Public Input Requested

[OutdoorWriter]

Public Input Requested to Guide Arizona Hunt Guidelines​

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting a series of nine public meetings to solicit input on the proposed revisions under consideration for the hunt guidelines used for setting the 2010-11 and 2011-12 hunting seasons dates, structures, permit levels, and more.

The proposed revisions under consideration for the hunt guidelines were developed based on agency and constituent input since 2007, when hunt guidelines were last revised. Additionally, the department formally solicited and received more than 100 suggestions during the public comment period in May. Moreover, dozens of ideas, field notes, biological considerations, social aspects and more went into improving the hunt guidelines during a multitude of work sessions by a diverse representation of department employees.

"This draft revision of the hunt guidelines is the result of a collaborative and transparent effort between the department and its constituents," said Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. "We want to continue this relationship by encouraging sportsmen and sportswomen to find the time, in their already busy schedules, to attend a public meeting and share their thoughts and concerns. By doing so, together we can shape these guidelines to foster and perpetuate our hunting heritage for the next generation of hunters."

The draft hunt guidelines will be posted Thursday, June 4 after 10 a.m. on the department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines on the right side of the page under the "what's new" heading.

The public meetings are at the following locations, dates and times:

* Kingman, Wednesday, June 10, 6-8 p.m. at the Kingman Game and Fish regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road

* Prescott, Thursday, June 11, 6-8 p.m. at the Yavapai County Board Chambers, 1015 Fair Street, Prescott, 86305

* Flagstaff, Monday, June 15, 6-8 p.m. at the Flagstaff Game and Fish regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road Flagstaff, 86001

* Mesa, Tuesday, June 16 , 6-8 p.m. at the Mesa Game and Fish regional office , 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, 85207

* Payson, Wednesday, June 17, 6-8 p.m. at the Best Western Payson Inn, 801 N. Beeline Highway 87, 85547

* Pinetop, Thursday, June 18, 6-8 p.m. at the Pinetop Game and Fish regional office 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., 85935

* Yuma, Tuesday, June 23, 6-8 p.m. at the Yuma Game and Fish regional office, 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma, 85365

* Sierra Vista, Wednesday, June 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Buena High School, 5225 E. Buena School Blvd. Sierra Vista, 85635

* Tucson, Thursday, June 25, 6-8 p.m. at the Tucson Game and Fish regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson, 85745

Each public meeting will consist of a brief presentation of the proposed draft guidelines, which in many cases offers of a number of available options for the public to comment on. Some examples include:

* How do you feel about moving the early Kaibab deer hunt two weeks earlier?
* Should a juniors-only muzzleloader hunt during the rut be offered?
* What percentage of juniors-only hunts should be offered?







TONY MANDILE

How To Hunt Coues Deer

 

[redrabbit]

After comparing the 2010-2012 with the 2008-2010 Guidelines, I note a few things.

No mention of a possible Jr Muzz deer hunt in December over Christmas (a hunt Don Martin argued to keep for kids involved with fall sports/band)

Archery Deer- if archery harvest is 10-20% of total, additional opportunity will be incrementally added.

Juniors elk to occur during school holidays like Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and to overlap junior deer hunts. This year it is the week after Veterans day, so it looks to be moved up a week. This could reduce youth opportunity due to the overlap, but the elk and deer draws are separate so one will know what hunts to apply for.

Looks like late archery elk and rifle deer will have their weeks switched. Nov archery elk will be begin on Friday of week 45 and deer on week 46. The 25 archery elk hunters in each unit then will not have the deer hunters pressuring the elk the week before their hunt. Also, if there is a Nov muzz elk hunt, the late archery elk will start week 47, the same week as General rifle elk.

General rifle elk will move up 1 week by starting on Friday of week 47, instead of week 48. This will put the rifle deer hunters in the field directly before the elk hunters with no calming-down time for the elk between seasons. This also means that elk season will be the week before Thanksgiving as opposed to starting Thanksgiving Friday.

 

[OutdoorWriter]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-04-09 AT 05:41PM (MST)[p]>>No mention of a possible Jr Muzz deer hunt in December over Christmas (a hunt Don Martin argued to keep for kids involved with fall sports/band)<<

Perhaps not in the already PROPOSED guidelines, but....

"Each public meeting will consist of a brief presentation of the proposed draft guidelines, which in many cases offers of a number of available options for the public to comment on. Some examples include:



* How do you feel about moving the early Kaibab deer hunt two weeks earlier?
* Should a juniors-only muzzleloader hunt during the rut be offered?
* What percentage of juniors-only hunts should be offered?"



TONY MANDILE

How To Hunt Coues Deer

 

[DonMartin]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-07-09 AT 07:33PM (MST)[p]I got an e-mail today from Brian Wakeling who has assured me that this is NOT the question they are going to have for sportsmen to comment on at the public meetings.

Specifically the question I ma referring to is"Should a juniors-only muzzleloader hunt during the rut be offered?"

I appreciate Brian taking the time to look over the post after it was brought to his attention.

I got a feeling that at least that question is going to be deleted.

At least I hope so..

I have suggested that a question like "Do you favor each Region having the option to hold a December juniors-only muzzleloader hunt?" as something that sportsmen could comment on.

We already allow deer hunting in the rut in December. The archery community is allowed to hunt during this time..

And with a limited amount of tags on those hunt(s)(up to 30)and with hunt success of 30-40% there shouldn't be any biological reason why the department couldn't do one hunt in each Region., IMO.

Don Martin