Arizona Bird Hunting

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Upland Bird Hunting Seasons and Limits

  1. Quail (Gambel’s, Scaled, and California Quail)
    • Season Dates: October 17, 2025 – February 8, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 15 (aggregate for all quail species)
    • Possession Limit: 45 (aggregate)
  2. Mearns’ Quail
    • Season Dates: December 5, 2025 – February 8, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 8 (counts toward the aggregate quail limit of 15)
    • Possession Limit: 24
  3. Blue (Dusky) Grouse
    • Season Dates: September 1 – November 15, 2025 (based on historical patterns; confirm 2025 dates)
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3
    • Possession Limit: 9
  4. Chukar
    • Season Dates: September 1, 2025 – February 8, 2026 (based on historical patterns; confirm 2025 dates)
    • Daily Bag Limit: 5
    • Possession Limit: 15 (based on typical 3x daily bag limit; confirm with AZGFD)
  5. Pheasant
    • Season Dates:
      • Shotgun (Unit 40B near Yuma): September 1 – September 15, 2025
      • Archery (Statewide): October 17, 2025 – February 8, 2026
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 (roosters only in Unit 40B)
    • Possession Limit: 6 (based on typical 3x daily bag limit; confirm with AZGFD)

Required Licenses and Costs

To hunt upland birds in Arizona, hunters need the following licenses and stamps, with costs valid for 2025 as per available data:

  1. General Hunting License
    • Resident: $37
    • Non-Resident: Varies, typically $160 (confirm with AZGFD)
    • Description: Allows the take of small game, including upland game birds. Required for all hunters 10 and older.
  2. Combination Hunt and Fish License
    • Resident: $57
    • Non-Resident: Varies, typically higher (confirm with AZGFD)
    • Description: Covers hunting of small game, upland birds, and fishing. Optional alternative to the general hunting license.
  3. Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License (Ages 10-17)
    • Cost: $5 (resident and non-resident)
    • Description: Includes Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp privileges, required for youth hunters.
  4. Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp
    • Cost: $5 (for adults 18 and older)
    • Description: Required for hunting migratory birds, including quail, grouse, chukar, and pheasant. Automatically registers hunters for the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). Not required for youth hunters (under 18) as it’s included in the youth license.
  5. Federal Waterfowl Stamp
    • Cost: $25 (required for hunters 16 and older, though primarily for waterfowl; confirm if needed for upland birds)
    • Description: May be required for certain migratory game birds; check AZGFD regulations for upland bird applicability.
  6. Pheasant Permit-Tag (Unit 40B)
    • Cost: Includes a $13 application fee for residents or $15 for non-residents (total cost varies; confirm with AZGFD)
    • Description: Required for shotgun pheasant hunting in Unit 40B, obtained through a draw process.

Additional Notes

  • Hunter Education: Required for hunters ages 10-13 for big game, but not mandatory for small game like upland birds unless under 14.
  • License Purchase: Licenses can be purchased online via the AZGFD website, at authorized dealers, or at AZGFD offices.
  • Confirmation: Season dates and limits are based on historical data and projections for 2025. Always verify with the official 2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations from AZGFD, as dates and limits may vary slightly.
  • Falconry Seasons: Extended falconry seasons exist (e.g., July 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 for quail), with specific bag limits (e.g., 3 migratory game birds daily for dove falconry). Confirm with AZGFD for details.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website (www.azgfd.com) or consult the 2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations booklet, typically available in late August or early September.