Contributed Article/Courtesy AZGFD
PHOENIX — The deadline is fast approaching to submit applications to hunt pronghorn and elk in 2026.
To apply, visit https://draw.azgfd.com/. The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points, and payment information, see Page 6 of the “2026 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed versions are available at license dealers statewide (call in advance for availability).
A few reminders:
- Possession of a valid Arizona hunting license is required at the time of application entry and on the deadline day of the application period (Tuesday, Feb. 3). Only a hunting license, or a combination hunt and fish license, is valid. Short-term licenses are not valid. To purchase a license, visit license.azgfd.com or any AZGFD office statewide. When purchasing an Arizona hunting license or a combination hunt and fish license online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. Don’t throw it away! That license number will be required as part of the draw application process.
- Know your Customer ID. This is a must to apply. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard; 2) Check your hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting customerlookup.azgfd.com/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Download Arizona E-Tag. Download this free mobile app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and opt in to receive an electronic permit tag in your AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected during the draw). Be sure to update to the latest version of the app, which is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. The Arizona E-Tag app provides real-time delivery of licenses and big game tags purchased or drawn after the app has been downloaded. The app also allows you to tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire electronically. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/etag.
- Plan to purchase a PointGuard product. Choosing PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, ensures that applicants can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. A portal account is no longer required to purchase a PointGuard product.
- Sign up to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message. As part of the application process, a customer can now enter their phone number (ghost number format) to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message on their mobile device.
- Open an AZGFD portal account. Just visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and fill in the required information. AZGFD encourages all customers to have an AZGFD portal account; that’s the only place where draw results will be posted. Family account features are available with a portal account, so everyone — including youth — can view their draw results online as soon as they are available.
- Check your AZGFD portal account. Take this time to review personal data, including application history and total bonus points (bonus, loyalty, hunter education). If something seems amiss, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
