Arizona’s fowl hunting season is coming to an end.
Waterfowl
The general seasons for waterfowl, snipe and scaup end Saturday, Jan. 31. The challenge this year will be to find areas that hold waterfowl. Drought conditions have reduced available water in many areas, and warmer, drier conditions north of Arizona means fewer birds have yet to move south, so numbers may be reduced until the snow flies at higher latitudes.
Quail
The season closes for the state’s three main species — Gambel’s quail, Scaled quail and Mearns’ quail on Sunday, Feb. 8. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail. The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, Scaled, Mearns’ or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. The 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Mearns’ quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day.
In addition, hunters can harvest tree squirrels through Jan. 31; chukar through Sunday, Feb. 8; and jackrabbits and cottontail rabbits through Tuesday, June 30.
As a reminder, all hunters 10 and older must possess a valid Arizona hunting or combination license. Those 18 and older also must possess a $5 Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp to hunt waterfowl. Also, hunters 16 and older must possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
All hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program funds are excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment — including 11% on ammunition — the benefit of which comes back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges and boating access and more.
Visit azgfdportal.az.gov/Hunting for more information about hunting in Arizona
