Mountain Lion Hunting in Arizona
Hunting regulations – important information on rules, regulations and season dates for hunting and pursuing mountain lions in Arizona.
**As a result of COVID-19 work restrictions you will need to schedule a time to check in your lion. You can schedule it online at www.azgfd.gov/lionhunting where you can also report your harvest. Or you can leave a message on the lion line with your phone number and harvest details, and someone will return your call to schedule a time.
Mountain Lion Harvest Reporting
Report your mountain lion harvest online, or call 1-877-438-0447
Mountain lion season status – View harvest thresholds and zone closures
Mountain lion management zones map
Mountain Lion Special Regulations
A nonpermit-tag is required to hunt mountain lion in Arizona, you need a valid hunting license and a mountain lion tag. A mountain lion tag can be obtained from a license dealer. Purchase your AZ hunting license online
Bag limit – One mountain lion per calendar year.
Harvest thresholds – When the number of harvested mountain lions reaches the threshold, that zone closes to the additional harvest of mountain lions at sundown the Wednesday immediately following. Before each hunting trip, verify that the zone is still open.
View mountain lion harvest threshold information and zone status or call toll-free 877 438-0447.
Mandatory reporting – Report your mountain lion harvest information to the Arizona Game and Fish Department in person or by telephone at 877 438-044 within 48 hours of taking the mountain lion, or report online here.
You’ll need to report the following information: hunter’s name, hunting license number, tag number, sex of the mountain lion taken, management unit where the mountain lion was taken, and telephone number at which the hunter can be reached to obtain additional information.
Mandatory physical inspection – Present the mountain lion’s skull and hide with attached proof of sex to a designated Arizona Game and Fish Department employee for inspection within 10 days of taking the mountain lion.
Preparing for the physical inspection
-Prop jaw open so that the tooth behind the upper canine can be pulled and aged.
-If the skull is frozen, it should be defrosted prior to presenting for inspection as a premolar tooth will be removed.
-If the hide is frozen, ensure that the attached proof of sex is accessible and identifiable.
-Successful hunters are encouraged to contact the nearest Department office by telephone to coordinate inspections.
Age Results
Update May 6, 2020: Teeth were submitted in two batches for aging. Not all results are available. Results will be posted as they are received.
- 2019 AZ Mountain Lion Age Results PDF
View Age Results of Harvested Mountain Lions
Posted in spring 2019
The 2018 results will be the last season that postcards will be mailed out.
Species and gender identification
Mountain Lion Identification and Methods of Determining Sex
