Arizona has issued their 2023-2024 hunting regulations and opened their portal for applications to hunt mule and Coues’ deer, bighorn sheep, fall turkey, youth fall javelina, Sandhill crane and fall cow bison. While deer and sheep will garner most of the attention, the other available species represent out of the way opportunities to hunt in one of the West’s most desirable locations.

Fall turkey hunts provide good draw opportunities and are timed during early October, overlapping with the elk rut and preceding most of the firearm deer hunts. These hunts are especially opportunistic for youth holding elk or deer permits. Most fall turkey seasons occur immediately preceding other youth big game hunts, allowing for opportunistic harvest while scouting for an elk hunt. For adults who have a hunt later in the season, fall turkey can provide a fun excuse to get out ahead of the big game hunt and wander around the woods with a tag in the pocket.

If you prefer to hunt turkeys only in the spring, the fall draw provides an opportunity to gain an extra bonus point ahead of the spring draw. Simply apply for hunt #4000 during the fall draw and pick up a species bonus point that helps you in the Spring draw. This extra opportunity also applies to fall bison hunts and youth javelina hunts.

The regulations are available for review at the new AZGFD website: https://live-azgfd-main.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-24-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_230503.pdf

Prior to opening the draw, the department is encouraging hunters to setup or verify their portal information at http://www.azgfd.gov/

Also be sure to locate your customer ID, which is necessary for the draw system, using this link: https://customerlookup.azgfd.com