Can you use a crossbow to hunt in Arizona?

Arizona law permits using a crossbow in general hunting seasons for big and small game hunts. It’s also a legal weapon to use during muzzleloader seasons. During archery-only season, a disabled person can crossbow hunt with a crossbow permit.

For big game hunts, a crossbow should have a draw weight of 125 lbs. or more and an arrow length of 16″ or longer. It should also have broadheads with a width of 7/8″ or more.

With the right specifications, a crossbow can execute more accurate and lethal shots. The heavier poundage, the more powerful and efficient it is to take down big game animals. If you’re participating in a hunt or any form of taking, remember to adhere to the state’s laws.

Arizona Game and Fish Commission enforces the rules and regulations for hunting. Through the tiered approach, the state regulates hunting and wildlife management. Take, as defined by law, includes pursuing, shooting, hunting, and killing wildlife.

Following the state’s regulations will prevent lawsuits or criminal charges. You can read the following information below about violations you need to avoid.

Here are the common violations:

• Use of scents such as attractant or cover scent with cervid (deer) urine or any edible bait to lure any wildlife
• Possession of unlawfully taken wildlife or parts and improper tagging of big game
• Exceeding bag limit for species authorized by Arizona Game and Fish Commission Orders
• License or permit fraud
• Use of artificial light and taking of wildlife during the closed season or after legal hours
• Pursue, chase, or roadhunting any wildlife from a motor vehicle, boat, or plane
• Shoot any weapon upon, from, across, or into a maintained road or railway

People found violating the laws during the hunt are liable to civil action. It includes illegal killing, wounding, or possession of wildlife. They are also required to pay a fine based on the civil value for each species identified below.

The civil value for each bison costs $15,068.14, while each elk costs $6,512.75.

For each bear, the civil value costs $6,360.33, while each bighorn sheep costs $4,781.56.

For each mountain lion, the civil value costs $3,223.45, while each mule deer costs $3,571.74.

For each pronghorn, the civil value costs $3,066.47, while each whitetail costs $2,915.07.

For each javelina, the civil value costs $2,363.34, while each turkey costs $2,274.18.

For each predator or furbearer, the civil value costs $250, while each small game or aquatic costs $50

When convicted, it will also result in revocation of license privileges for up to five years.

Is a crossbow considered a firearm in the state of Arizona?

Arizona law defines a firearm as any weapon that expels a projectile with the aid of explosives. A crossbow only uses mechanical means and requires no combustion to propel the bolts. Thus, a crossbow is not considered a firearm in Arizona.

Handguns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns are weapons considered as firearms in Arizona.

Do you need a license to own a crossbow in Arizona?

A license is not required to own a crossbow in Arizona. But if you will hunt or take part in other forms of taking, you need a valid hunt or combination hunt license. Any required hunt permit tags, non-permit tags, or stamps are also necessary to carry.

Possession of a valid hunting license applies to both Arizona residents and non-residents. If you are under 14 years old, you will need to complete a Hunter Education Course to hunt big games. Only certified Arizona Game and Fish Department Volunteer instructors teach Hunter Education courses.

The hunter education course will teach the following topics:

• Safety and responsibility, hunting strategies, and survival skills
• Use of maps, compasses, and basic first aid
• Wildlife management and conservation
• Funding sources
• Hunters’ ethics and humane hunting practices (vital shots and care of game)
• Marksmanship, firearm handling, and safety,
• Arizona hunting and licensing laws

Moreover, any person under 10 can hunt animals other than big games without a license. But, a licensed person 18 years or older must go with him.

In general, a person who has lived in Arizona for at least six months is a resident. It also applies to active-duty military members, which are also considered residents. All Arizona Residents can buy a resident license.

Non-residents can also experience and enjoy Arizona’s hunting experiences. Anyone ages 10 or older can apply and buy a non-resident hunting license.

Arizona grants privileges such as hunting, fishing, and trapping. The state law offers hunting licenses for both residents and non-residents.

Here are different types of Arizona Hunting Licenses and their fees.

1. General Hunting

This license allows hunting predatory, small game, fur-bearing, upland birds, and nongame animals. A valid tag or stamp is necessary to hunt big game animals and migratory game birds.

General Hunting license, which costs $37, only applies to Arizona residents.

2. Combo Hunt & Fish

This license permits hunting aquatic, predatory, fur-bearing, upland birds, and small game animals. Hunting big game animals and migratory game birds under this license need a valid tag or stamp.

For Arizona residents, a Combination license costs $57. For a non-resident, the fee is $160.

3. Youth Combo Hunt & Fish

This license applies to any youth (ages 10–17). It allows in hunting aquatic wildlife, predatory, fur-bearing, small and big game animals. Hunting big game animals under this license requires a valid tag.

Both the resident and non-resident fee costs $5.

4. Short-Term Combo Hunt & Fish

This license permits hunting of aquatic, upland birds, predatory, small, and nongame animals. Purchasers can select the valid dates for hunting upon buying. But, the days should not be consecutive if the purchaser chose many dates.

For a resident, the Short-term Combo fee costs $15/day. For a non-resident, it costs $20/day.

Arizona also offers complimentary licenses, which provides privileges in combination hunting and fishing. It includes:

Pioneer License

This license grants all combination hunting and fishing privileges. People 70 years of age or older qualify for a Pioneer License. Also, a resident of Arizona for 25 or more years before the application qualifies as well.

Disabled Veteran’s License

This license grants access to Combination Hunt and Fish privileges. A disabled veteran with residency for at least one year is eligible for this license. Disability rating also determines the eligibility for the Disabled Veteran’s License.

Moreover, a certification from the Veteran’s Administration is also necessary. It will confirm permanent service-connected disabilities with a rate of 100 % disabling.

Apprentice Hunting License

This license allows a licensed Arizona hunter to mentor a new hunter. It also allows the holder to supervise the beginner who doesn’t have a license yet on an actual hunt.

The Apprentice License is valid for two consecutive days. It grants hunting for fur-bearing, upland game birds, predatory, small, and nongame animals. This license is also free for both Arizona residents and non-residents.

High Achievement Scout License

It offers a reduced license fee for resident youth who are Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. Eligible youth for this are also those who achieved the Gold Award in their organization. The applicant must complete the Honorary Scout License application to qualify. Presenting any required documents are also essential.

Hunting licenses are available online through Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website. You can also buy from any authorized dealer or at Arizona Game and Fish Department’s office.

Moreover, hunting licenses are valid for one year from the date you bought them. Once purchased, all sales of licenses and stamps are final. Thus, you cannot return it or reimburse it.

Can you hunt year-round in Arizona?

You can hunt year-round in Arizona, but it is strictly regulated. The Commission order assigns the limited number of hunt permits for a species in a specific area. People with hunt permit tags (issued through a computerized random drawing) can hunt.

Arizona Game and Fish Commission applies these rules and restrictions to regulate hunting. It is to protect the state’s wildlife populations and their habitats. Thus, adhering to the state’s rules and regulations is essential.

Hunters must also hunt during legal shooting time, which is during daylight hours. It applies to both big game and small game animals.

If you want to take part in a big game hunt, the legal big game species for crossbow in Arizona are javelina, deer, and elk. You can also hunt antelope, pronghorn, bison, mountain lion, bear, and bighorn sheep. You can also hunt turkey during the spring and fall seasons.

Arizona also offers other legal wildlife species you can hunt using a crossbow. It includes badger, blue grouse, bobcat, chukar partridge, coati, cottontail rabbit, and coyote. Jackrabbits, foxes, raccoons, and rodents are legal except for beavers, muskrats, and porcupines.

For birds, it includes quails, sandhill cranes, house sparrows, crow, and European starlings.

What land can you hunt on in Arizona?

There are about 13.1 million acres of private land in Arizona. Six governments/agencies manage the specific areas open for hunting. They each have their own set of access rules. The following government/agencies are:

The U.S Forest Service

The U.S Forest Service manages 15 percent of the private lands of the state. Their managed lands are generally open to hunting and fishing in season. But, some areas have special restrictions, including:

• Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Unit 33
• Madera Canyon in Unit 34A,
• East Cochise Stronghold in Unit 30B
• Cave Creek in Unit 29

The Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management manages 16 percent of the state. Generally, BLM lands in Arizona are open to hunting. BLM National Monuments include:

• The Grand Canyon-Parashant
• Vermilion Cliffs
• Sonoran Desert
• Ironwood Forest
• Agua Fria National Monuments

The State of Arizona

The State of Arizona manages 13 percent of the private lands of the state. The State Land Access Rule defines the rights and privileges of landowners.

Indian Reservations

Indian Reservations comprise 28 percent of Arizona. Each tribe establishes its hunting and fishing regulations for its reservations.
National Wildlife Refuges

National Wildlife Refuges

National Wildlife Refuges in Arizona provide hunting opportunities in designated areas. Hunting Restrictions apply in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The following rules apply to all National Wildlife Refuges:

• Only licensed, registered, insured vehicles can travel on maintained roads or highways. Open roads to vehicles are also called designated routes of travel. Any travel off of these roads is illegal.
• Any discharge of a firearm except to take legal game is not permitted.
• Use of trail or scouting cameras, baiting, permanent blinds, and stands are unlawful.
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is unlawful.
• Guide service providers must have a Special Use Permit from the refuge.

Military Installations

Contacting the specific installation for regulations is necessary before hunting on military reservations. Hunt cancellations are likely to occur with no prior notice due to an increase in security. There will be no reimbursement for bought military reservation hunt permit tags.

Hunting in these areas is subject to the rules of the following government/agencies. Rules and regulations may vary, depending on the state game agencies’ reservations.

Hunting in these areas is subject to the rules of the following government/agencies. Rules and regulations may vary, depending on the state game agencies’ reservations.

Moreover, there are also areas closed for hunting under the state’s laws. Prohibited national monuments include Navajo, Organ Pipe Cactus, Canyon de Chelly, and Chiricahua. Moreover, Casa Grande, Sunset Crater, Tonto, Walnut Canyon, Tuzigoot, and Wupatki National Monument.

Some national parks are also closed for hunting. It includes Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Pipe Spring, Saguaro, and Tumacacori Historical Park.

The other prohibited U.S Forest Service areas for hunting include:

• Coronado National Memorial
• Fort Bowie National Historic Site
• Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
• Montezuma Castle National Monument
• Montezuma Well

Arizona offers excellent hunting and recreational opportunities, though it’s strictly regulated. The state’s mission is to provide recreational opportunities to residents and non-residents.

Arizona also gives importance to sustaining good hunting management. Thus, it’s also a hunter’s responsibility to protect wildlife and their habitats. Use the given information above to guide you in future hunting adventures in Arizona.