1. A. For the purposes of this Section, limited-entry permit-tags may be for terrestrial or aquatics species, or specific areas for terrestrial or aquatic species.
2. B. The Commission may, by Commission Order, open a limited-entry season or seasons and prescribe a maximum number of limited-entry permit-tags to be made available under this Section.

3. C. The Department may implement limited-entry permit-tags under the open season or seasons established in subsection (B) if the Department determines:

   1. 1. A season for a specific terrestrial or aquatic wildlife species, or specific area of the state, is in high demand;
   2. 2. Issuance of a specific number of limited-entry permit-tags will not adversely affect management objectives for a species or area;
   3. 3. Surrendered hunt permit-tags, already approved by Commission Order, are available from hunts with high demand.

4. D. To implement a limited-entry season established by Commission Order, the Department shall:

   1. 1. Select season dates, within the range of dates listed in the Commission Order;
   2. 2. Select specific areas, within the range of areas listed in the Commission Order;
   3. 3. Select the legal wildlife that may be taken from the list of legal wildlife identified in the Commission Order;

   4. 4. Determine the number of limited-entry permit-tags that will be issued from the maximum number authorized in the Commission Order.

      1. a. The Department shall not issue more limited-entry permit-tags than the maximum number prescribed by Commission Order.
      2. b. A limited-entry permit-tag is valid only for the limited-entry season for which it is issued.
5. E. The provisions of R12-4-104, R12-4-107, R12-4-114, and R12-4-609 do not apply to limited-entry seasons.
6. F. A limited-entry permit-tag application submitted in accordance with this Section does not invalidate any other application submitted by the person for a hunt permit-tag.
7. G. The Department shall not accept a group application, as defined under R12-4-104, for a limited-entry season.

8. H. To participate in a limited-entry season, a person shall:

   1. 1. Obtain a limited-entry permit-tag as prescribed under this Section, and
   2. 2. Possess a valid hunting, fishing or combination license at the time the limited-entry permit-tag is awarded. If the applicant does not possess a valid license or the license will expire before the limited-entry season, the applicant shall purchase an appropriate license. A valid hunting, fishing or combination license is not required at the time of application.

9. I. A limited-entry permit-tag is valid only for the person named on the permit-tag, for the season dates on the permit-tag, and the species for which the permit-tag is issued.

   1. 1. Possession of a limited-entry permit-tag shall not invalidate any other hunt permit-tag for that species.
   2. 2. Big game taken under the authority of this limited-entry permit-tag shall not count towards the established bag limit for that species.

10. J. The Department shall maintain the applications submitted for limited-entry permit-tags.

    1. 1. An applicant for a limited-entry season under this subsection shall submit a limited-entry permit-tag application to the Department for each limited-entry season established. The application is available at any Department office and on the Department’s website. The applicant shall provide all of the following information on the application:

       1. a. The applicant’s personal information:

          1. i. Name,
          2. ii. Date of birth,
          3. iii. Social security number, as required under A.R.S. §§ 25-320(P) and 25-502(K), when applicable;
          4. iv. Department identification number, when applicable;
          5. v. Residency status and number of years of residency immediately preceding application, when applicable;
          6. vi. Mailing address, when applicable;
          7. vii. Physical address;
          8. viii. Telephone number, when available; and
          9. ix. Email address, when available;
       2. b. The limited-entry season the applicant would like to participate in, and
       3. c. Certify the information provided on the application is true and accurate.
    2. 2. In addition to the requirements established under subsection (J)(1), at the time of application the applicant shall submit the application fee required under R12-4-102. A separate application and application fee are required for each limited-entry season an applicant submits an application.
    3. 3. When issuing a limited-entry permit-tag for a terrestrial or aquatic wildlife species, the Department shall randomly select applicants for each designated limited-entry season.
    4. 4. When issuing a limited-entry permit-tag for a particular water, the Department shall randomly select applicants for each date limited-entry permit-tags are available until no more are available for that date.
    5. 5. In compliance with subsection (D)(4), the Department shall select no more applications after the number of limited-entry permits establish by Commission Order are issued.

Historical Note

Adopted effective January 10, 1979 (Supp. 79-1). Former Section R12-4-15 renumbered as Section R12-4-116 without change effective August 13, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Amended effective December 18, 1985 (Supp. 85-6). Section R12-4-116 repealed, new Section R12-4-116 adopted effective March 1, 1991; filed February 28, 1991 (Supp. 91-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 291, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3025, effective January 2, 2016 (Supp. 15-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3025, effective January 2, 2016 (Supp. 15-4). R12-4-116 renumbered to R12-4-126; new Section R12-4-116 made by final rulemaking at 27 A.A.R. 283, effective July 1, 2021 (Supp. 21-1).