NEWS RELEASE
Feb. 26, 2026
The amended Arizona Game and Fish Article 4 (Live Wildlife) rules are now in effect and are included in the updated February 2026 edition of the Arizona Game and Fish Laws and Rules.
The amendments were developed to implement recommendations from the required Five-year Review Report. They went through a public review and comment process before being approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its September 2025 meeting and subsequently by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC).
While many of the changes just involve word changes or clarifications, some of the more significant amendments include:
R12-4-406 (Restricted Live Wildlife). The rule was amended to:
- Add specific taxa for aquatic wildlife to further clarify the species that are often misidentified in the pet trade and require a special license in order to possess them.
- Clarify the restriction for Northern Bobwhite Quail is statewide and not just limited to units 36A, 36B, and 36C.
R12-4-407 (Exemptions from Special License Requirements for Restricted Live Wildlife). The rule was amended to:
- Limit the number of desert tortoises a person may possess to one desert tortoise per person, but no more than four per household.
- Require that male and female tortoises be kept/housed separately in an attempt to prevent propagation.
- Clarify when a desert tortoise is considered the property of the possessor or the Game and Fish Department.
R12-4-421 (Wildlife Service License). The rule was amended to:
- Clarify the nuisance wildlife (rodent species – except for beaver, porcupine and tree squirrels) a person who possesses a license issued by Arizona Department of Agriculture Pest Management Division may remove without having to obtain a Wildlife Service License.
- Add the requirement that a Wildlife Service License holder shall inspect traps daily.
R12-4-422 (Sport Falconry License). The rule was amended to:
- Remove the reference to “bald eagle” under subsection (KK) to reduce confusion because bald eagles are not allowed for use in sport falconry.
R12-4-430 (Importation, Handling and Possession of Cervids). The rule was amended to:
- Require persons possessing a cervid to maintain and make available for inspection all records pertaining to the origin and disposition of cervids for a period of five years after the disposition or death of the animal to increase consistency and reflect agency record retention requirements.
For Private Game Farm, Game Bird, Wildlife Holding, Scientific Activity, Zoo, Wildlife Service, and Wildlife Rehabilitation licenses, the rules were amended to clarify the license holder’s annual report is due by 01/31 but may be submitted as soon as 1/01.