Arizona Administrative Code
Title 12 - NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 4 - GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
Article 3 - TAKING AND HANDLING OF WILDLIFE
Section R12-4-304 - Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles

Universal Citation: AZ Admin Code R 12-4-304

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024

A. A hybrid device is lawful for the take of wildlife provided all components of the device are authorized for the take of that species under this Section.

B. A person may only use the following methods to take big game when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318.

1. To take bear:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges;

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(1)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device; and

k. Pursuit with dogs only between August 1 and December 31, provided the person shall immediately kill or release the bear after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay. For the purpose of this subsection, "release" means the person removes the dogs from the area so the bear can escape on its own after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay.

2. To take bighorn sheep:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges; and

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(2)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

3. To take bison:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

e. Centerfire handguns no less than .41 Magnum or centerfire handguns with an overall cartridge length of no less than two inches;

f. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .40 caliber or larger and capable of firing a minimum of 500 foot pounds of energy;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second; and

h. Bows with a standard pull of 40 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads of no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges;

i. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(3)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

4. To take deer:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges; and

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(4)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

5. To take elk:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .40 caliber or larger and capable of firing a minimum of 500 foot pounds of energy;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges; and

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(5)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

6. To take javelina:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges;

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(6)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device;

k. .22 rimfire magnum rifles; and

l. 5 mm rimfire magnum rifles.

m. Atlatl throwing dart no less than five feet in length and no more than eight feet in length, equipped with a sharpened head having a blade no less than 7/16 inch cutting radius from the center of the shaft with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges.

7. To take mountain lion:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs or shot;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges;

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(7)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device;

k. Artificial light, during seasons with day-long hours, provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail; and

l. Pursuit with dogs, provided the person shall immediately kill or release the mountain lion after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay. For the purpose of this subsection, "release" means the person removes the dogs from the area so the mountain lion can escape on its own after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay.

8. To take pronghorn antelope:
a. Centerfire rifles;

b. Muzzleloading rifles;

c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d. Centerfire handguns;

e. Muzzleloading handguns;

f. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

i. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges; and

j. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(8)(i) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

9. To take turkey:
a. Shotguns shooting shot;

b. Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges;

c. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (B)(9)(b) to be drawn and held with an assisting device;

d. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second; and

e. Atlatl throwing dart no less than five feet in length and no more than eight feet in length, equipped with a sharpened head having a blade no less than 7/16 inch cutting radius from the center of the shaft with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges.

C. A person may only use the following methods to take small game when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303, R12-4-318, and R12-4-422.

1. To take cottontail rabbits and tree squirrels:
a. Firearms,

b. Bow and arrow,

c. Crossbow,

d. Pneumatic weapons,

e. Slingshots,

f. Hand-held projectiles,

g. Falconry, and

h. Dogs.

2. To take all upland game birds and Eurasian collared-dove:
a. Bow and arrow;

b. Falconry;

c. Pneumatic weapons;

d. Shotguns shooting shot, only;

e. Handguns shooting shot, only;

f. Crossbow;

g. Slingshot;

h. Hand-held projectiles; and

i. Dogs.

3. To take migratory game birds, except Eurasian collared-dove:
a. Bow and arrow;

b. Crossbow;

c. Falconry;

d. Dogs;

e. Shotguns shooting shot:
i. Ten gauge or smaller, except that lead shot shall not be used or possessed while taking ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, gallinules, or coots; and

ii. Incapable of holding more than a total of three shells as prescribed under 50 C.F.R. 20.21, published October 1, 2015. The material incorporated by reference in this subsection does not include any later amendments or editions. The material is available at any Department office, online from the Government Printing Office website www.gpoaccess.gov, or may be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.

D. A person may take waterfowl from any watercraft, except a sinkbox, subject to the following conditions:

1. The motor is shut off, the sail is furled, as applicable, and any progress from a motor or sail has ceased;

2. The watercraft may be:
a. Adrift as a result of current or wind action;

b. Beached;

c. Moored;

d. Resting at anchor; or

e. Propelled by paddle, oars, or pole; and

3. The person may only use the watercraft under power to retrieve dead or crippled waterfowl; shooting is prohibited while the watercraft is under power.

E. A person may only use the following methods to take predatory and fur-bearing animals when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318:

1. Firearms;

2. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .22 caliber or larger;

3. Bow and arrow;

4. Crossbow;

5. Traps not prohibited under R12-4-307;

6. Artificial light while taking raccoon provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail;

7. Artificial light while taking coyote during seasons with day-long hours, provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail; and

8. Dogs.

F. A person may take nongame mammals and birds by any method authorized by Commission Order and not prohibited under R12-4-303, R12-4-318, and R12-4-422, subject to the following restrictions. A person:

1. Shall not take nongame mammals and birds using foothold traps;

2. Shall check pitfall traps of any size daily, release non-target species, remove pitfalls when no longer in use, and fill any holes;

3. Shall not use firearms at night; and

4. May use artificial light while taking nongame mammals and birds, if the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail.

G. A person may only use the following methods to take hooved nongame mammals when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318:

1. Centerfire rifles;

2. Muzzleloading rifles;

3. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

4. Centerfire handguns;

5. Muzzleloading handguns;

6. Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

7. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .40 caliber or larger and capable of firing a minimum of 500 foot pounds of energy;

8. Pre-charged pneumatic weapons using arrows or bolts with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges and capable of firing a minimum of 250 feet per second;

9. Bows with a standard pull of 40 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges; and

10. Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal, ceramic-coated metal, or ceramic cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (G)(9) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

H. A person may take reptiles by any method not prohibited under R12-4-303 or R12-4-318 subject to the following restrictions. A person:

1. Shall check pitfall traps of any size daily, release non-target species, remove pitfalls when no longer in use, and fill any holes;

2. Shall not use firearms at night; and

3. May use artificial light while taking reptiles provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arizona may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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