Arizona Big Game Draw & Application

Overview

There are two types of tags in Arizona - permit tags obtained through one of the big game drawings, and non permit tags (OTC tags) obtained over the counter at a license dealer or Arizona Game and Fish Department office location. Arizona does not have a landowner tag process or program.

Permit tags - Nearly all big game tags are obtained through a draw process administered online by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Tags for the following species are obtained through a draw: Bighorn sheep, Pronghorn antelope, buffalo, most mule deer tags, most coues deer tags, most elk tags, spring turkey tags, and some javelina tags. 

Non permit tags (OTC) - A hunter can purchase OTC non permit tags for the following species: bear, mountain lion, fall turkey, resident archery deer, some junior turkey hunts, some archery javelina hunts.

Non resident OTC archery deer tags - these are obtained through a special draw in early November online for the following calendar year/ 

Big Game Draw Deadlines

Hunt draw application deadlines

Pronghorn and elk

• Draw deadline: In February (refer to the application schedule)
• Regulations: Available in early January

Deer, bighorn sheep, fall turkey, fall javelina, fall bison, and sandhill crane

• Draw deadline: In June (refer to the application schedule)
• Regulations: Available in early May

Spring javelina, spring turkey, spring bison

• Draw deadline: In October (refer to the application schedule)
• Regulations: Available in early September

How Does the Draw Work?

Arizona Big Game Draw – Simple Overview

Arizona’s draw has three phases: a 20% bonus point pass, a random pass (1st–2nd choices), and a final pass (3rd–5th choices).

Each application gets a random number plus extra numbers for each bonus point (including loyalty and hunter ed). The lowest number is used, and new numbers are generated for each phase—so bonus points improve your odds but don’t guarantee a tag. Non-residents get up to 10% of the total tags, 5% in the bonus point pass and 5% in the random pass. 

1. Bonus Point Pass (20% of the permits)

• Up to 20% of tags go to applicants with the most bonus points 
• Only 1st and 2nd choices are considered 
• 0-point applicants are excluded 
• Nonresident cap of 5%

2. Random Pass (1st–2nd Choices)

• Remaining 80% of the tags are distributed purely by random number 
• Bonus points still help by increasing your chances
• All applicants are included 

3. Final Pass (3rd–5th Choices)

• Only happens if tags remain 
• Applications are checked for 3rd–5th choices in random order 

Key Rules

• Groups (2–4 hunters) average bonus points (rounded) 
• Enough tags must be available for the entire group or it’s skipped 
• If you don’t draw, you gain a bonus point 
• If you draw, your points reset for that species 

Bottom line: Arizona is a bonus point lottery—points help, but every applicant still has a chance each year.

Getting OTC Tags

Nonpermit-Tags (Over-the-Counter Tags)

There are many opportunities to go hunting that do not require hunters to submit an application for a hunt permit-tag via the draw. 

Species and hunts available are:

• archery-only deer with some unit restrictions
• limited opportunity elk
• mountain lion
• bear
• archery-only javelina
• juniors-only turkey (shotgun). 

Attention - Non Resident Deer Hunters – 

The archery deer OTC tags will only be sold online — on a first come, first served basis — at otcarchery.azgfd.com. This takes place in early November at 8am sharp (Arizona time) online. The hard date will be published in the regulations.

Approximately 2800 non-resident archery OTC deer tags will be available but typically sell out in less than 15 minutes!!! Be prepared!