AZ Hunting Seasons & Public Land

Arizona Hunting Seasons 2026 & Unit Map

Elk Nov 7–Dec 31. Deer Dec 11–Jan 31. Deer Dec 11–Jan 31.

2,666 Seasons13 Species85% Avg Harvest Rate

Direct Answer

Arizona hunting seasons cover 2,666 season dates across 78 units for Elk, Mule Deer, Coues Deer and more. Many big game hunts are draw or limited-entry, so confirm application windows before the deadline. Use the tables below for exact opening and closing dates by species and unit.

Season data sourced from the Arizona wildlife agency. Always verify dates and regulations on the official site before hunting—regulations can change during the season.

Arizona Hunting Seasons by Species

Elk

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1ArcheryAug 1 — Aug 7—91%
Unit 1ArcheryAug 8 — Aug 14—91%
Unit 1ArcherySep 11 — Sep 24——
Unit 1ArcherySep 11 — Sep 2423%91%
Unit 1ArcherySep 11 — Sep 2461%91%
Unit 1RifleSep 25 — Oct 1—91%
Unit 1RifleSep 25 — Oct 1——
Unit 1HandgunOct 3 — Oct 160%91%
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 3 — Oct 16——
Unit 1ArcheryOct 3 — Oct 160%91%
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 3 — Oct 160%91%
Unit 1RifleOct 10 — Oct 16100%91%
Unit 1ArcheryOct 17 — Oct 300%91%
Unit 1RifleOct 17 — Oct 3050%91%
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 17 — Oct 300%91%
Unit 1HandgunOct 17 — Oct 300%91%
Unit 1RifleOct 31 — Nov 13100%91%
Unit 1ArcheryOct 31 — Nov 13—91%
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 31 — Nov 13—91%
Unit 1HandgunOct 31 — Nov 13—91%
Unit 1ArcheryNov 7 — Nov 2044%91%
Unit 1RifleNov 7 — Dec 31——
Unit 1HandgunNov 14 — Nov 27—91%
Unit 1MuzzleloaderNov 14 — Nov 27—91%

+ 622 more Elk seasons

Deer

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10—91%
Unit 1ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10——
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 10 — Oct 23——
Unit 1RifleOct 23 — Nov 1——
Unit 1RifleOct 23 — Nov 156%91%
Unit 1RifleNov 21 — Nov 30——
Unit 1ArcheryDec 11 — Jan 31——
Unit 10ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10——

+ 492 more Deer seasons

Deer

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10—91%
Unit 1ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10——
Unit 1MuzzleloaderOct 10 — Oct 23——
Unit 1RifleOct 23 — Nov 1——
Unit 1RifleOct 23 — Nov 156%91%
Unit 1RifleNov 21 — Nov 30——
Unit 1ArcheryDec 11 — Jan 31——
Unit 10ArcheryAug 21 — Sep 10——

+ 492 more Deer seasons

Antelope

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1ArcheryAug 22 — Sep 444%91%
Unit 1RifleSep 5 — Sep 1492%91%
Unit 10ArcheryAug 22 — Sep 423%39%
Unit 10RifleSep 5 — Sep 1486%39%
Unit 11MArcheryAug 22 — Sep 1125%74%
Unit 12AArcheryAug 22 — Sep 4100%100%
Unit 12ARifleSep 5 — Sep 14100%100%
Unit 12BArcheryAug 22 — Sep 4100%98%

+ 65 more Antelope seasons

Bighorn Sheep

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1RifleOct 1 — Oct 31100%91%
Unit 1RifleNov 1 — Nov 30—91%
Unit 1RifleNov 1 — Nov 30100%91%
Unit 1Any Legal WeaponDec 1 — Feb 28——
Unit 10Any Legal WeaponDec 1 — Feb 28——
Unit 11MAny Legal WeaponDec 1 — Feb 28——
Unit 12AEAny Legal WeaponDec 1 — Feb 28——
Unit 12AWAny Legal WeaponDec 1 — Feb 28——

+ 94 more Bighorn Sheep seasons

Black Bear

UnitWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 1Any Legal WeaponApr 1 — Jun 30——
Unit 1Any Legal WeaponAug 22 — Dec 31——
Unit 10Any Legal WeaponApr 1 — Jun 30——
Unit 10Any Legal WeaponAug 22 — Dec 31——
Unit 11MAny Legal WeaponApr 1 — Jun 30——
Unit 11MAny Legal WeaponAug 22 — Dec 31——
Unit 12AEAny Legal WeaponApr 1 — Jun 30——
Unit 12AEAny Legal WeaponAug 22 — Dec 31——

+ 17 more Black Bear seasons

Arizona Hunting Season FAQ

When does hunting season start in Arizona?

Arizona hunting season currently spans Nov 7 to Dec 31 for Elk, with other species opening at different times. Dates vary by unit and weapon. This page lists 2,666 Arizona season dates across 78 units.

What can you hunt in Arizona?

Arizona offers hunting for 13 species, including Elk, Mule Deer, Coues Deer and more. Each species has its own season dates, weapon rules and bag limits.

How many hunting units does Arizona have?

Arizona is divided into 78 units. Season dates, harvest rates and public-land access differ by unit—use the tables above to compare units before you apply or buy a tag.

Does Arizona use a draw or limited-entry system?

Yes. Many Arizona big game hunts are allocated by draw or limited-entry tags rather than sold over the counter. Always confirm application windows on the official Arizona wildlife agency site before the deadline.

State Resource

Always verify season dates and regulations with the official state wildlife agency:

Arizona Official Hunting Regulations

View Arizona on the map

See Unit boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas for Arizona on our interactive hunting map.

Also see Arizona public land, license, and regulations.

Hunt Arizona with offline maps