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HUNTING ARIZONA

A Comprehensive Guide

% Public Land
Species Available
# of Hunters
51%
9
350k

2024 Arizona Big Game

Arizona's diverse desert landscape holds solid populations of mule deer and coues white-tailed deer. Elk and pronghorn populations, while not as large as some other western states, produce trophy specimens. Some bison and sheep can be found in several portions of the state for those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Predator hunters can chase black bear in the woodland habitats and mountain lion can be found roaming most of the state. Javelina and turkey offer opportunity at smaller quarry but are nonetheless challenging.

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Species to Hunt

Antelope

Coues Deer

Bison

Desert Bighorn

Elk

Javalina

Mountain Lion

Mule Deer

Rocky Mtn Bighorn

Deadlines

Elk and Antelope                   Feb 6

Sheep, Bison, Deer               Jun 4

Bison, Javelina, Turkey          Oct 1

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Over the Counter Hunts

Arizona refers to over the counter hunts as non-permit license hunts. In general, both nonresident and residents can purchase OTC licenses. Some deer units may have caps on the number of licenses available to nonresidents over the counter though. A number of units offer OTC mule deer or coues deer hunts in winter. There is some opportunity to hunt Javelina and Turkey over the counter. While there are over the counter elk licenses, it is unlikely that elk will be found in the areas offering these licenses. Predator hunts for Mountain lion and black bear can be done by purchasing an over the counter license.

Limited Entry Hunts

Much of Arizona's best hunting opportunities are allocated through 3 draws that occur throughout the year. Elk and Antelope regulations are published in mid January and the draw deadline occurs in early February. The general Fall deadline occurs in early June with regulations published in May. Deer, bison, bighorn sheep, javelina, and turkey opportunities are drawn during this period. Finally, a Spring draw happens in early October with regulations published in September. This draw covers bison, turkey, and javelina hunts and OTC deer opportunities are published then as well.

One important point to note is that hunt numbers listed in the regulations can change annually. So always refer to the latest regulations or look for the current year information in the hunt planner to make sure you are applying for the right hunt.

The Draw

All hunts in Arizona are allocated under a hybrid bonus point system. It is hybrid because 20% of licenses go to max bonus point holders and the remaining 80% are allocated under a traditional bonus point system. Applicants can build bonus points for each species and submit one application per species per draw.

 

During the "Bonus Round", applicants are ranked from most bonus points to least bonus points. Every applicant, regardless of their points, receives a random number. Where there are multiple applicants at the same point level, they are sorted from lowest random number to highest random number. 20% of licenses are awarded to applicants starting at with the highest bonus point holder and working down the list until all 20% of the quota has been allocated.

 

During the "1/2 Pass", the remaining 80% are allocated using a bonus point system. Applicants receive a random number for every bonus point they have plus the current year's application. The lowest random number is used to rank them in the drawing. So every applicant has a chance of drawing but applicants with more preference points have a better chance.

For both the "Bonus Round" and "1/2 Pass", all first choice and second choice applicants for a hunt are considered. This is unique to Arizona, as most states consider only first choice applicants or evaluate an entire application at a time. So it possible for 2nd choice applicants to draw before 1st choice applicant if they have more points than a 1st choice applicant.

Finally, if there are any licenses remaining after this pass are drawn in the "3/4/5 Pass" where all remaining applicants across third, fourth and fifth choices are pooled and sorted by random number and licenses awarded in turn.

Quotas

Every hunt has a quota that restricts the total number of licenses that can be awarded. This quota is further divided between residents and nonresidents. Nonresidents are restricted to no more than 10% of the quota. This percentage is not guaranteed and residents could draw more than 90% if they have generally higher bonus points that nonresident applicants. In addition, no more than 50% of the nonresident quota can be awarded to max bonus point holders (i.e. in the bonus pass round).

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