Arizona’s over-the-counter archery deer tag has long been one of the best deals in western hunting. One tag lets a bowhunter chase Coues whitetail or mule deer in open units across the state, in late summer and again in winter, with no draw. Residents can still buy one easily. For nonresidents, it now takes planning, because the number of tags is capped and they sell out.
How the archery deer nonpermit-tag works
- No draw and no bonus points. You buy the tag outright.
- Valid for one calendar year. A 2027 tag covers all open archery-only deer seasons in 2027.
- Archery-only seasons in open units. Seasons run from August through January in many units. Each unit has a harvest limit and closes when it’s reached.
- Bag limit: One deer per calendar year across archery and general hunts. So if you kill a deer on your OTC tag, you’re done for that year, even with a drawn tag.
- You still need a hunting license. A valid Arizona hunting or combination license is required in the field.
- Report within 48 hours. Harvests must be reported online within 48 hours. Phone reporting is no longer accepted.
Price (2026–27 fee table)
| Item | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Archery deer nonpermit-tag | $45 | $300 |
| License needed to hunt | $37 hunting or $57 combination | $160 combination |
| Total | $82–$102 | $460 |
The nonresident cap
Nonresident archery deer tags are limited to 10% of average sales over the past five years. They are sold online only, first come, first served, at otcarchery.azgfd.com.
| Tag year | Nonresident tags | On sale |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,785 | November 3, 2025, 8 a.m. Arizona time |
| 2027 | 2,655 | November 2, 2026, 8 a.m. Arizona time |
When they’re gone, they’re gone. To buy, you need your AZGFD customer ID and date of birth. You don’t need a license at the time of purchase, but you will to hunt. If you want an electronic tag, opt in through your portal account first; otherwise tags are mailed by December 1.
Tip: Set up your portal account and find your customer ID well before sale day, and be online when the sale opens.
When to hunt
The OTC archery seasons fall in two main windows, and each hunts very differently.
Late summer (August into September)
Mule deer and Coues bucks are in summer patterns, often still in velvet early. It’s hot, and the monsoon rains of late summer can change where deer water and feed. Hunting water or glassing feeding bucks at first light are common tactics.
Winter (December and January)
This is the Coues whitetail rut, and many bowhunters consider January the best time to be in Arizona. Bucks move in daylight looking for does. Glass hillsides, spot a buck, and plan a stalk, or set up near a doe group and wait. Keep an eye on unit closures: once a unit’s harvest limit is reached, it closes, and some units close before January ends.
Exact season dates and open units are in the AZGFD regulations, and AZGFD posts current open and closed units on its online harvest-tracking page (harvest-tracking.azgfd.gov).
Coues vs. mule deer on an OTC tag
- Coues whitetail: Southeastern and central mountains. Expect long glassing sessions and tough stalks. Small deer, big challenge.
- Mule deer: Many units have both. Desert mule deer in the south and central parts of the state are often hunted on the same tag, and some hunters target whichever buck they find first.
Making an OTC archery hunt work
- Glass more than you walk. Arizona deer hunting is about finding the deer before it finds you. A tripod-mounted binocular is essential.
- Watch the closures. Check AZGFD’s online harvest-tracking page before and during your hunt.
- Hunt mid-week. Pressure from residents is higher on weekends, especially in units near Phoenix and Tucson.
- Mind the heat. In August and September, get meat cooled quickly.
- Consider a guide. Some Arizona outfitters run OTC archery hunts, especially in January.
OTC archery vs. a drawn tag
| OTC archery tag | Drawn tag | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Residents: buy anytime. Nonresidents: capped, sells out | Must draw in June |
| Weapon | Archery only | Rifle, muzzleloader, or archery depending on the hunt |
| Units | Many open units until harvest limits close them | One unit |
| Bonus points | Not used | Used |
| Best for | Bowhunters, flexible schedules | Rifle hunters, specific units |
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Related: How Arizona draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Arizona Deer Hunting Guide · How to apply for the deer draw · Season dates
OTC archery deer rules and fees are from the Arizona Game and Fish Department for 2026 and 2027. Seasons, open units, and harvest limits change, so check the current regulations and AZGFD’s harvest-tracking page before you hunt.