PHOENIX — Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2026 spring draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for javelina.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags, as well as a printable paper application, on its website. Leftover hunt permit-tags include:
- 708 Handgun, archery or muzzleloader (HAM) javelina.
- 434 Archery-only javelina.
- 39 General javelina.
- 72 Youth-only general javelina.
- 11 Challenged Access/Mobility Permit (CHAMP) general javelina.
- 8 Raptor capture.
An additional eight hunt permit-tags for javelina remain for properly licensed military and Fort Huachuca personnel holding a valid Fort Huachuca post hunting permit. Hunt numbers, season dates and/or special regulations must be obtained from Fort Huachuca (Units 35A and 35A restricted areas).
AZGFD will accept paper applications for leftover hunt permit-tags — by U.S. mail only — beginning Monday, Nov. 3. All completed paper applications must be addressed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. There is no “mini” draw. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.
For more information, including license and hunt permit-tag requirements, refer to the “2026 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture Hunt Draw Information” booklet, or call 602-942-3000.
Archery deer hunters: 2,785 over-the-counter nonpermit-tags available for nonresidents for 2026
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will make available 2,785 over-the-counter nonpermit-tags for nonresident archery deer hunters for the 2026 calendar year beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
The over-the-counter nonpermit-tags for nonresident archery deer hunters will only be sold online — on a first come, first served basis — at https://otcarchery.azgfd.com/. They are no longer sold at third-party license dealers. Nonresidents with a Pioneer, Lifetime, or Benefactor license can only purchase their nonpermit-tag for archery deer from any department office or by mail (big game tag order form).
A Customer ID number and date of birth (DOB) are necessary to purchase a nonpermit-tag for archery deer. 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. For customers who do not receive an email, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 for assistance. Another way to locate a Customer ID number is by logging into your AZGFD portal account and clicking on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard.”
For customers who do not have a Customer ID number, or have not conducted business in the past with the department, the solution is to open a free AZGFD portal account by visiting accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register (account features for minor dependents are available).
As a reminder, a resident hunter may purchase a nonpermit-tag for archery deer at any third-party license dealer or department office statewide. There are no restrictions on the total number of nonpermit-tags for archery deer available to Arizona residents.
A few additional reminders affecting both nonresident and resident hunters:
- A valid 2026 nonpermit-tag for archery deer (as well as a valid Arizona hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license) is required to hunt all open seasons during the 2026 calendar year. For season dates, refer to the “2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations.” Check online at www.azgfd.gov/ArcheryDeerReport for open areas; open areas will close when harvest limits are met. Some units have already reached their harvest limit and are closed for the January 2026 season.
- Harvest limits now apply to all over-the-counter archery deer hunts in Arizona. Harvest limits apply to hunts between August and January; they will reset each year in August. When the number of deer equaling the archery deer harvest limit for a unit and species has been reported, the unit will close to further archery deer hunting at sundown on the immediate Wednesday. The unit will remain closed until August of the next calendar year. All over-the-counter archery deer hunters are required to report their harvest either online (www.azgfd.gov/ArcheryDeerReport) or by telephone (623-236-7961) within 48 hours of taking their deer.
- Season dates for over-the-counter, nonpermit-tag archery deer seasons may vary by unit. For season dates, refer to the “2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations.” Not all units are open for all time frames; hunters are responsible for checking if their desired hunt unit is still open prior to hunting by visiting www.azgfd.gov/ArcheryDeerReport. The harvest limits have been reached in some units, and these units are closed until the August 2026 season.
- The bag limit is one deer per calendar year. If a hunter harvests a deer during the over-the-counter archery season, that hunter may not take another deer (archery or general hunts) during that calendar year.
- A physical inspection is not required of a harvested animal taken during the over-the-counter archery deer season.
- AZGFD is strictly enforcing all changes, including failure to report a harvest and hunting in a closed unit.
