March Arizona Hunting Calendar

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. There are no application deadlines this month.

Bear

Bear hunts begin this month. Some run through July. You must have a valid hunting license as well as a hunt permit tag obtained through the draw - except for a general non-permit or archery-only non-permit, obtainable from a Game and Fish office or a license dealer. The non-permit tag hunts run March 22 to July 31. Check the regulations for details.

Limits are set for different areas for the non-permit tag hunts. When the limit is reached, that area is closed to bear hunting. The limits are low - one to three bears per area. You must call to see if your area is still open to hunting, and you must call to report when you have killed a bear.

Mountain Lion

Buy a non-permit tag from a dealer. Season runs through May 31. 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. (Sept 1, 2018-March 31, 2019)

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: 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.

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

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.

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.

Notes: 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.

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