require a valid hunting license or combination license.

Hunters under 10 need a license or they must be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid license. Falconry-only hunts require a Sport Falconry License. See regulations for daily limits and bag limits. This calendar is for convenience only. You must read and follow the hunting regulations found in the booklets and pamphlets available at http://www.azgfd.com and at retailers where licenses are sold.

Mountain Lion: Aug 21,2020 – May 31, 2021 This hunt is held by zone, with zones having annual harvest limits. Seasons vary by zone. When the limit is reached, the hunt is over in that zone. You must call to report kills or check hunts before going hunting. There are also archery and pursuit-only tags available. See regulations for details on weapons, fees, zones, etc.

SMALL GAME:

Any tree squirrel except Mt. Graham red squirrel: Oct 2- Dec 31, 2020 Open areas statewide.

Tassel-eared tree squirrel Unit 31: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021(year-round).

Tassel-eared tree squirrel Unit 33: Sept 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021.

Limited weapon tree squirrel, 11M: Oct 2 – Dec 31, 2020 see regulations

Cottontail rabbit: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 (year-round) Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges, and 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any cottontail.

Cottontail rabbit in Bill Williams River, Buenos Aires, Cibola, Havasu, Imperial and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuges: Sep 1, 2020 – Feb 7, 2021 any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit in Kofa Wildlife Refuge: Oct 16, 2020 – Feb 7, 2020 any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot):year-round. Open areas except National Wildlife Refuges) any cottontail rabbit.

Falconry-only cottontail rabbit: year-round. Open areas except National Wildlife Refuges any cottontail rabbit.

PREDATORY AND FUR-BEARING MAMMALS

Coyote and skunk: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Coyote and skunk Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge: year-round

Coyote and skunk Kofa and Imperial Wildlife Refuges: Oct 16 2020 – Feb 7, 2021.

Raccoon, bobcat, foxes, ringtail, weasel, and badger: Aug 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.

Coyote in 4A, 4B north of I-40, 5A,5A, 5B, 8, 10, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 20A, 31, 32, 42, and 44A: Dec 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021.

Coyote and skunk limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot): year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Raccoon, bobcat, foxes, ringtail, weasel, and badgerlimited weapon (shotgun shooting shot): Aug 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

OTHER BIRDS AND MAMMALS

House sparrow and European starling: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M.

Crow 1, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11M, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19B (excluding National Wildlife Refuges): Sept 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020

Coati: Sep 1, 2020 - Mar 31, 2021Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M.

Gunnison's prairie dog: July 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021 Open areas north of the Gila River excluding National Wildlife Refuges, and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M)

All mammals EXCEPT game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, predatory mammals, bats, coati, black-footedferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine and wolves: year-round. Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M)

Jackrabbit Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Sept 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) English house sparrows and European starling: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) Gunnison's prairie dog Unit 11M: year-round.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) All mammals EXCEPT game mammals, furbearing mammals, predatory mammals, bats, coati, black-footedferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine and wolves: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Falconry-only seasons: see regulations.

PHEASANT HUNTING see azgfd.gov for info on where to hunt pheasants in AZ and limits.

Archery-only pheasant Oct 16, 2020 – Feb 7, 2021 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges. Any pheasant.

Falconry-only pheasant: Sept 14, 2020 – Feb 7, 2021Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges. Any pheasant.

QUAIL HUNTING see regulations for limits and notes

Gambels, Scaled, and California quail: Oct 16,2020 – Feb 7, 2021. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Gambels, Scaled, and California quail:Oct 16, 2020 – Feb 7, 2021. Bill Williams River, Cibola, Havasu, Imperial, Kofa and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuges.

Mearns' quail: Dec 4, 2020 – Feb 7, 2021 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Falconry-only quail: Sept 1, 2020 – March 4, 2021Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M) Any quail

Falconry-only quail 25M, 26M, and 38M: Jul 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021 Any quail.

DOVE HUNTING Dove hunters are required to have an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp in addition to their hunting license.

Doves, mourning and white-winged:

Statewide late dove season: November 20, 2020 – January 3, 2021. Mourning doves only. Daily bag limit 15. Possession limit 45.

Eurasian collared doves may be hunted year round with no daily bag or possession limits.

CHUKAR HUNTING see regulations for limits and where to find chukar. Sept 1, 2020 – Feb 7, 2020. Any chukar. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

WATERFOWL AND SNIPE HUNTERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ARIZONA MIGRATORY BIRD STAMP AND A FEDERAL DUCK STAMP IN ADDITION TO THEIR HUNTING LICENSE. You can get an Arizona stamp where you buy your license. The Federal Duck Stamp is available at outdoor retailers, many national wildlife refuges, the Post Office, and online through Amplex at http://www.duckstamp.com. Call stores and post offices to make sure they sell them before you go.

WATERFOWL AND SNIPE

Ducks including mergansers, coots, common moorhens, including white geese (snow, blue, and Ross') and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted), excluding scaup:

General Waterfowl:

Oct 23, 2020 – Jan 31, 2021, Desert Zone: Those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai County and Units 10 and 12B through 46B.

Oct 2, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021, Mountain Zone: units 1-5, 7, 9, 11M, 12A, and the portions of units 6 and 8 within Coconino County.

Scaup: Desert Zone November 7, 2020 – January 31, 2021.

Scaup: Mountain Zone Oct 17, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021.

Youth-only waterfowl:

Desert Zone: Feb 6, 2021 – Feb 7, 2021

Falconry-only waterfowl:

Desert Zone: Feb 1, 2021 – Feb 4, 2021

SNIPE: (see waterfowl for definitions of Desert and Mountain zones)

Desert Zone: Oct 23, 2020 – Jan 31, 2021.

Mountain Zone: Oct 2, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021

sandhill crane hunting is by permit only. Hunts are in November and December.

REPTILES A hunting or combination license is required for taking reptiles. A Fishing or combination license is required for taking softshell turtles. See regulations booklet for list of legal reptiles and taking methods.

General Reptiles: year-round – see regulations for areas, limits, and closed areas.

BIG GAME HUNTING: see regulations for information on hunts and dates. Big game hunting is by permit only. To see draw odds go to http://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata/

DEER HUNTING We have two kinds of deer: Coues' whitetail and mule deer. Hunting is by permit only. Resident permit tags are $58, non-resident $315. Hunts vary in length and are in October, November, and December. Specialty hunts include archery, muzzleloader, CHAMP (Challenged Hunter Access Mobility Permit), and youth hunts. There are also archery-only non-permit tags that can be bought over the counter. See the regulations for information about those permits.

Archery-only non permit-tag deer seasons are in August-September, December, and January. See the 2020-2021 regulations for details. There is a chart on page 35.

ANTELOPESeasons vary by unit and are in August and September. Antelope hunting is by permit-tag only. Applications for permits are generally in January.

BIGHORN SHEEPSheep tags are notoriously hard to get. Season dates vary and fall in October through December. See regulations.

Spring Turkey applications were accepted through October 13, 2020. Tags will be mailed out by December 4. Hunts vary by unit and occur in April and May.See the spring regulations for details.

BEARYou can buy a non-permit tag for bear over the counter. Seasons vary by unit and units close when the quota is reached. You are responsible to call and report kills and also call before hunting to make sure the unit is still open. See regulations for details. Seasons are in Aug – Dec. There are also archery-only non-permit tags and those hunts are in late August through September. There is an annual limit to female bear harvests. See the regulations for info.

Spring bear hunts are during March – May. Archery is May – July. Applications were being accepted through October 13, 2020. Tags will be mailed out by December 4. See the spring regulations for details.

JAVELINAFall javelina season is in October – December by permit. See regulations for info.

Archery-only nonpermit-tag javelina Aug 21 – Dec 31, 2020 1, 2A, 2B,2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A north, 7, 9, and 11M. See regulations

Spring javelina hunts occur in January and February. Archery-only hunts are almost the entire month of January. See the spring regulations for details.

Applications were being accepted until October 13th. See the 2020-21 Spring regulations. Spring Javelina hunts include archery only, HAM hunts, and youth only. Some areas are open for archery only with no permit-tag. See the spring regulations for details.

ELKSeasons vary by unit and are in September – December. Non-permit tags are also available and applications are generally in January.

BISONSeasons vary in length and are in December. There are also limited opportunity permits for general, muzzleloader, and archery. Those hunts also vary in length and are in late August – December. See regulations.

Spring bison hunts are in January, April-June, July, and August, depending on unit. Applications were being accepted through October 13, 2020. Tags will be mailed out by December 4, 2020.

Mountain Lion Aug 21, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Statewide excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

Archery-only mountain lion Aug 21, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

Pursuit-only mountain lion Aug 21, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Statewide excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

See the regulations for mountain lion harvest limits. When the harvest limit is reached, that unit will close to hunting. You are responsible for checking online at http://www.azgfd.gov/lionhunting or call 1-877-438-0447 before hunting to find out if management zones are closed.

NONPERMIT TAGS – PURCHASE OVER THE COUNTER

Archery Turkey

Youth-only turkey

Bear

Mountain lion

Archery Javelina

Elk

Archery deer

Bobcat seal (for sale or export)

See the regulations for information on these non-permit tags and prices.

POPULATION MANAGEMENT HUNTS

To be put in the hunter pool for population management hunts, fill out the form found in the regulations. You need to re-submit every year.