Arizona Hound Hunting Regulations Guide

Arizona hound hunting is a legitimate, legal, and culturally significant hunting tradition. Bear and mountain lion are the primary species pursued with hounds, and Arizona’s regulatory structure balances this tradition with wildlife management and public safety considerations.

For nonresident hunters considering a hound hunt in Arizona, the regulations are specific and enforced. Here’s the complete guide.

Quick Facts: Arizona Hound Hunting

Detail	Info
Legal species	Black bear, mountain lion
Season structure	Bear varies by unit; lion year-round in most units
Resident dog handler	Must hold Arizona hound license
Nonresident hound hunter	Uses licensed AZ resident hound handler or obtains NR permit
Bag limits	Species-specific; generally 1 lion/year and 1 bear/year
Hound requirements	No specific number limit for personal use

Disclaimer: Arizona hound hunting regulations are codified in AGFD regulation and can change. Verify current rules at azgfd.com.

Bear Hound Hunting

Arizona allows bear hunting with hounds in specific units during designated seasons. The hunt requires:

1. Valid bear tag (drawn for the specific unit/hunt number, or OTC for specific Arizona hunts).
2. Hound permit compliance (either through licensed Arizona handler or through individual NR hound permit).
3. Pursuit rules (Arizona law governs how dogs can pursue bears, including the use of tracking collars and communication equipment).

Bear hound hunts are productive — experienced handlers with conditioned hounds routinely produce bears at success rates exceeding 60% on 4-6 day hunts.

Regulations specific to bear hound hunting:

• Some bear hunts are method-restricted (standard only, no hounds)
• Other hunts are hound-hunt specific
• Check hunt number designations carefully before applying

Lion Hound Hunting

Mountain lion hound hunting is the other primary hound species. Arizona manages lion populations partly through hunter harvest, and hound hunting is a productive method.

Season: Year-round in most units, with female harvest quotas that can close individual units mid-season.

Tag: OTC mountain lion tag (~$75 NR) plus standard Arizona hunting license.

Method: Traditional trailing hounds pursue a fresh lion track until the cat trees or bays in cliff rocks. Hunter approaches and takes the animal at close range.

Success rates: 50-75% on 3-5 day hunts with experienced handlers.

The Nonresident Path

For a nonresident hunter who wants to pursue bear or lion with hounds, three paths exist:

Path 1: Hire an Arizona Outfitter

Most nonresident hound hunters hire established Arizona outfitters who:

• Own and maintain trained hounds
• Handle all dog logistics and care
• Provide vehicles and terrain knowledge
• Process harvested animals

Rates: $3,500-$8,000 for 3-5 day lion hunts; $2,500-$6,000 for bear hunts.

This is the typical and most practical path for nonresident hound hunters.

Path 2: Hunt with an AZ-Licensed Handler

A nonresident hunter can hunt with an Arizona resident who holds a valid hound license. The resident handles the dogs; the nonresident carries the tag and takes the harvest.

This is effectively a guided hunt but less formally commercial. Common among hunting-friends networks rather than commercial outfitters.

Path 3: Obtain Nonresident Hound Permit

Nonresidents can obtain an Arizona hound permit that allows them to use their own dogs. This requires:

• Application through AGFD
• Background verification
• Compliance with Arizona hound regulations
• Additional permit fee

Rarely used in practice. Most nonresidents find it easier to hire Arizona outfitters than to transport and handle their own dogs in a new state.

Hound Equipment and Electronics

Tracking collars: GPS tracking collars for hounds are legal and standard. Allow handlers to locate hounds in rough country.

Communication equipment: Two-way radios between handler and hounds (or between handlers) are legal.

Bay collars: Collars that detect when hounds are at bay are legal.

Shock collars: Legal for training but some restrictions on active use during pursuit.

Ethics and Considerations

Hound hunting carries ethical considerations that hunters should weigh:

For hound hunting:

• Established hunting tradition with cultural significance
• Productive method for managing bear and lion populations
• Alternative to trap/snare methods
• Produces legal, consumable game harvest

Criticisms:

• Some view pursuit with dogs as unsporting
• Dog welfare concerns if handlers are not experienced
• Occasional non-target pursuits (treed animals that are not legal quarry)

Experienced handlers mitigate most welfare concerns through proper conditioning, equipment, and pursuit protocols.

Is Hound Hunting Right for You?

Good candidates for hound hunts:

• Hunters who accept the method’s ethics
• Hunters who prefer assisted hunts with high success probability
• Hunters new to Arizona who want structured, guided experiences

Poor fits:

• Hunters seeking pure fair-chase experiences
• Hunters with moral objections to dog pursuit
• Hunters who want minimal gear/vehicle dependence

Booking a Hound Hunt

When to book: 6-12 months before hunt. Premier handlers book early.

Reference checks: Contact prior clients, check state records for licensing issues.

Written agreements: Formal contract outlining services, rates, and expectations.

Deposit: Standard 25-50% at booking.

Related Arizona Articles

• Fall bear draw odds

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own dogs from out of state? Legally yes, with proper permits. Practically, most don’t.

Is there a minimum dog number? No regulatory minimum. Handlers typically run 3-6 dogs.

Do I need physical fitness? Moderate. Chase country is rough but handler vehicles cover most of it.

What about weather? Cool weather (winter) is best for hounds. Heat limits dog performance.

Can I use hounds for bobcat? Yes, legal. Less commonly pursued than lion/bear.

What happens if my hunt runs into a closure? Units with female harvest quotas can close mid-hunt. Check status daily.