Committed to helping hunters. Learn more

Arizona Hunting Seasons 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Arizona's hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Arizona Hunting Seasons

Arizona Hunting

Having trouble finding the info you need about AZ? Arizona offers a lot of diversity, if this is your first time hunting you are in for a great experience. The times spent will be some of the best you’ve had. Arizona is big on promoting youth hunts and offers a wide variety of juniors only programs. The most important part is teaching the generation to be responsible stewards. They can participate in small game hunting, plus there is big game hunting to try for all ages. Arizona also participates in the lottery which helps maintain healthy, sustainable wildlife populations and habitats. Whichever you choose you’re sure to have a safe and fun time while in the state of Arizona!


Arizona regulates its hunting seasons by region, and many of its hunts are by lottery permit only. For these reasons, it is important to visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website for additional details before heading out to hunt. Season dates vary by zone, specifically for Rocky Mountain and Desert bighorn sheep.

Arizona Hunting Seasons Offered

Big Game- Deer, Javelina, Bighorn Sheep, Fall Bison, Fall Bear, Mountain Lion
Small Game- Rabbit, Squirrel, Chukar
Birds- Pigeon, Grouse, Dove, Pheasant, Quail, Waterfowl

Arizona Hunting Season Dates 2023

Arizona Deer Season 2023

SeasonOpening DateClosing Date
General Season*10/22/2112/31/21
General Youth Only Season*10/1/2111/28/21
CHAMP (Challenged Hunter Access Mobility Permit)*9/17/219/23/21
10/22/2110/28/21
11/12/2111/18/21
Muzzleloader*10/22/2112/31/21
Youth-Only Muzzleloader*10/1/2110/10/21
11/19/2111/28/21
Archery*8/20/219/9/21
12/10/2112/31/21

Arizona Elk Season 2023

General Elk season starts as early as Sept. 24 and goes as late as Dec. 31 but will vary by zone and the weapon you're hunting with. Check the Arizona Game and Fish Department website for specific details.

Arizona Turkey Season 2023

General Season: Oct. 1-7

Archery: Aug. 20-Sept. 9

Youth: Oct. 1-7

Turkey hunting in Arizona requires a hunting license as well as a turkey tag.

SeasonOpening DateClosing DateZonesLimits
General Season10/1/2110/7/21Varies1
Youth Hunt10/1/2110/7/21Varies1
Archery*8/20/219/9/21Varies1
*Seasons dates vary by zone

Arizona Javelina Season 2023

General Season: July 1 - Dec. 31

Youth Only: Oct. 1 - Nov. 28

Archery: Aug. 20 - Dec. 31

Quail Season AZ 2023

General Season: Oct. 15 - Feb. 6, 2024
Falconry: July 1 - March 31, 2024

Dove Season AZ 2023

Early dove season: Sept. 1 – Sept. 15, 2023

Late dove season: Nov. 19 - Jan. 2, 2023

Arizona Hunting Units 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Alabama's hunting zones:

Arizona Bag Limits 2023

Arizona's bag limits vary so much depending on what, where, when you hunt so you need to refer to the official state website.

Arizona Hunting License 2023

Here is what is needed to hunt in Arizona:

  1. Buy a AZ hunting license (resident vs non-resident)
  2. Buy applicable permits (turkey, bear, deer, etc)

LicenseResidentNon Resident
General Hunting$37Not Available.
Combo Hunt & Fish$57$160
*See below for details.

General Hunting - Allows take of small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds. A valid tag or stamp is required for the take of big game animals and migratory game birds.

Combo Hunt & Fishing - Allows take of all aquatic wildlife statewide, including Community Fishing waters, small game, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds. A valid tag or stamp is required for the take of big game animals and migratory game birds.

Permit-tagsResidentNon Resident
Deer$58$315
Pronghorn$103$565
Bighorn Sheep$313$1,815
Turkey Hunt$38$105
Bear Hunt$38$165
Javelina Hunt$38$115
Elk Hunt$148$665
Bison- Bull/ Any Hunt$1,113$5,415
*HUNT PERMIT-TAGS Obtained only through application and drawing procedures, prices shown include a $13 application fee per applicant for residents and a $15 application fee per applicant for non-residents.

Licenses are valid one year from date of purchase.

Draw Cycles and Hunt Permit Application Deadline Days

The Arizona Game and Fish Department conducts three separate application and draw cycles for big game hunt permit-tags. Beginning in 2007, the Department for the first time held a separate draw for antelope and elk. This change was made to let hunters know earlier if they have been drawn for these two popular big game animals.

Arizona Hunting Regulations 2023

Individuals wishing to draw or obtain bonus points must apply online, and complete the online application by the deadline specified in the Hunt Permit-tag Application Schedule found in the current year’s hunt regulations.

Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://www.azgfd.com/

FAQs
What animals can you hunt in Arizona?

You can hunt a variety in Arizona including Deer, Javelina, Bighorn Sheep, Fall Bison, Fall Bear, Mountain Lion, Rabbit, Squirrel, Chukar, Pigeon, Grouse, Dove, Pheasant, Quail, Waterfowl. You can find a full list from Arizona Game and Fish Department.

When is quail season in Arizona?

Arizona quail general season is from Oct 15 - Feb 6 and July 1 - Mar 31 for falconry.

Are there elk in Arizona?

Yes, you can find elk in Arizona.

Read more
You might also be interested in these
Be the first to know - subscribe to our newsletter for updates & news
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Born in the northeast, Hunters Guides originally began as a resource to help hunters navigate complex season regulations. After a few months, we realized there was a greater opportunity to help promote hunting. So we started creating the resource we wish existed - a site rich with videos, tutorials and how-to's.

© 2022 Hunters Guides