Species Information
Javelina
Overview: Unit 26M has an archery-only javelina hunt in January. Javelina hunters in 26M are required to have a valid hunting license and an archery-only nonpermit tag which may be purchased at any licensed dealer or department office.
Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.
When hunting with modern archery equipment in urban areas hunters need to be especially safety conscious to avoid hunting accidents.
Mountain Lion
Overview: Unit 26M has a general and an archery only mt. lion hunt from July to June. Please refer to the current year’s Arizona Game & Fish Department Hunting Regulations for more information regarding open areas. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and a non-permit general or archery mt. lion tag. Both mt. lion tags for Unit 26M can be purchased over the counter at any license dealer.
Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.
Mule Deer
Overview: Unit 26M has an archery only deer hunt in late December and January. Please refer to the current year’s Arizona Game & Fish Department Hunting Regulations for more information regarding open areas. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and a non-permit archery deer tag. Archery deer tags for Unit 26M can be purchased over the counter at any license dealer.
Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.
When hunting with modern archery equipment in urban areas hunters need to be especially safety conscious to avoid hunting accidents.
Dove
Overview: U26M has two dove hunts. During the early season, usually September 1-September 15, mourning dove, white-wing dove, and Eurasian collard dove are in season. During the late season, usually mid-November thru early January, only mourning dove and Eurasian collard dove are in season.
To hunt dove, adults 18 and older must have in their possession a valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt/fish license and an Arizona migratory bird stamp. Youth ages 10-17 must have in their possession a valid youth combination hunt/fish license only (the Arizona migratory bird stamp is included in the youth combo license). Lawful methods for taking dove include: shotgun shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, or crossbow.
Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.
When it comes to the early dove season, the hot action will typically be near agricultural areas with grain type crops growing or recently cut. While Arizona is well known for its cotton, the state also produces corn, sorghum, melons, barley, and even wheat – all great dove attractants.
However, there are plenty of opportunities to harvest a limit of these aerial acrobats in the open desert. Doves consistently move along natural landscape corridors of brush- and tree-lined washes. Birds will move to and from roosting sites, and food and water throughout the day. Sunrise and dusk are typically the best times to hunt these desert corridors.
Other areas to consider would be along canal systems, around dairies and stock tanks. Google Earth is one means of locating stock tanks and other areas to hunt.
Please remember to be respectful and obtain permission if need to hunt an area.
Quail
Overview: Quail season in Unit 26M is usually open from early October until early February (See Fall Hunt regulations for exact dates). Gamble’s Quail can be found throughout the unit. Hunters 18 and older are required to have a valid hunting or combo hunt/fish license. Youth ages 10-17 are required to have a Youth combo hunt/fish license. Lawful methods for taking quail include: shotguns shooting shot, handguns shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, and crossbow.
Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.
Gambel’s quail occupy a wide variety of habitats. Birds often concentrate along desert washes in dense scrubby vegetation and near water sources. Some densely vegetated habitats are difficult to hunt despite good quail numbers, because Gambel’s will run, refusing to fly except behind screening cover. Quail populations are affected by winter precipitation (October through March), so local information on winter rainfall from the previous year narrows the hunter’s search.
Other areas to consider would be areas along canal systems and stock tanks. Google Earth is one means of locating stock tanks and areas to hunt.
Please remember to be respectful and obtain permission if need to hunt an area.