An Arizona elk hunt costs more than the trip itself. Most hunters spend years buying licenses and applying before they draw, so the real price includes those years of points. Once you draw, a nonresident DIY hunt can run about $1,700 to $5,000, and guided hunts commonly cost $6,000 to $12,500 or more. Here’s where the money goes.

License and tag costs (2026)

These fees are from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Item	Nonresident	Resident
Hunting license	$160 (combination hunt and fish)	$37 (hunting) or $57 (combination)
Elk tag, including application fee	$665	$148
Total when you draw	$825	$185–$205
PointGuard (optional)	$10	$10

The application fee ($15 nonresident, $13 resident) is part of the tag price. You pay it when you apply; the rest is charged only if you draw.

The cost of building points

Most good Arizona bull hunts take several years of points, especially for nonresidents, who can get no more than 10% of the tags in each bull hunt. Each year you apply and don’t draw, a nonresident typically pays:

Yearly cost (nonresident)	Amount
Combination hunt and fish license	$160
Elk application fee	$15
Cost per year of points	$175

If you also apply for pronghorn or deer with the same license, the license cost is shared across species. Over five years of applying, that’s roughly $875 in license and application fees before you ever hunt.

DIY hunt: what to budget

Expense	Typical range
License and tag	about $825
Travel (gas or flights, rental)	$400–$1,500
Food and camp supplies for a week	$150–$400
Lodging if not camping	$0–$1,200
Meat processing	$300–$600
Shipping or hauling meat home	$0–$500
Trip total, not counting gear	about $1,700–$5,000

These ranges are estimates. Many Arizona elk units have good road access, which makes DIY hunts easier on logistics than in some states. Good optics are essential. Many Arizona hunters glass from a tripod for long stretches.

Guided hunt prices

Here are real examples from Arizona outfitters’ published prices. Tags and licenses are not included.

Hunt	Example price
Elk, guide only, 7 days, 1 hunter per guide	$6,000
Elk, fully outfitted, 7 days, 1 hunter per guide	$7,500–$7,950
Elk, fully outfitted, 10 days, 1 hunter per guide	$9,000–$10,500
Elk, fully outfitted, 14 days, 1 hunter per guide	$11,000–$12,500
Northwest Arizona elk, early archery or early rifle, 5 days, 1-on-1	$10,950
Same outfitter, late rifle	$10,000

Some outfitters add extra spotters for about $250 per day or $1,750 per hunt. Prices depend on the unit, the season (rut hunts cost more), the number of days, and whether lodging and meals are included.

What’s usually NOT included in a guided hunt

• Your hunting license and elk tag
• Travel to and from Arizona (Phoenix is the main airport)
• Extra spotters or guides
• Meat processing and shipping
• Taxidermy
• Tips, usually 10–20% of the hunt price
• Taxes on services

Ways to save

• Hunt a cow or late rifle hunt first. These draw more easily and cost less to guide.
• Go guide-only. Several outfitters offer a lower price if you handle your own lodging and meals.
• Look for discounts and last-minute openings. See discount guided hunts.
• Hunt DIY with good scouting. Arizona’s road access makes self-guided hunts realistic. Browse DIY and self-guided hunts.
• Use PointGuard. For $10, it protects years of bonus points if something comes up after you draw.

Related: How Arizona draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Arizona Elk Hunting Guide · Guided vs. DIY elk hunting · How to apply for the elk draw

License and tag fees are from the Arizona Game and Fish Department for 2026. Guided hunt examples are from outfitters’ published price lists and can change at any time.