August 22, 2026 through May 31, 2027<\/strong>, statewide excluding certain closed units. The bag limit is one mountain lion per calendar year, per AZGFD.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDo I need hunter education to hunt mountain lions in Arizona?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Residents and non-residents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license to hunt in Arizona, per AZGFD. Our research doesn’t confirm a separate hunter-education mandate specific to mountain lion hunting, so check directly with AZGFD for the latest education requirements before you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s the difference between a hunting license and a nonpermit-tag?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Both are required, and they’re separate purchases. Your hunting license authorizes you to hunt in Arizona generally, while the nonpermit-tag is the species-specific authorization needed to take a mountain lion, available over-the-counter from any license dealer, per AZGFD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much does a non-resident Arizona mountain lion hunt cost in licenses and tags?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A non-resident needs a $160 general hunting license plus a $75 mountain lion nonpermit-tag, for a base cost of $235. If you also want to run dogs without harvesting, a pursuit-only permit adds $100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a pursuit-only permit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A pursuit-only permit allows you to use dogs to pursue \u2014 but not kill or capture \u2014 a mountain lion, per AZGFD regulation. The pursuit-only season coincides with the open season, and you need either the permit or a valid, unused nonpermit-tag to participate. It costs $20 for residents and $100 for non-residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What must I do after harvesting a mountain lion in Arizona?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You must report your harvest online within 48 hours of taking the lion, then present the skull and hide with attached proof of sex for physical inspection within 10 days (appointment required). You can also call the AZGFD hotline at 1-877-438-0447 to report your harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I know if my hunting zone is still open?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Arizona manages lion harvest through geographic zones, each with its own total harvest threshold \u2014 once a zone hits its limit, it closes to further harvest at sundown the following Wednesday. Call 1-877-438-0447 before you head out to confirm your zone is still open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Final Shot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Arizona’s 2026-27 mountain lion season gives you nearly ten months to plan, scout, and hunt \u2014 no draw, no waiting list, just a license, a tag, and a legal zone to hunt in. Get your paperwork sorted (license plus nonpermit-tag), confirm your zone is open by calling 1-877-438-0447, and lock in your hunting ground before opening day on August 22, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check with AZGFD directly for the most current rules and zone status before you head afield. And when it comes to securing the ground itself, Hunting Locator connects you directly with Arizona landowners ready to lease or sell access, so you’re not stuck competing for pressured public units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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