Arizona is known for giant bulls. Its elk herds in the high pine country of the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains produce some of the best trophy elk hunting in the country, and many hunts are timed right on top of the September rut, including rifle hunts that most states don’t offer.

The catch is that almost every Arizona elk tag comes from a draw, and the best hunts take years of bonus points. This guide explains how it all fits together. Start here, then use the links below to go deeper.

Arizona elk hunting at a glance

Agency	Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), azgfd.gov, 602-942-3000
Draw applications	Elk and pronghorn are drawn early in the year. Applications opened in January; the 2026 deadline was February 3 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time
Draw results	Posted to your AZGFD portal account (2026 results were released February 23); tags mailed by April 1 in 2026
Draw type	Bonus points, with up to 20% of tags in each hunt reserved for the applicants with the most points
Nonresident share	No more than 10% of the bull elk tags in any hunt
Nonresident elk tag	$665, including the $15 application fee (2026)
Resident elk tag	$148, including the $13 application fee (2026)
License to apply	Required. Nonresidents need the $160 combination hunt and fish license
Seasons	Archery in mid-September, rifle hunts during the rut in late September, more rifle hunts in October through December, late archery in November

Dates and fees are from AZGFD’s 2026 Pronghorn and Elk Draw regulations. The department publishes new elk regulations each January, so always confirm with them before you apply.

Step 1: Understand how to get a tag

• The draw. This is how nearly every Arizona elk hunter gets a tag. You need a valid Arizona hunting license before you apply, you can list several hunt choices, and you earn a bonus point every year you apply and don’t draw. Read our step-by-step draw guide.
• Leftover tags and over-the-counter options. Tags left after the draw go on sale first come, first served in March. Arizona also sells nonpermit elk tags over the counter for a few units north of the Grand Canyon, outside the state’s main elk country. See your options outside the draw.

Step 2: Pick your season

Arizona’s calendar is different from other states. Archery bull hunts fall in mid-September. Some general (rifle) bull hunts run in late September, at the peak of the rut. Other rifle bull hunts run around Thanksgiving, and there are muzzleloader, late archery, youth, and cow hunts in between.

See 2026 Arizona elk season dates

Step 3: Set a realistic budget

A nonresident who draws pays about $825 for the license and tag. Guided Arizona elk hunts typically run $6,000 to $12,500 or more, reflecting the trophy quality and the years most hunters wait for a tag.

Break down the full cost of an Arizona elk hunt

Step 4: Choose guided or DIY

Many Arizona elk units have good road access and lots of national forest. But when you’ve waited years for a tag, especially a rut rifle tag, most hunters want to make it count. A good guide brings scouting, spotters, and knowledge of where the big bulls live.

Compare guided and DIY elk hunts

Before you go: requirements every hunter needs

• Hunting license. You must hold a valid Arizona hunting license (or combination license) when you apply and on the deadline day. Short-term licenses don’t count. Residents can buy a $37 hunting license or a $57 combination license; nonresidents need the $160 combination license.
• Customer ID. Required on every application in 2026.
• Portal account. Draw results and your bonus points are shown only in your free AZGFD portal account.
• Hunter education. Required for hunters ages 10 to 13 hunting big game. Nobody under 10 may hunt big game.
• Trail cameras. In Arizona, trail camera data may not be used to take or locate wildlife during the hunt.

Hunting deer too?

Arizona’s deer draw runs in June, with its own deadline. See our Arizona deer hunting guide.

Find an Arizona elk outfitter

Horn & Fin lists guides, outfitters, and DIY hunting options across Arizona. Every listing shows the species, seasons, and areas they hunt, along with reviews from other hunters.

More Arizona elk guides

• How to apply for the Arizona elk draw
• Arizona elk tags outside the draw: leftovers and nonpermit tags
• Arizona elk season dates
• How much does an Arizona elk hunt cost?
• Guided vs. DIY elk hunting in Arizona
• How Arizona draw points work
• Arizona draw odds by unit