Arizona April Hunting Calendar

Compiled by Margie Anderson

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.

Application Deadlines This Month: None

Bear: Bear hunts continue this month. Some run through July. You must have a valid hunting license as well as a hunt permit tag obtained through the draw – exceptfor a general nonpermit or archery-only nonpermit, obtainable from a Game and Fish office or a license dealer. The nonpermit tag hunts run March 22 to July 31.

Check the regulations for details. Limits are set for different areas for the nonpermit tag hunts. When the limit is reached, that area is closed to bear hunting. The limits are low – 1 to 3 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 from Aug 24, 2018 – May 31, 2019. 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.

Spring turkey: Turkey permits are $38 for residents, and $105 for non-residents. Archery hunters can get a non-permit tag for $25, $90 for non-residents. Check the Game and Fish website for information on archery turkey hunting with a non-permit tag. Permit applications were accepted last fall, so get ready to apply this fall for next year if you'd like to hunt turkey with a shotgun. Deadlines for online and paper applications are different. You need to check the regulations carefully. Keep an eye on azgfd.com for online regulations, and visit your local outdoor store often and check for paper copies.

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)

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.

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

Note: 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.

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: The 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.

PHONE NUMBERS:

AZ GAME AND FISH MAIN NUMBER 602-942-3000 For draw, bonus points, license info, watercraft, regions, customer service, and Ben Avery Shooting Range.

Report a Game or Fish violation: 1-800-352-0700

Report vandalism or livestock depredation: 1-800-VANDALS (867-3257)

Mandatory harvest reporting (only for reporting bear and mountain lion harvests or raptor captures):

Bear 1-800-970-BEAR (2327)

Lion 1-877-438-0447

Raptor 1-855-970-HAWK (4295)

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