Arizona’s hunters are looking forward to the 2024 turkey season, which is scheduled to start in April. Now is the perfect time to start organizing your hunting trip and honing your techniques for this elusive species. In order to guarantee the best possible game experience, let’s examine the dates, licenses, bag limits, and regulations.
Arizona Turkey Season
Merriam’s
| Open Areas | Dates |
| I, J8, JC, 4A and 4B, 5A, 6A, (ID) 6B (excluding Camp Navajo), (157) 7, (44) 8 and 10, 12A, (31) 13A, (3, 83) 13B South, 17A, 17B and 18B, 19A, (81) 20A, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 27, “Camp Navajo in Unit 6B (Disabled Veteran/Wounded Warrior/Purple Heart)”, “Camp Navajo in Unit 6B (Military)” | Apr 26 – May 2, 2024 May 10 – May 23, 2024 |
| I, J8, JC, 4A and 4B, 5A, 6A, (ID) 6B (excluding Camp Navajo), (157) 7, (44) 8 and 10, 12A, (31) 13A, (3, 83) 13B South, 17A, 17B and 18B, 19A, (81) 20A, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 27 Top of Form Bottom of Form | May 3 – May 23, 2024 |
Rio Grande
- Apr 26 – May 23, 2024 in area 13B North
Gould’s
| May 3 – May 9, 2024 |
| May 17 – May 30, 2024 |
| May 10 – May 30, 2024 |
Open Areas: 29 and 30A (north of AZ Hwy 80), 31, 32, 33 (north and west of Redington Road), 34A, 35A (excluding Fort Huachuca), 35B, Fort Huachuca in Unit 35A
Youth Only
Limited weapon shotgun shooting shot
| Apr 19 – Apr 25, 2024 |
| May 10 – May 23, 2024 |
Archery Only
| Apr 26 – May 2, 2024 |
| May 3 – May 9, 2024 |
| May 17 – May 30, 2024 |
| May 10 – May 30, 2024 |
Open Areas: 33 (south and east of Redington Road)
Archery Only (Merriam’s Turkey) -Non-Permit Tag
- May 10 – May 23, 2024
Bag Limit
You can bag only one turkey per calendar year, regardless of the method used or the number of permits possessed.
Licenses
| Turkey Licenses & Tags | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Licenses | ||
| General Hunting | $37 | Not available. See Combination. |
| Combination Hunt and Fish | $57 | $160 |
| Youth Combination Hunt and Fish (ages 10–17) | $5 | $5 |
| Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish | $15/day | $20/day |
| Tags | ||
| Turkey Hunt Permit-tag | $38 | $105 |
| Archery Turkey Nonpermit-tag | $25 | $90 |
| Youth-Only Turkey Nonpermit-tag | $10 | $10 |
AZ Turkey Hunt Numbers
These numbers must be used when applying for game permit tags. You may download the list from below:
Regulations
- You need a hunting license unless you have a Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish or Apprentice License. Tables show resident and non-resident licensing costs.
- Hunting requires an application and draw, except for Archery-Only. which may be purchased through a licensed dealer.
- For Shotgun-Limited Shooting, Shot hunt, crossbow, and bow and arrow are permitted techniques of take. Archery-Only accept bow and arrow or crossbow with permission. Centerfire, muzzleloading, and handguns are prohibited.
- Arizona requires a license and tag to hunt turkey. During Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Shot seasons, you must draw for a permit tag. You may buy a non-permit-tag from a Department office or license reseller for Youth-Only and Archery-Only.
- Youths aged 10–13 must take a Hunter Education Course before hunting. Arizona bans big game hunting for under-10s. Under 18 may participate in “Youth-Only” hunts with a valid permission or tag. Youth participating in normal Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Spring Turkey must pay resident or non-resident fees, not youth hunt permit-tag costs.
- Spring excludes municipal parks, county parks, airports, golf courses, and marked water treatment facilities unless explicitly allowed for hunting. A.R.S. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 and Commission Rules R12-4-321, R12-4-801, R12-4-802, and R12-4-803 also prohibit hunting.
- The National Guard Website says only “Authorized Participants” may shoot turkeys at Camp Navajo in Unit 6B. Hunters must apply for these via the Arizona Game and Fish Department before the deadline and provide evidence of hunter safety education. Force Protection Conditions, training missions, and industrial activities may cancel hunts without compensation. Hunters pay Camp Navajo a recreation fee using personal checks or money orders.
- The Grand Canyon-Parashant, Vermilion Cliffs, Sonoran Desert, Ironwood Forest, and Agua Fria National Monuments allow hunting in units that allow it.
- Units 29, 30A (north of AZ Hwy 80), 31, 32, 33, 34A, 35A, and 35B have Gould’s turkeys.
- Only approved military and civilian people with Fort Huachuca Unit 35A approval may hunt specific bird species in spring. Dependents of licensed military and civilian Fort Huachuca workers with post-hunting clearance may participate in youth-oriented activities. Fort Huachuca assigns numbers, timeframes, and requirements to various operations. The Arizona Game and Fish Department may abruptly stop such efforts without pay due to increased Force Protection procedures. Applicants must submit before the deadline.
- A-7 Ranch, Oracle Ridge Property, and Six Bar Ranch in Unit 33 allow hunting, however is prohibited within a quarter-mile of any constructed picnic area, campsite, shooting range, inhabited structure, boat launch, or golf course in county parks. Trails aren’t in developed areas.
- Rogers Lake Coconino County Natural Area Unit 6B and Observatory Mesa City of Flagstaff Natural Area Unit 11M offer turkey hunting without cross-country vehicle travel. Hunting is forbidden within 1/4 mile of inhabited buildings, wildlife observation platforms, picnic areas, and trailheads.
- R12-4-303 makes it unlawful to takeanimals with an arrow, bolt, or hybrid device within 1/4 mile of an inhabited home, residence, cabin, lodge, or structure without authorization.
FAQ
What is the bag limit for Arizona turkey hunting season?
During the spring season, you can only take one bearded Merriam’s or Rio Grande and one Gould’s per year.
What types of turkeys can be hunted in Arizona?
Merriam’s, Rio Grande, and Gould’s are the three varieties of turkeys that may be hunted in Arizona. Gould’s turkeys are located in the south and southeast, whilst Merriam’s and Rio Grande are found in the north and east.
Jacob Ross is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and skilled turkey hunter who is committed to sharing his love of the outdoors via interesting writing and helpful advice. Jacob's years of field experience and in-depth knowledge of turkey behavior allow him to contribute to readers' hunting knowledge on TurkeySeason.org.
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