Arizona Hunting Seasons 2026-2027 – Tag Deadlines, Units & Species Info
If you’re planning a fall deer trip, a late-winter lion chase, or just a simple quail morning with a good pair of boots and too much coffee, this guide pulls together the latest 2026–2027 Arizona game dates into one beginner-friendly place. Below, you’ll find the main openers and closers, tag basics, unit notes, public-land map info, plus a plain-English breakdown of which dates are fully posted now and which migratory bird details are still handled in separate pamphlets.
Quick-look table: key species, dates and methods
| Species | 2026–2027 Dates | Method | Tag / Access Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer 🦌 | Aug. 21–Sept. 10, 2026; Dec. 11–31, 2026; Jan. 1–31, 2027 | Archery OTC | Archery deer nonpermit-tag; unit harvest closures apply |
| Deer 🦌 | Oct. 23–Nov. 1, 2026; Oct. 30–Nov. 5, 2026; Nov. 13–19, 2026; Dec. 11–31, 2026 | Rifle / muzzleloader / draw hunts | Permit-tag; exact hunt dates vary by unit and hunt number |
| Fall turkey 🦃 | Aug. 21–Sept. 10, 2026 | Archery OTC | Nonpermit-tag in listed units |
| Fall turkey 🦃 | Oct. 2–8, 2026 | Shotgun (shooting shot) | Permit-tag or youth OTC depending on hunt |
| Black bear 🐻 | Aug. 7–Dec. 31, 2026 in unit-based windows | General / archery | OTC nonpermit-tag; female harvest limits can close units |
| Mountain lion 🐾 | Aug. 21, 2026–May 31, 2027 | General / pursuit | OTC nonpermit-tag; reporting required |
| Fall javelina 🐗 | Unit-specific youth dates Oct. 2–Nov. 29, 2026; some OTC areas Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 | General / HAM / archery | Mix of permit and nonpermit opportunities |
| Bighorn sheep 🐏 | Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 depending on herd and unit | Draw hunts | Permit-tag only |
| Bison | Nov. 13–Dec. 22, 2026 in hunt segments | Draw hunts | Permit-tag only |
| Quail | Oct. 16, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027 | General | Statewide; Mearns’ opens later |
| Mearns’ quail | Dec. 4, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027 | General | Southern grassland country favorite |
| Chukar | Sept. 1, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027 | General | Rugged canyon country birds |
| Dusky grouse | Sept. 1–Nov. 8, 2026 | General | Higher-elevation timber country |
| Tree squirrel | Oct. 2, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | General | Special unit exceptions apply |
| Rabbit / hare | Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027 | General | Nearly year-round option |
| Sandhill crane | Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 25, 2027 in specific 3-day draw hunts | Archery / general / youth | Permit draw only, units 28, 29, 30A, 30B, 31, 32 |
All Big Games: Archery & Rifle
Arizona’s big-game setup is a mix of draw-only opportunities and over-the-counter options, which is honestly part of the charm. One weekend you’re staring at a spreadsheet of hunt numbers, and the next you’re just trying not to forget your release aid on an OTC deer trip.
Deer 🦌
Deer is where a lot of people start, and for good reason.
- OTC archery deer:
- Aug. 21–Sept. 10, 2026
- Dec. 11–31, 2026
- Jan. 1–31, 2027
- Draw deer hunts in the main booklet include exact unit-based runs such as:
- Oct. 23–Nov. 1, 2026
- Oct. 30–Nov. 5, 2026
- Nov. 13–19, 2026
- Dec. 11–31, 2026
- Tag tip: OTC archery requires an archery deer nonpermit-tag.
- Zone note: Open units differ by harvest limit, and some units close fast once the cap is hit.
- Important: Starting fall 2026, OTC archery deer harvest reporting is online only, due within 48 hours.
Black bear 🐻
Bear dates are more unit-driven than many first-timers expect.
- General fall windows run across parts of Aug. 7–Dec. 31, 2026
- Archery-only windows appear within Aug. 14–Oct. 29, 2026 in certain units
- OTC nonpermit-tags are used, but female harvest limits can shut units down early
- Some units are split into subareas, so always read the note column, not just the headline date
Javelina 🐗
This is one of those Arizona-only obsessions that sneaks up on people. They look like pork chops with attitude, and they’re a blast.
- Youth-only general dates in the fall include unit-specific blocks from Oct. 2–Nov. 29, 2026
- Some OTC opportunities are open Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 in units such as 39, 40B, 41, 43A and 43B
- HAM and archery-only opportunities also exist in certain units
- Check whether your unit is general, HAM, or archery-only before buying a tag
Bighorn sheep 🐏
This is premium draw country.
- Official hunt dates span Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026, depending on herd and unit
- Some desert ram hunts sit in December only, while others use split windows
- Permit-tag only
- Physical check-in rules are strict, so don’t treat sheep like an ordinary big-game tag
Bison
Few tags, big dreams, long odds.
- Main hunt segments include:
- Nov. 13–17, 2026
- Nov. 20–24, 2026
- Dec. 4–8, 2026
- Dec. 11–15, 2026
- Dec. 18–22, 2026
- These are draw-only opportunities
- House Rock and Raymond Herd hunts each have their own structure
Elk & pronghorn
Here’s the important beginner note: elk and pronghorn are handled in a separate January draw booklet, not the main 2026–27 digest.
- The official state timeline says the elk/pronghorn booklet is available in early January
- The draw deadline lands in February
- Exact field dates are unit-by-unit and hunt-number specific
- In plain English: don’t rely on a single statewide opener for these two; pull the January booklet before applying
Mountain lion 🐾
- Aug. 21, 2026–May 31, 2027
- OTC nonpermit-tag
- Pursuit-only rules also apply in the same overall window
- Harvest reporting is required, and physical inspection rules matter here too
Turkey Season 🦃
Fall turkey
- Archery-only OTC: Aug. 21–Sept. 10, 2026
- Archery permit-tag hunt at Camp Navajo: Aug. 28–Sept. 10, 2026
- General shotgun draw hunt: Oct. 2–8, 2026
Youth turkey
- Units 1, 4A, 4B, 6A and 27: Oct. 2–8, 2026
- Unit 12A: Oct. 2–12, 2026
- Uses a youth nonpermit-tag for the OTC youth options
Spring turkey
- Spring gobbler dates are published in the separate spring draw booklet, not the main fall digest
- Those hunts are permit-based and unit-specific
- If spring birds are your thing, check the spring booklet before planning travel, because weekend blocks and areas change more than folks expect
Furbearers Season 🦊
- Bobcat, foxes, raccoon, ringtail: Aug. 1, 2026–Mar. 31, 2027
- Coati: Sept. 1, 2026–Mar. 31, 2027
- Coyote and skunks: Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027
- Artificial light is allowed only in certain predator situations and units, so read those notes closely before any night outing
Upland Birds Season
Arizona’s upland calendar is sneaky good. If you enjoy covering ground, kicking brush, and ending the day dusty enough to look oven-baked, this is your lane.
- Quail (Gambel’s, scaled, California): Oct. 16, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027
- Mearns’ quail: Dec. 4, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027
- Chukar: Sept. 1, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027
- Dusky grouse: Sept. 1–Nov. 8, 2026
- Crow: Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2026
- Pheasant: limited areas and special opportunities only; check the area notes in the booklet before making a road trip out of it
Upland Animals Season
- Cottontail rabbit: Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027
- Black-tailed and antelope jackrabbit: Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027
- Tree squirrel general: Oct. 2, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027
- Tree squirrel archery-only: Aug. 21–Oct. 1, 2026
- Tree squirrel falconry-only: Aug. 21, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027
- Tassel-eared squirrel Unit 31: Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027
- Tassel-eared squirrel Unit 33: Sept. 1, 2026–May 31, 2027
Other Small Games Season
| Species | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dove | Check separate 2026–27 dove pamphlet | Published separately from main digest |
| Band-tailed pigeon | Check separate 2026–27 dove/pigeon pamphlet | Migratory rules apply |
| Quail | Oct. 16, 2026–Feb. 7, 2027 | Mearns’ opens Dec. 4 |
| Tree squirrel | Oct. 2, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | Unit exceptions exist |
| Cottontail rabbit | Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027 | Great beginner option |
| Jackrabbit / hare | Jul. 1, 2026–Jun. 30, 2027 | Open long stretches |
| Crow | Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 | Often overlooked |
| Sandhill crane | Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 25, 2027 | Draw-only 3-day hunt structure |
Migratory Birds Season
Important Note: Arizona uses a statewide general season for waterfowl (unlike Indiana hunt which has North/Central/South zones). Here are the dates:
Primary Waterfowl Season
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks (including mergansers) | October 23, 2026 – January 31, 2027 | 6 ducks total |
| Mergansers | Same as duck season (separate from duck limit) | 5 mergansers (max 2 hooded) |
| Scaup | November 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027 | 1 before Nov 7; 2 on/after Nov 7 |
| Geese (Canada, light geese, brant) | October 23, 2026 – January 31, 2027 | Varies by species |
| White-fronted Geese | November 21, 2026 – February 14, 2027 | 2 daily |
| Snipe (Wilson’s) | October 23, 2026 – January 31, 2027 | 8 daily |
Other Waterfowl Season
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Coot (American Coot) | Same as duck season | 15 daily |
| Moorhen/Gallinule | Same as duck season | Included in coot limit |
| Rail (Sora only) | September 1 – November 9, 2026 | 25 daily |
| Band-tailed Pigeon | September 26 – October 9, 2025 (2025-26) | 2026-27 dates not yet published |
Key Requirements
- Shooting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
- Arizona hunting license: Required for ages 10+
- Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp: $5 (ages 18+)
- Federal Duck Stamp: Required for ages 16+
- HIP registration: Required for migratory bird hunting
Youth Waterfowl Weekend
- Dates: October 23–24, 2026 (statewide)
Note: The 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations were released May 2026. Band-tailed pigeon dates for 2026-27 should be confirmed with AZGFD.
More Games Season
A few extra opportunities deserve their own quick shoutout:
- Sandhill crane archery-only: Nov. 13–15, 2026
- Sandhill crane youth-only: Dec. 5–7, 2026
- General sandhill crane draw hunts run in 3-day blocks from Nov. 20, 2026 through Jan. 25, 2027
- Most crane ground is private, especially in some southeastern units, so landowner permission matters
- Mandatory crane check-ins and tagging rules are part of the package, not optional fine print
Game Units & Public Access
Arizona is a unit-based state, so “where” matters almost as much as “when.” Before you buy a tag or start pinning spots, pull up the official Game Management Unit maps page and match your hunt number to the correct unit boundary. A lot of beginner frustration comes from scouting the right species in the wrong unit. Been there. It is not a fun surprise at 4:30 a.m.
License details 🎟️
| License / Add-on | Cost |
|---|---|
| Resident general hunt license | $37 |
| Resident combo hunt & fish | $57 |
| Nonresident combo hunt & fish | $160 |
| Youth combo hunt & fish (ages 10–17) | $5 |
| Short-term combo, resident | $15 per day |
| Short-term combo, nonresident | $20 per day |
| Arizona migratory bird stamp | $5 |
| Federal duck stamp | $25 |
Extra tag examples
- Deer permit-tag: $58 resident / $315 nonresident
- Elk: $148 / $665
- Pronghorn: $103 / $565
- Turkey: $38 / $105
- Bear: $38 / $165
- Javelina: $38 / $115
- Bighorn sheep: $313 / $1,815
Youth rules worth knowing
- Kids under 10 can take small game without a license if accompanied by a properly licensed adult
- Nobody under 14 may pursue big game without hunter education
- Youth-only tags exist for some opportunities and can be a great on-ramp for new families
FAQ
Do I need a tag for OTC deer?
Yes. OTC does not mean tag-free. You still need the correct nonpermit-tag and a valid license.
Are elk and pronghorn dates in the main booklet?
No. They’re published in a separate January draw booklet.
Is night hunting allowed?
Only in limited predator situations and specific circumstances. Don’t assume it’s legal for everything after dark.
Do I need to report my harvest?
Yes, for some species. Bear, mountain lion and OTC archery deer have mandatory reporting rules, and timing matters.
How does the tag draw system work in Arizona?
Arizona uses a weighted point system for tag allocation. You accumulate bonus points for unsuccessful applications, increasing your chances in future draws. There are three separate application periods: February for elk/antelope, June for deer/sheep/bison, and October for spring turkey/javelina.
Can I hunt on public lands in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona has abundant public hunting land, including National Forests, BLM land, and State Trust land. State Trust land requires a separate permit ($15 for individuals, $20 for families).
Do I need hunter education in Arizona?
Hunter education is required for anyone born after January 1, 1980, who wants to hunt in Arizona. The course can be completed online followed by a field day component.
Can non-residents apply for all hunts?
Yes, but Arizona reserves 10% of all draw tags for non-residents, with 90% allocated to residents.
Related Hunting Resources
Looking for more hunting information? Check out these helpful resources:
Prepare for Your Arizona Hunt
Arizona’s 2026–2027 game calendar offers a little bit of everything: classic deer dates, rugged sheep country, long rabbit opportunities, bird action from quail to crane, and enough unit-based detail to keep even experienced folks humble. My best advice? Pick your species first, match it to the right GMU second, and buy the correct tag third. Doing those three things in order will save you a lot of headaches and at least one panicked gas-station re-read of the regulations booklet. And if you like comparing draw calendars across the country, the state hunting seasons hub is a handy place to keep browsing.
