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Changes coming to Arizona OTC archery deer hunts

Changes coming to Arizona OTC archery deer

Photo credit: Logan Summers

Given the current environment of point creep and record application numbers, many hunters are focusing efforts on small and hidden away hunting opportunities. In recent years a lot of this spotlight has fallen on the OTC archery deer hunting opportunities in Arizona. The tags for these hunts are cheap and the opportunity has been very real! Currently, the southwest United States is experiencing a large drought and many of the animal populations in these regions are becoming more and more vulnerable. In response to this, several game agencies have been making proactive wildlife management decisions. 

AZGFD recently established a new ruling on the existing OTC archery deer hunts that could drastically impact hunting plans for those planning on an adventure in 2021 and even 2022. Many of these changes will close certain periods of the hunts, and also some units are also changing what species you can hunt at certain times of the year. In the table below, we will take a deep look at what to expect for the upcoming season. Changes are outlined in red.

The information below was gathered from an AZDFG commission meeting. So this is the most updated list and is different than the original PDF document that was released on March 29.

Changes to the Arizona OTC archery deer season structure in 2021/2022

UnitsAug. 20 - Sept. 9, 2021Dec. 10 - 31, 2021Jan. 1 - 15, 2022Jan. 1 - 31, 2022
1No OTC hunts in Unit 1
2A/2B/2CNo OTC hunts in Unit 2 anymore
3BAny Antlered Deer------
4AAny Antlered Deer----To close
4BAny Antlered Deer------
5A/5BAny Antlered Deer------
6AAny Antlered Deer--To close--
6B
(excluding camp
Navajo)
Any Antlered Deer------
6B South----Any Antlered Deer--
7E/7WAny Antlered Deer------
8Any Antlered DeerTo closeAny Antlered Deer--
9Any Antlered DeerTo closeAny Antlered Deer--
10Any Antlered DeerTo closeTo closeTo close
15A/15BE/15BWAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
15C/15DAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
16AAny Antlered DeerTo close--To close
17AAny Antlered Deer----To close
17BAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
18AAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
18BAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
19AAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
19BAny Antlered DeerTo close--To close
20AAny Antlered Deer----To close
20BAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
20CAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
21Any Antlered Deer----Any Antlered Deer
22Any Antlered DeerTo close--To close
23Any Antlered Deer--To closeTo close
24AAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
24BAny Antlered DeerTo close--Any Antlered Deer
25M--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
26M--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
27No OTC hunts in Unit 27 anymore
28Any Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
29Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer--
30AAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
30BAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
31Any Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
32Any Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
33To closeAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail OnlyTo close
34AAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail Only--Any Antlered Deer
34BAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail Only--Any Antlered Deer
35AAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail Only--Any Antlered Deer
35BAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail Only--Any Antlered Deer
36AAny Antlered DeerAntlered Whitetail Only--Antlered Whitetail Only
36BAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
36CAny Antlered DeerAny Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
37A----Any Antlered Deer--
37B--To close--Any Antlered Deer
38M--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
39/40A/40B--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
41--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
42------Any Antlered Deer
43A/43B/44A/44B--Any Antlered Deer--Any Antlered Deer
45A/45B/45C------Any Antlered Deer

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