The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises hunters that all existing crossbow permits and Challenged Hunter Access/Mobility Permits (CHAMPs) will expire on June 30, 2026.
Any person seeking to obtain a crossbow permit (R12-4-216) or CHAMP (R12-4-217) effective July 1, 2026 or after must complete a new medical evaluation and submit a new application to AZGFD.
An announcement will be made to the public when updated applications are available later this spring.
View the Frequently Asked Questions Document
This update comes after a review of Article 2 (Licenses; Permits; Stamps; Tags) of the Arizona Game and Fish Laws and Rules. AZGFD reviews rule packages every five years. Review of Article 2 began in 2023, with public comments being accepted throughout the rulemaking process. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted to approve the final rulemaking package at its September 2025 meeting. The Arizona Secretary of State approved the package for publication on Feb. 11, 2026. You can read the final approved Article 2 package in its entirety here.
To learn more, visit the Rulemaking Process and Reports page. Scroll down to the "Rulemaking Updates" section to find information about the process as well as a helpful Frequently Asked Questions document about the new updates and qualifying and applying for both crossbow permits and CHAMPs.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives no general fund tax dollars. The majority of funding to manage more than 800 native wildlife species comes from Arizona's hunters and anglers.