Javelina

Overview: Unit 26M, combined with Unit 25M and Unit 47M, has an archery only javelina hunt in January each year. Javelina hunters in 25M are required to have a valid hunting license and an archery-only nonpermit tag which may be purchased at any licensed dealer or department office. 

Areas: Javelina can be found almost everywhere in Unit 26M. Hunters should look for permanent water holding areas and fresh signs of javelina activity. Unit 26M provides the opportunity of short half-day hunts for javelina and deer because of its proximity to the Phoenix metro area. Hunting archery javelina and deer at the same time is popular in Unit 26M. Huntable habitat for javelina is rapidly decreasing as the valley becomes increasingly developed. Hunters should check local ordinances before hunting within city limits to determine rules on use of archery equipment within city limits. When hunting with modern archery equipment in urban areas hunters need to be especially safety conscious to avoid hunting accidents.

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Mule Deer

Overview: Unit 26M has an archery only deer hunt in late December and January. Consult the current year’ fall hunting regulations for exact season dates. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and a non-permit archery deer tag. Archery deer tags for Unit 26M can be purchased over the counter at any license dealer.

Areas: Currently, there is very little remaining mule deer habitat in Unit 26M due to the expanding human population and increased development. Hunters should check local ordinances before hunting within city limits to determine rules on use of archery equipment within city limits. Remember that all archery deer kills must be reported to the Department in person or by telephone at 1-866-903-3337 within 10 days of the kill.

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Dove

Overview: U26M has two dove hunts with the exception of Eurasian collared doves which may be taken year around and have no bag or possession limit. During the early season, usually September 1-September 15, 2010, mourning dove, white-wing dove, and Eurasian collard dove are in season. During the late season, 19th November thru 2 January 2010, only mourning dove may be taken. Shooting hours run from ½ hour before sunrise until sundown for both seasons. Hunters 14 years of age and older are required to have a valid hunting license. Hunters 16 years of age and older are required to have a valid migratory bird stamp. Lawful methods for taking dove include: shotgun shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, or crossbow. Please consult Dove and Band-tail Pigeon Regulations for further details.

Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Surprise, Peoria, El Mirage, Sun City, Youngtown, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Cave Creek and Scottsdale. Each of the cities have restrictions on discharging firearms within the city limits. Hunters should check with local municipalities each year on the city boundaries and weapon restrictions. In addition, hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all residences when hunting.
Areas: Due to expanding development and annexations by local municipalities, Unit 26M offers limited dove hunting opportunities, while participating in firearms seasons. The extreme northwest corner of Unit 26M offers decent populations of small game on land that has not yet be annexed by a local municipality.  

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Quail

Overview: Quail season in Unit 26M is usually open from early October until early February (See Fall Hunt regulations for exact dates). Both Gamble’s Quail and Scaled Quail have been known to occur in 26M; however, Gamble’s Quail are the most common. Hunters 14 years of age and older are required to have a valid hunting license. Lawful methods for taking quail include: shotguns shooting shot, handguns shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, and crossbow.

Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Surprise, Peoria, El Mirage, Youngtown, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Sun City, Cave Creek and Scottsdale. Each of the cities have restrictions on discharging firearms within the city limits. Hunters should check with local municipalities each year on the city boundaries and weapon restrictions. In addition, hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all residences when hunting.
Areas: Due to expanding development and annexations by local municipalities, Unit 26M offers limited dove hunting opportunities, while participating in firearms seasons. The extreme northwest corner of Unit 26M offers decent populations of small game on land that has not yet be annexed by a local municipality.