Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations 2006-2007 Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 W. Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 (602) 942-3000 azgfd.gov Synopsis of federal regulations applicable to migratory bird hunting WEAPON - Migratory game birds may be taken only with a 10 gauge or smaller shotgun capable of holding not more than three shells. Birds may also be taken by falconry or by bow and arrow, or crossbow. MOTOR-VEHICLE RESTRICTION – No person may take migratory game birds from any motor-driven vehicle, including aircraft. Special regulations govern handicapped hunters. WATERCRAFT RESTRICTIONS - Waterfowl may be hunted from a watercraft (except a sinkbox) including those propelled by motor, sail and wind, or both when the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased. The watercraft may be drifting as a result of current or wind action on the hull, beached or moored, resting at anchor, or may be propelled by paddle, oars or pole. A watercraft under power may be used to retrieve dead or crippled waterfowl but no shooting is permitted while the watercraft is underway. It is illegal to drive or rally game birds toward hunters by use of any motor-driven conveyance or sail boat. Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 W. Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 (602) 942-3000 azgfd.gov The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability in its programs and activities. Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in federally assisted AGFD programs. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the AGFD Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, (602) 942-3000 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 130, Arlington, VA 22203. If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact the AGFD Deputy Director as listed above or by calling TTY at 1-800-367-8939. DECOYS, CALLS AND BAITING - Migratory birds may not be taken with the aid of live decoys, recorded bird calls or electronically amplified bird calls. It is illegal to take birds by the aid of baiting or on or over a baited area where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. A baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after complete removal of any bait. Baiting includes placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them. RETRIEVAL AND TAGGING - All birds downed shall be retrieved if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field. Crippled birds must be killed immediately. Any birds given to or left with another person must be tagged by the hunter with a tag showing the hunter’s name, address, the number and species of birds, and the dates they were killed. Packages in which migratory game birds are shipped must show the names of the sender and receiver, and the number and species of birds contained in the parcel. BAG LIMIT - No person may, during any one day take more than one daily bag limit or possess more than one daily bag limit in the field, or while returning to the car, hunting camp or home. One feathered wing must be left attached to all migratory game birds until they reach their final destination.  IMPORTATION - For information regarding the importation of migratory game birds killed in another country, hunters should consult federal regulations (50CFR 20.61 through 20.66). One fully feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between the port of entry and the hunter’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import any migratory game birds from any country except Canada unless such birds are dressed (except as required above), drawn and the head and feet are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person. 2006-2007 Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp Last Name Suffix SEASON AND HOURS - No person may take migratory game birds during closed season. Migratory game birds may be taken only during hours open to hunting. First Name MI Hunt Zones PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. COST FOR THIS STAMP IS $3.00 Date: MO (Circle One) DY Mr. Ms. YR Mrs. Address Address Littlefield City Page 12B 13A 13B State 12A Zip Code NAVAJO 9 15A MOHAVE 15B 15C (Required) COCONINO Kingman 18A Williams 15D 18B 16A 16B Lake Havasu 17A 8 19B LA PAZ Wickenberg 44A 41 21 Payson 22 25M Gila Bend Desert Zone Indian Reservation 2B 2C Show Low 23 Eagar 1 24A 24B GREENLEE GRAHAM Florence 37A Ajo TUCSON 36B 28 32 38M 36C 36A Safford 31 33 MO DY YR 1. Do you intend to hunt doves, coots, moorhen, snipe or blue grouse this season? ( ) No ( ) Yes 2. Will you hunt band-tailed pigeons this season? ( ) No ( ) Yes 27 Globe PINAL PIMA Mountain Zone St. Johns 3B 37B 40B 46A 2A 3A 3C 40A 46B APACHE GILA 39 YUMA 4A PHOENIX 26M MARICOPA 4B 5A 26M 47M 45A 45C Holbrook 20B 42 45B Winslow 5B 6A Prescott Parker 43B 11MFlagstaff 6B 20A 20C 43A 44B 7 19A 17B YAVAPAI City Yuma Date of Birth: 10 34A 34B Willcox 30A 30B 29 COCHISE SANTA CRUZ 35B 35A 3. If you hunted these birds last season, about how many did you bag? Did Not Hunt None 1-10 11-30 31+ Doves ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Band-tailed pigeon ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 4. Which of the following species did you hunt last season? ( ) Coots ( ) Moorhens ( ) Snipe ( ) Blue Grouse Douglas  ✃ TO ORDER BY MAIL: Mail this form to any Arizona Game and Fish Department office. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. You must include a check or money order in the amount of $3.00. This stamp will be available at all license dealers beginning July 1.  2006-2007 Arizona Waterfowl Stamp SUNRISE/SUNSET 2006-2007 PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. COST FOR THIS STAMP IS $7.50 (Times shown are for central Arizona. Figure up to nine minutes earlier for eastern areas, nine minutes later for western areas.) Date: MO (Circle One) DY Mr. Ms. YR DATE Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 10 Oct. 15 Oct. 20 Oct. 25 Oct. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 5 Nov. 10 Nov. 15 Nov. 20 Nov. 25 Nov. 30 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 10 Dec. 15 Dec. 20 Dec. 25 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 10 Jan. 15 Jan. 20 Jan. 25 Jan. 30 Feb. 5 Mrs. Last Name Suffix First Name MI Address Address City State Zip Code Date of Birth: (Required) MO DY YR 1. Do you intend to hunt ducks or geese this season? ( ) No ( ) Yes 2. If you hunted these birds last season, about how many did you bag? Did Not Hunt None 1-10 11-30 31+ Ducks ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Geese ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) RISE 6:23 6:26 6:29 6:33 6:37 6:41 6:45 6:47 6:51 6:55 7:00 7:05 7:09 7:14 7:14 7:18 7:22 7:25 7:28 7:30 7:32 7:33 7:33 7:33 7:33 7:31 7:29 7:26 7:22 SET 6:13 6:07 6:01 5:55 5:49 5:43 5:38 5:36 5:33 5:29 5:26 5:23 5:21 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:21 5:22 5:24 5:27 5:30 5:31 5:34 5:39 5:43 5:48 5:53 5:58 6:03 3. Which of the following species did you hunt last season? ( ) Coots ( ) Moorhens ( ) Snipe  ✃ TO ORDER BY MAIL: Mail this form to any Arizona Game and Fish Department office. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. You must include a check or money order in the amount of $7.50. This stamp will be available at all license dealers beginning July 1.  Changes from last year The opening and closing dates have changed from last year for most seasons. Last year, Arizona had a 60 day restricted canvasback season in each zone. This year, hunters can shoot 1 canvasback per day whenever the regular duck season is open in each zone. The special goose season in Units 1 and 27 now has an opening date of Nov. 15. Monuments and military areas The Grand Canyon-Parashant, Vermilion Cliffs, Sonoran Desert, Ironwood Forest, and Agua Fria National Monuments are open to hunting. The Navajo Army Depot in Unit 6B is open to hunting only to properly licensed members of the Arizona National Guard and Navajo Army Depot civilian personnel holding a valid Navajo Army Depot hunting permit. Season dates and regulations must be obtained from the Arizona National Guard. The Fort Huachuca Army Garrison in Unit 35A is open to hunting only to properly licensed military and Fort Huachuca civilian personnel holding a valid Fort Huachuca post hunting permit. Season dates and special regulations must be obtained from Fort Huachuca. The Florence Military Reservation (training areas B and D: the areas north and south of Cottonwood Canyon Road) in Unit 37B is subject to short term closures due to military operations, including live fire operations, and requires coordination with the Florence Military Reservation for hunting access. For specific closure dates or any other access concerns, contact the Florence Military Reservation at 602-267-2062. A map of the Florence Military Reservation is located on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site, azgfd.gov (type Florence Military Reservation in the search box). One feathered wing Sportsmen should note that one feathered wing (or head for sandhill crane only) must be left attached to all migratory game birds until they reach their final destination. Nontoxic shot Possession of lead shot, including plated lead, is prohibited while hunting waterfowl (ducks, geese, coots, mergansers, and common moorhens). NONTOXIC shot is required for all waterfowl hunting in Arizona. NONTOXIC shot includes steel, bismuth, tungsten/iron, tungsten/polymer,  tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten matrix shot, tungsten/bronze, tungsten/tin/bismuth, tungsten-iron-copper-nickel, and tungsten-tin-iron. A complete listing of approved nontoxic shot can be found at www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/ nontoxic_shot/nontoxic.htm Banded birds Hunters can report recovery of banded birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Wildlife areas, county parks For Restrictions for taking wildlife on Maricopa County Parks and Information on Status of Wildlife Areas (R12-4-802), see page 70 and pages 76-77 of the Fall 2006-2007 Arizona Hunting Regulations. Waterfowl hunting information Detailed waterfowl hunting information is available by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov under the “Wildlife and Fish” link. Waterfowl Hunters – Arizona Bald Eagles Need Your Help Annually on Dec. 1, 22 closures are enacted statewide to protect breeding bald eagles. These closures restrict human activity within the nest area so the resident bald eagles will have the opportunity to successfully breed. We are asking for your assistance to avoid these areas while you are hunting waterfowl, as your presence and the noise from discharging your firearm may cause a disturbance to the breeding pair. The bald eagles are laying eggs during the later part of the waterfowl season and are very sensitive to human activity. The bald eagle is protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and various other state and federal laws. You can find the full list of Bald Eagle Breeding Area Closures at http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/printer_426.shtml, or by contacting the local U.S. Forest Service Ranger District office or Arizona Game and Fish Regional Office where you plan to hunt.  Commission Order 22: Common Snipe General Common Snipe Open Areas do not include any area closed to hunting under A.R.S. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 or Commission Rules R12-4-301, R12-4-801, R12-4-802 and R12-4-803. Season Dates Notes Oct. 20, 2006 - Jan. 28, 2007 (1) Oct. 6, 2006 - Jan. 14, 2007 (2) Open Areas Desert Zone: those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai County and Units 10 and 12B through 45 Mountain Zone: Units 1-5, 7, 9, 12A and those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County Legal Wildlife Common snipe Common snipe LAWFUL TAKING DEVICE: Shotgun, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304 and by falconry. LICENSE REQUIRED: Any valid hunting license plus a valid Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp. Falconers must be licensed pursuant to R12-4-422 or exempted pursuant to R12-4-407. SHOOTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. BAG LIMIT: Eight (8) per day. POSSESSION LIMIT: Sixteen (16) common snipe after opening day, no more than eight (8) of which may have been taken in any one day. FALCONRY BAG LIMIT: Three (3) per day. Note: The aggregate falconry bag limit of all migratory game birds is three (3), comprised of any combination of migratory game bird species for which a general season, that includes falconry as a legal method of take, or a falconry-only season is open. Falconers should consult Commission Orders 19, 20, 21, and 22 for season dates and open areas. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to the firearms bag limit. FALCONRY POSSESSION LIMIT: Six (6) in the aggregate of all migratory game birds in season (Commission Orders 19 through 22) after opening day, of which no more than three (3) may be taken in any one day. HARVEST INFORMATION PROGRAM (HIP): As required by A.R.S. 17-333.03 and R12-4-203, Snipe hunters age 16 and older shall have in their possession a valid Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp or printed privilege which will validate their license for the federal Harvest Information Program. The Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp may be obtained, for a cost of $3.00 on or after July 1, from any Arizona Game and Fish Department office or wherever hunting licenses are sold. Common Snipe Notes: 1. Open areas include the Imperial, Cibola, Buenos Aires and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges EXCEPT for posted portions which shall be closed to all hunting. A fee may be required for hunting on National Wildlife Refuges, see refuge regulations. 2. Ashurst Lake in Unit 5B is closed to common snipe hunting. Commission Order 21: Waterfowl General Waterfowl Open Areas do not include any area closed to hunting under A.R.S. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 or Commission Rules R12-4-301, R12-4-801, R12-4-802 and R12-4-803. Season Dates Notes Open Areas Oct 20, 2006 - Jan 28, 2007 Desert Zone: those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai County (1,2,3,4,5) and Units 10 and 12B through 45 Legal Wildlife Oct 20, 2006 - Jan 28, 2007 (1,2,3,4,5) Desert Zone: those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai County and Units 10 and 12B through 45 EXCEPT Units 22, 23 and 27 Oct 6, 2006 - Jan 14, 2007 (1,2,3,4) Mountain Zone: Units 1-5, 7, 7M, 9, 12A and those portions of Units 6 Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens and 8 within Coconino County (gallinules) Oct 6, 2006 - Jan 14, 2007 (3,4) Mountain Zone: Units 2-5, 7, 7M, 9, 12A and those portions of Units 6 White geese (snow, blue and Ross’) and dark geese (Canada and and 8 within Coconino County white-fronted) Nov. 15, 2006 - Jan 14, 2007 (3,4) Special Goose Seasons: Units 1 and 27 White geese (snow, blue and Ross’) and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) Nov 15, 2006 - Jan 28, 2007 (3,4) Special Goose Seasons: Units 22 and 23 White geese (snow, blue and Ross’) and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens (gallinules) White geese (snow, blue and Ross’) and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) LAWFUL TAKING DEVICE: Shotgun, crossbow, bow and arrow or falconry as prescribed in R12-4-304. LICENSE REQUIRED: Any valid hunting license plus a valid Arizona Waterfowl Stamp and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (i.e. federal Duck Stamp). Falconers must be licensed pursuant to R12-4-422 or exempted pursuant to R12-4-407. SHOOTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. BAG LIMIT: The daily bag limit of ducks, including mergansers: Seven (7) per day not to include more than: two (2) redheads; one (1) pintail; one (1) canvasback; seven (7) mallards, no more than two (2) of which may be female or Mexican-like ducks; and three (3) scaup. Coots and common moorhens (gallinules): Twenty-five (25) per day, singly or in the aggregate. Geese: Four (4) white geese (snow, including blue and Ross’ geese) per day and three (3) dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) per day. FALCONRY BAG LIMIT: See Falconry-Only section. POSSESSION LIMIT: The possession limit of ducks including mergansers: Fourteen (14) after opening day, only seven (7) of which may be taken any one day, but no more than: a. four (4) redheads b. two (2) pintails c. two (2) canvasbacks. d. four (4) female mallards or Mexican-like ducks e. six (6) scaup Coots and common moorhens (gallinules): Twenty-five (25) singly or in the aggregate. Geese: Eight (8) white geese (snow, including blue and Ross’ geese) and six (6) dark geese (Canada and white-fronted). FALCONRY POSSESSION LIMIT: See Falconry-Only section. Juniors-Only Waterfowl Open Areas do not include any area closed to hunting under A.R.S. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 or Commission Rules R12-4-301, R12-4-801, R12-4-802 and R12-4-803. Season Dates Notes Open Areas Legal Wildlife Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens Desert Zone: Those portions of Units 6 and 8 lying within Yavapai Feb 3, 2007 (1,3,4,5) (gallinules). Including white geese now, blue and Ross’) and dark County and Units 10 and 12B through 45 geese (Canada and white-fronted) Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens Mountain Zone: Units 1-5, 7, 7M, 9, 12A, and those portions of Units 6 Sep 30, 2006 (2,3,4) (gallinules). Including white geese snow, blue and Ross’) and dark and 8 within Coconino County geese (Canada and white-fronted) LAWFUL TAKING DEVICE: Shotgun, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304. LICENSE REQUIRED: Any valid hunting license required for participating age 14 and 15; participants age 16 or older must have a valid Arizona Waterfowl Stamp and and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (i.e. federal Duck Stamp); participants under 14 need not be licensed if accompanied by a licensed adult as prescribed in A.R.S. 17-335. ELIGIBLE HUNTERS: Pursuant to R12-4-318 persons are eligible to participate throughout the calendar year of their 17th birthday. SHOOTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. BAG LIMIT: The daily bag limit of ducks, including mergansers: Seven (7) per day not to include more than: two (2) redheads; one (1) pintail; one (1) canvasback; seven (7) mallards, no more than two (2) of which may be female or Mexican-like ducks; and three (3) scaup. Coots and common moorhens (gallinules): Twenty-five (25) per day, singly or in the aggregate. Geese: Four (4) white geese (snow, including blue and Ross’ geese) per day and three (3) dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) per day. Falconry-Only Waterfowl Open Areas do not include any area closed to hunting under A.R.S. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 or Commission Rules R12-4-301, R12-4-801, R12-4-802 and R12-4-803. Season Dates Notes Open Areas Legal Wildlife Desert Zone: Those portions of Units 6 and 8 lying within Yavapai Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens (4,6) Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2007 County and Units 10 and 12B through 45 (gallinules) Oct 1 - Oct 5, 2006 (2,4,6) Mountain Zone: Units 1-5, 7, 7M, 9, 12A and those portions of Units 6 Ducks including mergansers, coots, and common moorhens and 8 within Coconino County (gallinules) LAWFUL TAKING DEVICE: Falconry as prescribed in R12-4-318 and R12-4-101. LICENSE REQUIRED: Any valid hunting license plus valid Arizona Waterfowl Stamp and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (i.e. federal Duck Stamp). Falconers must be licensed pursuant to R12-4-422 or exempted pursuant to R12-4-407. HAWKING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. BAG LIMIT: Three (3) per day. Note: The aggregate falconry bag limit of all migratory game birds is three (3), comprised of any combination of migratory game bird species for which a general season, that includes falconry as a legal method of take, or a falconry-only season is open. Falconers should consult Commission Orders 19, 20, 21, and 22 for season dates and open areas. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to the firearms bag limit. POSSESSION LIMIT: Six (6) in the aggregate of all migratory game birds in season (Commission Orders 19 through 22) after opening day, of which no more than three (3) may be taken in any one day. Waterfowl Notes: 1. Open areas include the Imperial, Cibola, Buenos Aires and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges EXCEPT for posted portions which shall be closed to all hunting, a fee may be required for hunting on National Wildlife Refuges, see refuge regulations. 2. Ashurst Lake in Management Unit 5B is closed to all waterfowl hunting. 3. All areas within Arizona are designated nontoxic shot zones. The use or possession of lead shot while waterfowl hunting is prohibited. Waterfowl includes ducks, geese, brant, swans, coots and moorhens. Lead shot includes plated lead shot. Steel, bismuth, tungsten/iron, tungsten/polymer, tungsten-nickeliron, and tungsten matrix shot are approved as nontoxic shot. A complete listing of approved nontoxic shot can be found at www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/nontoxic_shot/nontoxic.htm. 4. Persons 16 years of age or older must have in their possession a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp when taking ducks and geese, and a valid, signed Arizona Waterfowl Stamp attached to their hunting license or printed privileges on their license when taking ducks and geese. This stamp or privilege will automatically register the holder for the federal Harvest Information Program for the taking of ducks and geese. Persons 16 years of age and older must have in their possession a valid Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp or privilege when taking coots and common moorhens pursuant to A.R.S. 17-333.03 and R12-4-203. 5. Hunting is not permitted in Unit 26M in the following described area: those private lands lying just north of the Town of Cave Creek in Sections 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15 of Township 6 North, Range 3 East. 6. Falconry hunting will not be permitted on National Wildlife Refuges.