Wildlife Identification
Developing wildlife identification skills is a basic requirement for hunters. Knowing the key characteristics of animals will help you distinguish between similar species and between male and female of the same species. Mistakes in identification can lead to illegal harvest of game or non-game animals. To identify game properly, you must learn to recognize key characteristics of the animal you’re hunting.
Identifying animals accurately is a skill that improves with experience. It can be difficult, especially when you must observe quickly or when the differences between animals are subtle. Sometimes the difference between animals in the same species is only the size of their ears or distinctive coloring. Scat and tracks provide additional clues for identifying species.
Many resources are available for learning about wildlife. Good sources are books, television shows that feature hunting and nature topics, and websites such as that of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
It is common to categorize wild animals into groups that are similar in some way; for example:
Within each of the groups, there may be species that are “threatened” or “endangered.” Some species are protected from hunting because their numbers are small and they produce no surplus to harvest. “Threatened” and “endangered” species are protected by law.
Rare, Protected, or
Endangered Species
Some species are protected from hunting because their numbers are small and produce no surplus to harvest. Animals that are labeled “rare,” “threatened,” or “endangered” are all fully protected by law.
Big Game
- The big game group typically includes horned animals, antlered animals, bears, and large members of the wild cat or wild dog families.
- Hunters must purchase a hunting license, apply for and be drawn in a season draw process or purchase an over the counter Tag to legally hunt in Arizona.
- Horned or antlered animals have these key characteristics.
- Horns are not shed. Antelope and sheep have horns.
- Antlers are solid bone and are shed annually. Members of the deer family have antlers and rub their antlers on trees.
- Horned and antlered animals are cloven-hoofed (their hooves have two parts).
- Horned and antlered animals are ruminants (they chew cud). A ruminant digests its food in two steps. First they eat food and regurgitate it (cud), and then they eat it a second time. Ruminants do not have upper teeth. Instead they have a hard upper pad that they use to mash their food.
Small Game
- Two of the most common small game animals are rabbits and squirrels. By studying these animals, you can learn to recognize their tracks.
- Must have a hunting license to hunt/take these animals.
Upland Birds
- Popular upland birds that are found across the country include turkeys, pheasants, grouse, and quail. The term “upland” refers to where they are often found.
- To hunt upland birds, a license is required with an appropriate stamp.
- The basic shape of upland birds is similar to chickens. They also have short rounded wings that are good for short flights and strong legs that are good for running.
- Most male upland birds have more colorful feathers than females. The female’s plain feathers help her provide camouflage cover for her nest.
Migratory Birds
- Hundreds of species of birds breed in North America. While some birds remain in the same area all year, others migrate as the seasons change.
- A hunting license with the appropriate stamp is required to hunt migratory birds.
- Some birds migrate short distances within the United States, and others migrate into Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Migrating birds tend to travel at night and spend the day resting and hunting for food.
Waterfowl
- Waterfowl are warm-blooded animals that live on or near water, and include diving ducks and puddle ducks.
- A hunting license with the appropriate stamp is required to hunt migratory birds.
- Puddle ducks are found primarily on the shallows of lakes, rivers, and freshwater marshes. Puddle ducks prefer to feed on or near the water’s surface. They launch themselves directly upward when taking off.
- Diving ducks inhabit large deep lakes and rivers, coastal bays, and inlets. Diving ducks obtain most of their food by diving. They must run across the water to build up speed to take off.
Predators and Furbearers
- Predators feed on other mammals or birds. They have several characteristics in common, such as:
- Their eyes face forward and provide binocular vision, which improves depth perception and helps catch prey. The eyes of a prey animal face sideways, which helps them see a predator in time to run for safety.
- They have narrow lower jaws that work like scissors with the upper jaw, which helps them kill and consume their prey.
- Furbearers are small mammals that are sought after primarily for their pelts.
- A hunting license with the appropriate stamp is required to hunt furbearers.
Raptors
- Raptors are birds of prey that feed on mammals or other birds. They vary widely in size. Males and females often look identical and may be mistaken for other species when immature.
- Their successful hunting abilities make full use of the raptors’ strong legs, powerful talons, and excellent vision.
- Some species of raptors are endangered or threatened.
Non-game Animals
- The majority of animals are classified as non‑game and normally are not hunted. Non-game animals include all animals except those listed previously.
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