License Costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Draw Result Dates

Draw System

Getting a Tag

Unit Profiles

Hunting Rules

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.

Winter drawing (elk and antelope)

Fall draw (Deer, Sheep, Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)

Spring draw (Bison, Black Bear, Turkey, and Javelina)

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:

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:

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

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

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:

Here is the process to surrender a hunt permit-tag:

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

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.

Over-the-counter tags

Landowner tags

Youth tags

Returning tags/transferring tags

Want to learn more about specific hunting areas in this state? GOHUNT’s Unit Profiles are an excellent place to start. Think of them as your all-in-one scouting hub — packed with insider details, maps, and the kind of local knowledge you’d normally only get from years in the field.

You’ll get access to comments from other hunters, real photos from the unit, and deep-dive data on terrain, access, harvest stats, and more. Even better? These profiles help you cut through the guesswork so you can focus on finding animals, not just figuring out where to start.

Some content is open to everyone, but GOHUNT members unlock the full experience — all the data, all the features, all in one spot. Whether you’re chasing your first tag or planning your next trophy hunt, our Unit Profiles are built to give you an edge before your boots ever hit the dirt.

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.