Outstanding genetics, sound game management, and mild winters help Arizona to produce some of the best trophies among the western states. A lot of seasons take place during peak rutting activity to ensure a quality experience for the lucky tag holder. The better tags are difficult to draw and nonresidents can wait several years for an opportunity. The draw is the only way to obtain a coveted Arizona tag since there are no landowner tags available for purchase.
License Costs
Arizona License Costs
License | General Hunting License |
|---|---|
Resident | $37 |
Nonresident | N/A |
Resident Youth | N/A |
Nonresident Youth | N/A |
License | Combo Hunting and Fishing |
Resident | $57 |
Nonresident | $160 |
Resident Youth | $5 |
Nonresident Youth | $5 |
License | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General Hunting License | $37 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Combo Hunting and Fishing | $57 | $160 | $5 | $5 |
Species Costs
Arizona Species Costs
Permit | Deer (Mule deer and Coues Deer) |
|---|---|
Resident | $58 |
Nonresident | $315 |
Resident Youth | $38 |
Nonresident Youth | $40 |
Permit | Elk |
Resident | $148 |
Nonresident | $665 |
Resident Youth | $148 |
Nonresident Youth | $665 |
Permit | Elk (Youth only) |
Resident | N/A |
Nonresident | N/A |
Resident Youth | $63 |
Nonresident Youth | $65 |
Permit | Antelope |
Resident | $103 |
Nonresident | $565 |
Resident Youth | $103 |
Nonresident Youth | $565 |
Permit | Desert Bighorn Sheep |
Resident | $313 |
Nonresident | $1,815 |
Resident Youth | $313 |
Nonresident Youth | $1,815 |
Permit | Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep |
Resident | $313 |
Nonresident | $1,815 |
Resident Youth | $313 |
Nonresident Youth | $1,815 |
Permit | Bison (Bull/Any Bison) |
Resident | $1,113 |
Nonresident | $5,415 |
Resident Youth | $1,113 |
Nonresident Youth | $5,415 |
Permit | Bison (Cow/Yearling) |
Resident | $663 |
Nonresident | $3,265 |
Resident Youth | $663 |
Nonresident Youth | $3,265 |
Permit | Bison (Yearling Only) |
Resident | $363 |
Nonresident | $1,765 |
Resident Youth | $363 |
Nonresident Youth | $1,765 |
Permit | Black Bear |
Resident | $38 |
Nonresident | $165 |
Resident Youth | $38 |
Nonresident Youth | $165 |
Permit | Turkey |
Resident | $38 |
Nonresident | $105 |
Resident Youth | $23 |
Nonresident Youth | $25 |
Permit | Javelina |
Resident | $38 |
Nonresident | $115 |
Resident Youth | $28 |
Nonresident Youth | $30 |
Permit | Archery Deer Nonpermit-tag |
Resident | $45 |
Nonresident | $300 |
Resident Youth | $45 |
Nonresident Youth | $300 |
Permit | Elk Nonpermit-tag |
Resident | $135 |
Nonresident | $650 |
Resident Youth | $135 |
Nonresident Youth | $650 |
Permit | Bear Nonpermit-tag |
Resident | $25 |
Nonresident | $150 |
Resident Youth | $25 |
Nonresident Youth | $150 |
Permit | Turkey Nonpermit-tag |
Resident | $25 |
Nonresident | $90 |
Resident Youth | $10 |
Nonresident Youth | $10 |
Permit | Javelina Nonpermit-tag |
Resident | $25 |
Nonresident | $100 |
Resident Youth | n/a |
Nonresident Youth | n/a |
Permit | Application Fee (per species) |
Resident | $13 |
Nonresident | $15 |
Resident Youth | $13 |
Nonresident Youth | $15 |
Permit | Bonus Point Only Fee (per species) |
Resident | $13 |
Nonresident | $15 |
Resident Youth | $13 |
Nonresident Youth | $15 |
Permit | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deer (Mule deer and Coues Deer) | $58 | $315 | $38 | $40 |
Elk | $148 | $665 | $148 | $665 |
Elk (Youth only) | N/A | N/A | $63 | $65 |
Antelope | $103 | $565 | $103 | $565 |
Desert Bighorn Sheep | $313 | $1,815 | $313 | $1,815 |
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | $313 | $1,815 | $313 | $1,815 |
Bison (Bull/Any Bison) | $1,113 | $5,415 | $1,113 | $5,415 |
Bison (Cow/Yearling) | $663 | $3,265 | $663 | $3,265 |
Bison (Yearling Only) | $363 | $1,765 | $363 | $1,765 |
Black Bear | $38 | $165 | $38 | $165 |
Turkey | $38 | $105 | $23 | $25 |
Javelina | $38 | $115 | $28 | $30 |
Archery Deer Nonpermit-tag | $45 | $300 | $45 | $300 |
Elk Nonpermit-tag | $135 | $650 | $135 | $650 |
Bear Nonpermit-tag | $25 | $150 | $25 | $150 |
Turkey Nonpermit-tag | $25 | $90 | $10 | $10 |
Javelina Nonpermit-tag | $25 | $100 | n/a | n/a |
Application Fee (per species) | $13 | $15 | $13 | $15 |
Bonus Point Only Fee (per species) | $13 | $15 | $13 | $15 |
Important Dates
Winter drawing (elk and antelope)
Arizona Dates and Deadlines - Winter Drawing
Deadlines and draw results |
Date |
Application deadline |
February 4, 2025 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase |
TBA |
Draw results available |
Early to Mid March 2025 |
First come, first served applications accepted |
March 17, 2025 |
First come, first served permits available for purchase |
March 24, 2025 |
Deadlines and draw results | Date |
Application deadline | February 4, 2025 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase | TBA |
Draw results available | Early to Mid March 2025 |
First come, first served applications accepted | March 17, 2025 |
First come, first served permits available for purchase | March 24, 2025 |
Fall draw (Deer, Sheep, Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)
Arizona Dates and Deadlines - Fall Draw
Deadlines and draw results |
Date |
Application deadline |
June 4, 2024 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase |
TBD |
Draw results available |
Mid-July 2024 |
First come, first served applications accepted |
Begins July 8, 2024, at 8:00 AM AZ Time |
First come, first served permits available for purchase |
July 15, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time |
Over-the-Counter Tag Sale dates (Arizona Fish and Game Offices) |
November 4, 2024 |
Over-the-Counter Tag Sale dates (Authorized license dealers) |
November 25, 2024 |
Deadlines and draw results | Date |
Application deadline | June 4, 2024 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase | TBD |
Draw results available | Mid-July 2024 |
First come, first served applications accepted | Begins July 8, 2024, at 8:00 AM AZ Time |
First come, first served permits available for purchase | July 15, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time |
Over-the-Counter Tag Sale dates (Arizona Fish and Game Offices) | November 4, 2024 |
Over-the-Counter Tag Sale dates (Authorized license dealers) | November 25, 2024 |
Spring draw (Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)
Arizona Dates and Deadlines - Spring Draw
Deadlines and draw results |
Date |
Application deadline |
October 1, 2024 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase |
TBA |
Draw results available |
Early to mid November 2024 |
First come, first served applications accepted |
Begins November 4, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time (tentative) |
First come, first served permits available for purchase |
November 12, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time (tentative) |
Deadlines and draw results | Date |
Application deadline | October 1, 2024 by 11:59 PM AZ Time |
Deadline for updating credit or debit card and Point Guard purchase | TBA |
Draw results available | Early to mid November 2024 |
First come, first served applications accepted | Begins November 4, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time (tentative) |
First come, first served permits available for purchase | November 12, 2024 at 8:00 AM AZ Time (tentative) |
Draw Result Dates
Arizona Draw Results Table - Winter drawing (elk and antelope)
Year | 2020 |
|---|---|
Results Posted | March 5 |
Year | 2021 |
Results Posted | March 20 |
Year | 2022 |
Results Posted | March 8 |
Year | 2023 |
Results Posted | March 15 |
Year | 2024 |
Results Posted | February 26 |
Year | 2025 |
Results Posted | February 24 |
Year | Results Posted |
|---|---|
2020 | March 5 |
2021 | March 20 |
2022 | March 8 |
2023 | March 15 |
2024 | February 26 |
2025 | February 24 |
Arizona Draw Result Dates - Fall draw (Deer, Sheep, Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)
Year | 2020 |
|---|---|
Results Posted | July 2 |
Year | 2021 |
Results Posted | July 9 |
Year | 2022 |
Results Posted | July 5 |
Year | 2023 |
Results Posted | June 27 |
Year | 2024 |
Results Posted | June 24 |
Year | Results Posted |
|---|---|
2020 | July 2 |
2021 | July 9 |
2022 | July 5 |
2023 | June 27 |
2024 | June 24 |
Arizona Draw Result Dates - Spring draw (Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)
Year | 2020 |
|---|---|
Results Posted | November 5 |
Year | 2021 |
Results Posted | November 1 |
Year | 2022 |
Results Posted | October 31 |
Year | 2023 |
Results Posted | October 20 |
Year | 2024 |
Results Posted | October 18 |
Year | Results Posted |
|---|---|
2020 | November 5 |
2021 | November 1 |
2022 | October 31 |
2023 | October 20 |
2024 | October 18 |
Draw System
Tag lottery
Arizona has a complex lottery system with bonus points. Repeat applicants or those who have bought bonus points in previous years have better chances of drawing tags. The annual permit drawing is conducted in three phases:
1. First pass (20% of tags to those with the most bonus points)
2. Second pass (first and second choices)
3. Third pass (third, fourth, and fifth choices)
A hunter is wise to understand the system in detail to maximize the chances of getting a tag. The drawing for tags for each separate hunt or hunt choice is conducted in phases:
First Pass: 20% of tags in each hunt choice are reserved for those with the most bonus points. If there aren't enough tags for every hunter in that category, the computer selects by random which applicants get tags. Although 20% are available, the 10% cap that is allocated to nonresidents is still in effect and nonresidents are limited to 5% of the tags in the max point draw. Each valid application is assigned the lowest random number from those generated for that application. The application file for each species is sorted by group bonus points in descending sequence and then by random number within the bonus point groupings. In the bonus pass, the first and second hunt choices for all applications with maximum bonus points are looked at first. If permits are still available from the 20% allocation, then the next lower bonus point category is looked at; and so on, until all of the 20% allocation is issued or until all applications with one or more bonus points are read. Applications with zero bonus points will not be included in the 20% bonus pass of the draw. As each application is read, the first and then second hunt choices are checked to see if there are any permits available as part of the 20% bonus point allocation. If there are enough permits available for each applicant on the application without exceeding the 20% allocation or the nonresident cap, the permits are issued to that application. If not, the next application is read and the first and second hunt choices are checked until the entire application file is read. Anyunissued permits from the "bonus point pass" will be returned to the available permits for each hunt. The drawing will then continue to the next two passes. Note: Nonresidents may draw no more than 5% of total tags.
Second Pass: Remaining tags are issued randomly to hunters who applied for the hunt as a first or second choice. For all valid applications which were unsuccessful in the bonus point pass, new random numbers are generated for each application with the lowest random number being assigned to the application. The same random number process as described above is used. Each applicant has one chance in the drawing plus an extra chance for each bonus point they have. If a hunter's name is drawn in Phase 2, he gets his second choice if his first choice is no longer available. The valid application file for each species is then sorted in random number sequence only. The first valid application (with the lowest random number) is read, checking the first and then the second hunt choices for available hunt permit tags. If there are enough hunt permit tags available for either of the choices and for each applicant on the application, without exceeding the nonresident cap when applicable, then the hunt permit tags are issued. The next valid application in a random number sequence is then checked for available hunt permit tags until the entire file is read. In this pass, you can still have almost all of the up to 10% of the nonresident tags drawn due to not many nonresidents with max points are in the max points pool first pass.
Third Pass: Any tags remaining after the First Pass and Second Pass are issued to hunters who listed the hunt as a third, fourth or fifth choice in their applications. No tags for hunts that are known well for yielding trophy-size games are available in this phase. Note: You will lose your bonus points if you draw a tag in this pass.
Sheep Draw
For bighorn sheep, the draw works a little differently. It is important to understand that nonresidents are limited to up to 10% of the total sheep tags across all units. As with deer, Pass 1 will draw 20% of the total sheep tags to the applicants with the most bonus points. It is also important to understand that 28 is the maximum number of bonus points for bighorn sheep applicants going into the 2017 draw and only 5 of the 112 applicants in this maximum point pool are nonresidents. With a total of 105 bighorn tags statewide, only 21 tags (roughly 20%) will be drawn in the first pass of the draw out of the 105 applicants with 27 bonus points. Now you can see why resident applicants almost always draw the entire group of tags in the first pass for bighorn sheep. For 2016, the new change involved only giving up to 5% of the nonresident tags in Pass 1. The majority of the tags will be drawn in Pass 2 which is the random pass.
This is actually good news to nonresident applicants — especially those with less than maximum bonus points! Unlike deer, there are tags available for the next pass of the draw that draws tags randomly regardless of bonus point level. It is hard to predict which units the Pass 1 tags will come from because it is up to how the applicants in the maximum point pool apply. We can assume that the highest demand units, or premier units will fill up in this pass. The beauty is that Arizona has a lot of quality sheep units that produce 160 plus rams that are available for Pass 2 and this pass draws tags at random.
The main takeaway from this complex explanation is that in order to increase your chances at drawing an Arizona sheep tag, do not waste a choice on the premier units if you do not have max points.
Bonus points
Much like raffle tickets, the more bonus points you earn, the more chances you have to draw a tag. You can acquire one bonus point per year per species by being unsuccessful in the big game draw or by applying exclusively for a bonus point. Note: in order to purchase a bonus point in Arizona. You must also purchase a hunting license.
There are four ways to increase your bonus points in Arizona:
Earn a bonus point each time you are unsuccessful in the draw (one point per year).
Or apply for “bonus points only” to gain a bonus point in the event that you do not want to risk drawing a tag until you have a higher number of points.
You can also travel to Arizona and take a hunter education course and earn a permanent bonus point.
Earn a permanent loyalty point. An applicant is awarded this point by applying for a species for five consecutive years. This is also a species-specific point and is a permanent point that will not be taken away when you draw a tag.
Special note: Once a loyalty bonus point is accrued, the applicant shall retain the loyalty bonus point provided the applicant annually submits an application, with funds sufficient to cover all application fees and applicable license fees for each applicant listed on the application, for a hunt permit-tag or a bonus point for the genus for which the loyalty bonus point was accrued. An applicant who fails to apply in any calendar year for a hunt permit-tag or bonus point for the genus for which the loyalty bonus point was accrued shall forfeit the loyalty bonus point for that genus. If you fail to apply and lose your loyalty point, you will have to start over and continue to apply for that species again for five consecutive years to get the loyalty point again.
Nonresident allocation
Nonresidents are limited to but not guaranteed 10% of the tags for each hunt code for all species excluding sheep.
Nonresidents are not allocated a percentage of tags but have a maximum quota, meaning that residents sometimes draw all the tags for a hunt choice.
Nonresidents are limited to up to 10% of the total number of sheep tags statewide.
No more than 50% and no more than two bighorn sheep or buffalo hunt permit tags of the total in any hunt number may be drawn for nonresidents.
Tags in units that offer one sheep tag are limited to residents.
In units with four available sheep tags nonresidents may draw no more than two tags.
When five or more sheep tags are available, no more than two may go to nonresidents.
Application hunt choices
Five hunt choices are allowed per species, but only the first and second choices are considered for nearly all hunt choices. Most hunt choices are filled before any third, fourth or fifth choice is considered.
Party applications
Pairs or groups of hunters may apply together.
Parties may apply for all species.
Bonus points are averaged and rounded to the closest whole number
Residents and nonresidents may apply together.
When residents and nonresidents apply together, the application is treated as a nonresident application.
Nonresidents should pay attention to the nonresident tag quota when considering a party application.
Withdrawing applications
Arizona does not allow hunters to withdraw applications once submitted. Hunters applying in Arizona who have a possibility of drawing a tag in another state are encouraged to look into the PointGuard program.
Arizona's PointGuard program
In 2016 the PointGuard program was put in place. This program provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing that they can surrender their tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. Unforeseen events happen in life and this program saves your points if you have a situation happen that makes you unable to hunt.
PointGuard ensures that if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit will be reinstated.
Requirements:
PointGuard is available to applicants who apply online for a hunt permit.
All applicants must sign up for a free AZGFD Portal account to purchase PointGuard (visit www.azgfd.gov, click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the home page, then select the “Create an Account” option).
PointGuard is $10 per species, per applicant, purchased at the time of completing the online application, or prior to the application period deadline. The fee is non-refundable.
Only one hunt permit may be surrendered per species. If an applicant is drawn in the future for that particular species, that hunt permit must be used, expending all accumulated bonus points. Only then may an applicant participate again in PointGuard.
Here is the process to surrender a hunt permit-tag:
A hunt permit-tag must be surrendered prior to the close of business the day before the start of that particular hunt.
An applicant who has purchased PointGuard will present the original hunt permit-tag to be surrendered, along with a completed tag surrender application form, in person to any customer service representative at any of the departments statewide office locations.
The hunt permit-tag that is being surrendered and the PointGuard purchase will be verified by the department.
The department will restore all accumulated bonus points for that particular species, including the bonus points the applicant would have accrued if not successful in the draw.
The hunt permit-tag fee is non-refundable.
A person who donates, or transfers, his or her hunt permit-tag to a qualified nonprofit organization, also can participate in tag surrender, provided the requirements listed above are fulfilled. An acceptable proof of the transfer must be provided to the department (a receipt from a qualified nonprofit organization, for example). The tag surrender application form and an acceptable proof of the hunt permit-tag being donated must be completed within 60 days of the donation, and no less than 30 days before the next application deadline for that particular species.
According to rule (R12-4-118), the department has several options for the issuance of a surrendered hunt permit-tag. The proximity to the start of a particular hunt, the typeof hunt permit-tag, and demand for that hunt permit-tag will factor into how it will be reissued.
Waiting period
Arizona does not have a waiting period for deer, elk or antelope.
You may harvest no more than one desert bighorn sheep, one Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and one bison in Arizona in your lifetime (one of each).
Leftover licenses
After the primary draws hunters will have the opportunity to apply for any leftover big game permits. Acceptance dates on these will vary based on the draw cycle the application is for. These tags are issued in a first-come-first-serve manner based on the order the applications are received.
Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted (Visa and Mastercard only). Annual combination hunting and fishing license and application fees are charged immediately. Tag fees are not charged until you draw.
Hunting license
Arizona requires all applicants to purchase a yearly hunting license before applying for any big game permits or before purchasing any non-permit licenses.
Getting a Tag
Draw a tag in the public draw
Pick up an OTC deer, elk, or black bear tag
No landowner vouchers
Over-the-counter tags
Archery deer and black bear tags are sold over the counter in many units
Limited amounts of over-the-counter elk tags are available
Tags that are not issued in the drawing are sold over the counter first come, first served
Landowner tags
Arizona does not issue landowner tags.
Some depredation tags are issued to landowners but are not transferable.
Even when a landowner gets a depredation tag, he/she typically has a difficult hunt.
Youth tags
Youth hunters must be 10 to 17 years old before the start of the hunt
Some antlerless elk hunts are reserved for youth
Some antlered and antlerless deer hunts are reserved for youth
No antelope, sheep, or bison hunts are reserved for youth
Returning tags/transferring tags
Arizona does not allow an applicant to return a tag once drawn (unless you are part of the Point Guard program, see details below)
Once a tag is drawn, your bonus points are purged
A parent or guardian may transfer their tag to a minor child 10 to 17 years old
A tag holder may transfer their tag to a nonprofit organization that serves children with life-threatening conditions
Hunting Rules
Minimum age to hunt
Arizona residents and nonresidents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license to hunt in Arizona. A person under 10 may hunt wildlife other than big game without a license when accompanied by a properly licensed person 18 years or older.
Hunters education
Arizona requires any hunters ages 10 to 13 to possess a valid hunter's education certificate.
Bowhunters education
Arizona does not require a bowhunter's education.
Hunters orange
Not required in Arizona
Weapon restrictions
Archery: Hunters may use crossbows or vertical bows (compound and traditional) during the general and muzzleloader seasons. Traditional vertical bows are only allowed during the archery-only seasons unless the tag holder holds an individual crossbow license. Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 30 pounds for vertical bows and 125 pounds for crossbows. Crossbow bolts must be at least 16" in length. Only broadheads wider than ⅞inch are legal.
Muzzleloader: All projectiles, powder charges, bullet types, and sight systems are legal for muzzleloaders in Arizona.
Rifle: Only centerfire rifles are legal.
Hunting opportunities for military members
Residency
Military members and their spouses who are currently listed as active duty can purchase licenses as a resident of Arizona if they are permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona for no less than 30 days prior to the date of the purchase or application. It is important to note here, though, that Arizona does not recognize dual residency when dealing with the purchasing of hunting or fishing licenses so anyone interested in participating in this program cannot hold resident licenses in any other state.
Disabled veteran requirements
Disabled veterans can apply for disabled licenses by presenting certification from the Veteran's Administration (VA) documenting 100% disability due to service in addition to residing in Arizona for a period of no less than one year.
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