PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has completed the rulemaking process amending rules within Articles 1, 2, 3, and 6 to implement the recommendations that were proposed in the most recent Article 3, Taking and Handling of Wildlife, five-year review report.
The commission’s intent in proposing the amendments is to address the ethical taking and handling of wildlife, increase hunter opportunity, and encourage hunter recruitment and retention. These areas include the use of tags, lawful and unlawful methods of taking and possessing wildlife and wildlife parts, seasons, check-in/check-out requirements, and reporting requirements.
After significant public input during the initial public process, the commission directed the department to modify its original recommendations to accommodate that input. The commission voted to approve the final rulemaking at its September 2023 meeting. The amended final rules will become effective Aug. 10, 2024. You can read the summary of the final rulemaking by clicking HERE.
To track the progress of other commission rulemakings, view the regulatory agenda and all previous five-year review reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.