Turkey Hunting Regulations

Name: eRegulations
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	LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
License Required	Any valid hunting or combination license EXCEPT a short-term Combination Hunt and Fish License.
Tag Required	Hunt Permit-tag obtained only through application and draw process as prescribed in R12-4-104 and R12-4-114. EXCEPT for Archery-Only and some Youth-Only turkey where a hunt nonpermit-tag must be obtained from a license dealer as prescribed in R12-4-114.
Hunt Numbers Required	When applying for big game hunt permit-tags, you must use hunt numbers. See Turkey Hunting Seasons & Areas page for a list of hunt numbers.
Legal Methods of Take	Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Shot Hunt: Any shotgun shooting shot as prescribed in R12-4-318 or crossbow or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304. Archery-Only Hunt: Bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304 and R12-4-318, or crossbow if you possess a crossbow permit as allowed under R12-4-216. Centerfire rifles, muzzleloading rifles and handguns are not legal methods of take.
Bag Limit	One (1) turkey per calendar year except as prescribed in R12-4-120.
To hunt turkey in Arizona, you need a valid hunting or combination license and a turkey tag. To hunt turkey during a Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Shot season, you must apply through a draw for a hunt permit-tag. For Archery-Only hunts, you may purchase a nonpermit-tag from a license dealer as prescribed in R12-4-114. For Youth-Only hunts, you may purchase a nonpermit-tag from a Department office or license dealer.
The Department offers “Youth-Only” designated hunts, in which persons are eligible to participate up to their 18th birthday. A youth hunter, whose 18th birthday occurs after opening day of a “Youth-Only” designated hunt for which the hunter has a valid permit or tag, may continue to participate for the duration of the “Youth-Only” designated hunt. Persons between the ages of 10 and 13 must have satisfactorily completed a Hunter Education Course that is approved by the Director per ARS 17-332(E). Hunter Education classes fill up quickly. If you need your Hunter Education card before your hunt, get ahead of the game and register now. To register for a Hunter Education class, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Hunter Education page or call (623) 236-7239. No one under age 10 may hunt big game in Arizona. Youth hunt permit-tag fees are NOT valid when applying for the standard Limited Weapon-Shotgun Shooting Shot Spring Turkey hunts. Youth applying for these hunts must pay the resident or non-resident fees.

A distribution map of wild turkeys in Arizona, highlighting their habitat range in light tan across the state. The map marks major cities, including Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson, showing where turkey populations are most concentrated. This visual representation helps hunters and wildlife enthusiasts understand turkey distribution in Arizona's diverse landscapes. — **Wild Turkey Distribution in Arizona** – This map highlights the habitat range of wild turkeys across the state, with key locations near Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. Understanding their distribution helps hunters, bird watchers, and conservationists track turkey populations in Arizona's diverse landscapes.

For further information on turkeys, their habitat, range, natural history, or where you can hunt them in Arizona, please visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website.