If you’re new to hunting in Arizona or just tired of being confused every time draw season rolls around, this article is for you. Arizona’s big game draw system is one of the better ones in the West once you understand how it works, but it has enough moving parts that a lot of hunters make costly mistakes every year. Missing a deadline, having your card declined, or applying for the wrong hunt code can cost you a year of bonus points or a tag you should have had. Let’s break it all down.
What Is the Arizona Deer Draw?
Almost all deer hunting in Arizona requires you to draw a tag through the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) lottery system. There are no walk-in tags at a sporting goods store for deer in most cases. You apply during a specific window each year, and AZGFD runs a draw to determine who gets tags. If you don’t draw, you earn a bonus point that improves your odds the following year.
Arizona offers both Coues whitetail deer and mule deer through the draw, and the two are handled in the same application cycle.
The Two Draw Cycles You Need to Know
Arizona runs two main draw cycles each year and deer falls into the second one.
The first cycle covers elk and pronghorn. The application window typically opens in January and the deadline falls on the first or second Tuesday of February. For 2026 that deadline was February 3rd.
The second cycle is the one deer hunters care about. It covers Coues deer, mule deer, bighorn sheep, fall bison, and sandhill crane. The application window opens in May and the deadline falls on the first or second Tuesday of June. For 2026 the deadline is around June 9th. Draw results for deer typically come out in late June or early July, about six to eight weeks after the deadline.
Mark both of these dates on your calendar every year and treat them like they are carved in stone, because they are.
How the Bonus Point System Works
Arizona uses a bonus point system to reward hunters who apply consistently over time. Here is how it works:
Every year you apply and do not draw a tag, you receive one bonus point for that species. The more bonus points you have, the better your odds of drawing in future years. Points are species specific, meaning your deer points cannot be used for elk and your elk points cannot be used for deer.
There is also a loyalty point system. If you apply for the same species for five consecutive years you automatically receive an additional loyalty point on top of your regular accumulation. If you skip a year and fail to apply for a species for five consecutive years, your bonus points for that species are purged entirely. This is one of the most painful mistakes a hunter can make, so never skip a year even if you don’t plan to hunt.
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. It is worth doing because that one extra point applies to every species you ever apply for in Arizona. It can take a couple of weeks to a month for the point to show up in your account so don’t wait until the last minute.
How the Draw Actually Works
Arizona’s draw system has three passes, which is what makes it unique and why even hunters with zero bonus points have a real shot every year.
In the first pass, all applicants are sorted by bonus points. Those with the most points get priority. This is where the majority of premium tags go.
In the second pass, applications are randomly assigned numbers regardless of bonus points. This is the random pool, and it accounts for about 20 percent of available tags. Any applicant in the draw has a chance here, even someone applying for the first time.
In the third pass, any remaining leftover tags are distributed. By this point most tags are already gone but occasionally a few slip through.
You submit up to five hunt choices per species but Arizona only considers your first and second choice in the main draw, so put real thought into those top two selections.
What It Costs to Apply
Before you apply you need a valid Arizona hunting license. For residents that costs $37. For non-residents the combination hunting and fishing license runs $160. That license must be valid on the application deadline or your application is void.
On top of the license you pay a non-refundable application fee of $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 fee. If your card is declined they will not call you, email you, or give you a second chance. They move on to the next applicant. Make sure your card is current and has enough room on it before results come out.
Non-Resident Hunters: What You Need to Know
Arizona caps non-resident tags at 10 percent of the total available for each hunt code. For popular deer units this makes competition stiff. Non-residents need to be strategic about which units they apply for and have realistic expectations about draw timelines for premium hunts.
The good news is that the random 20 percent pool applies to non-residents too, so there is always a chance. The smartest approach for non-residents is to apply every single year without fail, build points steadily, and target units where the point creep is manageable.
If you are timing your license purchase to cover both the February elk draw and the June deer draw in the same year, buy your license early enough that it remains valid through the June deadline. Arizona licenses are valid for 365 days from purchase, not just the calendar year, so timing matters.
Over the Counter Deer Tags
Not all Arizona deer hunting requires a draw. Arizona does offer over the counter tags for both Coues deer and mule deer in certain areas. These typically go on sale in November and are available online through the AZGFD portal. You still need a valid hunting license to purchase one. OTC tags are a great option for newer hunters who want to get into the field while building bonus points for premium draw hunts.
How to Apply Step by Step
First, go to azgfd.com and create a portal account if you don’t already have one. You will need a Customer ID which you can retrieve through the AZGFD portal.
Second, purchase your Arizona hunting license through the portal.
Third, when the application window opens in May, log back in and select Apply for a Draw. Choose your hunt codes carefully, putting your best two choices first.
Fourth, make sure your payment card on file is current and has no expiration issues before June.
Fifth, check your email and portal account in late June or early July for draw results.
Tips to Maximize Your Odds
Apply every single year without exception. Missing a year costs you points and can wipe out your entire accumulated total after five years.
Complete the AZGFD hunter education course as soon as possible to lock in your lifetime bonus point for all species.
Research hunt codes before you apply. Some units have dramatically better draw odds than others. The AZGFD website publishes draw odds data from previous years which is extremely useful for planning.
Put your two best choices first. Arizona only considers your first and second choice in the primary draw passes so the remaining three choices rarely come into play.
Keep your contact and payment information updated in your portal account year-round, not just during application season.
If you are not hunting a particular year, submit a bonus point only application. It costs the same as the application fee and keeps your point total growing without requiring you to commit to a hunt.
Key Dates to Remember Every Year
Deer draw application window: opens in May
Deer draw deadline: first or second Tuesday of June (around June 9th for 2026)
Draw results: late June or early July
OTC tags on sale: November
Always verify exact dates on the AZGFD website each year as they can shift slightly. Do not rely solely on this article or any other third party source for final deadlines.
Final Thoughts
The Arizona deer draw rewards patience and consistency more than anything else. Build your points every year, do your research on hunt codes, keep your account information current, and never miss a deadline. The sky islands of southern Arizona hold some of the best Coues deer hunting in the world and the mule deer units in the north are equally special. Put in the time with the draw system and eventually Arizona will hand you the hunt of a lifetime.
For more information or to apply, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com.
Ready to Hunt? Check Out Our Coues Deer Hunting Guide
So you’ve put in your application and now the waiting game begins. While you’re stacking up those bonus points and dreaming about where you’ll be glassing this fall, head over to our article on hunting whitetail deer in Arizona. We break down all the major hunting regions across the state, the gear that actually makes a difference in Arizona’s rugged terrain, and the tips that will help you put a Coues buck on the ground when your tag finally comes through. It’s worth a read whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned Coues hunter looking to try a new part of the state.
Disclosure: This blog is for informational purposes only. Always verify current deadlines, fees, and regulations directly with the Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com before applying. Rules and dates change each year.
The Rocky Outdoorsman 