WMAT Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Division

Non-members (anyone who is not a registered member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe) may not be in the field with Tribal Members during any of the Tribal Special Draw hunting season. Exempt from this are immediate family members such as husband, wife, children, brother or sister.
Blaze orange will be required during the general and late season cow and elk hunts.
Juveniles 12 and 13 years old, may obtain a big game hunting permit, following the successful completion of a hunter education course.
Non-tribal member hunters are prohibited from picking up and/or possessing shed antlers or skulls with horns or antlers attached at any time while hunting on the Reservation.
Non-tribal hunters born after Dec. 30, 1960, must present certificate or other proof of successful completion of an approved Hunter Education Course.
All big game hunting permits must be validated, by signature, prior to conducting hunting activities on the Reservation.
Non-tribal guiding or outfitting is strictly prohibited during the NON-TRIBAL EARLY AND LATE SEASON ANTLERLESS ELK HUNTS.
For the purposes of permit purchases and eligibility, the following definition will apply to AFFILIATE PERMITS: Affiliate is defined as a NON TRIBAL MEMBER SPOUSE OR NON-TRIBAL MEMBER EMPLOYED FULL TIME ON THE RESERVATION FOR THE WHITE RIVER SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE OR DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE. CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS OR THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR AFFILIATE TAGS.

WHILE THE TROPHY ELK HUNT IS IN PROGRESS (SEPTEMBER 1 THRU OCTOBER 5), ALL UNITS, EXCEPT SPRING GOBBLER AND MIGRATORY BIRDS, ARE CLOSED TO HUNTING.

These regulations shall apply to all non-tribal members and to those non-members who have been granted hunting rights by the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Tags for big game must be obtained from the White Mountain Apache Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation office in Whiteriver, AZ prior to hunting. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (928) 338-4385.

METHODS OF LEGALLY TAKING GAME

Big game except Elk may be legally taken with the following weapons:
1. Centerfire rifles, muzzleloading rifles, and all other rifles using black powder or Pyrodex.
2. Centerfire handguns and handguns using black powder or Pyrodex.
3. Shotguns shooting slugs.
4. Bows having a standard pull of 40 or more pounds, using arrows with metal broadheads no less than 7/8 inch width cutting edges.
5. In addition, Javelina may be taken with 22 rimfire magnum and 5mm rimfire rifles.
Elk may be taken with the following weapons:
1. Centerfire rifles having a caliber of .243 or greater (only during the Non-tribal Antlerless Hunt). For caliber restrictions during the trophy hunt, contact the White Mountain Apache Tribe Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Division at (928) 338-4385.
2. Bows having a standard pull of 50 or more pounds using arrows with metal broadheads no less that 7/8 inch width cutting edge.
Small game (EXCEPT MIGRATORY BIRDS, BLUE GROUSE AND QUAIL) may be legally taken with any firearm, bow and arrow, pneumatic weapon, or sling shot, not prohibited in section G (below).
Migratory birds and upland game birds may be taken only with shotguns shooting shot or bow and arrows not prohibited in #7 (below).
Other mammals and birds may be taken legally during the season by any means not prohibited in Section G (below), except for foothold traps.
Head must remain attached to game.
The following devices and ammunition are PROHIBITED for the taking of ANY wildlife on the Reservation and may not be possessed in the field while hunting:
1. Fully automatic firearms, including firearms capable of selective automatic fire.
2. Tracer ammunition and full metal jacketed bullets other than those designed for hunting.
3. Shotguns larger than 10 gauge; shotguns capable of holding more than two shells in the magazine, unless plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.
4. Semi-automatic centerfire rifles with a magazine capacity of more than 5 shells.
5. Contrivances designed to silence, muffle, or minimize the report of a firearm.
6. Poisoned arrows, or arrows with explosive tips.
7. Crossbows and other bows having devices attached to hold the bow in the drawn position are prohibited.
8. The use of artificial light to spotlight wild animals or birds is illegal.
9. Rifles and shotguns less than 24 inches in length.
TIME PERIODS FOR THE TAKING OF GAME
1. Big game, wild mammals, and birds may be taken only during daylight hours, 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.
2. Migratory Game birds may be taken only at such times as authorized by the Tribal Council and the Federal Migratory Game Bird Regulations.