Arizona Hunting Club & Outdoor Adventure Group

Improving Your Odds of Getting Drawn in Arizona

Each year, the Arizona Game & Fish does a post hunt survey to assess the hunter harvest success rate for the deer, elk and turkey populations. In the Spring, they are also conduct a survey to see how many new animals have been born. Based on these surveys, they allocate the proper number of hunting tags each year to adjust the herd and flock populations so that there will be sufficient food and water available to maintain a healthy population of animals.

Therefore, one criteria used to evaluate where the place to get drawn in Arizona is to see where the most tags are issued. Knowing where the most hunting tags are issued is an easy way to learn where the most animals are available to be harvested. Look for the hunt units with the highest number of animal tags.

You also need to focus on how many 1st and 2nd applicants that put in for a hunting tag for each unit and the resulting draw odds for getting drawn for a hunting tag in that unit. If the hunt unit has a 100% draw rate, then you are almost guaranteed a tag. Look for the hunt units with the best chance of getting drawn.

The next thing that is important is the hunting success rate that hunters had last season in that hunt unit. While the draw rate might have been 100% successful, if the success rate of hunters in that unit was only 10%, you need to find out why they struck out. Maybe the terrain is very rugged, the foliage is very dense and hard to hunt or maybe there was a drought.

Another thing we like to look at is the increase/decrease in the number of tags issued this year versus last year. More tags will increase the chance of getting drawn over last year's reported draw rates. You would be surprised at how much the drawing odds change with only 100 extra tags added. Same goes for a decrease in tags. It simply might be better to focus on another unit that either has the same number or more tags available.

The choice of weapon is ultimately what determines a hunter's success rate for getting drawn in Arizona. Hunting with a rifle is the best way NOT to get drawn.

However, hunting with a bow will significantly increase your chances of getting drawn to hunt. Archery deer hunting tags are 100% guaranteed since you can still buy a tag over the counter. Archery elk hunting tags increase your odds from under 10% to over 50% in some areas.