To report an unlawful or suspicious activity, contact the AZGFD Game Thief Hotline at (800) 352-0700


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Dove Season
REGULATIONs





FOR THE YEAR 2023-2024



REVIEW THE 2023-2024 ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT HUNTING REGULATIONS



STATEWIDE INFORMATION


Hunting Regulations
Dove Regulations

SEASON 2023-2024





Dove hunting season kicks off with the early season on Sunday, September 1st at 1/2 hour before sunrise and runs through Sunday September 15th at sunset. ​



EARLY SEASON





Sept 1st through Sept 15th

Any Mourning or White-winged Dove



LATE SEASON





Nov 17th, 2023 through Dec 31st, 2023

Any Mourning Dove



YEAR ROUND





Eurasian Collared Dove

Unlimited bag limit



BAG LIMITS



EARLY SEASON





Mourning doves and White-winged doves

Total = 15 per day

NO MORE than 10 may be white-winged doves.



Possession limit

Total = 45

NO MORE than 30 may be white-winged doves.



LATE SEASON





Only Mourning doves

Total = 15 per day




Possession Limit

Total = 45



COMMON HUNTING VIOLATIONS



Find more information about Arizona hunting regulations HERE



EXCEED BAG AND/OR POSSESSION LIMIT A.R.S. 17-309A.14 and A.15

Wildlife may only be taken and possessed in the quantities prescribed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Orders for bag and possession limits. Consult Commission Orders for each species for specifics.


DISCHARGE FIREARM WITHIN 0.25 MI

ARS 17-309A.4

defines as a violation, anyone discharging a firearm within 1/4 mile of an occupied structure while hunting without permission of the structure's owner.


TAKE WILDLIFE DURING CLOSED SEASON OR AFTER LEGAL HOURS

A.R.S. 17-309A.10 AND A.R.S. 17-301.A

Wildlife may only be taken during times prescribed by the Commission and closed season shall be in effect unless opened by Commission Order.


POSSESS UNLAWFULLY TAKEN WILDLIFE A.R.S. 17-309A.16

defines as a violation, any wildlife that is unlawfully taken, may not be legally possessed. So even though you may not have been involved in the illegal taking of wildlife, you cannot legally possess unlawfully taken wildlife or parts thereof.


DESTROY CROPS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY

ARS 17-309A.3

defines as a violation, any person that destroys growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards, or other improvements while hunting. If any person is found in violation of this statute it may be grounds for revocation of their hunting privileges.


TAKE WILDLIFE WITHOUT LICENSE

A.R.S. 17-331

defines as a violation, that In order to take any wildlife in Arizona, you must have the appropriate current hunting or fishing license in your possession. You should check your license every time that you go hunting, fishing or collecting. Also, you must sign your license and tag before hunting.


TAKE/HUNT FROM A VEHICLE

A.R.S. 17-301.B and R12-4-319

defines as a violation, no person may take wildlife from a motor vehicle, watercraft or aircraft, except as permitted by Commission Order. You are unlawfully using a vehicle to take wildlife if you intentionally drive around until you see the animal you wish to harvest and then make an attempt to take. “Road hunting” is illegal.





LITTERING WHILE HUNTING

RS 17-309A.9

defines as a violation, any person that litters any hunting area while taking wildlife. This can include shotgun hulls and remnants of dead wildlife. If any person is found in violation of this statute, it may be grounds for revocation of their hunting privileges.


DESTROY CROPS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY

ARS 17-309A.3

defines as a violation, any person that destroys growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards, or other improvements while hunting. If any person is found in violation of this statute it may be grounds for revocation of their hunting privileges.


OBTAIN LICENSE OR PERMIT BY FRAUD

A.R.S. 17-341

defines violation as, “Resident” means a person who is domiciled in this state for six months immediately preceding the date of application or purchase of a license, permit, tag, or stamp and does not claim residency for any purpose in another state or jurisdiction.


TRESPASSING

ARS 13-1502

defines criminal trespass to include a person knowingly entering onto or remaining on any property of another if reasonable notice prohibiting entry has been given (RESPECT all postings placed by the farm - recognize that if you do not follow the directions of the landowner they may revoke your permission to be there).


SHOOT ACROSS ROAD

A.R.S. 17-301.B

defines as a violation, no person may knowingly discharge any firearm or shoot any other device including bow and arrow upon, from, across, or into a maintained road or railway. It is advisable not to shoot from or across any road. Again, this is one of the most common violations during the dove season.


TAKE WILDLIFE WITH A PROHIBITED DEVICE OR BY AN UNLAWFUL METHOD

A.R.S 17-301.A A.R.S., 17-309.A 12-13, R12-4-303, and R12-4-304

defines a violation, wildlife may only be taken by a device or method as prescribed by the Commission. Migratory game birds may be taken only with a 10-gauge or smaller shotgun capable of holding no more than three shells (two in the magazine and one in the chamber). unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.



ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HUNTING AROUND AGRICULTURAL LANDS:

  • OBEY all postings and seek out permission prior to entering onto any private land.
  • DO NOT harvest or field dress game near growing produce (vegetable) fields.
  • NEVER urinate or defecate near fields or waterways. Look for sanitary facilities provided on ranches.
  • DO NOT allow domestic animals (dogs) in or around growing produce (vegetable) crops.


Following these guidelines along with the application of common courtesy goes a long way towards being welcomed back in the future.