2013-14 Arizona Hunting Regulations - Arizona Game and Fish ...

Welcome to Small Game Hunting in ArizonaSmall game hunters in Arizona are very fortunate.Few places in North America offer such adiversity of hunts with lengthy seasons as doesArizona. Within this section are the season dates,bag limits, and other pertinent information necessaryto hunt small game and other wildlife.The 2013-14 hunting season shows promise forthe small game hunter.All of our small game species go through boomand bust cycles with varying frequency. Generally,population fluctuations correspond with precipitationpatterns. During the past few years, manyof our small game populations have sufferedebbs in the cycle. The astute and successful smallgame hunter keeps a watchful eye on rainfall patternsand increases hunt success by targeting thespecies or portion of the state where small gamepopulations are most favorable.Quail and cottontail respond well to rainfall.In some areas these species abound becauseof increase precipitation, while apparent voidsexist in other areas due to the lack of rain. Yet,knowing when rain falls is just as important asknowing where. In the case of quail, Gambel’squail respond to winter rains, scaled quail respondto spring rains, and Mearns’ quail respondto summer monsoonal rains. These time–period-specificprecipitation patterns affect thehatches and juvenile survival of each species.When precipitation increases during these timeperiods, these quail populations generally increaseas well.Yet, not all precipitation is good precipitation.In the case of Abert’s tree squirrels, an extendedperiod of heavy snows with deep snow packdecreases their overwinter survival becauseTree Squirrel Huntingthey are forced to feed on less nutritious pinestems rather than the protein and fat-packedseeds buried under the snow. By watching precipitationpatterns across the state, small gamehunters can identify those small game speciesand localities that are likely to provide the besthunting next year.If you’re up for a challenge and want to explorenew areas of the state, don’t forget about pursuingsome of Arizona’s other upland game.Chukars, dusky (blue) grouse, and pheasant cantake you on an adventure that few others can.As with any season or upcoming hunt, makesure you do your homework. Good luck andenjoy your hunting experience. For more informationon these species, seasons, and huntingregulations, please visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.■ DistributionFor further information on squirrels,their habitat, range, natural history,or where you can hunt them inArizona, please visit www.azgfd.gov.LEGAL REQUIREMENTSLicense RequiredFor hunters under age 14, you must either have a valid hunting or combination license or be accompanied by anadult who possesses a valid hunting or combination license. For hunters 14 years and older, any valid hunting orcombination license including a Three-Day Hunting (Class H) (See tables on pages 14–15 for Resident and Non-residentlicense fees). To hunt tree squirrel in a falconry-only season, a Sport Falconry License is required as prescribed in R12-4-422 or R12-4-407.Legal Methods of Take General Hunt: Any lawful method as described in R12-4-301 and R12-4-304. Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting ShotHunt: Shotgun shooting shot, crossbow, bow and arrow, pneumatic weapons, sling shots and falconry as prescribed inR12-4-304, R12-4-318 and R12-4-422. Archery-Only Hunt: Bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304 and R12-4-318 andcrossbow as prescribed in R12-4-216. Falconry-Only Hunt: Falconry as defined in R12-4-101 and as prescribed in R12-4-318.Bag LimitFive (5) tree squirrels per day.Possession LimitTen (10) tree squirrels of which no more than five (5) may be taken in any one day.To hunt tree squirrel in Arizona, you need a valid hunting or combination license.Tree squirrels hunters are reminded that A.R.S. 17-309 requires wildlife in possession be identifiable as to species.78 Arizona Game and Fish Department — www.azgfd.gov