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Understanding the Arizona Elk Draw: A Complete Guide for Residents and Non-Residents
Arizona is widely considered one of the best elk hunting states in the country. The state’s elk herds, particularly in units like 9, 10, and 27, produce some of the largest bulls taken anywhere in North America every single year. But getting your hands on one of those tags requires understanding a draw system that confuses a lot of hunters, especially those applying for the first time. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to apply correctly, build points strategically, and eventually punch an Arizona elk tag.
Why Arizona Elk Hunting Is Worth the Wait
Arizona’s elk hunting reputation is not hype. The state manages its herds carefully, limits tag numbers, and has large swaths of public land in prime elk country. Bulls in top units regularly score in the 380 to 400 inch range and beyond. The tradeoff is that drawing a premium tag in a top unit takes time, patience, and a commitment to applying every single year. For hunters willing to play the long game, there is no better elk state in the West.
The Application Deadline
The elk draw in Arizona falls in the first major draw cycle of the year along with pronghorn. The application window typically opens in early to mid January and the deadline falls on the first or second Tuesday of February. For 2026 the deadline was February 3rd at 11:59 PM Arizona time. Draw results for elk typically come out around late February to late March, and successful applicants receive their permits by approximately April 1st.
Mark this deadline on your calendar every year in December so you never get caught off guard. Missing it costs you a bonus point and a full year of opportunity.
What You Need Before You Apply
Before you can submit an elk application you need two things.
First, a valid Arizona hunting license. For residents this costs $37. For non-residents the combination hunting and fishing license costs $160 and is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, not just the calendar year. That is an important detail because if you time your license purchase right you can use a single license to cover both the February elk draw and the following year’s draws. Your license must be valid on the application deadline or your application is void.
Second, an AZGFD portal account. You apply online through azgfd.com. If you don’t already have an account, create one well before the application window opens. You will need your Customer ID to log in, which you can retrieve through the portal if you don’t have it.
How the Draw Works
Arizona uses a modified bonus point system that runs in two main passes.
In the first pass, a portion of the available tags go to applicants with the highest bonus point totals. This is where hunters who have been building points for years have a significant advantage on premium trophy units.
In the second pass, the remaining tags are distributed through a weighted random draw. Your bonus points determine how many entries you get in this random pool. More points means more chances, but everyone in the draw has at least one shot regardless of point total. This is what makes Arizona unique compared to other western states. Even a first-time applicant with zero points can draw a tag if they get lucky in the random pass. It does not happen often on premium units but it does happen every year.
You can list up to five hunt choices on your application but Arizona only considers your first and second choice in the draw passes. Your remaining choices rarely come into play so put serious thought into those top two selections.
Understanding Bonus Points
Every year you apply for elk and do not draw a tag you receive one bonus point. Points are species specific, meaning your elk points cannot be used for deer or pronghorn and vice versa.
There is also a loyalty point built into the system. If you apply for the same species for five consecutive years without missing, you automatically earn an additional loyalty bonus point on top of your regular accumulation. This rewards consistency and punishes hunters who skip years.
The flip side of that is equally important. If you fail to apply for elk for five consecutive years your bonus points for that species are completely purged. You start back at zero. This is one of the most painful and avoidable mistakes a hunter can make. Even if you have no intention of hunting that year, submit a bonus point only application to keep your points alive. It costs the same as the regular application fee and protects everything you have built.
Arizona also offers a lifetime bonus point for completing the AZGFD hunter education course. For residents the course costs $150 and for non-residents it costs $300. That single extra point applies to every species including elk and compounds over time. Do it as early as possible. It can take a couple weeks to a month for the point to show up in your account so do not wait until application season.
PointGuard: Protecting Your Investment
Arizona offers a program called PointGuard that is worth knowing about. If you draw a tag and purchase PointGuard at the time of your application, you can surrender that tag before the hunt opens and have all your bonus points reinstated plus receive a point for that year. You also forfeit the tag fees but keep your points intact. This is a safety net for hunters who draw a tag but face an unexpected situation that prevents them from hunting. You can only use PointGuard once per species and are ineligible for the program again until your bonus points for that species are purged.
What It Costs
The non-refundable application fee is $13 per species for residents and $15 per species for non-residents. You pay this whether you draw or not.
If you draw a tag, AZGFD automatically charges the card on file for the full tag price. Elk tags run several hundred dollars depending on the hunt. If your card is declined at the time of the draw AZGFD will not contact you. They move immediately to the next applicant and your tag is gone. Make sure your payment card is current, has not expired, and has enough available credit before results come out. Check it in mid to late February every year.
Non-Resident Hunters: What to Expect
Non-residents are capped at 10 percent of the total available tags for each elk hunt code. Of that 10 percent, no more than half can be awarded in the bonus point pass. This means non-resident competition is stiff on premium units and draw timelines for top hunts can be very long.
That said, the random pass portion of the draw means non-residents with lower point totals still have a mathematical shot every year. The key for non-residents is applying consistently, targeting units with manageable point creep, and having realistic expectations about which units are actually achievable within a reasonable timeframe.
One strategy tip for non-residents: if you purchase your license at the very end of the application window, say February 2nd or 3rd, that 365 day license will often still be valid the following January when the next application window opens. This lets a single license cover two consecutive elk draws, saving you $160.
Leftover Tags
After the main draw concludes, any remaining elk tags become available as leftover first-come first-served permits. For elk these are rare. Most hunt codes are fully allocated in the draw and leftovers are uncommon. When they do appear, applications are accepted by mail starting in mid March. Check the AZGFD website under Big Game Draw for the current leftover list. It is always worth a look even if the odds of finding a quality unit available are low.
The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle
Arizona also offers a raffle tag for elk each year through Conservation First USA, formerly called the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle. Tickets cost $10 each and the winner receives a tag valid for 365 days starting August 15th, allowing them to hunt almost anywhere in the state. Every dollar raised goes back to AZGFD for wildlife and habitat management. It is a long shot but at $10 a ticket it is worth throwing in a few entries each year. Ticket deadlines historically fall around the first week of July so check the Conservation First USA website for current dates.
Key Unit Changes for 2026
A few notable unit changes went into effect for the 2026 elk season that hunters should be aware of. Units 7 East and 8 were removed from the early rifle elk hunt pool. Unit 9 and 27 were removed from the early muzzleloader pool and will now have early rifle hunts instead. Unit 5B will have a new early rifle hunt and Unit 5A will have a new early muzzleloader hunt. Unit 1, 2B, and 2C were removed from the early rifle pool and will now have an early muzzleloader hunt. Always verify current unit regulations directly on the AZGFD website before applying as these details change annually.
How to Apply Step by Step
Go to azgfd.com and log into your portal account. If you are a new applicant create your account and retrieve your Customer ID first.
Purchase your Arizona hunting license through the portal if you do not already have a valid one.
When the application window opens in January, click Apply for a Draw and select elk as your species.
Choose your hunt codes carefully. Put your two best choices first as those are the only ones that matter in the draw.
Double check your payment card information is current before the February deadline.
Log into your portal account in late February or March to check draw results.
Tips to Maximize Your Odds
Apply every single year without exception. Missing a year costs you points and five consecutive missed years wipes your entire elk point total.
Complete the AZGFD hunter education course as soon as possible to lock in your lifetime bonus point.
Research draw odds before you apply. AZGFD publishes historical draw data that shows how many points it typically takes to draw each hunt code. Use this to set realistic expectations and identify units where your current point total is competitive.
If you are not hunting a particular year still submit a bonus point only application. It protects your points for the same cost as a regular application fee.
Consider units that offer a balance between quality and achievable draw odds rather than holding out exclusively for the most famous trophy units. Some very good elk hunting exists in units that draw in five to eight years rather than fifteen or more.
Keep your portal account information updated year-round. Your address, email, and payment card should all be current before January arrives.
Key Dates to Remember Every Year
Application window opens: early to mid January
Application deadline: first or second Tuesday of February
Draw results: late February to late March
Permits mailed: by approximately April 1st
Leftover tag applications: mid March by mail
Always verify exact dates directly on the AZGFD website each year before relying on any third party source including this article.
Final Thoughts
An Arizona elk tag is one of the most coveted tags in North American hunting and for good reason. The bulls are world class, the terrain is stunning, and a hunt in units like 9, 10, or 27 is a genuine once in a lifetime experience. The path to getting there requires consistency, patience, and a commitment to applying every single year starting as early as possible. Start building your points now, do your unit research, and trust the process. Arizona will eventually reward you.
For more information or to apply, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com.
Ready to start planning your hunt? Check out this article on elk hunting in Arizona. You can also check out our guide to hunting whitetail deer in Arizona to get a feel for the terrain and gear you will need across different parts of the state. A lot of the same country that holds great elk also holds incredible Coues deer.
Disclosure: This blog is for informational purposes only. Always verify current deadlines, fees, regulations, and unit information directly with the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com before applying. Rules, dates, and unit allocations change each year.
The Rocky Outdoorsman 
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