Arizona Antelope Hunt Scouting | Trophy Pronghorn

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Antelope Hunting in Arizona

Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America, and their eyesight is outstanding, so getting close takes planning. In Arizona they live in open grassland country, from the high plains of northern Arizona like Anderson Mesa and the country around Prescott and Seligman to the grasslands of southeastern Arizona. Arizona herds are small and tags are limited, but the state is famous for producing trophy-class bucks with heavy, tall horns. When you've waited years to draw, knowing where the bucks are before opening day makes all the difference.

Where I Scout Antelope

I scout pronghorn statewide, in all units. Each unit is different: some hold antelope in big open flats, others in broken juniper edges or around a handful of dependable water sources. In late summer, pronghorn water every day, so knowing which tanks and troughs are active is often the key to an archery or muzzleloader hunt. Tell me which unit you drew.

Arizona Antelope Seasons

Exact dates change every year and are listed in the Pronghorn and Elk regulations. The general pattern:

• Archery: August, when hot weather keeps pronghorn coming to water.
• Muzzleloader: late summer, usually late August into early September.
• Rifle: late summer into fall, depending on the unit.
• Youth hunts: offered in some units.

Check the current Arizona hunting regulations for exact dates and hunt numbers.

How to Apply for an Arizona Antelope Tag

Pronghorn tags come from the same once-a-year draw as elk, with applications due in early February. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early February.

1. Create a free AZGFD portal account at accounts.azgfd.com.
2. Buy an Arizona hunting license. Everyone 10 and older needs one. Buy a license from AZGFD.
3. Read the Pronghorn and Elk regulations, released in early January, and pick up to five hunt choices.
4. Apply online at draw.azgfd.com before the February deadline.
5. Check results in your portal account. If you don't draw, you earn a pronghorn bonus point.

Up to 20% of pronghorn tags in each hunt go to applicants with the most bonus points, and nonresidents are capped at 10% per hunt. With so few tags, many hunters build points for years. Details: AZGFD bonus point process. Also hunting elk? See my Arizona elk hunt scouting page. It's the same draw.

How I Scout Your Antelope Hunt

1. You draw and book. We talk through your unit, weapon and the kind of buck you want.
2. I scout your unit. I glass the herds, find the better bucks and learn which water, feed and travel routes they're using.
3. You hunt with a plan. You start your hunt knowing where the bucks have been.

This is fair chase hunting. I don't bait or lure animals.

Arizona Antelope Hunt FAQ

How hard is it to draw an Arizona pronghorn tag?

Very hard. Arizona issues a small number of pronghorn tags, and many units take years of bonus points to draw. Up to 20% of tags go to the applicants with the most points, and the rest are drawn randomly with extra chances for each point you hold.

When is the Arizona antelope draw deadline?

Pronghorn and elk share one draw that closes in early February. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early February. The regulations come out in early January.

What weapons can I use?

I scout archery, muzzleloader and rifle pronghorn hunts statewide in all units.

How long are the hunts?

My antelope rates are based on a 10-day hunt, and extra hunt days are $300 per day.

Can nonresidents hunt antelope in Arizona?

Yes. Nonresidents apply in the same draw and are limited to 10% of the tags in each hunt.

What's included in the price?

Rates are per hunt for one or two hunters, with one scout per hunt, and camp-included packages are available. Multiple hunters must know each other. Your license and tag are purchased from Arizona Game & Fish and are not included.

Drew an Arizona antelope tag? Call Marco at 928-821-1192 or email me.