AZGFD Big Game Draw 2026–2027: Key Dates, Fees, and How to Actually Get Your Tag
The AZGFD Big Game Draw 2026–2027 covers two separate application cycles run by the Arizona Game and Fish Department: the 2026 Fall Draw (results already posted in July 2026 for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane) and the 2027 Spring Draw (pronghorn and elk, applications open in September 2026). Every hunter must use a free AZGFD portal account, submit a $13 application fee per species, and hold a valid Arizona hunting license that is active on the day they apply and on the final day of the application window. Bonus points, loyalty points, hunter education points, and the optional $10 PointGuard coverage continue to dictate your draw odds — so plan now, even if you missed the summer cycle, because the spring pronghorn and elk tags are where most non-residents lock in Arizona elk hunting for years.
Why the 2026–2027 AZGFD Draw Cycle Matters for Every Arizona Hunter
Most people search “azgfd big game draw” because they want one clean answer: when does the application open, what does it cost, and how do they actually beat the odds. This guide delivers all three for the 2026–2027 window. It also folds in the bonus point math, the multi-pass drawing structure, the PointGuard insurance option, and the leftover tag strategy you can fall back on if you strike out. Whether you hunt elk in Unit 12A, pronghorn in the Sonoran desert, mule deer in the Kaibab, or javelina along the Mogollon Rim, the process is the same — and missing one step (expired license, wrong customer ID, ignored portal account) can get your application rejected with no refund.
If you’re new to Western hunting, brush up on the basics first with this essential hunting safety rules beginner’s guide before you put a tag in your pocket.
AZGFD Draw Calendar at a Glance — 2026–2027 Cycle
| Draw | Species | Application Window Opens | Application Deadline | Results Posted | Season Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Fall Draw | Deer, Turkey, Javelina, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Sandhill Crane | TBA (typically early May) | June 2, 2026, 11:59 PM AZ time | Already posted (July 2026) | August 15, 2026 – August 14, 2027 |
| 2027 Spring Draw | Pronghorn (antelope), Elk | September 2026 (typical 2nd Tuesday) | October/November 2026 (typical mid-October) | November/December 2026 | 2027 calendar year |
| 2027 Leftover Draw | First-come, first-served tags not issued in the main draws | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Continuous until sold out | Same-day | Varies |
Confirm exact dates each year at the official AZGFD Big Game Hunt Draw page — dates close to your application date are authoritative.
Who Needs to Apply Through the AZGFD Big Game Draw
You must enter the AZGFD big game draw if you want a hunt permit-tag for any of the limited-species animals listed below. Over-the-counter tags do not exist for these once they’re drawn — if you don’t apply (or buy a leftover tag after the draw), you can’t hunt them during the 2026–2027 season.
Species Managed Through the AZGFD Draw in 2026–2027
| Species | Draw Window | Resident Tag Fee (approx.) | Non-Resident Tag Fee (approx.) | Typical Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (mule & whitetail) | Fall | $35 – $200+ depending on unit | $300 – $600+ depending on unit | $13 per species |
| Turkey (spring & fall) | Fall (fall season); some spring options | ~$20 – $60 | ~$100+ (special draw) | $13 |
| Javelina | Fall | ~$10 – $25 | ~$50+ | $13 |
| Bighorn Sheep | Fall (very limited) | $1,500+ | $5,000+ | $13 |
| Bison | Fall (extremely limited) | ~$1,800+ | $6,500+ | $13 |
| Sandhill Crane | Fall | ~$10 | ~$15 | $13 |
| Pronghorn (antelope) | Spring | ~$80 – $250 | ~$300 – $550 | $13 |
| Elk | Spring | $160 – $650 depending on unit | $650 – $1,500 depending on unit | $13 |
Tag fees vary wildly by hunt unit and weapon type. Always check the hunt-specific “Draw Information Booklet” for the year you are applying to — Arizona publishes a separate PDF for pronghorn and elk (spring) and for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane (fall).
The 2026 Fall Draw — What Just Happened
Hunters who applied for the 2026 fall AZGFD big game draw by the June 2, 2026 deadline received their notifications through their AZGFD portal account in mid-July 2026. The fall draw is where the majority of Arizona’s hunting pressure shows up because it pools deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane into one giant random drawing.
Top 5 Takeaways from the 2026 Fall Draw Cycle
- The application cutoff was Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time — late applications are rejected without refund.
- All results were posted inside the portal account, not by mail or email. If you didn’t log in to draw.azgfd.com by mid-July, you missed your notification.
- If you drew a tag and wanted out, you needed a PointGuard Plus or standard PointGuard already purchased before the deadline.
- A valid hunting license had to be valid on both the day you applied AND on June 2, 2026. A license that expired in between killed your application even if you paid.
- Bonus points were zeroed out the second you drew a tag — with the exception of your Hunter Education bonus point and Loyalty bonus point, which survived (per AZGFD’s bonus point process page).
If you didn’t draw in the 2026 fall cycle, your next realistic shot for deer, turkey, and javelina isn’t until the 2027 fall draw opens in May 2027. But for pronghorn and elk, you only wait until the 2027 spring cycle.
The 2027 Spring Draw — Up Next in the AZGFD Cycle
This is where elk hunters live. Pronghorn (antelope) and elk are the only two species in the 2027 AZGFD spring draw, and elk is by far the most competitive tag in the state. Arizona elk tags — for both archery and rifle — are allocated across roughly 60 hunt units spanning the White Mountains, the Mogollon Rim, the Kaibab Plateau, the Units 1–3B strip, and the desert south.
2027 Spring Draw — Typical Timeline for Pronghorn and Elk
| Step | What Happens | When (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Regulations booklet posted | AZGFD publishes the official Pronghorn/Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet | Mid-August 2026 |
| Application period opens | AZGFD accepts hunt permit-tag applications | Second Tuesday of September 2026 |
| Application deadline | Last day to submit (online preferred) | Mid-October 2026 |
| First-choice pass ran | Bonus points enhance odds | Within 2–3 weeks of close |
| Results posted | Posted to AZGFD portal accounts only | Late October – November 2026 |
| Successful hunter deadline | Tag fee must be paid | ~30 days after results |
| Leftover list tags available | First-come, first-served online | December 2026 |
| Hunting season | Varies by unit and weapon | January – December 2027 |
Note for non-residents: Arizona non-resident elk tag fees have climbed significantly since 2023. Plan for an out-of-state elk tag cost that can hit $1,500 plus the application fee and license.
Understanding the AZGFD Bonus Point System
The big reason so many people stack years of unsuccessful applications is that Arizona’s bonus point system pays off over time. Unlike a preference point system (where highest-point applicants go first), Arizona uses a hybrid approach: your random number is multiplied by all the bonus points you’ve accumulated plus your loyalty and hunter education points.
Bonus Point Types in AZGFD’s 2026–2027 Draw
| Point Type | How You Earn It | What It Does | Does It Survive If You Draw? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species Bonus Point | Apply and don’t draw for that species | Adds one random number entry per point for each future draw | NO — zeroed out if drawn |
| Hunter Education Bonus Point | Carry proof of completing an approved hunter education course and apply at least once | Adds one random number entry on every draw where claimed | YES — survives across years |
| Loyalty Bonus Point | Apply for the same species five years in a row consecutively | Adds one additional random number entry | YES — survives as long as you keep applying yearly |
| Group Bonus Point | Apply with 2–4 applicants in a group | Uses the average bonus point total of the group | Depends on the drawn applicant |
The math is simple but powerful: if you have 12 bonus points, 1 hunter education point, and 1 loyalty point for elk, you get 14 random number entries per elk hunt choice you submit. Each random number has the same chance of being the lowest pulled, so your effective odds improve to roughly 14-times a single applicant’s odds for any given hunt choice.
How the Three-Phase AZGFD Drawing Process Works
Per the official AZGFD draw process, the drawing runs in three sequential passes. If your random number comes up in the first pass, your other choices never matter — but if it doesn’t, your second, third, fourth, or fifth choice still has a chance.
- Bonus Point Pass — Applicants who chose “bonus point only” are filtered in alongside regular applicants. Those applying only for a point do not draw a tag.
- First-Second Choice Pass — Your top two hunt choices are pulled. If you win the lowest random number on either, you get that tag and your other choices lock.
- Third-Fourth-Fifth Choice Pass — Your remaining three hunt choices are pooled and drawn together against leftover tags.
The critical lesson: don’t waste a hunt choice on a low-odds premium unit if you have a real shot at a mid-tier unit on the same species. Most successful applicants pick one “dream” hunt, two realistic hunts, and two safety picks.
For non-residents studying all the states at once, this comparison of U.S. hunting seasons by state helps you see where Arizona slots into your Western hunting calendar.
PointGuard and Tag Fee Refunds in the 2026–2027 Cycle
PointGuard is Arizona’s lost-tag insurance policy, and it almost always pays for itself if you draw a once-in-a-lifetime tag like bighorn sheep, bison, or a premium-unit elk.
PointGuard Coverage Options at a Glance
| Product | Cost | What It Does | Deadline to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PointGuard | $10 per species per applicant | Surrender drawn tag for full refund of tag fee; bonus points reinstated | Application deadline |
| PointGuard Plus | Higher fee (variable per species/unit) | Surrender drawn tag for full refund even on premium/non-refundable hunts; bonus points reinstated | Application deadline |
If you don’t buy PointGuard and you draw a tag you can’t use, you lose the tag fee, you lose all your species bonus points, and you essentially start over. This one decision determines whether your 10-year elk point investment survives a flat tire on the way home from work.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the 2027 AZGFD Spring Draw
Quick-Start Checklist for First-Time Applicants
- [ ] Create a free AZGFD portal account at accounts.azgfd.com (do this first — your Customer ID lives there)
- [ ] Buy an Arizona hunting license or combination hunt/fish license valid on the day you apply AND on the application deadline
- [ ] Download the Arizona E-Tag app on your phone so harvested-animal reporting is fast
- [ ] Review the Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet for the year you are applying
- [ ] Pick up to 5 hunt choices per species per applicant
- [ ] Decide whether to add PointGuard (yes, if you have 5+ bonus points)
- [ ] Submit your application before 11:59 p.m. AZ time on the deadline day
Detailed Application Walk-Through
Step 1 — Register your AZGFD portal account. A portal account is now the only place draw results are posted. Family accounts let parents manage children’s applications and see their results instantly instead of waiting for mailed letters.
Step 2 — Buy and confirm your hunting license. A hunting license must be active the moment you click submit and active through the last day of the application window. For most hunters applying for pronghorn and elk in 2027, that means a license that runs through at least mid-October 2026. Save your license number — it’s your application key.
Step 3 — Decide your hunt choices. Each species lets you pick up to 5 hunt choices. Smart applicants pick a “stretch” hunt, two competitive hunts where their points give them a real chance, and two “sure thing” hunts where the odds favor even a low-points applicant.
Step 4 — Decide whether to chase a bonus point only. If you want to grow your point total without competing for a tag this year, select “bonus point only” for that species. You pay the $13 application fee, hold your license, but increase next year’s odds.
Step 5 — Add PointGuard if needed. PointGuard is locked in at application — you can never add it after the draw runs.
Step 6 — Pay the application fee. $13 per species per applicant is the standard application fee plus the tag fee only if you draw. The optional PointGuard adds $10 per species.
Step 7 — Wait for results. Log into your portal account on the “results posted” date. No email, no phone call, no mailed postcard — the portal is it.
Leftover Tags and Second-Draw Strategy
Leftover tags are your Plan B. After every main draw, the AZGFD leftover draw publishes a list of unclaimed tags by unit, weapon, and date. These are sold first-come, first-served online starting in late December. Premium elk units almost never end up on the leftover list, but mid-tier mule deer and javelina tags frequently do — especially late in the second draw cycle.
Common Leftover Tag Species (2026–2027 Typical)
- Javelina — frequent leftovers in low-density units
- Fall turkey — many leftover tags every year
- Whitetail deer in the desert units
- Late-season sandhill crane
- Some pronghorn hunts in lower-odds units
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the AZGFD big game draw open for 2027?
The 2027 spring draw for pronghorn and elk typically opens the second Tuesday of September 2026. The 2027 fall draw typically opens in May 2027. Always confirm on the official AZGFD draw page.
How much does the AZGFD big game draw application cost?
The standard application fee is $13 per species per applicant. Tag fees are separate and only charged if you draw. Non-refundable tag fees can hit $1,500+ for premium elk or sheep.
Do I lose my bonus points if I draw an Arizona tag?
Yes, species bonus points are zeroed out. Hunter education points and, if you keep applying yearly, loyalty points are preserved.
Can I hunt in Arizona without applying for the draw?
For most big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, bison, javelina), no. You need a drawn tag. For small game, predators, and some waterfowl, a standard license without a draw is enough.
Is there a youth-only AZGFD big game draw?
Yes. Youth ages 10–17 can apply, and the state offers youth-only hunts and reduced license fees. Bonus points accrue the same way as adults.
Does PointGuard really pay for itself?
If you have more than 3 bonus points for a species and you aren’t 100% sure you can use the tag, yes. Surrendering a non-refundable bighorn sheep tag with PointGuard saves thousands of dollars.
Can non-residents apply for the AZGFD big game draw?
Absolutely. Non-residents compete in the same random draw. Most non-residents target elk because elk tag fees are higher for out-of-staters, but draw odds are equal.
How long do I have to pay my tag fee after drawing?
Typically about 30 days. If you miss the payment window, you lose the tag AND your bonus points.
Final word: The AZGFD big game draw 2026–2027 splitting between the already-posted 2026 fall results and the September 2026 opening of the 2027 spring cycle means elk and pronghorn hunters have a focused, short window to act. Lock your portal account in today, confirm your license validity through mid-October 2026, line up your five elk hunt choices, and only add PointGuard if your points make the gamble worth protecting. Do that and you walk into this fall knowing exactly where the next 12 months are headed.