How Arizona Bonus Points Work: The Complete Guide for Elk, Deer, Antelope, Sheep, and Goat Hunters

The short answer — Arizona uses a bonus point system where every applicant has a chance to draw, but hunters with more bonus points receive significantly better odds through additional chances in the draw

Arizona is home to some of the most coveted hunting tags in North America.

From giant desert mule deer to world-class elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn, Arizona offers some of the best trophy hunting opportunities in the West.

It also has one of the most misunderstood draw systems.

Every year hunters ask:

• How do Arizona bonus points work?

• Can I draw with zero points?

• What is the bonus point pass?

• How many points do I need for elk?

• Can nonresidents draw Arizona tags?

The good news is that every applicant has a chance.

The bad news is that some hunters have much better odds than others.

Understanding Arizona's bonus point system is critical if you're building a long-term western hunting strategy.

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Arizona Uses Bonus Points, Not Preference Points

Many hunters confuse the two systems.

They are very different.

Preference Point States

Examples:

• Colorado

• Wyoming preference draw

Hunters with the most points draw first.

Once tags are gone, everyone else is out.

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Bonus Point States

Examples:

• Arizona

• Nevada

Every applicant remains in the draw.

Hunters with more points simply receive additional chances.

This means a hunter with:

• 0 points

can technically draw a tag.

It also means a hunter with:

• 20 points

is never guaranteed a tag.

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How Arizona Bonus Points Work

Every year you apply and do not draw:

You receive a bonus point.

The following year your name goes into the draw more times.

Arizona squares your bonus points when calculating draw chances.

This is where the system becomes powerful.

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Why Bonus Points Become Valuable

A hunter with:

1 Point

receives more than one chance.

A hunter with:

10 Points

receives dramatically more chances.

A hunter with:

20 Points

receives exponentially more chances.

This is why long-term applicants gain significant advantages.

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What Is the Arizona Bonus Point Pass?

Arizona allocates permits in two phases.

The first phase is commonly called:

The Bonus Pass

Up to 20% of available tags may be issued during this phase.

Hunters with the highest point totals receive priority.

This is where maximum point holders often draw.

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The Random Draw Phase

After the bonus pass:

Remaining tags move into the random draw.

Every applicant participates.

Even hunters with:

• Zero points

still have a chance.

This is what makes Arizona unique.

You never become completely locked out.

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Can You Draw Arizona With Zero Points?

Yes.

It happens every year.

Especially for:

• Lesser-known hunts

• Archery hunts

• Some deer hunts

However, odds are often low for premium tags.

The key is understanding which hunts offer realistic opportunities.

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Arizona Elk Bonus Points

Elk remain Arizona's most popular species.

Arizona produces some of the largest bulls in North America.

Premium units can require:

• Many years of applications

• Significant bonus point accumulation

However, every applicant remains in the draw.

This keeps hope alive for new hunters.

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Arizona Archery Elk Opportunities

One advantage Arizona offers is archery opportunity.

Archery hunters often find:

• Better draw odds

• More hunt choices

• Earlier opportunities

Many hunters enter Arizona through the archery route.

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Arizona Mule Deer Bonus Points

Arizona mule deer hunting is highly sought after.

The state produces:

• Exceptional genetics

• Mature age classes

• Trophy potential

Many of the best deer units require long-term planning.

Patience is often rewarded.

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Arizona Coues Deer

Arizona is famous for:

Coues Deer

These desert whitetails offer:

• Unique hunting experiences

• Excellent glassing opportunities

• More accessible draw odds in many hunts

Many nonresidents overlook Coues deer opportunities.

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Arizona Pronghorn Bonus Points

Arizona antelope tags are among the hardest western tags to draw.

Demand is extremely high.

Tag numbers are limited.

Many hunters apply for decades before drawing.

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Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Few tags are more coveted than Arizona sheep tags.

Species include:

• Desert Bighorn Sheep

• Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Most applicants understand they are playing a long game.

The odds remain difficult regardless of point level.

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Arizona Mountain Goat

Arizona mountain goat permits are among the rarest tags in North America.

Applications should be viewed as:

• Long-term investments

• Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities

Every year someone draws with relatively few points.

That possibility keeps applicants in the game.

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Hunter Education Point

Arizona offers an additional:

Hunter Education Bonus Point

Hunters who complete an approved course may receive an extra permanent bonus point.

This can provide meaningful value over time.

Many applicants overlook this opportunity.

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Loyalty Point

Arizona also offers a:

Loyalty Point

for hunters who apply consistently for multiple years.

Over time, these extra points can become significant.

Serious applicants should understand how to qualify.

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The Biggest Arizona Mistake

Many hunters focus only on:

• The most famous units

• The hardest-to-draw hunts

As a result, they ignore:

• Archery opportunities

• Mid-tier units

• Realistic hunts

Arizona offers more opportunity than many hunters realize.

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Trophy Units Aren't Everything

Every year hunters become obsessed with:

• Unit reputation

• Trophy photos

• Internet rankings

Meanwhile:

Excellent bulls and bucks are harvested across the state.

A tag in hand often beats waiting forever.

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Building an Arizona Strategy

Successful applicants usually combine:

Short-Term Goals

• Easier deer hunts

• Archery opportunities

with

Long-Term Goals

• Premium elk tags

• Sheep tags

• Antelope tags

This approach maximizes opportunity while still building points.

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Nonresident Tag Allocations

Arizona limits nonresident participation in many hunts.

Understanding:

• Nonresident quotas

• Historical draw odds

• Point requirements

is critical when planning applications.

Not all hunts are equally realistic.

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Why Arizona Is Worth Applying For

Despite the difficulty, Arizona remains one of the best western states because of its:

• Trophy quality

• Public land access

• Diverse species

• Bonus point structure

Few states offer comparable opportunity across so many species.

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How TAGZ Helps Hunters Understand Arizona Draw Odds

Arizona's draw system can become complicated quickly.

TAGZ helps hunters:

• Analyze draw odds

• Compare units

• Track bonus points

• Build application strategies

• Identify realistic opportunities

before application deadlines arrive.

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FAQ — Arizona Bonus Points

How do Arizona bonus points work?

Bonus points give hunters additional chances in the draw while keeping everyone eligible to draw.

Can I draw Arizona elk with zero points?

Yes, although odds are typically lower than for hunters with significant point totals.

What is the Arizona bonus pass?

Up to 20% of permits are issued to applicants with the highest bonus point totals before the random draw begins.

Are Arizona points guaranteed to get me a tag?

No. Arizona is not a preference point state, and no point level guarantees a tag for most hunts.

Is Arizona worth applying for?

Absolutely. Arizona offers some of the best trophy hunting opportunities in North America.

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