AZ sucks for NRs, yet people still try for the elk and mule deer. You HAVE to purchase a $151 NR hunting license to be considered in the lottery for the species you are trying to get a tag for. It used to be that you could opt out of the license if you don't get drawn, but after a lawsuit by out of state outfitters a few years ago, AGFD went this route to make it tougher for NRs (my opinion). The species tag $$ for NRs varies: $$77.75 for turkey, $105 for javelina, $232.75 for deer, $485 for antelope, $595 for elk, $1407.50 for Bighorn sheep, and $5452.25 for bull bison (cheaper for cows and yearlings). And if you want to start building bonus points, you have to buy a NR license every year.
I absolutely hate this because it makes it cost prohibitive for friends and family to come hunt with me most of the time. Of course, we have some of the biggest bull elk, biggest mule deer, 1 of 2 states to have Coue's whitetail and Gould's turkeys. Of course, you can get a NR archery deer tag over-the-counter and hunt muleys and Coue's whitetail while they are in velvet in August/September and in the rut December/January, which is what a lot of guys end up doing when they don't get an elk tag or the deer tag they want. OTC archery tags are also by calendar year and you are allowed only 1 deer/year so if you get a deer in January, you are done for the entire year and can't apply for the various fall (Oct-Dec) general hunts.
I've been holding out for my Gould's turkey tag since Spring 2009. I'll have 10 bonus points going into the 2013 draw. In the mean time, I either skip over to NM for 2 OTC turkey tags for about $125 or head to south Texas for the same scenario (although its a day and a half drive as opposed to a few hours to NM). I also picked up a leftover turkey tag for the North Kaibab National Forest (north of the Grand Canyon) for early May.
Having said that, you are welcome ANYTIME, Matt. All you have to do is get here and I'll cover food and most drinks (Maker's Mark is your responsibility). I'm heading out next weekend for an archery hunt for javelina and desert mule deer with my daughter and a buddy. Stay tuned!