Why Arizona for elk and antelope

Photo credit: A3 Trophy Hunts

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Photo credit: A3 Trophy Hunts

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Photo credit: Getty Images

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Overview

Arizona remains a hunter’s favorite state. The mild winters, incredible genetics and some of the best game managementin the West make for excellent elk and antelope hunts. We love the various season dates offered during the rut and howArizona’s antelope numbers dominate the record books. Premium tags for both species are some of the most difficult to get, but they aredefinitely worth the wait. Of course, the complex lottery system with multiple passes and bonus points can befrustrating to understand, so here is all you need to know to apply for elk and antelope hunts in 2015 (apply onlinehere or download this paper application and submitby mail).

General Herd Conditions:

High-quality elk and antelope are the norm in Arizona. There has been sound management for well over the past decade,and the herds show it.

Expect 280” to 380”+ class bulls and antelope ranging from 70” to over 80” B&C.

Antelope are found around the state, but there are not a lot of tags available, making it difficult to draw a tag.Find more detailed descriptions of units in our profiles for Arizona’s antelope and elk.

What’s New in 2015?

The Draw System: an Overview

You will need a valid Arizona hunting license in order to apply for this year’s draw. As of 2014, hunting licensesare valid for 365 calendar days from purchase. A general hunting license is only available to residents, and combolicenses are available for both residents and nonresidents.

Arizona’s lottery system has three passes. The first pass (Bonus Pass) gives 20% of tags to thosewith the most bonus points. The second pass (Pass 1-2) goes to first and second choices on tagapplications; the third pass looks at third, fourth and fifth choices. Usually the draw for thesespecies never gets to the third pass due to the number of applications.

Arizona residents have a definite advantage in the draw system.

Application Types and Deadlines for 2015

*These nonresident license applications include a nonrefundable fee of $15.**Price for hunts designated youth-only.

*These resident license applications include a nonrefundable fee of $13.**Price for hunts designated youth-only.

Note: If there are any leftover tags for elk or antelope, they are available on a first come, firstserved basis starting at 8 a.m. MT on April 20. Check online for the listing of what’s available and apply by mail to:

ATTN: DRAW/FIRST COME5000 W. Carefree HighwayPhoenix, AZ 85086

Unlocking Arizona’s System

Nonresidents are limited to but not guaranteed 10% of the tags for each hunt code for all species. For example, if aunit has 10 elk tags available, only 1 of them will go to a nonresident. With antelope, tags are so few that manyunits will have less than 10 tags total, particularly for coveted rifle hunts. For these units, 1 tag may go to anonresident, but it varies.

If the nonresident quota is filled in the first pass (Bonus pass), no nonresident tags are availablein the second or third pass. For the sought-after units, the nonresident quotatypically does get filled in the first pass. See example below on Unit 9 archery bull elk.

The first pass of the draw awards 20% of available tags to those with the most bonus points. If there are moreapplicants than tags, they are assigned through random computerized draw. Check out last year’s drawing odds in Arizona’s 2015 booklet for elk and antelope.

When you apply for a species tag, five hunt choices are allowed. In phase 2 of the draw, both of your first andsecond choices are considered together. So if your first choice is available, you get it; if not, it goes to yoursecond choice. If your second choice is available, congrats! Otherwise your application goes to phase 3 (your third,fourth and fifth choices). Realistically you’ll be waiting for another year to hunt if this happens.

The Point System

The more bonus points you have, the better your chances. Both residents and nonresidents accrue points. The maximumpoints for elk and antelope is 26 for 2015.

If your application is unsuccessful you will automatically get a bonus point for that species. You can also purchasejust a bonus point, though you cannot also apply for another 2015 hunt for that species.

Party Applications

Pairs or groups of hunters may apply together in a party application. The maximum size for a party is four. Bonuspoints are averaged and rounded to the closest whole number for the entire group.

Residents and nonresidents may apply together in a party, but when this happens the application is treated as anonresident application. Pay attention to nonresident tag quotas for the unit when thinking about a party application.

For more information on Arizona and their draw system, please see our State Profile.

Arizona Elk and Antelope Draw Faqs

Where and How Do I Apply?

Arizona Game and Fish has both a paper application and online application. We think online is easier (no chance of your application getting rejectedbecause of illegibility). (Note: the deadline for updating your credit or debit card information online is 11:59 p.m.MT on Thursday, March 12, 2015).

If you want to be old school, you can submit your application by hand to any Game and Fish office until the deadlineor by mail to:Arizona Game and Fish DepartmentP.O. Box 74020Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052.(Note: Postmarks don’t count.)As of 2014, Arizona no longer has a correction period for its paper applications.

For questions, call (602) 942-3000 and choose #2 for draw, bonus points and hunting and fishing license info. Seedeadlines and fees in the above tables.

Is Arizona Good for Building Points?

Yes. Arizona’s biggest advantage is you can buy an annual license and apply for points only. For residents it’s $13 apoint, nonresidents it’s $15 a point per species. Definitely a cost effective way to build points.

Can I Turn My Tag in If I Decide Not to Hunt?

No. However, Arizona allows parents or guardians to transfer their tags to a related child for a $4 fee. You can alsodonate your tag to a qualifying organization for use by a child with a life-threatening condition or military veteranwith a disability for no fee.

The Seasons

Arizona’s elk and antelope hunts include general, archery-only and muzzleloader seasons. Some units have four seasonsavailable — early archery, early rifle, late archery and late rifle — which makes for lots of opportunity to get outin the field. Season dates are set and can be found in our unit profiles.

Compared to other states, Arizona’s weather and terrain are very mild. Wilderness areas are easy to access andhunters are not required to have guides in the wilderness. Some areas are physically strenuous, but overall this isthe easiest terrain for big game hunting in the west.

A great advantage for hunters in Arizona is that they can hunt elk and antelope throughout the rut. Elk are at thebeginning of the rut with the September archery season. Bulls are starting to gather their harems and are vocal, soit’s a great time to use your calling techniques. Days are long and the weather is mild. The early muzzleloader andrifle seasons later in September let hunters capitalize the rut frenzy with longer-range weapons. From October toDecember, there’s still excellent opportunity for big bulls. Get all the details unit by unit in Arizona’s elk profiles.

Antelope seasons also overlap with the rut in August and September. Muzzleloader and rifle seasons generally coincidewith peak rut action. Antelope are up and chasing. During antelope archery hunts you can use decoys, but they areillegal during firearm seasons.

Hunter Opportunity

General information, tips and our insights for hunting elk and antelope in Arizona.

Draw Odds and Tag Availability

Hidden gem: The apprentice license is free and gives you two days to mentor a new hunter. Thisis a new opportunity for a new hunter to "try before you buy" for two days. It is not applicable to big game hunting.Only small game. The apprentice can be a non-resident, but the mentor must be a resident licensed hunter.

Special Features for Elk and Antelope in Arizona

Managing Points and Expectations

I Have 0 Points. What Can I Expect?

For elk with no points, plan to apply for hunt choices with tags available in the random draw or "Pass1-2". For nonresidents this will be hunt choices that are less popular, or choices with a high tag quota.Late rifle and late archery elk choices are your best bet. Resident quotas are higher, giving residents a randomchance at drawing a tag with no points. Antelope provides little hope for the nonresident applicant without points.Occasionally a tag is drawn randomly. But overall tag quotas are low making the chances slim to draw a randomtag.

What Can I Do with 6 or Fewer Points?

Late season rifle elk tags and late season archery elk tags will be the best bet for success in the draw. For earlyarchery elk opportunity, look at Units 4B, 5B South, 6A, 6B and 11M. Typically, these have nonresident tagsavailable in the random draw. For antelope, your best bet is applying for units with higher tag quotas, but odds arestill very low.

What Can I Expect with 14 or More Points?

Apply for the coveted archery and early rifle seasons in trophy-rich units for elk. The most coveted rifle antelopetags will take over 20 points, but some areas that offer a higher tag quota may have tags available in the second passof the draw. Units like 7E, 7W, 9, and 10 typically have a higher rifle tag quota.Congrats!