Advice needed for daughters first hunt.

nv_hunter

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Hey guys, So my daughter turned 10 this year and if I'm reading the regulations right then she can legally hunt big game in AZ now. Shes taking hunter safety now and I want to put her in for a youth tag in the 2016 draw. Can you guys help point me in the right direction as to what unit to apply? I'm not asking for anyone honey holes but I do want her first hunt to be exciting. Ive never hunted AZ myself so I know zero about where to hunt. Any advice would be very appreciated!!
 
What do you want her to hunt? Not sure I see it in the post.
There are youth hunts for Elk, Deer, javelina, and Turkey. Elk and Deer are cow and doe hunts for youth.
 
NV
I assume you're talking deer? To me it really didn't matter. When my son was old enough to hunt I tried the youth hunts too. It seemed harder to draw than the general hunts. Never did get one. Finally gave up after 2 years and started putting him in for a "for sure" general deer hunt so he could go hunting not build points. That was 13 years ago so I'll bet there's more applicants now. When my daughter was old enough and finally became interested, I only did general hunts. Always got a tag. Of course you could always do the youth hunts for the 1 and 2 choices then the for sure general draw hunts on the 3-5 choices. There's always leftover tags too if not drawn. With all that said, they're easy to draw and leftovers because they over do the number of tags and it can be a tougher hunt. But you can and will, see deer, at least on any of those hunts if you can get some info from someone. If you do get a tag, let me know. I'd be glad to help if I know the unit. I do know most of them. Love to see Dad/kids hunt. Hope this helps. PM me if you want some specific units to put in for.
 
The Arizona Elk Society/NWTF/PVC put on great youth camps for Junior Hunters. We are part of the HAHWG, Hunter and Angler Heritage Workgroup that consists of 40+ groups putting on 40+ FREE - MENTORED Hunting Camps for Youth and new hunters.
THe camps are listed in the Regs and you can find them on the AZGFD Portal wesbsite - Outdoor Skills Camps.
The AES has a camp in 37B in Jan. it is a javelina but we take kids that didn't get drawn for small game, quail and much more. In April we have our Youth Turkey Camp in Unit 23. Lots of over the counter tags for surrounding Units. All the food and stuff is FREE, paid for by grants from AZGFD and groups.
There is no excuse in Arizona to not get a kid out hunting.
https://azgfdportal.az.gov/Hunting/MentoredCamps
 
Check the regs and success rates carefully. Some of the youth hunts are much harder to draw with not much better success than some of the general hunts. If you really don't know anywhere to go, when the regs come out for next year just do you homework and pick a place that has a good chance to draw with a decent harvest rate and then start scouting from there... doe kaibab and cow elk are always the easiest ways to get drawn and harvest.
 
Az4life, thank you for the info. Since this is her first year behind the scope I would like to hunt quantity over quality. Elk or deer are great. She really wants an antelope but usually those are hard to draw and I assume AZ isn't any different?
 
Try the first antlered youth hunt in 33. Lots of coues deer in the Catalina's near oracle and its a great youth hunt. I think they have youth javelina permits for the same time.
 

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