Section R12-4-304. Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles

A.      An individual may only use the following methods to take big game when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318.

1.        To take antelope:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(1)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

2.        To take bear:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges;

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(2)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device; and

j.         Pursuit with dogs only between August 1 and December 31, provided the individual shall immedi- ately kill or release the bear after it is treed, cor- nered, or held at bay. For the purpose of this subsection, “release” means the individual removes the dogs from the area so the bear can escape on its own after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay.

3.        To take bighorn sheep:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(3)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

4.        To take buffalo:

a.         State-wide, except for the game management units identified under subsection (A)(4)(b):

i.         Centerfire rifles;

ii.        Muzzleloading rifles;

iii.      All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

iv.       Centerfire handguns no less than .41 Magnum or centerfire handguns with an overall cartridge length of no less than two inches;

v.        Bows with a standard pull of 40 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads of no less than 7/ 8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

vi.       Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(4)(a)(v) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

b.        In game management units 5A and 5B:

i.         Centerfire rifles,

ii.        Muzzleloading rifles, and

iii.      All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder.

5.        To take deer:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(5)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

6.        To take elk:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

h.        Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(6)(g) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

7.        To take javelina:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs, only;

g.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .35 caliber or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges;

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(7)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device;

j.         .22 rimfire magnum rifles; and

k.        5 mm rimfire magnum rifles.

8.        To take mountain lion:

a.         Centerfire rifles;

b.        Muzzleloading rifles;

c.         All  other  rifles  using  black  powder  or  synthetic black powder;

d.        Centerfire handguns;

e.         Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder;

f.         Shotguns shooting slugs or shot;

g.        Pre-charged  pneumatic  weapons  .35  caliber   or larger;

h.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges;

i.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(8)(h) to be drawn and held with an assisting device;

j.         Artificial light, during seasons with day-long hours, provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle,  motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail; and

k.        Pursuit with dogs, provided the individual shall immediately kill or release the mountain lion after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay. For the purpose of this subsection, “release” means the individual removes the dogs from the area so the mountain lion can escape on its own after it is treed, cornered, or held at bay.

9.        To take turkey:

a.         Shotguns shooting shot;

b.        Bows with a standard pull of 30 or more lbs, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and

c.         Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges or bows as described in subsection (A)(9)(b) to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

B.       An individual may only use the following methods to take small game, when authorized by Commission Order and sub- ject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318.

1.        To take cottontail rabbits and tree squirrels:

a.         Firearms,

b.        Bow and arrow,

c.         Crossbow,

d.        Pneumatic weapons,

e.         Slingshots,

f.         Hand-held projectiles,

g.        Falconry, and

h.        Dogs.

2.        To take all upland game birds and Eurasian Collared- doves:

a.         Bow and arrow;

b.        Falconry;

c.         Pneumatic weapons;

d.        Shotguns shooting shot, only;

e.         Handguns shooting shot, only;

f.         Crossbow;

g.        Slingshot;

h.        Hand-held projectiles; and

i.         Dogs.

3.        To take migratory game birds, except Eurasian Collared- doves:

a.         Bow and arrow;

b.        Crossbow;

c.         Falconry;

d.        Dogs;

e.         Shotguns shooting shot:

i.         Ten gauge or smaller, except that lead shot shall not be used or possessed while taking ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, common moorhens, or coots; and

ii.        Incapable of holding more than a total of three shells, as prescribed under 50 CFR 20.21, pub- lished October 1, 2009. The material incorpo- rated by reference in this subsection does not include any later amendments or editions. The material is available at any Department office, online from the Government Printing Office web site www.gpoaccess.gov, or may be ordered from the Superintendent of Docu- ments, U.S. Government Printing Office, 732

N. Capitol St. N.W., Stop: IDCC, Washington,

D.C. 20401.

C.      An individual may take waterfowl from any watercraft, except a sinkbox, subject to the following conditions:

1.        The motor is shut off, the sail is furled, as applicable, and any progress from a motor or sail has ceased;

2.        The watercraft may be:

a.         Adrift as a result of current or wind action;

b.        Beached;

c.         Moored;

d.        Resting at anchor; or

e.         Propelled by paddle, oars, or pole; and

3.        The individual may only use the watercraft under power to retrieve dead or crippled waterfowl; shooting is prohib- ited while the watercraft is underway.

D.      An individual may take predatory and furbearing animals by using the following methods, when authorized by Commission Order and subject to the restrictions under R12-4-303 and R12-4-318:

1.        Firearms;

2.        Pre-charged pneumatic weapons .22 caliber or larger;

3.        Bow and arrow;

4.        Crossbow;

5.        Traps not prohibited under R12-4-307;

6.        Artificial light while taking raccoon provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motor- ized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail;

7.        Artificial light while taking coyote during seasons with day-long hours, provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motor- ized watercraft or a watercraft under sail; and

8.        Dogs.

E.       An individual may take nongame mammals and birds by any method authorized by Commission Order and not prohibited under R12-4-303 or R12-4-318, subject to the following restrictions. An individual:

1.        Shall not take nongame mammals and birds using foot- hold traps;

2.        Shall check pitfall traps of any size daily, release non-tar- get species, remove pitfalls when no longer in use, and fill any holes;

3.        Shall not use firearms at night; and

4.        May use artificial light while taking nongame mammals and birds, if the light is not attached to or operated from a

motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail.

F.       An individual may take reptiles by any method not prohibited under R12-4-303 or R12-4-318 subject to the following restrictions. An individual:

1.        Shall check pitfall traps of any size daily, release non-tar- get species, remove pitfalls when no longer in use, and fill any holes;

2.        Shall not use firearms at night; and

3.        May use artificial light while taking reptiles provided the light is not attached to or operated from a motor vehicle, motorized watercraft, watercraft under sail, or floating object towed by a motorized watercraft or a watercraft under sail.

Historical Note

Amended effective May 21, 1975 (Supp. 75-1). Amended

effective May 3, 1976 (Supp. 76-3). Amended effective

October 20, 1977 (Supp. 77-5). Amended effective Janu-

ary 11, 1978 (Supp. 78-1). Amended effective September

7, 1978 (Supp. 78-5). Amended effective November 14,

1979 (Supp. 79-6). Amended effective July 22, 1980 (Supp. 80-4). Former Section R12-4-53 renumbered as Section R12-4-304 without change effective August 13, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Amended effective May 12, 1982

(Supp. 82-3). Amended effective April 7, 1983 (Supp.

83-2). Amended subsection (I) effective June 7, 1984

(Supp. 84-3). Amended effective February 28, 1985

(Supp. 85-1). Amended effective September 16, 1985

(Supp. 85-5). Amended effective June 4, 1987 (Supp. 87- 2). Former Section R12-4-304 repealed, new Section R12-4-304 adopted effective December 30, 1988 (Supp.

88-4). Correction, former Historical Note should read “Former Section R12-4-304 repealed, new Section R12- 4-304 adopted effective January 1, 1989, filed December

30, 1988” (Supp. 89-2). Amended effective January 1,

1993; filed December 18, 1992 (Supp. 92-4). Former Section R12-4-304 repealed, new Section R12-4-304 adopted effective February 9, 1998 (Supp. 98-1).

Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 1702, effective March 11, 2002 (Supp. 02-1). Amended by final rulemak-

ing at 10 A.A.R. 850, effective April 3, 2004 (Supp. 04-

1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 17 A.A.R. 2629,

effective December 9, 2011 (Supp. 11-4). Amended by

final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 826, effective July 1, 2013

(Supp. 13-2).