PHOENIX – As the September archery-only deer hunting season approaches, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds archery hunters that they must contact a Game and Fish office in person or by telephone at 1-866-903-3337 within 10 days of harvesting a deer.

“It’s very important for archery hunters to comply with this reporting rule,” says Leonard Ordway, the department’s game chief. “The data is crucial in helping us assess archery deer harvest so we can make sound wildlife management decisions.”

People who fail to comply with this rule could be cited by the department.

This year’s early archery-only deer season runs from Sept. 1-21 in most areas of the state, and Sept. 15-28 in some areas on the North Kaibab Plateau. A later archery-only deer season runs in many areas of the state from mid-December through January.

Archery-only deer hunters must have a valid hunting license and purchase an archery-only nonpermit deer tag from any license dealer. Those hunting in Game Management Unit 12A on the North Kaibab must also have a North Kaibab Habitat Management Stamp.

General deer hunts take place later in the fall. Permits for those hunts were allocated by a lottery-style drawing process conducted earlier this summer.

For more information on seasons, dates, open areas and fees, check the 2006-2007 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations, available at license dealers or online at azgfd.gov.