Hunting in Arizona: 4 Things for Landowners to Know About Hunting on Private Property

Diverse wildlife and habitats make hunting in Arizona a one-of-a-kind experience. There is an abundance of public land on which to hunt and regulations are comparatively lax when compared to other states, but there are still laws by which hunters and trappers must abide whether they are hunting on public or private land.

Both hunters and landowners should be aware of these state laws, posted in the annual Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations booklet.

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Here are four things for landowners to know about hunting on private property:

1. Permission
Unless signage is posted on private property stating, “No hunting,” hunters are permitted to hunt there. Signs must be at least 8 by 11 inches with bold, readable lettering and posted in a conspicuous place at least four feet above ground level and at every point of entry around the property.

However, hunters can ask permission to take game on private property from landowners with posted signs.

2. Firearms in City Limits
As of 2011, thanks to Gov. Jan Brewer, hunters are permitted to fire weapons within municipality limits provided they are taking game within the legal season.

This applies mostly to undeveloped, uninhabited land that happens to be within municipal boundaries but at least a quarter of a mile from an inhabited building.

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3. Licenses
Landowners hunting on their own property, as well as those given permission to hunt, need a license to hunt or trap on private property. The taking of animals is regulated whether it occurs on state or privately owned land.

4. Landowner Programs
Arizona has a Landowner Incentive Program and an Access Program that incentivize landowners to make their private property accessible to the public for a number of reasons, including hunting.

The Landowner Incentive Program provides “technical and financial assistance to private landowners to develop, plan and conduct habitat projects.” The Access Program utilizes funds to “perform various projects with private landowners in exchange for short-term or perpetual access agreements” to create and maintain public access. More information can be found on the Arizona GFD website.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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