PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and department (AZGFD) have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend R12-4-114 within Article 1 (taking and handling of wildlife), as well as rules within Article 2 (addressing licenses, permits, stamps, tags) to enact amendments developed during the preceding Five-year Review Report.
The proposed amendments are designed to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department’s mission, ensure consistency with state and federal statutes, and to increase the clarity of the existing rules. AZGFD does not believe any of the proposed changes will increase the regulatory burden beyond that which is already required, and will instead serve the goal of simplifying processes, increasing the understandability of the rules, and increasing public accessibility for department services.
Following the publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Arizona Administrative Register on July 11, 2025, the department will accept written comments through Aug. 9, 2025. Comments may be submitted via email to rulemaking@azgfd.gov or through the online comment form.
The commission will accept oral comments at its public meeting Sept. 5 in Eagar, Ariz.
A copy of the proposed rulemaking is available on the department’s website and the online Arizona Administrative Register. For questions about the Article 2 rulemaking, contact Dr. Larisa Harding, small game program manager, at 623-236-7503 or email lharding@azgfd.gov. For questions about changes to R12-4-114 within Article 1, contact Christopher Dean, rules and policy administrator, at 623-236-7390 or email cdean@azgfd.gov.
