Tag Archives: Hunting

New license a boost to Arizona military families

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Doug_Ducey_-_Arizona_State_TreasurerPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Arizona that they, and their spouses, may purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses.

The current law stipulates that an active duty member permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona may purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife. That privilege recently has been extended to their spouses, as well.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2324, sponsored by state Rep. Frank Pratt (LD-8, Casa Grande), in May. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously in January to support this expression of gratitude for those who serve. The law became effective Aug. 6.

“Through the years, the department and commission have been proud to provide opportunities for our active military members and veterans,” said Pat Madden, commission chairman. “We’re grateful for their sacrifice and service, and we’re honored to be able to extend this privilege to their spouses.”

A valid license is required for the taking of wildlife, including fish, in Arizona. A resident can purchase a combination license (hunting and fishing), valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, for only $57.

Licenses can be purchased at all department offices and more than 300 license dealers statewide, as well as online by visiting https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. If a license is purchased online, it must be printed from a home computer. The department will not mail any license purchased online.

The license also will allow the spouse of an active duty member to apply for big game hunt permit-tags as a resident.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Nov. 3 is deadline to update credit card information for online spring draw

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds hunters who applied online for 2017 spring hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (MST) Thursday, Nov. 3, is the deadline to update their credit card or debit card account information, as well as purchase PointGuard to protect coveted bonus points.

Online applicants are responsible for keeping their account information current. If a credit card or debit card is invalid for any reason at the time when the computerized draw is performed, an online application could be rejected.

Online applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card, a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number should visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/. Scroll down the page, select “Update My Payment Information” and follow the prompts. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an online application has been submitted.

If payment has been declined, the department will make three attempts within two business days to contact the payee and/or “Applicant A” on the online application. That individual then will be afforded a means of providing alternative payment within a specified timeframe. If payment has not been received by the end of that specified timeframe, applicants will be rejected. No exceptions will be made for online applicants who do not respond to the department’s attempts to contact them.

Meanwhile, applicants can purchase PointGuard, as part of their online application, through 11:59 p.m. (MST) Thursday, Nov. 3. All applicants must sign up for a free AZGFD Portal account to purchase PointGuard (visit www.azgfd.gov, click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the home page, then select the “Create an Account” option). PointGuard is $5 per species, per applicant.

PointGuard ensures that if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. Information: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.

The department will post an announcement on its website when results of the spring draw become available. All hunt permit-tags will be mailed by Dec. 14; all refund warrants will be mailed by Nov. 30.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

Deadline to apply for 2017 spring hunt permit-tags is Tuesday, Oct. 11

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PHOENIX — Time is running out to apply for 2017 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear.

To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/ and scroll down to “Apply for a Draw.”

The deadline by which the Arizona Game and Fish Department must receive all applications – online or paper – is 11:59 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, Oct. 11. Postmarks do not count. Paper applications can be dropped off at the department’s headquarters in Phoenix or any regional office statewide.

As a reminder, all Game and Fish offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 10, in observance of Columbus Day. Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on deadline day, Tuesday, Oct. 11, but applications still will be accepted until 11:59 p.m.

The “2017 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison and Bear Hunt Draw Information” booklet is available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Printed booklets are available at all Game and Fish offices and license dealers statewide.

As a reminder, applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license to apply online for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the application period (Oct. 11). Licenses now are valid for one full year from date of purchase. Licenses are available online, as well as all Game and Fish offices and license dealers statewide.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw, or call (602) 942-3000.

Meanwhile, PointGuard is available to applicants who apply online for a hunt permit-tag. PointGuard, the newest benefit for AZGFD Portal customers, ensures that if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated.

All applicants must sign up for a free AZGFD Portal account to purchase PointGuard (visit www.azgfd.gov, click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the home page, then select the “Create an Account” option). PointGuard is $5 per species, per applicant, purchased at the time of completing the online application, or prior to the application period deadline.

Contributions of hunters, anglers benefit everyone

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conservaationPHOENIX — Even if you don’t actively participate in the time-honored traditions of hunting or angling, National Hunting and Fishing Day is a day of celebration for everyone.

Whatever your interest in wildlife, hunters and anglers—the original conservationists—have made countless contributions over the decades to the conservation of fish and wildlife through sound, science-based management.

Governor Doug Ducey recently signed a proclamation (PDF) celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, as well as recognizing the role that the state’s hunting and angling community plays as an economic driver.

It’s important to understand how those outdoor pursuits benefit wildlife. Since 1939, hunters and anglers have generated more than $15 billion toward wildlife restoration through an excise tax imposed on the sale of hunting, angling and shooting-sports equipment.

Those funds are administered by the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, one of the most significant programs benefiting wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. WSFR funds, along with the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, provide a substantial portion of wildlife conservation funding for activities such as fish and wildlife population management, habitat management, research, surveys, land acquisition, hunter education, shooting and archery ranges, boating access, and more.

Who benefits? The general public gets better stewardship of natural resources. Hunters and anglers get more and better places to hunt and fish. State and federal agencies receive more funds to meet their conservation needs.

More than 786,000 Arizona hunters and anglers certainly are doing their part to keep the state in the black, spending more than $1.2 billion annually and supporting 18,220 jobs, according to the latest report (2011) by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. As a result, $132 million in state and local taxes, and another $155 million in federal taxes, are collected annually.

“I want to thank Governor Ducey for this proclamation that recognizes hunters and anglers as the cornerstone of conservation in Arizona,” said Edward “Pat” Madden, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “They are being recognized for job creation, financial impact, conservation efforts and wildlife enhancement.

“On their day, the citizens of Arizona should take a moment and thank a hunter or angler for their contributions to our state.”

As part of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be hosting a free public fishing event as part of “Verde River Days” at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. For more information, including a listing of additional free public fishing events statewide in October, visit https://fishazblog.com/free-public-events/.

Paper applications for 2017 spring hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the “2017 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison and Bear Hunt Draw Information” online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The department now is accepting paper applications for 2017 spring hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear. The online application service is expected to be available in early to mid-September.

Paper applications can be mailed: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052, or dropped off at any department office statewide.

The deadline for all spring hunt permit-tag applications is 11:59 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. Paper applications must be received by the department by the deadline. Postmarks do not count.

The printed “2017 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison and Bear Hunt Draw Information” booklets are expected to be available at department offices and license dealers statewide in early September.

Applicants must possess an Arizona hunting license to apply for a spring hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid through the last day of the spring hunt permit-tag application period (Oct. 11). Licenses now are valid one year from the time of purchase. Licenses can be purchased online at https://www.azgfd.com/license, or at any department office or license dealer statewide.

As a reminder, applicants should thoroughly read and understand the appropriate regulations before submitting a hunt permit-tag application or before going afield.

Dove season outlook: Expect plenty of birds

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Dove_-_White-winged_2PHOENIX — So, how’s dove hunting going to be this season?

It’s a rhetorical question in Arizona. That’s because, in any given year, an estimated 20 million to 30 million mourning doves – and another 2 million to 3 million of the bigger white-winged doves – are residing here come opening day.

“It’s going to be a good year,” said Johnathan O’Dell, a small game biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “A ‘down’ year for us is 20 million. An ‘up’ year is 30 million. I’ve never worried about doves not being here on opening day. There’s a lot of them.”

The 15-day “early” season gets underway 30 minutes before legal sunrise Thursday. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 mourning and white-winged in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. Of the 45-dove possession limit, only 30 may be white-winged, of which no more than 10 may be taken in any one day. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit on the invasive Eurasian collared-dove.

O’Dell said he hopes hunters see a few more of the preferred white-winged making up their bag limit this season.

“We’re seeing big increases in white-winged doves,” O’Dell said. “They’re expanding their range, and I think that’s partially due to a lot of agricultural practices across the country. I think we have 22 states harvesting them now, compared to when there were only four or five states back in the day.

“Agriculture plays a huge part in where white-winged doves are located. They’re always looking for small grains. If we have a lot of sorghum, millet, milo, sunflowers, that kind of stuff, it really brings them in.”

The Yuma area continues to be the premier destination for what some hunters consider to be the best wing-shooting action north of Argentina. Banners welcome hunters. Yuma’s motels, restaurants and sporting goods stores look forward to doing a brisk business over the next two weeks. It has been estimated that dove hunters pump up to $5 million into the city’s economy.

A new attraction this year: The inaugural World Championship Dove Cook-off, which takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center. For more information, visit www.yumadovehunting.com.

For everything else “dove,” visit www.azgfd.gov/dove. Also, check out O’Dell’s video demonstrating two techniques for field-dressing doves.

Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.

Elk hunting opportunities still available

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elk

PHOENIX — If your heart was set on going elk hunting this fall, but you didn’t receive a hunt permit-tag through the random draw, there’s good news.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering “over the counter” nonpermit-tags to hunt elk in limited population management zones, which are areas where the department does not want resident elk herds, such as the North Kaibab (Game Management Units 12A and 12B) and Arizona Strip (Units 13A and 13B). The elk nonpermit-tags are not valid in all units statewide.
There’s nothing like autumn on the North Kaibab and Arizona Strip. The nonpermit-tag hunts in Units 12A and 12B are open through Dec. 31, while the nonpermit-tag hunts in Units 13A and 13B are open through Sept. 11, then again from Nov. 4 through Dec. 31. All three hunts are for any elk.
There are several advantages to this unique, but limited, hunting opportunity: It’s a great way to hunt with family and friends, which isn’t always possible given the odds of being drawn for hunt permit-tags. It’s also an opportunity to spend time in some of the most spectacular backcountry that Arizona has to offer, particularly in those units north of the Colorado River.
Of course, elk numbers in these specific and limited hunt areas are low, which is expected to correlate to a low hunter success rate. Many of these hunting opportunities also occur at lower elevations where seasonal temperatures can be uncomfortable, making it crucial for hunters to quickly field-dress harvested game, including removing the hide before transporting. Plenty of coolers and ice are recommended to preserve the harvested game before leaving for the hunt.      
Elk nonpermit-tags can be purchased ($135 resident, $650 non-resident) at department offices and license dealers statewide. An Arizona hunting license and an elk nonpermit-tag, both valid for 2016, are required. An elk nonpermit-tag may be used for either the general or archery-only elk nonpermit-tag hunts. A hunter does not lose or accrue bonus points when purchasing an elk nonpermit-tag.
NOTE: The department recommends that hunters thoroughly review the nonpermit-tag portion, including the associated notes, of the 2016 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet.
For more information about boundary descriptions, maps of hunting areas, season dates and FAQs, visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/nonpermitotctags/ and click on “2016 Elk Informational Handout for over-the-counter nonpermit-tag hunts.”

Local sportsmen’s groups awarded $75,000 in grants

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sports-groupsPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers.

Of 22 proposals submitted in this latest grant cycle, 16 were approved by a three-member panel that rated and scored the proposals. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process that closed July 14.

“The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is an investment in local organizations that, day in and day out, are teaching people how to be safe, ethical and responsible hunter-angler conservationists,” said Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager. “We wish we could fund them all, but the demand always exceeds our available funds.”

The department is committed to developing and retaining the next generation of hunter-angler conservationists. A growing body of science points to the need for multiple experiences, social support and the mentoring required to develop hunter-angler conservationists. The 16 projects approved meet those objectives.

Burt pointed out that these organizations represent the “boots on the ground,” or the backbone of wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in Arizona. Many are involved in the building of water catchments, making “wildlife-friendly” fence modifications, and reaching out to the public through advocacy and education.

The following projects have been awarded:

  • Anglers United Inc., “Just for Kids Fishing Festival,” awarded $4,500.
  • Arizona Deer Association, “ADA Youth Deer / Elk Hunters Camp,” awarded $5,513.
  • Arizona Elk Society, “AES Junior Elk Camp Units 6A/5B,” awarded $3,900.
  • Ben Avery Clay Busters, “Upland Bird Hunting for Women and Youth,” awarded $2,717.
  • CouesWhitetail.com, “2016 Women’s Javelina Hunting Camp,” awarded $4,300.
  • Desert Christian Archers, “Desert Christian Archers 2016 Javelina Camp,” awarded $4,700.
  • Kahuna Kids, “Mentoring Kids Fishing Derby,” awarded $2,368.
  • Mule Deer Foundation, “Mule Deer Foundation Youth Camps,” awarded $16,500.
  • Southern Arizona Quail Forever, “Southern Arizona Quail Forever Youth Quail Camp,” awarded $3,390.
  • Southwest Fur Harvesters, “SWFH November Youth Trappers Camp,” awarded $5,122.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Javelina, Small Game & Predator Camp Units 20C, 18B, and 16A,” awarded $3,900.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Deer / Javelina Camp Units 18B & 20C,” awarded $2,515.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Unit 1 Squirrel Camp,” awarded $2,000.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Wallow Fire Turkey Science and Hunting Camp Units 1 & 27,” awarded $6,575.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “2016 Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp,” awarded $2,500.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “Youth Small Game Camp,” awarded $4,500.

To learn more about the annual Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program, as well as a listing of Outdoor Skills Network recruitment and retention events, visit www.azgfd.gov/LSG.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program. The program is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, hunt permit-tags and stamps, and is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.

Hunters, please save that tracking collar

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is encouraging hunters who harvest a big game animal affixed with a GPS or VHF tracking collar to return that collar undamaged to any department office statewide.

While harvesting a collared animal is legal, Game and Fish asks hunters to refrain from cutting, damaging or otherwise destroying any portion of a collar. A collar easily can be removed from a harvested animal’s neck by loosening two nuts on the black “drop-off” box on one side of the collar. A crescent wrench, socket wrench or multi-use tool can be used to loosen only those two nuts.
tags
The department relies on valuable data that collars provide in making science-based decisions that determine the most effective wildlife management practices. The stored data can include an animal’s behaviors, movement patterns and frequency, individual and group dynamics, home-range size and more.

The technology is not inexpensive. A collar can range in cost up to several thousands of dollars. When factoring in additional costs of human resources, equipment and capture, the department is making a substantial investment in each collared animal. A portion of the funding comes from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, a stalwart national funding source for state conservation and recreational opportunities.

It’s also helpful for hunters to report the date and location of their harvest when returning an undamaged collar. For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Sandhill crane regulations now available online

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2016 Arizona Sandhill Crane Regulations online at https://portal.azgfd.stagingaz.gov/PortalImages/files/regs/craneregs.pdf.

The deadline for the department to receive applications for sandhill crane hunt permit-tags is Aug. 26, 2016. No applications will be accepted after this date, regardless of postmark. All applicants must use hunt permit-tag application forms.

Applications will be accepted — by mail only — at the following addresses: P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ, 85087-1052; or 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ, 85086-5000. These applications cannot be hand-delivered to any department office. All hunt permit-tags will be mailed by Sept. 23, 2016.

The hunt permit-tag fee is $43 for Arizona residents, $45 for non-residents (each successful applicant will receive three hunt permit-tags). In order to participate in the random draw, an applicant must have or apply for a valid hunting license. If an applicant is not licensed at the time of application, he or she must purchase a license by completing the license form section and include payment with the application.

The first of 10 three-day seasons begins Nov. 18, the latest starts Dec. 12. A three-day, youth-only season begins Dec. 9. The bag and possession limit is three sandhill cranes per calendar year.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.