Arizona (Game and Fish Department): You may obtain tags in this state over the counter or by mail. Non-residents can buy tags for $150, but must also purchase a license for $85.50. There are only nine units (16B, 40B, 41, 43A, 43B, 44B, 13A, 13B and 22S) with harvest objectives. You will find that the quotas are generous, as most have an objective of 15 cougars. Otherwise, the rest of the state has no quotas. The season is open year round in the majority of the units, but there are a few closed units.
During the elk and javelina seasons, it is tricky because you can hunt cougars only as long as you haven't killed an elk or javelina. Some of the top harvest units include 13A, 13B, 16B, 22 and 40B. Last year, there were 6,583 tags sold, and hunters reported killing 342 cats.
The department is responsible for maintaining a list of approved outfitters. It is available at no cost. One outfitter I would contact is Warner Glen who hunts southern Arizona. He and his daughter, Kelly Kimbro, offer mule-back hunts that are the epitome of the western hunting experience. They have some of the best dogs in North America. They normally take around 14 hunters each year and typically tag cougars for all of them. Last season they had one unsuccessful hunter, although he stayed four days. This is normally enough time to take a lion, but last year was very dry, and the average hunt extended into five or six days. By the way, the unsuccessful client is returning this year. Glen charges $3,000 on a 1 x 1 basis for his 10-day hunt or until a lion is killed. A 2 x 1 hunt for the same duration will cost $2,700 for each hunter. Hunters fly into Tucson before renting a car to drive to the ranch. Glen........(continued)
