Arizona’s elk hunting is built around the draw, and the state has no general over-the-counter bull tag for the Mogollon Rim or White Mountains. Still, there are a handful of ways to get an elk tag outside the main draw, or to recover if your plans change. Here’s what’s available for 2026.

1. First-come leftover tags

After the draw, any tags that are not issued, or that come back unclaimed, are sold first come, first served.

• Mail applications: accepted on or after March 16, 2026.
• In person: tags sold at AZGFD offices starting 8 a.m. March 23, 2026.
• Results: First-come results are not posted, so watch your mail, your card, and your portal account.
• One per genus: You can submit only one valid first-come application per genus.

Leftover elk tags are usually cow tags or hunts in less popular units and seasons. They won’t be the famous rut bull hunts, but they are a real elk hunt, and because they’re sold outside the draw, you don’t need bonus points to get one. Check AZGFD’s leftover list once it’s published in March.

2. Nonpermit elk tags (north of the Grand Canyon)

Arizona sells elk “nonpermit-tags” over the counter. For 2026, the general nonpermit-tag elk area covers Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, north of the Grand Canyon on the Kaibab and the Arizona Strip, with a season of January 1 to December 31 for any elk.

The tags are unlimited and the season runs all year because these units are outside Arizona’s main elk country. Expect elk to be scarce and scattered. Treat this as an opportunistic hunt, not a sure thing.

What to know:

• Buy the tag over the counter at AZGFD offices or license dealers, not through the draw.
• The 2026 regulations list the elk nonpermit-tag at $135 and $650 (resident and nonresident). Confirm the current price with AZGFD.
• Get permission before hunting any private land.
• Nonpermit hunts don’t affect bonus points. But if you kill an elk on a nonpermit-tag, you can’t hunt a drawn elk tag in the same calendar year.
• AZGFD posts details in its elk informational handout at azgfd.gov/otc.

3. PointGuard returns

If someone who drew a tag surrenders it, the tag can come back into circulation. And if you’re the one whose plans change, PointGuard ($10 per species, or $25 for PointGuard Plus covering three draws) lets you turn in your tag and get your bonus points back. It doesn’t get you a tag, but it protects years of points.

4. Special big game tags

Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Commission awards a few special elk tags, typically sold by auction or raffle. Raffle tickets cost about $10 each per species, and winners get a long season. These are long shots, but they don’t require bonus points.

5. Tribal land hunts

Some of Arizona’s most famous elk hunting is on tribal land, such as the White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Apache reservations. These hunts are sold by the tribes, not by AZGFD, and are often booked through outfitters. Prices are high, but no state draw is involved.

Comparing your options

	Main draw	Leftover tags	Nonpermit tags	Tribal hunts
Where	Most elk units	Varies	12A, 12B, 13A, 13B	Reservation land
Guaranteed?	No	First come, first served	Yes, unlimited	Yes, if you book
Elk numbers	Good to excellent	Varies	Low	Often excellent
Uses bonus points?	Yes	No	No	No
Best for	Most hunters	Flexible schedules	Opportunists	Big budgets, trophy bulls

Tips

• Buy your license early. You need a valid hunting license for leftover tags too.
• Plan for March. Have a backup hunt in mind before leftovers go on sale.
• Talk to outfitters. Many know which leftover hunts are worth taking, and some have openings for clients who pick up leftover tags.

Related: How Arizona draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Arizona Elk Hunting Guide · How to apply for the elk draw · Season dates

Rules and fees are from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2026 Pronghorn and Elk Draw regulations. They change often, so confirm in the current regulations before you buy.