Home › Seasons & Licenses › Arizona

Arizona Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against Arizona Game & Fish Department before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $37.25 · nonresident $160. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

Deer (Mule Deer and Coues White-tailed Deer) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - late summer segmentAug 21, 2026Sep 10, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - December segmentDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - January segmentJan 1, 2027Jan 31, 2027Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (a NEW tag is required for the January segment)

Wild Turkey (Merriam's and Gould's) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall general, limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot (draw), statewide frameworkOct 2, 2026Oct 8, 2026Turkey Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt numbers 4501-4512)
Fall youth-only, limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot (over the counter)Oct 2, 2026Oct 8, 2026Youth-Only Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Fall archery-only (over the counter)Aug 21, 2026Sep 10, 2026Archery Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Spring 2027 general, limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot (draw), early framework blockApr 23, 2027Apr 29, 2027Turkey Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)
Spring 2027 general, limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot (draw), main framework blockApr 30, 2027May 20, 2027Turkey Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)
Spring 2027 youth-only nonpermit-tag, first segmentApr 16, 2027Apr 22, 2027Youth-Only Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Spring 2027 youth-only nonpermit-tag, second segmentMay 7, 2027May 20, 2027Youth-Only Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Spring 2027 archery-only nonpermit-tag - Units 1, 4A, 4B, 6A, 12A and 27May 7, 2027May 20, 2027Archery Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Spring 2027 archery-only nonpermit-tag - Unit 11MApr 16, 2027May 20, 2027Archery Turkey Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General fall (draw), most common unit windowOct 2, 2026Dec 31, 2026Bear Hunt Permit-tag or Bear Nonpermit-tag, unit specific
Archery-only fall, most common unit windowAug 21, 2026Sep 10, 2026Bear tag, unit specific
Spring 2027 general over-the-counter nonpermit-tag, most common unit windowMar 19, 2027Apr 22, 2027Spring Bear Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)

Elk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery-only (draw) - September framework windowSep 11, 2026Sep 24, 2026Elk Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
Archery-only (draw) - November framework windowNov 13, 2026Nov 26, 2026Elk Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)

Band-tailed Pigeon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Band-tailed Pigeon SeasonSep 25, 2026Oct 8, 2026Hunting or combination license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (age 18+) + HIP

Chukar Partridge Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General chukar partridge, statewideSep 1, 2026Feb 7, 2027Hunting or combination license

Coues White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General (draw), recurring first blockOct 23, 2026Oct 29, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring second blockNov 6, 2026Nov 12, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring third block (rut hunt)Nov 27, 2026Dec 6, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring late blockDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - December segmentDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - January segmentJan 1, 2027Jan 31, 2027Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (a NEW tag is required for the January segment)

Mourning and White-winged Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Early Dove SeasonSep 1, 2026Sep 15, 2026Hunting or combination license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (age 18+) + HIP
Statewide Late Dove SeasonNov 20, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting or combination license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (age 18+) + HIP
Statewide Falconry-only Dove SeasonSep 16, 2026Nov 1, 2026Sport Falconry License + hunting license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp + HIP
Youth-only dove hunt - Robbins Butte Youth-Only Dove FieldsSep 5, 2026Sep 5, 2026Youth combination license; ages 17 and younger

Dusky Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General dusky grouse, statewideSep 1, 2026Nov 8, 2026Hunting or combination license

Eurasian Collared-Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Eurasian Collared-Dove SeasonSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting or combination license; NO Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp required

Javelina (Collared Peccary) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Spring 2027 archery-only (draw), statewide frameworkJan 1, 2027Jan 21, 2027Javelina Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)
Spring 2027 youth-only general (draw), statewide frameworkJan 22, 2027Jan 31, 2027Youth-Only Javelina Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)
Spring 2027 HAM - handgun, archery, muzzleloader (draw), statewide frameworkFeb 5, 2027Feb 15, 2027Javelina Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)
Spring 2027 general (draw), statewide frameworkFeb 19, 2027Feb 25, 2027Javelina Hunt Permit-tag (draw only)

Mountain Lion Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General (daylight shooting hours), statewideAug 21, 2026May 31, 2027Mountain Lion Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only - Units 11M, 25M, 26M and 38MAug 21, 2026May 31, 2027Mountain Lion Nonpermit-tag (over the counter); special restrictions, see Note 18
Pursuit-only, statewideAug 21, 2026May 31, 2027Mountain Lion Pursuit-only Permit (no animal may be killed or captured)

Mule Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - late summer segmentAug 21, 2026Sep 10, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - December segmentDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - January segmentJan 1, 2027Jan 31, 2027Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (a NEW tag is required for the January segment)

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot - Unit 40BSep 1, 2026Sep 15, 2026Hunting or combination license
Archery-only pheasant, statewideOct 16, 2026Feb 7, 2027Hunting or combination license
Falconry-only pheasant, statewideSep 7, 2026Feb 7, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting or combination license

Pronghorn Antelope Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General (draw) - framework windowSep 4, 2026Sep 13, 2026Pronghorn Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
Muzzleloader (draw) - framework windowSep 4, 2026Sep 13, 2026Pronghorn Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
Archery-only (draw) - framework windowAug 21, 2026Sep 3, 2026Pronghorn Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)

Quail (Gambel's, Scaled, California and Mearns'/Montezuma) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General - Gambel's, Scaled and California Quail, statewideOct 16, 2026Feb 7, 2027Hunting or combination license
General - Gambel's, Scaled and California Quail, National Wildlife RefugesOct 16, 2026Feb 7, 2027Hunting or combination license; refuge fee and refuge regulations may apply
General - Mearns' (Montezuma) QuailDec 4, 2026Feb 7, 2027Hunting or combination license
Falconry-only - any quail, statewideSep 1, 2026Mar 4, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting or combination license
Falconry-only - any quail, Units 25M, 26M and 38MJul 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting or combination license

Cottontail Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General cottontail rabbit, statewide (year-round)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting or combination license
Limited weapon - shotgun shooting shot, statewide (year-round)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting or combination license
Falconry-only cottontail rabbit, statewide (year-round)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting or combination license

Sandhill Crane Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General sandhill crane (draw) - earliest hunt, Units 28 and 29Nov 20, 2026Nov 22, 2026Sandhill Crane Hunt Permit-tag (draw only) + HIP; mandatory check station
Youth-only general sandhill crane (draw) - Units 30A, 30B, 31 and 32Dec 5, 2026Dec 7, 2026Youth Sandhill Crane Hunt Permit-tag (draw only) + HIP
Archery-only sandhill crane (draw) - Units 30A, 30B, 31 and 32Nov 13, 2026Nov 15, 2026Archery Sandhill Crane Hunt Permit-tag (draw only) + HIP

Common Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General common snipe, statewideOct 23, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (age 18+) + HIP

Tree Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General tree squirrel, statewideOct 2, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting or combination license
Archery-only tree squirrel, statewideAug 21, 2026Oct 1, 2026Hunting or combination license
Falconry-only tree squirrelAug 21, 2026Jan 31, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting or combination license
General tassel-eared tree squirrel - Unit 31 (year-round)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027Hunting or combination license
General tassel-eared tree squirrel - Unit 33Sep 1, 2026May 31, 2027Hunting or combination license

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Gallinules and Geese Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General waterfowl, statewide (ducks incl. mergansers, coots, gallinules, white and dark geese; excluding scaup)Oct 23, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (18+) + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP
Scaup, statewideNov 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp (18+) + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP
Falconry-only waterfowl, statewide (ducks incl. mergansers, coots and gallinules)Feb 1, 2027Feb 4, 2027Sport Falconry License + hunting license + Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Youth-only waterfowl, statewideFeb 6, 2027Feb 7, 2027Hunting license for ages 10-17; Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older; accompanying adult 18+ may not hunt waterfowl

White-tailed Deer (Coues Whitetail) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General (draw), recurring first blockOct 23, 2026Oct 29, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring second blockNov 6, 2026Nov 12, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring third block (rut hunt)Nov 27, 2026Dec 6, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
General (draw), recurring late blockDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Deer Hunt Permit-tag (draw only, hunt-number specific)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - December segmentDec 11, 2026Dec 31, 2026Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (over the counter)
Archery-only, over-the-counter nonpermit-tag - January segmentJan 1, 2027Jan 31, 2027Archery-Only Deer Nonpermit-tag (a NEW tag is required for the January segment)
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with Arizona Game & Fish Department before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
Licenses, CWD zones & official links → Build a hunt plan

More for Arizona hunters

When is the rut in Arizona?Taxidermists in ArizonaGame processors in ArizonaToday's hunting forecast