How to Get an Arizona Youth Hunting License
The process for how to get an Arizona youth hunting license for the 2026 season is based on the child’s age and whether or not they plan to hunt big game. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has made youth hunting licenses remarkably affordable. Currently, the Youth Combination Hunt and Fish license is only $5 for both residents and non-residents.
If your child is interested in learning to hunt small game, upland birds, or waterfowl, and eventually applying for big game tags, having a better understanding of how to get a hunting license in Arizona is key to long-term hunting success in the state.
Let’s take a closer look at the four basic steps involved in the AZGFD youth hunting system.
| Arizona Youth Hunting License — Quick Facts | ||
| Where to Purchase Online or In Person | Who Qualifies for a Youth License Hunters ages 10–17 | Hunter Education Required for hunters ages 10–13 |
| Rules Hunters ages 10–17 must carry a youth hunting license during a hunt and follow all Arizona hunting regulations | ||
How to Get an Arizona Youth Hunting License (4 Steps)
Knowing how to get an Arizona youth hunting license boils down to four steps: verifying the age eligibility for a hunting license, completing hunter education (if required), establishing an AZGFD Customer ID, and purchasing the correct license and necessary tags.
1. Check Age and Residency Requirements
Children under the age of 10 do not need a hunting license to legally hunt small game, predators, or waterfowl as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult with a current Arizona hunting license. Big game hunting is prohibited for anyone under 10.
Youth ages 10–17 (resident and non-resident) must obtain a Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License to hunt legally in the state.
Arizona may require you to provide proof of residency. The state generally defines living in Arizona for at least six continuous months before applying for a resident hunting license.
If you’re not sure how age requirements work, you might want to review some general age-related guidelines for getting a hunting license before planning your next hunting season.
2. Complete Hunter Education (If Required)
Arizona mandates that youth hunters ages 10-13 must complete the hunter education requirements to pursue big game. The state’s big game animals include bighorn sheep, bison, black bear, deer (mule and Coues), elk, javelina, mountain lion, pronghorn antelope, and wild turkey.
For youth aged 14 and older, hunter education is not required. However, completing a hunter education course earns lifetime bonus points in the state's big game draw system, so it’s a smart time investment.
Arizona currently offers two options to take a hunter education course: online and in classrooms.
- Online: The Arizona Hunter Education Virtual course offers self-paced online instruction for Arizona residents age 9 and older. An optional in-person field day is not required, but is strongly suggested. Both residents and non-residents can enroll in the ilearntohunt Arizona course and still participate in the optional in-person field day.
- Hybrid or classroom-based. Residents and non-residents ages 9 and up can choose to enroll in a traditional classroom course that includes an in-person field day.
While many states require hunters to complete a hunter education course or safety class before purchasing a license, Arizona does not for those 14 or older.
However, the state does reward those who complete hunter education with bonus points in the big game draw. AZGFD encourages hunters to take the course because they receive outstanding training in firearm safety, wildlife conservation, and ethics that benefit Arizona’s hunting community.
3. Get a Customer ID (CID)
Regardless of age, every Arizona hunter must have a unique AZGFD Customer ID number (CID) to purchase a license. This number is also used to apply for big game draws, manage bonus points, and report annual harvest information.
Parents must create a separate account for their child. That CID will then need to be attached as a dependent to the parent's or legal guardian's account.
4. Purchase the Youth Hunting License
Once the CID is created, you can purchase the youth license online through the AZGFD License Portal or in person at authorized sporting goods stores or AZGFD offices.
Arizona continues to shift its licensing system online, making digital purchases the most convenient option for families. Licenses purchased online can be printed at home or stored digitally on a mobile device.
What Are the Costs for Youth Licenses & Tags (2026)?
Once you know how to get an Arizona youth hunting license, you’ll need to understand the cost.
Relative to adult fees, Arizona keeps youth licensing and tag costs affordable to encourage youth participation in hunting.
| Arizona Youth Hunting License Costs | ||
Item | Resident Youth (10–17) | Non-Resident Youth (10–17) |
Youth Combination License | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Deer (Youth-Only Tag) | $38.00 | $40.00 |
Elk (Youth-Only Antlerless) | $63.00 | $65.00 |
Javelina (Youth-Only Tag) | $28.00 | $30.00 |
Turkey (Youth-Only Tag) | $23.00 | $25.00 |
What Is an Arizona Youth Hunting License?
Arizona keeps the hunting license process straightforward:
- Youth ages 10-17 must possess a valid hunting license to hunt legally in Arizona.
- Youth under 10 do not need a license but must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter at all times during the hunt.
- Youth under 10 are prohibited from hunting big game, but they can hunt small game, predators, and waterfowl.
The youth hunter’s residency status is primarily for documentation purposes. To qualify for resident status, hunters must live in the state for at least six continuous months before applying for a resident hunting license.
Active-duty military members stationed in Arizona qualify if they have been stationed there for at least 30 days.
How to Use the Youth License in Arizona
Once your young hunter obtains a youth hunting license and any species-specific tags, make sure those documents are always readily available during a hunt.
A physical (paper) or digital copy of each document should be carried by the youth hunter in a pocket or pack. Don’t make the mistake of leaving the license or tags at home in another jacket pocket or in the truck.
Youth license holders must still follow all Arizona hunting regulations, but not limited to:
- Season dates
- Bag limits
- Possession limits
- Shooting hours
- Legal weapons
- Harvest reporting requirements
In addition to following these regulations, families should help train youth in responsible firearm handling and teach and encourage conservation, ethical hunting, and respect for landowners and wildlife habitats.
As a reminder, youth under age 10 may only hunt small game when directly supervised by a licensed adult.
Tips for Parents and Guardians
The key to creating a safe and enjoyable hunting experience for a new hunter is starting early. A bit of advanced planning goes a long way to building the foundation for a lifetime of appreciation for the outdoors.
Here are a few tips that will help:
- Start hunter education early (ages 9-13). Nothing builds confidence more than correct repetition. Going through a hunter education course helps build those reps by teaching hunting and safety fundamentals well before the pressure of that first hunt arrives. Getting certified early often reduces pre-season anxiety and can make hunts more enjoyable with some of those “first-time” experiences already in the youth hunter’s mental toolbox.
- Know deadlines for big game draws. Life can get in the way, and that big game draw for next season can pass by before you realize it. Mark Arizona’s draw application deadlines in a calendar for each species you’ll want a chance at hunting next year. Missing a deadline will delay those opportunities for your youth hunter by a very long time, so make sure you’re on top of your calendar management game.
- Keep digital copies of licenses and tags readily available. With AZGFD shifting more toward digital licensing, start using the Arizona E-Tag app on the mobile devices you and your child have. Make sure those devices are fully charged and remain easily accessible during the hunt. If possible, keep a printed copy with you as a backup in case your mobile device is damaged or in an area with limited connectivity.
- Drill firearms safety and marksmanship. Practice safe firearms handling with an unloaded weapon at home and progress to dry fire practice and marksmanship fundamentals before heading to the range. Help your young hunter build the requisite competence and confidence at the range before moving to the field.
Small efforts in training and preparedness before opening day can make a significant difference in the quality of that first hunt and help shape the next generation of safe and ethical hunters.
Take a Hunter Education Course to Hunt Safely in Arizona
Fortunately for young hunters and their families, Arizona continues to make youth hunting easily accessible and extremely affordable. AZGFD has designed a licensing system that encourages youth participation while emphasizing education through mentorship and formal learning opportunities, such as hunter education programs.
Enrolling in the ilearntohunt Arizona-approved hunter education course can reinforce firearm safety habits and ethical hunting decisions, promote wildlife conservation, and help you better understand state and federal hunting regulations.
More importantly, completing the course and earning the coveted hunter education certificate can help build the young hunter’s knowledge base and confidence to safely and responsibly enjoy the outdoors for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arizona Youth Hunting License (FAQs)
We’ve got answers to common questions about youth hunting licenses in Arizona.
Q: How much is a youth hunting license in Arizona?
A: Arizona's Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License costs $5 for both residents and non-residents ages 10–17. The license allows youth hunters to hunt eligible species and fish statewide, though additional tags may be required for big game hunting.
Q: Can an 11-year-old go hunting?
A: Yes. In Arizona, an 11-year-old can legally hunt with a valid Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License. If they want to hunt big game, they must also complete a state-approved hunter education course and obtain any required tags.
Q: What is a res youth combo license in Arizona?
A: A resident youth combo license, officially called the Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License, is available to Arizona residents ages 10–17. It combines hunting and fishing privileges under a single license and is required for most youth hunting activities in the state.
Q: At what age do kids start hunting?
A: In Arizona, children younger than 10 may hunt small game, predators, and waterfowl while directly supervised by a licensed adult. Youth can purchase their own hunting license beginning at age 10, and big game hunting is allowed starting at age 10 if all licensing and hunter education requirements are met.
Q: Do junior hunters need a duck stamp?
A: It depends on the hunter's age. Arizona's Youth Combination Hunt and Fish License includes the required Arizona migratory bird stamp. However, hunters age 16 and older who hunt waterfowl must also carry a valid Federal Duck Stamp. Hunters under 16 are not required to purchase the federal stamp.
