Small Game Challenge
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in partnership with the Valley of the Sun Chapter of Quail Forever, presents the Arizona Small Game Challenge. The four individual challenges recognize the diverse landscapes and rewards associated with small game hunting throughout Arizona. A registration fee of $25 (you are only eligible for 1 challenge for the year) will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Valley of the Sun Chapter of Quail Forever to improve habitat that will directly benefit small game in Arizona. A hunter who completes his or her first challenge will receive a plaque that includes an engraving plate to mark the achievement. The plaque comes with space for additional engraving plates as a hunter completes the remaining challenges.
See how to participate below.
Native Quail Challenge
- Scaled quail
- Gambel’s quail
- Mearns’ quail
Desert Small Game Challenge (five of seven)
- Mourning dove
- White-winged dove
- Eurasian collared dove
- Cottontail rabbit
- Mearns’ quail
- Gambel’s quail
- Scaled quail
Mountain Small Game Challenge (five of seven)
- Dusky (or blue) grouse
- Chukar
- Band-tailed pigeon
- Cottontail rabbit
- Tree squirrel
- Abert’s
- Kaibab
- Red Squirrel
- Abert’s
Ultimate Upland Bird Challenge
- Dusky (or blue) grouse
- Chukar
- Mearns’ quail
- Gambel’s quail
- Scaled quail
-Registration is $25. (You are only eligible for 1 challenge for the year)
-Go hunting! Be sure to photograph each species associated with the challenge.
-Certify each species harvested by submitting a (date noted) photographs.
Send photos with name and challenge completed in the subject line, to:
Smallgame@azgfd.gov OR
Arizona Game & Fish Department
Small Game Program Manager
5000 W Carefree Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85086
*Photos will not be returned
-Go to this web page to fill out your verification information form about the completed challenge, providing the general location (Game Management Unit) each species was taken and the date.
–Information verification form
-A hunter who completes his or her first challenge will receive a plaque that includes an engraving plate to mark the achievement. Additional engraving plates will be provided as subsequent challenges are completed.
General Rules
-All species must be harvested during the general season.
-Game birds must be “wild” birds and not raised in captivity.
-A hunter must be registered for the challenge with Valley of the Sun Chapter of Quail Forever Chapter at the time of harvest and at the time when the challenge is completed.
-Registration is valid Aug. 1 – July 31.
How the Registration Fee will be Used
A registration fee of $25 (you are only eligible for 1 challenge for the year) will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Valley of the Sun Chapter of Quail Forever to improve habitat that will directly benefit small game in Arizona.
