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Deadline looms to submit 2023 pronghorn, elk hunt applications

Posted February 10, 2023

AZGFD to provide after-hours assistance Monday, Tuesday nights 

PHOENIX — Only a few days remain to submit applications for a 2023 pronghorn or elk hunt permit-tag issued through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) random draw.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 14. To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for a Draw.” 

AZGFD is available to assist applicants. Customer service representatives can be reached from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday by calling 602-942-3000. In addition, customer service representatives will be available to provide after-hours assistance — by telephone only — from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and 5 to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday (deadline day).       

To expedite the process, applicants are encouraged to be prepared with the following before calling AZGFD:

• An applicant’s Arizona hunting, or combination hunt and fish license, must be valid through Tuesday, Feb. 14. All applicants, including youth (ages 10-17), who are applying for a hunt permit-tag or bonus point only, must possess a license that is valid on the last day of the application period. Licenses can be purchased online, or at any AZGFD office statewide. License dealers no longer sell paper licenses, but many offer to sell licenses through the department’s online purchase system. AZGFD provides a list of dealers statewide that offer online license purchases at www.azgfd.com/license/. Note: When purchasing an Arizona hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license, online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. That license number will be required as part of the draw application process.
• Know your Customer ID. This is a must to submit an application. 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 www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. 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.
• Know where you want to hunt. It’s important to have your four-digit hunt number(s) pre-determined (not game management units). 

All applicants are encouraged to purchase PointGuard, which allows hunters to surrender their hunt permit-tag(s) for any reason without losing their bonus points (if eligible). Information: www.azgfd.gov/pointguard. AZGFD also recommends downloading Arizona E-Tag. Hunters can download this mobile app from either the Apple or Google Play stores, and opt-in to receive an electronic tag in their AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected through the draw). 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 provides the ability to electronically tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

AZGFD also has implemented a new feature beginning with the 2023 pronghorn and elk draw. As part of the application process, a customer can enter his or her phone number (ghost number format) to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message on their mobile device. 

For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the “2023 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. The booklet can be viewed at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. Printed booklets also are available at license dealers statewide. For more information, check out “What You Need to Know,” a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/.