If you are coming to Arizona from out of state and want to hunt, buying your license is the first thing you need to do before anything else. You cannot apply for a draw tag, purchase an over the counter tag, or legally hunt a single day without one. The good news is the process is entirely online and straightforward once you know where to go and what to expect. This guide walks you through every step in plain language so you are not fumbling through a government website trying to figure it out on your own.
What Non-Residents Need to Know First
Arizona does not sell hunting licenses the same way most states do. There are no paper licenses available through sporting goods stores or Walmart. Everything is handled online through the Arizona Game and Fish Department portal. This is actually more convenient once you understand the system but it catches a lot of out of state hunters off guard when they show up expecting to grab a license off a rack at the local Cabela’s.
The license you need as a non-resident is the combination hunting and fishing license. It costs $160 and is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, not just the calendar year. This is one of the most important details for non-residents to understand. If you buy your license on June 1st it is valid through May 31st of the following year. Timed correctly a single license can cover multiple draw cycles and save you from buying a new one every January.
Step by Step: How to Buy Your Arizona Hunting License Online
Step one is creating your AZGFD portal account. Go to accounts.azgfd.com and click Register. Fill in your personal information including your name, address, date of birth, and email. Save your login credentials somewhere secure because you will need them every time you apply for a draw or purchase a tag. Your portal account is also where draw results are posted, where you can check your bonus points, and where you manage your hunting profile. If you do not have a portal account you cannot access any of this.
Step two is locating your Customer ID. Your Customer ID is a unique number assigned to you in the AZGFD system and it is required for almost every transaction. Once you create your portal account your Customer ID appears on your dashboard under My AZGFD. Write it down and keep it somewhere accessible. You will need it when purchasing tags, applying for draws, and checking results.
Step three is purchasing your license. Go to license.azgfd.com and log in with your portal credentials. Select the non-resident combination hunting and fishing license for $160. Complete the purchase and save your receipt. Your license number appears at the bottom of the receipt and you will need it if you plan to apply for a draw during the same session. Do not throw the receipt away.
Step four is downloading the Arizona E-Tag app. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play and download the free Arizona E-Tag app. This app delivers your license and any tags you draw digitally to your phone and lets you electronically tag a harvested animal in the field. It is not required but it is extremely convenient and eliminates any risk of losing a paper tag.
How Long Does It Take
The online process takes about 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish once you have your information ready. Your license is available immediately after purchase. If you opted for electronic delivery through the E-Tag app it appears in the app within minutes. If you need a physical copy you can print your license from your portal account.
What Your $160 License Covers
The non-resident combination hunting and fishing license covers you to hunt and fish in Arizona for 365 days from purchase. It does not include your draw tags or over the counter tags. Those are separate purchases on top of the license. Think of the license as your permission to participate in Arizona hunting. The tags are what authorize you to harvest a specific animal in a specific area.
Here is what you will pay beyond the $160 license depending on what you want to hunt:
Draw application fees are $15 per species non-refundable. You pay this whether you draw or not.
Over the counter elk tags cost $650 for non-residents on top of the license.
Over the counter archery deer tags are sold separately and go on sale in November on a first come first served basis with limited non-resident availability.
If you draw a tag AZGFD automatically charges your card on file for the full tag price at the time of the draw. Elk tags run approximately $665 for non-residents. Deer tags run in the low to mid hundreds. Always keep your payment card current in your portal account.
Important Things Non-Residents Get Wrong
The most common mistake is waiting too long to buy a license before a draw deadline. Your license must be valid on the application deadline date or your draw application is void. If the elk draw deadline is February 3rd and your license expires January 15th you are locked out of the draw. Buy your new license before the deadline, not after.
The second most common mistake is not knowing your Customer ID when it is time to apply. Retrieve it from your portal account before application season and write it somewhere you will find it.
The third most common mistake is letting a payment card expire between the draw application and the draw results. AZGFD charges your card automatically if you draw. If the card is declined they do not call you. They move to the next applicant and your tag is gone. Check your card expiration date every January and update it in your portal account if needed.
Can You Buy an Arizona License at a Physical Store
No. AZGFD stopped selling traditional paper licenses through dealers statewide. All licenses must be purchased online at license.azgfd.com or through an AZGFD office. Some dealers can assist you with the online purchase process through AZGFD’s system but they are not selling you a license directly. The online portal is the simplest and fastest option.
Do You Need Hunter Education to Hunt in Arizona
Hunter education is not required to hunt in Arizona for adults. However it is strongly recommended and comes with a significant benefit. Completing the AZGFD hunter education course or the Ethically Hunting Arizona online course earns you a permanent lifetime bonus point for every species you ever apply for in the draw. For non-residents the course costs $300. That single bonus point compounds over years of applying and is one of the highest return investments a non-resident can make in the Arizona draw system.
What to Do After You Buy Your License
Once your license is purchased and your portal account is set up you are ready to participate in the Arizona hunting system. Here is what comes next depending on your goals.
If you want to apply for the elk or pronghorn draw the deadline falls in early February. The application window opens in January. Log into your portal at draw.azgfd.com and apply during that window.
If you want to apply for deer, sheep, or fall bison the deadline falls in early June. The application window opens in May.
If you want to apply for spring turkey, javelina, or spring bear the deadline falls in early October. The application window opens in mid September.
If you want an over the counter elk tag you can purchase one directly through the AZGFD portal at any time during the available season. These do not require a draw.
If you want an over the counter archery deer tag for non-residents these go on sale in November on a first come first served basis with limited availability. Have your portal account and Customer ID ready before the sale opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an Arizona non-resident hunting license valid?
365 days from the date of purchase. Not the calendar year. A license purchased on October 7th is valid through October 6th of the following year.
Can I buy an Arizona hunting license at Walmart or Cabela’s?
No. Licenses must be purchased online at license.azgfd.com or at an AZGFD office.
Do I need a separate fishing license in Arizona as a non-resident?
The combination hunting and fishing license at $160 covers both hunting and fishing. You do not need a separate fishing license if you purchased the combination license.
Can I apply for a draw the same day I buy my license?
Yes. Your license is valid immediately upon purchase and you can apply for a draw the same day as long as the application window is open.
What happens if I draw a tag but my payment card is declined?
AZGFD will not contact you. They move immediately to the next applicant and your tag is forfeited. Keep your card current at all times.
Can youth non-residents get a cheaper license?
Yes. Non-resident youth combination licenses for hunters ages 10 to 17 cost $5, making Arizona one of the most affordable states in the country for young hunters to start building draw points.
Where do I check my draw results?
Your AZGFD portal account at azgfd.gov is the only place draw results are posted. AZGFD does not mail result notifications.
Now That You Have Your License: Gear Up
Once your license is sorted the next step is making sure you have the right gear for Arizona hunting. Check out our guides below for everything you need to know about hunting specific species and the gear that makes a difference in Arizona’s demanding terrain.
Arizona spring turkey hunting beginner’s guide
Best budget gear for Arizona desert hunting
For more information or to purchase your license visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com.
Disclosure: This blog is for informational purposes only. Always verify current license fees, regulations, and requirements directly with the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com. Fees and rules change each year.