Why hunt elk in Arizona? Most outfitters will answer with a number: 400. Arizona is the state that consistently rewards the hunters with elk antlers that are over 300” mark, and some approaching and even over the magical four hundred. But even the hunters who don’t care for the score of their trophy can’t refuse the draw of hunting the majestic mountain monarchs.
The native elk of Arizona, once described as the Merriam subspecies, were driven to extinction by overharvest and overgrazing. A reintroduction program that started in 1913, releasing elk from the Yellowstone National Park, had only a limited success, but by the 1990s elk numbers in Arizona reached huntable proportions. Today elk herds in the state number about 35,000 animals. The Merriam subspecies was described as having a relatively small body with impressive antlers, and apparently its heritage, if not its genetics, lives on as Arizona elk have impressive racks – but you know that already.
Whether a late season spot-and-stalk, or the archery season hunting during the bugle, elk hunting in Arizona is renowned as excellent – if you can get the “elk permit-tag”, that is.
How to Get an Elk Permit in Arizona
For most hunters, an Arizona elk hunt means entering the draw. Arizona does offer over-the-counter elk nonpermit-tags, but these are limited, restricted opportunities, often in specific hunt areas and seasons where success may be low. For the main General, Youth-Only, Muzzleloader, and Archery-Only elk seasons, hunters must apply through the Arizona Game and Fish Department draw for a hunt permit-tag.
For 2026, the application deadline for Arizona pronghorn and elk was 11:59 p.m. Arizona time on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The deadline is usually in early February, but hunters should always check the current AZGFD Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet before applying.
Arizona’s elk draw uses a bonus-point system. Each valid application receives a random number, and each accumulated bonus point gives the applicant another random number entry. The lowest number assigned to the application is used in the draw. Bonus points improve the odds, but they do not work like preference points and do not guarantee a future tag.
The draw is run in three phases:
- Bonus Point Pass. Up to 20% of the authorized hunt permit-tags for each elk hunt number may be issued in this pass. Applications are sorted by bonus points first, then by random number. Only first and second hunt choices are considered in this pass, and the nonresident cap still applies.
- First and Second Choice Pass. Applications that were not successful in the Bonus Point Pass receive new random numbers. The draw then considers first and second hunt choices in random-number order.
- Third, Fourth, and Fifth Choice Pass. Applications still unsuccessful after the second phase receive new random numbers again. The draw then considers third, fourth, and fifth choices, if permit-tags remain.
Nonresidents may apply for Arizona elk, but they are limited by nonresident caps. In practical terms, nonresidents should not assume that 10% of tags will always be available to them for every hunt. The cap limits nonresident allocation; it does not guarantee it.
Bonus points are awarded automatically after an unsuccessful valid application for that species. Hunters may also apply for a bonus point only by using the proper bonus-point hunt number, but they may not submit a bonus-point-only application and a hunt application for the same species in the same draw.
Arizona also offers PointGuard and PointGuard Plus. These programs allow a successful applicant to surrender a hunt permit-tag before the hunt and have bonus points reinstated, subject to AZGFD rules. Standard PointGuard costs $10 per species, per applicant. PointGuard Plus costs $25 and applies to eligible big-game species for three consecutive draw cycles from the date of purchase. A surrendered tag does not refund the tag cost.
Hunters who cannot use a tag may also have limited transfer or donation options. Arizona allows certain tag transfers to a qualifying minor child or grandchild, and donations through qualifying nonprofit organizations for children with life-threatening medical conditions or permanent physical disabilities, or for military veterans with service-connected disabilities. These rules are specific and must be handled through AZGFD procedures.
After the draw, leftover elk permit-tags may be offered if any remain. In 2026, AZGFD posted leftover elk permit-tags in March, mostly for limited-opportunity or antlerless hunts. Population management hunts may also occur when needed, but they are separate from the regular draw and require hunters to apply to the appropriate hunter pool.
Can I Get an OTC Tag for Elk in Arizona?
Yes, but Arizona elk “OTC” opportunity is limited and should not be confused with the regular elk draw.
If any elk hunt permit-tags remain after the draw, Arizona Game and Fish may offer them as leftover hunt permit-tags on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2026, AZGFD posted leftover elk permit-tags after the draw and began accepting paper applications by mail at 8 a.m. on March 16. Any remaining tags then went on sale at department offices beginning March 23.
These leftover tags are not usually prime bull tags. In 2026, the leftover list included 95 limited-opportunity general antlerless elk tags, two youth-only general antlerless elk tags, three archery-only antlerless elk tags, and one archery-only bull elk tag. The list changes every year, and the better opportunities can disappear quickly.
Arizona also offers elk nonpermit-tags, often described as over-the-counter tags. These are separate from draw permit-tags and are generally limited-opportunity hunts in specific areas where elk numbers are low, localized, or not wanted for management reasons. Some may be for bull elk, antlerless elk, or other legal-animal categories depending on the current regulations, but hunters should expect difficult conditions and low success rates. AZGFD tells hunters to review the current Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet and the elk informational handout before buying an OTC elk nonpermit-tag.
There is one more possibility: tribal-land elk hunting. Tribal lands are managed separately from the State of Arizona, and permits are issued by the respective tribal governments, not by AZGFD. Some of the best-known elk habitat in Arizona is on tribal land, including the San Carlos Apache Reservation. San Carlos Apache Tribe Recreation & Wildlife states that elk permits are available by lottery/application and that a tribal guide is required for some premier trophy hunts. The department also notes that its Hilltop and Dry Lake elk herds are managed to produce several 400+ point bulls annually.
Tribal hunts can be excellent, but they are not cheap and the rules are specific to each nation. Permit systems, guide requirements, application dates, hunt areas, trophy fees, and prices must be confirmed directly with the tribal wildlife department before booking.
For comparison, the regular Arizona nonresident elk hunt permit-tag is $665 in 2026, while a nonresident elk nonpermit-tag is $650. These fees do not include the required hunting license or any outfitter, guide, travel, lodging, or access costs.
What’s the best time to hunt elk in Arizona ?
Arizona elk seasons begin in mid-September with the early archery season that usually lasts two weeks. This season usually sees the peak of the rut. Another great option, time-wise, is the trophy bull season. Typically it follows the early archery season, but some units alternate them. The trophy bull season can be either muzzleloader or any-weapon, depending on the year and the unit. Late archery and late bull seasons take place in November, after the elk migrate to their winter habitats.
The choice of the season dictates the hunting method, and the other way round. The early season hunts take place during the rut, and the most successful method is calling. By contrast, late season hunts depend on the spot-and-stalk method for both bull and cow hunts.
The unquestionable advantage of the early archery season is that it takes place in the heat of the rut. The mighty bulls shaking the mountains with their bugle, collecting their harems, and fighting each other for dominance is an experience that will make the hair stand on the back of your neck, and the close encounter with a bull, that archery hunting implies, triples the thrill. Yet, success rates of the rifle hunts, especially early general season, speak for themselves.
How successful are elk hunts in Arizona?
How Successful Are Elk Hunts in Arizona?
Arizona elk hunters do well by Western standards, but success depends heavily on the hunt. The latest Arizona Game and Fish Department elk harvest summary, based on the 2025 elk harvest questionnaire, reports an overall success rate of 42%. In that season, AZGFD estimated 8,233 elk harvested by 19,798 hunters.
That statewide number hides a wide spread. In 2025, General elk hunts finished at 44% overall, Archery-Only hunts averaged 26%, and Muzzleloader hunts averaged 47%. Some early General Bull hunts reported success above 80%, including 97% in Units 1, 2B and 2C, 92% in 3A/3C, 92% in 23 North, and 83% in Unit 10. These are excellent hunts, but they are also among the hardest tags to draw.
Archery and antlerless hunts should not be treated as easy alternatives. Early archery bull hunts offer rut activity and bugling bulls, but the average success rate remains lower than general or muzzleloader seasons. Some cow elk hunts produce good results, while late, pressured, or limited-opportunity hunts can be difficult, proving once again that an educated cow is one of the toughest animals to harvest. For Arizona, compare success rates by hunt number, not just by season type, before applying.
What are the best units to hunt elk in Arizona?
This is one of the most common questions, but unfortunately one that hardly has a definitive answer. The online hunting value map, created on the basis of hunters’ survey in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and published on the Arizona Game and Fish website, shows that the preferred elk hunting zones are located in a line that runs along the state’s northeastern border, roughly from the San Francisco Peaks and the Kaibab National Forest to the Apache National Forest. The hot spots seem to be covered by Units 12-13, 8-10, 6, and 21-23.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should drop everything and apply for the units mentioned. To say nothing of the fact that the most famous units also have the lowest draw success rates, your choice should also depend on when you plan to hunt, and whether you want to hunt a trophy bull or a delicious antlerless animal. The elk are far less territorial than deer, and will readily migrate between different habitats. This happens both seasonally and as variations in precipitation and temperature from year to year change the attractiveness of different areas.
The elk habitat in Arizona is mostly found in the ponderosa pine plateaus and mountains in the north and north east of the state, at elevations between 7 and 8 thousand feet, although some herds are found on high deserts below, or conifer forests above. Males and females stick together during the rut, but their winter stations differ. According to some studies, while bull elk are typically found in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine areas, cows prefer Douglas fir stands and meadow openings. This, of course, is not set in stone, but different choices of habitat is typical for elk in general.
If you’re looking for a guided hunt, your best bet would be to first find an outfitter, and then take their advice on the unit. Most outfitters in Arizona offer to help their clients with filing the draw application. The limited draw system in Arizona is complicated, but careful selection of choice units may dramatically improve the chances of success. Usually they collect a fee for this service, which is counted towards the price of your hunt if you draw, but this is money well spent. Local knowledge and familiarity with the nuances of the system are invaluable.
Gear for elk hunting in Arizona.
Elk hunting is elk hunting pretty much wherever you go, and most of the tips covered in this blog post apply. A specific challenge of elk hunting in Arizona, however, exists, and it lies in great variations of the temperatures and weather. Arizona can be one of the hottest states in America, but elk hunts take place on high elevations, where you may, of course, experience the warm hot dry weather most people associate with Arizona deserts, but you should be prepared for rain, and in the late season even snow, too. Warm and rainproof or even snowproof gear could be essential, and top-notch boots invaluable.
To make things even more challenging, the temperature may vary dramatically across the day, and elk hunting typically implies a lot of walking over broken terrain. With the wrong choice of clothing, you may find yourself chilly in the morning, soaking wet (including in your own sweat) in the afternoon, and freezing cold in the evening. Think high quality thermal underwear, and a well-thought-of sequence of layers. Your outfitter should be the best expert on what conditions you are likely to encounter in the specific time and location of your hunt, so if you book an elk hunt in Arizona, be sure to ask them – and heed their advice.
The bottom line
Elk hunting in Arizona requires a lot of preparation. The draw takes place earlier than in most other states, and whether you’re looking for a DIY hunt, or considering a guided hunt, now is the time to start researching the state and the units you want to apply for. This is especially true if you want to secure the help of an outfitter in preparing your application. Even if you’re ready to invest in a tribal land hunt, you should probably contact the relevant nation well before the tags go on sale. Have a look at our selection of elk hunts in Arizona and act quick!
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