Welcome to Arizona Duck Season 2023 Guide! You’ve landed at the right place whether you’re an enthusiastic waterfowl hunter or are just curious about the activity. Arizona is a retreat for passionate hunters because of its varied scenery and abundance of ducks, mergansers, coots, and gallinules. As we plunge into the forthcoming season, let’s examine the dates, regions, and rules that will influence the exciting journeys and unforgettable experiences in the hunt for waterfowl. Prepare yourself to be completely engrossed in the beauty and thrill of Arizona’s duck hunting season, whether you’re an experienced hunter or a curious novice.
Arizona Duck Season
| Species | Start Dates | End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Gallinules (Mountain Zone) | 7-Oct | 15-Jan |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Gallinules (Mountain Zone) | 22-Oct | 15-Jan |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Gallinules (Desert Zone) | 23-Oct | 31-Jan |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Gallinules (Desert Zone) | 7-Nov | 31-Jan |
| Youth Only Waterfowl (Mountain Zone) | 1-Oct | 2-Oct |
| Youth Only Waterfowl (Desert Zone) | 11-Feb | 12-Feb |
Duck Hunting Bag Limits in Arizona
- Ducks and Mergansers: Bag Limit – 7, Possession Limit – 21
- Scaup: Bag Limit – 2, Possession Limit – 6
- Coot and Gallinules: Bag Limit – 25, Possession Limit – 75
- Redheads: Bag Limit – 2, Possession Limit – 6
- Mallards Bag Limit – 7, Possession Limit – 21
- Pintails: Bag Limit – 1, Possession Limit – 3
- Canvasback: Bag Limit – 2, Possession Limit – 6
- Black-bellied Whistling: Bag Limit – 1, Possession Limit – 3
Note: Only two female Mallards or Mexican ducks are present.
Types of Ducks in AZ
| Duck Species | Description |
|---|---|
| Mallard | In North America, mallards are the most prevalent duck species and are also extensively exploited in Arizona. The males feature orange feet, blue-tipped wings, a glossy green head, and a brilliant yellow beak. The males are more vivid, but the females share those features with them, including orange feet and wings with blue tips. |
| Green-winged Teal | The unique green crescent on the heads of green-winged teals complements the green patch on their wings. Their dark feathers have a mottled appearance. Thus this trait sticks out. They are renowned for their quick-flying and agile movements and are medium-sized ducks. |
| Shoveler | Shovelers get their name from their vast, flat beaks, which resemble shovels. These broad beaks are present in both males and females, although the males exhibit more vivid coloring. The male shoveler has a white breast, rust-colored flanks, black tail feathers, green wings with matching green stripes, and all-green heads. The females are less colorful overall but have comparable traits. Shovelers often use their unique beaks to filter water to gather tiny creatures and plant stuff for food. |
Arizona’s Top Duck Hunting Locations
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Colorado River at the California-Arizona Border | Colorado River wetlands attract ducks. The Cibola National Wildlife Refuge north of Yuma offers great duck hunting. |
| Allen Severson Wildlife Management Area (WMA) | The Arizona Allen Severson WMA has Pintail Lake and South Marsh. Hunters may shoot migratory ducks in these places. |
| Bog Hole Wildlife Management Area | The Bog Hole Wildlife Management Area southeast of Patagonia feeds and rests migratory waterfowl. Duck hunting is good here. |
| Private Land with Permission | Arizona duck hunters may enjoy hunting on private property with permission. You may search in special locales with lucrative encounters by obtaining the proper permits. |
| Outfitters and Guided Hunts | Hire outfitters or join guided hunts if you're new to duck hunting. Outfitters can help you find ideal hunting spots and give useful advice. |
Duck Hunting Regulations in Arizona
Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in Unit 30B’s Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.
- Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in Unit 30A’s Willcox Playa Wildlife Area.
- The Imperial, Cibola, Buenos Aires, and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges are all open for waterfowl hunting in Arizona, except for locations marked as closed. There may be a hunting charge for specific refuges. For detailed information, see the refuge rules.
- The nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl hunting in all parts of Arizona. Lead shot, particularly lead shot with a plating, is not allowed. Steel, bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-nickel-iron, and tungsten matrix shots are examples of harmless shot types that have been approved. Visit www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/current/bulletins/nontoxic.htm for the whole list.
- When hunting ducks, geese, coots, and gallinules, people must be at least 16 years old and have a valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp and a valid, signed Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp. The juvenile license already includes the Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp privileges. The federal Harvest Information Program registration for capturing ducks and geese is automatically included with these stamps or rights.
- Sections 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15 of Township 6 North, Range 3 East, which are private property, are off-limits to hunting in Unit 26M.
- National Wildlife Refuges do not allow falconry hunting.
- Hunting is permitted in the Ironwood Forest, Sonoran Desert, Vermilion Cliffs, Grand Canyon-Parashant, and Agua Fria National Monuments.
- Hunting is prohibited on a section of Unit 26M, also known as the Elliot and Hawes County Island, in Section 16, Township 1 South, Range 7 East.
- For hunting access, Units 40A, 40B, 46A, and 46B must be coordinated with the Barry M. Goldwater Range and may be subject to military closure. For detailed information, see the Index: Hunting on Military Reservations.
- Military activities may cause a temporary closure of the Florence Military Reservation in Unit 37B (training grounds B and D, north and south of Cottonwood Canyon Road). Call the Florence Military Reservation at 602-267-2060 if you have questions about closing dates or access.
- Sections 5, 7, and 18 of Township 3 South, Range 8 East, in the Town of Queen Creek, Pinal County, are unincorporated and do not allow hunting. This area is Unit 26M.
- All incorporated properties, including private property within municipal limits, are off-limits to hunting in Unit 25M unless specifically opened by a commission order. County islands are available for hunting with a few limitations, such as not firing a gun within a quarter-mile of any inhabited structures without the owner’s or resident’s consent.
- Hunting is not permitted in several parts of Maricopa City, Unit 26M. East of Green Road, south of Smith Enke Road, east of the Cobblestone development, north of Farrell Road, and west of White and Parker Road are only a few mentioned places.
- Hunting is not authorized in some portions of the Town of Eloy, including Units 26M and 37A. The region mentioned above begins at the crossroads of Cornman Road and LaPalma Road, travels via designated roadways, and terminates in the Town of
Tips for Duck Hunting in Arizona
| Tips | Description |
|---|---|
| Scouting | Find ducks and hunting areas via driving. |
| Scout blinds outside the car. | |
| To optimize hunting time, notice duck-filled regions. | |
| Camouflaged | Camouflage your blind. |
| Camouflage yourself, your dog, and your hunting buddies. | |
| Use a drone to spot any standouts and tweak them for greater camouflage. | |
| Weather forecast | Check the weather before hunting. |
| Weather will determine your decoy dispersion and blind placement. | |
| Dress for the weather to hunt comfortably. | |
| Ducks are more active on chilly, windy, and cloudy days, but you may still hunt successfully on warmer days with a breeze. |
Arizona Duck Hunting Licenses
| Licenses | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $35 |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $160 |
| Arizona Waterfowl Stamp | $10 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Arizona duck hunting season begin?
Arizona has two seasons for duck hunting: early and late. Typically, the season begins on October 7 and lasts until February 25. Check the official hunting laws for the dates of the particular season since these dates may change from year to year. During this lengthy time, which allows for various migratory patterns and fluctuating waterfowl numbers throughout the season, hunters can enjoy duck hunting in Arizona.
What are the Arizona duck hunting bag limits?
In Arizona, there is a daily bag restriction of 8 ducks. For some kinds of ducks, there are. Nevertheless, restrictions. 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaups, 1 black-bellied whistling duck, and 7 mallards may be taken by hunters. It’s crucial to remember that up to two of the seven mallards may be females or Mexican ducks.
Where in Arizona can I go duck hunting?
Arizona state parks, wildlife management areas, and national wildlife refuges allow duck hunting. Each location’s rules must be followed. Hunting on private property requires the landowner’s permission. Due to these hunting opportunities, hunters have several state-wide options.
Are there any special licenses or stamps I need to go duck hunting in Arizona?
Yes, hunters must have a signed Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp linked to their hunting license or printed privileges, as well as a Federal Waterfowl Stamp in good standing. These stamps are necessary to collect ducks, geese, coots, and gallinules. The federal Harvest Information Program for capturing ducks and geese automatically records the bearer of the Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp.
