The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises hunters who plan to be in the field for the upcoming archery-only nonpermit-tag deer seasons — Dec. 13-31, 2024; and Jan. 1-31, 2025 — to make certain the game management units in which they intend to hunt are open.

The state’s over-the-counter (OTC) archery-only nonpermit-tag deer hunting opportunities have harvest limits that have been set by unit and by species. This structure, approved April 1, 2022, by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, enables AZGFD to better track hunter harvest and participation. Failure to report a harvest, as well as hunting in a closed unit, is strictly enforced.

All archery-only nonpermit-tag hunters are responsible for verifying that their desired unit is open by either checking the status online at www.azgfd.gov/ArcheryDeerReport, or by calling 623-236-7961. There already are several units that are not open to hunting in December and/or January.

A few reminders:

• All archery-only nonpermit-tag hunters should refer to pages 35-37 in the “2024-2025 Arizona Hunting Regulations” before heading into the field.
• OTC archery-only nonpermit-tags are valid for one calendar year. If a hunter is planning to participate in the January 2025 hunts, then a 2025 archery-only nonpermit-tag must be purchased.
• Mandatory reporting (R12-4-308): All archery-only nonpermit-tag hunters must report their harvest online at www.azgfd.gov/ArcheryDeerReport, or by calling 623-236-7961 within 48 hours of taking a deer. The report shall include the hunter’s name, hunting license number, nonpermit-tag number, species of deer taken, unit in which the deer was taken, and telephone number at which the hunter can be reached to obtain additional information.
• The bag limit is one deer per calendar year. If a hunter harvests a deer during an OTC archery-only nonpermit-tag season, that hunter may not take another deer (archery or general hunts) during that calendar year.
• A physical inspection is not required of a harvested animal taken during the OTC archery-only nonpermit-tag season.
• Again, AZGFD is strictly enforcing a failure to report a harvest and hunting in a closed unit.