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How the AZGFD draw, bonus points and PointGuard work
Arizona Big Game Draw and Bonus Points
Arizona hands out its limited big game tags in three computer draws a year: fall hunts, spring hunts, and pronghorn and elk. This page covers the 2026-27 deadlines, the five hunt choices, bonus, loyalty and hunter education points, the 20 percent bonus pass, the nonresident cap, PointGuard, leftover tags, the Supplemental Hunter Pool for population management hunts, companion tags, military and Hopi hunts and the Landowner Compact, with counts from the 874 hunts in the booklets.
Photo: Andrew_Carter786 (CC BY 2.0)
Draw basics under AZGFD rules
Every drawn hunt has a hunt number in a Commission Order, with its units, dates, legal animal and number of tags. An application lists up to five hunt numbers for one genus, and the computer works through applicants by random number.
Hunts with limited tags get a hunt number in the Commission Order; hunt permit-tags are issued by computerized random draw. Up to five hunt choices per application, one application per genus per draw; a valid license is required at application.
- YouthYouth-Only hunts for hunters under 18 (may finish the hunt after turning 18). A youth pays the higher fee unless applying only for Youth-Only hunts. Youth must be 10 by the hunt start.
- ResultsResults only through the AZGFD portal account (accounts.azgfd.com).
- Bonus point reportsAZGFD posts draw and bonus point reports for each draw (2026 fall: 2026-F-Bonus-Point-Report; 2026 pronghorn and elk: 2026-M-Bonus-Point-Report).
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 24; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 6. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Arizona application windows and tag mailing dates
The spring 2027 draw closed on October 6, 2026, and tags are mailed by November 25. The next deadline is the 2027 pronghorn and elk draw in February 2027; its booklet comes out in early January, so every pronghorn and elk hunt on this site is still a 2026 hunt.
| Draw | Species | Deadline, tags and leftovers |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 hunts | Deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison, sandhill crane | Deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane: online deadline June 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Arizona time; tags mailed by July 24, 2026; leftover first-come tags by mail from July 6 and at Department offices from July 13, 2026. |
| Spring 2027 hunts | Spring turkey, spring javelina, spring bison, raptor capture | Spring turkey, spring javelina, spring bison and raptor capture: online deadline October 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m.; tags mailed by November 25, 2026; first-come by mail from November 2 and at offices from November 9, 2026 (raptor capture mail only). |
| Pronghorn and elk 2026 | Pronghorn, elk | Pronghorn and elk: online deadline February 3, 2026; tags mailed by April 1, 2026; first-come by mail March 16 and at offices March 23, 2026. |
| Pronghorn and elk 2027 | Pronghorn, elk | Deadline in February 2027; the 2027 pronghorn and elk booklet is published in early January (not yet published on November 6, 2026). |
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 6; 2027 spring hunt booklet, PDF p. 4; 2026 pronghorn and elk booklet, PDF p. 4. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Arizona bonus points
A bonus point gives one more random number in each draw, so it improves the odds without promising a tag. The bonus pass is the exception: up to 20 percent of the tags in a hunt go first to the applicants with the most points who chose that hunt first or second.
Bonus points
One bonus point per genus for an unsuccessful valid application or a bonus-point-only application (bonus point hunt numbers 1000 deer, 4000 turkey, 5000 javelina, 6000 bighorn sheep, 7000 bison, 9000 sandhill crane, plus pronghorn and elk numbers in that booklet). Each point adds one random number in each draw; points are spent when drawn and lost after five consecutive years without applying for the genus.
The bonus pass
Up to 20% of tags in each hunt number (20% statewide for bighorn sheep and bison) go first to applicants with the most bonus points who list the hunt as first or second choice; remaining tags are drawn randomly, first and second choices before third to fifth.
Loyalty point
A loyalty bonus point after applying for a genus every year for five consecutive years; kept while the person applies every year for that genus.
Hunter education point
One permanent bonus point per genus for Arizona hunter education or conservation education.
PointGuard
PointGuard ($10/species) or PointGuard Plus ($25, three draw cycles) lets a drawn hunter surrender a tag before the hunt and have points reinstated.
Leftover tags
Tags left after the draw are sold first come, first served (no bonus points spent); results are not posted.
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 24; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 122; AZGFD Laws and Rules Book, PDF p. 135. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Arizona draw by the numbers
Unnumbered hunts (Hopi hunts, Camp Navajo, Fort Huachuca and some raptor capture seasons) are counted with the numbered ones. Every pronghorn and elk row here is a 2026 hunt.
Bonus-point-only hunt numbers
| Hunt number | Species | Booklet |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Deer | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 4000 | Turkey | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 5000 | Javelina | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 6000 | Bighorn Sheep | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 7000 | Bison | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 9000 | Sandhill Crane | 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (fall 2026 hunts) |
| 4000 | Turkey | 2027 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture booklet |
| 5000 | Javelina | 2027 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture booklet |
| 7000 | Bison | 2027 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture booklet |
| 2000 | Pronghorn | 2026 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw booklet |
| 3000 | Elk | 2026 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw booklet |
The 874 drawn and unnumbered hunts by species and booklet
| Species | Booklet | Hunts | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | 2026 pronghorn and elk | 252 | 24,119 |
| Deer | Fall 2026 | 218 | 34,400 |
| Javelina | Spring 2027 | 109 | 25,107 |
| Wild turkey | Spring 2027 | 73 | 5,325 |
| Pronghorn | 2026 pronghorn and elk | 68 | 551 |
| Desert bighorn | Fall 2026 | 59 | 134 |
| Sandhill crane | Fall 2026 | 21 | 1,020 |
| Wild turkey | Fall 2026 | 14 | 3,285 |
| Bison | Fall 2026 | 13 | 48 |
| Raptor capture (falconry) | Spring 2027 | 13 | 51 |
| Javelina | Fall 2026 | 12 | 880 |
| Rocky Mountain bighorn | Fall 2026 | 12 | 21 |
| Bison | Spring 2027 | 10 | 54 |
Demand in the 2025 draws
| Species | Hunts | Tags authorized | First-choice applicants | Applicants per tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | 217 | 37,050 | 113,112 | 3.1 |
| Elk (preliminary) | 248 | 24,141 | 147,461 | 6.1 |
| Pronghorn | 68 | 561 | 47,277 | 84.3 |
| Javelina, spring | 101 | 26,227 | 27,647 | 1.1 |
| Turkey, spring | 77 | 5,303 | 19,259 | 3.6 |
| Bighorn sheep | 65 | 151 | 31,030 | 205.5 |
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 24; 2025 AZGFD deer harvest summary; 2025 AZGFD elk harvest summary (preliminary); 2025 AZGFD pronghorn harvest summary; 2025 AZGFD bighorn sheep harvest summary. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Nonresident share and fees in Arizona
Nonresidents can apply for every Arizona draw hunt but are held to 10 percent of the tags in most hunt numbers, and the price of a drawn tag includes the $15 nonresident application fee.
Nonresidents get no more than 10% of tags in any hunt number for deer, elk, javelina, pronghorn, sandhill crane and turkey (only one tag if the hunt has 10 or fewer, none if it has one); bighorn sheep and bison: no more than one tag or 10% of the draw total, never more than 50% or two tags in a hunt number. At most half of nonresident tags come from the bonus pass. Nonresident archery deer nonpermit-tags are capped at 10% of average sales.
| Hunt permit-tag | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | $58 | $315 |
| Elk | $148 | $665 |
| Pronghorn | $103 | $565 |
| Bighorn Sheep | $313 | $1,815 |
| Bison Bull/Any | $1,113 | $5,415 |
| Turkey | $38 | $105 |
| Javelina | $38 | $115 |
| Sandhill Crane | $43 | $45 |
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 24; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 7. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Arizona tags by other routes
Population management and the Supplemental Hunter Pool
Commission Order 26 population management hunts (deer, elk, javelina, bison, bear) are filled from the Supplemental Hunter Pool ($13/$15 application per species, purged December 31); restricted nonpermit-tags; no bonus points gained or lost. Season rows: Javelina (peccary) 49, Deer (mule deer and white-tailed deer) 43, Black bear 42, Elk 35, Bison 2.
Youth javelina companion tags
Youth javelina companion tags for holders of the matching deer hunt permit-tags (Commission Order 26).
Military installations
Camp Navajo (6B), Fort Huachuca (35A), Yuma Proving Ground (41W, 43A, 43B), Barry M. Goldwater Range (40A, 40B, 46A, 46B) and Florence Military Reservation (37B) have their own access permits, eligibility and closures.
Hopi Three Canyon Ranches
Hopi Trust lands on the Hopi Three Canyon Ranches (Aja Ranch in Unit 4A, Clear Creek Ranch in Unit 5A, Hart Ranch in Unit 5B) are open to holders of the listed "Hopi Hunt" permits and other hunts by written permission under an AZGFD-Hopi Tribe agreement (Commission Order notes 30-32).
Landowner Compact ranches
Landowner Compact Agreements open private ranches (for example Boquillas-Diamond A and Perrin ranches in Unit 10, Fort Rock Ranch in 18A/18B, Bar T Bar and Flying M in 5A/5B, Walking Cane Ranch in Unit 7) with ranch passes or rules.
Nonpermit-tags instead
198 season rows need no draw at all: archery deer by unit, bear, mountain lion, some javelina, turkey and elk, sold over the counter with unit harvest limits.
Sources: 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 24; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 51; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 20; 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 25. Checked: numbers verified November 7, 2026.
Arizona draw questions
How many Arizona tags go to nonresidents?
No more than 10 percent of the tags in any hunt number for deer, elk, javelina, pronghorn, sandhill crane and turkey; for bighorn sheep and bison, no more than one tag or 10 percent of the draw total.
Do Arizona population management hunts use bonus points?
No. They are filled from the Supplemental Hunter Pool, and no bonus points are gained or lost.
What happens to Arizona tags left after the draw?
Tags left after the draw are sold first come, first served (no bonus points spent); results are not posted.
Does a youth pay less in the Arizona draw?
Youth-Only hunts for hunters under 18 (may finish the hunt after turning 18). A youth pays the higher fee unless applying only for Youth-Only hunts. Youth must be 10 by the hunt start.
When is the Arizona elk draw deadline for 2027?
Deadline in February 2027; the 2027 pronghorn and elk booklet is published in early January (not yet published on November 6, 2026).
How many hunt choices can I list on an Arizona application?
Up to five hunt numbers, with one application per genus in each draw; a valid hunting license is required when you apply.
How do Arizona bonus points work?
One bonus point per genus for an unsuccessful valid application or a bonus-point-only application (bonus point hunt numbers 1000 deer, 4000 turkey, 5000 javelina, 6000 bighorn sheep, 7000 bison, 9000 sandhill crane, plus pronghorn and elk numbers in that booklet). Each point adds one random number in each draw; points are spent when drawn and lost after five consecutive years without applying for the genus.
What is the Arizona bonus pass?
Up to 20% of tags in each hunt number (20% statewide for bighorn sheep and bison) go first to applicants with the most bonus points who list the hunt as first or second choice; remaining tags are drawn randomly, first and second choices before third to fifth.
Can I lose my Arizona bonus points?
Yes, if you go five consecutive years without applying for that genus. Points are also spent when you draw a tag, unless PointGuard lets you surrender it and have them put back.
Before the drive out
Phone signal fades fast in the canyons and on the Arizona Strip, so save the booklet PDFs and the E-Tag app to the phone before leaving pavement.
Other photos on this page: Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); ed ouimette (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0).