1. A. All state fish and wildlife agencies are required to obtain data to assess the harvest of migratory game birds in compliance with the federally mandated National Harvest Information Program administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with 50 C.F.R. Part 20.

2. B. In compliance with the National Harvest Information Program, the Department requires a person to possess a migratory bird stamp or authorization number, which may be affixed to or written on the appropriate license, and a current, valid federal waterfowl stamp or electronic stamp. The migratory bird stamp and authorization number are required to take band-tailed pigeons, gallinules, coots, doves, ducks, geese, snipe, or swans.

   1. 1. The state migratory bird stamp expires on June 30 of each year. To obtain a state migratory bird stamp, a person shall submit:

      1. a. The fee required under R12-4-102, and
      2. b. A completed state migratory bird registration form to a license dealer or a Department office.

   2. 2. The person shall provide on the state migratory bird registration form the person’s:

      1. a. Name,
      2. b. Mailing address,
      3. c. Date of birth,
      4. d. Information on past and anticipated hunting activity, and
      5. e. If applicable, the election of the Tier I or Tier II bag limit for the entirety of the waterfowl season.

   3. 3. The youth combination hunting and fishing license includes the state migratory bird stamp privileges. A youth hunter who possesses a valid combination hunting and fishing license shall obtain:

      1. a. A Federal waterfowl stamp or electronic stamp when the youth hunter is 16 years of age or older and is taking ducks, geese, swans, coots, gallinules; or
      2. b. A permit-tag when the youth hunter is taking sandhill crane.

3. C. When authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Commission Order, persons 16 years of age and older who purchase a state migratory bird stamp and indicate they will hunt waterfowl will be prompted to select a tier and are bound to that bag limit for the entire season.

   1. 1. Tier I Bag Limit: a traditional seven-duck bag limit with species and sex restrictions. Persons 16 years of age and younger are exempt from the state waterfowl stamp requirement only when choosing the Tier I bag limit.
   2. 2. Tier II Bag Limit: a reduced bag limit for ducks with no species or sex restrictions. All persons regardless of age must purchase a state waterfowl stamp when choosing the Tier II bag limit.
   3. 3. The tiers do not apply to goose, coots, gallinules, or snipe, which have their own bag limit.
4. D. A license dealer shall submit state migratory bird registration forms for all state migratory bird stamps sold with the monthly report required under A.R.S. § 17-338.

Historical Note

Amended effective March 7, 1979 (Supp. 79-2). Amended effective April 22, 1980 (Supp. 80-2). Amended subsections (A), (C), (D), and (G) effective December 29, 1980 (Supp. 80-6). Former Section R12-4-41 renumbered as Section R12-4-203 without change effective August 13, 1981 (Supp. 81-4). Amended subsections (A), (C), (E), (G) and added Form 7016 (Supp. 81-6). Repealed effective April 28, 1989 (Supp. 89-2). New Section adopted effective July 1, 1997; filed with the Office of the Secretary of State November 7, 1996 (Supp. 96-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 1146, effective July 1, 2000 (Supp. 00-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 212, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 462, effective February 6, 2007 (Supp. 07-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 3225, effective January 1, 2014 (Supp. 13-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 3225, effective January 1, 2014 (Supp. 13-3). 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).

Editor’s Note

For similar subject matter, see Section R12-4-411.
This editor’s note does not apply to the new Section adopted effective July 1, 1997 (Supp. 96-4).