Overview
Known For
Arizona is home to some of the best trophy elk hunting anywhere. Along with elk, hunts for Coues, whitetail, and mule deer are common. Other big game include Bighorn sheep, antelope, and even javelina.
Terrain
Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. With just under 114,000 square miles of territory, Arizona is the sixth largest state by area.
Arizona Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
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Antelope – Muzzleloader 1
Hunting Season Dates Vary By Unit Please Check Regulations: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Aug 25, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 |
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Antelope – Archery 1
Hunting Season Dates Vary By Unit Please Check Regulations: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Aug 25, 2023 | Sep 7, 2023 |
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Antelope – General 1
Season Dates Vary By Unit Please Check Hunting Regulations: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Sep 8, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 |
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Bear – General
Certain zones open during season dates. Check regulations for more info.
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Sep 30, 2022 | Dec 31, 2022 |
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Bear – General
Certain zones open during season dates. Check regulations for more info: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Aug 25, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Bear – Archery-Only
Certain zones open during season dates. Check regulations for more info. https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Aug 25, 2023 | Oct 8, 2023 |
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Bison – Limited Opportunity (General)
Season Dates Vary By Unit Please Check Regulations: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Bison – General
Season Dates Vary By Unit Please Check Hunting Regulations: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Nov 17, 2023 | Dec 19, 2023 |
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Coyote – General 1
Open areas statewide. See regulations for further details.
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Jul 1, 2023 | Jun 30, 2024 |
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Coyote – General 2
Unit 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 8, 10, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 20A, 31, 32, 42, 44A.
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Dec 1, 2023 | May 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Archery Only – Non Permit Tag Required
Hunting is open to certain zones and may need special draw tag. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Aug 25, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Muzzleloader (Youth Only)
Certain zones open for season date. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Oct 6, 2023 | Dec 3, 2023 |
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Deer – General
Certain zones open for season date. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Oct 27, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Deer – Muzzleloader
Certain zones open for season date. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/26132813/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230726.pdf |
Oct 27, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Dove – Early
Statewide. Mourning and white-winged bag limit 15 per day.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 15, 2023 |
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Dove – Eurasian Collared
Statewide. Unlimited bag limit.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Aug 31, 2024 |
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Pigeon – Band-tailed
Statewide. Limit 2 per day.
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Sep 29, 2023 | Oct 12, 2023 |
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Dove – Late
Statewide. Mourning bag limit 15 per day.
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Nov 17, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Waterfowl – General
Ducks including mergansers, coots, and gallinules; including white (snow/blue, Ross’) and dark geese (Canada, cackling, Brant, white-fronted); excluding scaup |
Oct 23, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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General Waterfowl – Scaup
Open Areas Statewide – Scaup |
Nov 7, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Youth-Only Waterfowl
Ducks including mergansers, coots, and gallinules; including white (snow/blue, Ross’) and dark geese (Canada, cackling, Brant, white-fronted) |
Feb 10, 2024 | Feb 11, 2024 |
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Elk – HAM Non Permit-Tag Required
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – General Non Permit-Tag Required
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Limited Opportunity (HAM)
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Jul 28, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Limited Opportunity (General)
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details. https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Aug 4, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – General
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 10, 2023 |
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Elk – Limited Opportunity (Archery-Only)
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Sep 15, 2023 | Oct 5, 2023 |
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Elk – Archery-Only
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Sep 15, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Elk – Muzzleloader
Season dates vary for each zone. Check regulations for more details: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2023-Pronghorn-and-Elk-Regulations_230117.pdf |
Sep 29, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Limited Weapon – Shotgun Shooting Shot (Daylight Shooting Hours) Predatory & Fur Bearing Mammals
Bobcat, foxes, weasel, badger, raccoon, and ringtail Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges) |
Aug 1, 2023 | Mar 31, 2024 |
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Grouse – Dusky Grouse
Open areas statewide. Bag limit 3 per day.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 |
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Javelina – Spring Archery Only Non Permit-Tag
25M, 26M, and 38M
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Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 31, 2022 |
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Javelina – Spring General Non Permit-Tag
39 South (see note 17), 40B (excluding Pima County), 41, 43A, and 43B (excluding National Wildlife Refuges)
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Jul 1, 2022 | Dec 31, 2022 |
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Javelina – General Non Permit-Tag
39, 40B (excluding Pima County), 41, 43A and 43B (excluding National Wildlife Refuges) (Special Restrictions Apply Please See Regulations) |
Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Javelina – Archery Only Non Permit-Tag
1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A North, 7, 9, and 11M
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Jul 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Mountain Lion – Archery
11M, 25M, 26M and 38M (Special Restrictions Apply – Please see regs) Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens |
Aug 25, 2023 | May 31, 2024 |
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Mountain Lion – Pursuit Only
Statewide (excluding all National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, 38M) See regs and mountain lion map for more details. |
Aug 25, 2023 | May 31, 2024 |
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Mountain Lion – General
Statewide (including Buenos Aires and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuges; excluding all other National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, 38M) |
Aug 25, 2023 | May 31, 2024 |
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Pheasant – Shotgun Limited
Unit 40B. Bag limit 2 per day. Roosters only.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 15, 2023 |
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Pheasant – Falconry
Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges)
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Sep 11, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
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Pheasant – Archery
Open areas statewide. Bag limit 2 per day. Any pheasant.
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Oct 13, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
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Quail – Gambel’s, Scaled, & California
Open areas statewide. Fifteen (15) quail per day in the aggregate of which no more than eight (8) may be Mearns’ quail. **Season dates can vary by unit please check regulations |
Oct 13, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
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Quail – Mearns
Open areas Statewide, including San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge (excluding all other National Wildlife Refuges) Bag limit 8 per day. |
Dec 1, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
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Cottontail Rabbit – Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Shot
Season dates vary in each hunting area. Check regulations for more details.
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Jul 1, 2023 | Jun 30, 2024 |
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General Cottontail Rabbit
Seasons vary by unit please check regulations for more details. Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M) |
Jul 1, 2023 | Jun 30, 2024 |
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Falconry-Only Cottontail Rabbit
Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges) |
Jul 1, 2023 | Jun 30, 2024 |
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Bighorn Sheep – General – Rocky Mountain
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Bighorn Sheep – General – Dessert
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Nov 17, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Rio Grande
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 22, 2022 | May 19, 2022 |
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Turkey – Archery Spring Gould’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 22, 2022 | May 26, 2022 |
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Turkey – Spring Merriam’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 22, 2022 | May 19, 2022 |
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Turkey – Spring Gould’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 29, 2022 | May 26, 2022 |
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Turkey – Archery Only Non Permit-Tag Required – Spring Merriam’s
1, 4A, 4B, 6A, 12A, 23, and 27
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May 6, 2022 | May 19, 2022 |
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Turkey – Spring Merriam’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 21, 2023 | May 25, 2023 |
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Turkey – Archery Spring Gould’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 28, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Gould’s
Season dates vary by zone. Check regulations for more details.
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Apr 28, 2023 | May 26, 2022 |
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Turkey – Archery Only Non Permit-Tag Required – Spring Merriam’s
1, 4A, 4B, 6A, 12A, 23, and 27
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May 5, 2023 | May 25, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall – Archery Nonpermit Tag
Any Turkey. Open areas: 1, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B (excluding Camp Navajo), 7, 8, 9, 10, 11M, 12A, 23 and 27
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Aug 25, 2023 | Sep 14, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall – Limited Weapon Shotgun shooting shot
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Oct 6, 2023 | Oct 12, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall – Nonpermit Tag required (Youth)
Open Areas: 1, 4A, 4B, 6A, 23 and 27 Limited Weapon shotgun shooting shot. Various season dates, check regulations for specific unit dates: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2022-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_220616.pdf |
Oct 6, 2023 | Oct 12, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall – Nonpermit Tag required (Youth)
Open Areas: 12A Limited Weapon shotgun shooting shot. Various season dates, check regulations for specific unit dates: https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/2022-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_220616.pdf |
Oct 6, 2023 | Oct 17, 2023 |
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Chukar Partridge
Open areas statewide. Bag limit 5 per day.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Feb 11, 2024 |
The most accurate draw odds, harvest data, and application trends for hunters.
Toprut is designed to help hunters research, plan, and apply for hunts and tags every year.
- View draw odds for 11 western states.
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Arizona Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
Arizona hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the official website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every Arizona hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Arizona hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of game management units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Arizona.
Game Management Units
Arizona’s game management units (GMUs) help define where and what hunters in the state can hunt. From top choices like GMU 13b for mule deer to 37a for going after javelina in the Picacho Mountains, it’s worth exploring all of Arizona’s dozens of GMU boundaries. Click below to view Arizona’s game management units in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
AZ Private Lands
Over 2,700,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Arizona. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
AZ Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 61,000,000 acres in Arizona to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
AZ GMUs
Arizona Game Management Units and Navajo Big Game Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 3 Sublayers
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AZ Possible Access
onX has mapped 25,000 acres of possible access lands in Arizona including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
AZ Game Distribution
Arizona Game Distribution data for 17 different species.
Includes 17 Sublayers
- Band Tailed Pigeon
- Black Bear
- Blue Grouse
- Elk
- Fox Squirrel
- Gambel’s Quail
- Javelina
- Mearn’s Quail
- Mountain Lion
- Mule Deer
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- Turkey
- Whitetail Deer
- White Winged Dove
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