1. A. A pioneer license grants all of the hunting and fishing privileges of a combination hunting and fishing license. The pioneer license is only available at a Department office.

2. B. The pioneer license is a complimentary license and is valid for the license holder’s lifetime. The license remains valid if the licensee subsequently resides outside of this state.

   1. 1. A licensee who resides outside of Arizona shall submit the nonresident fee to purchase any required hunt permit-tag, nonpermit-tag, or stamp to hunt and fish in this state.
   2. 2. Limits established under R12-4-114 for nonresident hunt permit-tags and nonpermit-tags do not apply to a pioneer license holder.

3. C. A person who is age 70 or older and has been a resident of Arizona for at least 25 consecutive years immediately preceding application may apply for a pioneer license by submitting an application to the Department. The application form is furnished by the Department and is available at any Department office and on the Department’s website. A pioneer license applicant shall provide all of the following information on the application:

   1. 1. The applicant’s personal information:

      1. a. Name;
      2. b. Date of birth;
      3. c. Physical description, to include the applicant’s eye color, hair color, height, and weight;
      4. d. Customer identification number, when applicable;
      5. e. Residency status and number of years of residency immediately preceding application, when applicable;
      6. f. Mailing address, when applicable;
      7. g. Physical address;
      8. h. Telephone number, when available; and
      9. i. Email address, when available;

   2. 2. Affirmation that:

      1. a. The applicant is 70 years of age or older and has been a resident of this state for 25 or more consecutive years immediately preceding application for the license; and
      2. b. The information provided on the application is true and accurate.
   3. 3. Applicant’s signature and date.

4. D. In addition to the requirements listed under subsection (C), an applicant for a pioneer license shall also submit a copy of any one of the following documents at the time of application:

   1. 1. Valid U.S. passport;
   2. 2. Applicant’s birth certificate;
   3. 3. Valid government-issued driver’s license; or
   4. 4. Valid government-issued identification card.
5. E. All information and documentation provided by the applicant is subject to Department verification.

6. F. The Department shall deny a pioneer license when the applicant:

   1. 1. Fails to meet the criteria prescribed under A.R.S. § 17-333(C)(1),
   2. 2. Fails to comply with this Section, or
   3. 3. Provides false information on the application.
7. G. The Department shall provide written notice to the applicant stating the reason for the denial. The applicant may appeal the denial to the Commission as prescribed under A.R.S. Title 41, Ch 6, Article 10.

8. H. A pioneer license holder may request a no-fee duplicate of the paper license provided:

   1. 1. The license was lost or destroyed;
   2. 2. The license holder submits a written request to the Department for a no-fee duplicate paper license; and
   3. 3. The Department’s records indicate a pioneer license was previously issued to that person.
9. I. A person issued a pioneer license prior to January 1, 2014 shall be entitled to the privileges established under subsection (A).

Historical Note

Former Section R12-4-31 renumbered as Section R12-4-201 without change effective August 13, 1981. New Section R12-4-201 amended effective August 31, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Amended subsection (B) effective December 9, 1985 (Supp. 85-6). Amended subsections (D) and (E), and changed application for a Pioneer License effective September 24, 1986 (Supp. 86-5). Former Section repealed, new Section adopted effective December 22, 1989 (Supp. 89-4). Amended effective January 1, 1995; filed in the Office of the Secretary of State December 9, 1994 (Supp. 94-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 212, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 3225, effective January 1, 2014 (Supp. 13-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 3045, effective January 3, 2015 (Supp. 14-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 3229, effective July 1, 2021 (Supp. 20-4). Amended by final exempt rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 3360 (October 21, 2022), effective November 26, 2022 (Supp. 22-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 32 A.A.R. 560 (March 6, 2026, Issue 10), with a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026 (Supp. 26-1).