Arizona Hunting
Arizona hunting devotees are convinced that Arizona hunting has it all!
Well maybe not all...
Arizona hunting is short a few polar bears and moose.
But we do have a large variety of game animals. It's a happy fact that very few states can match the variety of wildlife available in Arizona.
Arizona hunting news is here
Elk
and deer are the most popular hunts, but the mighty buffalo, majestic desert bighorn sheep,
elusive mountain lions, black bears, javalena, quail, waterfowl, and many other species make Arizona hunting popular and
rewarding... but not easy.
I often see mule deer on Anderson Mesa, on
my way in to fish Ashurst Lake.
The
Arizona hunting photo of bull elk shown above was taken in August, 2002, near
Kachina Village. The elk hang out in the big meadows and pose for
photographs.
(I go by this meadow often. The mid-meadow fence seen in the
above photo is gone... but the elk still come to this same spot each summer.)
Elk hang out in many areas South of Flagstaff each summer.
There is a large herd of elk cows that stay around Mormon Lake. The bulls
seem to prefer populated areas. They walk up and down the streets any
time of the day, come into your yard, and eat your wild flowers. If you try to
save the flowers... they give you the "evil eye."
Sometimes
they sneak into your back yard early in the morning, eat your petunias, and
then jump the fence and pretend to ignore you. This 9 x 9 bull elk is guilty
of exactly that.
In late August things change. For one, the bulls stop hanging out
in open meadows and yards. They begin to think about love... and go looking for
those cows. Elk seasons are coming!
The beautiful South of Flagstaff area is equally blessed with a variety of
game. In our "backyard" we have a large population of elk, deer,
turkey, buffalo, antelope, black bears, mountain lions, ducks and geese, tree
squirrels, bunnies, and even javelina roam our forests, canyons, and meadows.
For those of us who move about South of Flagstaff, scouting and hunting is just a short trip. We're lucky in that respect.
Many people must travel a couple of hours to hunt in our backyard. And to be successful they must make one or more scouting trips just before the actual hunt.
We're also fortunate to be able to routinely observe these animals out of season as we all go about making a living South of Flagstaff.
Whether we live in the high country or the hot country, Arizona hunting is a great experience.
If you're like me, you're always looking for great hunting resources so I'll list a couple of mine here for your convenience...
f you're looking for that big bear or moose,
try these guys...
Alaska Hunting Trips, Hunting Lodge & Bear Hunting.
Alaska Adventures has offered Alaska hunting trips since 1976, which
include year-round bear hunting with experienced Alaska hunting guides.
What is your hunting passion? There is
probably a conservation group with like-minded individuals doing good work in
your area. Groups such as... The
Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona
Elk Society, rocky
Mountain elk foundation, Desert
Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona
Black Bear Association, National
Wild Turkey Federation, Quail
Unlimited, and Safari
Club International,
Ducks Unlimited is a highly respected
and effective conservation
organization. The Ducks
Unlimited website presents a lot of good information. They also have a
national newsletter that you car receive by going here. While on their site,
you can check out the Arizona
news page.
 The National
Rifle Association is the preeminent shooting organization in the USA...
but it is also much more. The NRA has been a strong defender of the United
States Constitution and Bill of Rights for many years. If you own a firearm you
should belong to this organization.
The Arizona State Rifle and Pistol
Association is
dedicated to the promotion of the shooting sports. The Arizona State Rifle and
Pistol Association is affiliated with the National Rifle Association, the
Civilian Marksmanship Program, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and
most of the local shooting clubs in Arizona.
The Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation does important conservation work in Arizona and
elsewhere.
Arizona hunting has a lot going on these days with hunt permits and the
Federal Courts. Check the News
Release page for late news.
You'll find a wealth of Arizona hunting information at the Arizona Game and Fish
Department site.
You can sign up for their e-mail updates, apply for permits, view draw results, and much more.
The latest issue of Wildlife
News presents articles on...
- Arizona hunting and fishing
licenses now available online
- Williams Ranger District seeks
public comment on Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment
- Recent condor mortalities used to
expand conservation efforts
- Cowboys to show off their
six-shooters at Winter Range
- Protect wildlife habitat when
collecting shed antlers
- Senate confirms appointment of
35-year law enforcement veteran to commission
- Visit the International
Sportsmen’s Exposition Feb. 26-28
- Public forums, open houses
scheduled for 2010 fall hunting regulations
- Lend a hand at the Alamo Lake
cleanup on March 6
- Get ready for family fun at the
free Game and Fish Outdoor Expo
- Arizona Game and Fish Commission
to meet on March 5
- Plan seeks to further recover
endangered Sonoran pronghorn
- Come observe the release of
California condors to the wild on March 6 in Arizona
- Tres Rios nature festival to be
held at Estrella Mountain Regional Park
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Here's a short Arizona hunting story...
A woman walked into the kitchen to
find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter.
"What are you
doing?" she asked.
"Hunting flies" he
responded.
"Oh, killing any?" she
inquired.
"Yep, 3 males, 2 females"
he stated emphatically.
Intrigued, she asked, "How can
you tell?"
He responded, "3 were on a
beer can, and two were on the phone."
A Google search using
the keyword phrase arizona hunting supplies or arizona hunting
organizations will lead you to several good
sites. Be sure to notice the relevant ads... those are
especially good resources for this subject.
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Hunting News and Information
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~~~~~ ~~~~~
February 3, 2012
AZGFD
Deadline to apply for elk, pronghorn hunts is Feb. 14
If you haven’t yet submitted your application for the draw for
Arizona’s 2012 elk and pronghorn antelope hunts, the deadline is
approaching. Applications must be received by the department by Tuesday,
Feb. 14, by 7 p.m. (MST).
Applications can be submitted through the online
service, hand delivered to any of the seven Arizona
Game and Fish Department offices, or sent by U.S. mail to: Arizona Game
and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, PO Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ
85087-1052. Mailed applications must be received by the department by the
deadline; postmarks don’t count.
Remember, a 2012 Arizona hunting license is required to apply in the draw.
If you haven’t already purchased your license, you can do so through the
draw application process. Please keep in mind that if you are purchasing your
license online, you must have a working printer handy and print your license
out at the time of purchase. The department does not mail out licenses that
are purchased online. Licenses can also be purchased at Game and Fish offices
and at hunting/fishing license dealers throughout the state.
Copies of the 2012 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information Booklet
are available at Game and Fish offices and at hunting license dealers
throughout the state. The booklet is also available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
January 12, 2012
AZGFD
Senate confirms appointment of
Kurt Davis to Arizona Game and Fish Commission
PHOENIX - The Arizona Senate on Jan. 11
confirmed Gov. Jan Brewer’s appointment of
Kurt R. Davis as the newest member of the
Arizona Game and Fish Commission.
“Kurt possesses a wealth of expertise in
government, communications and business,” said
Gov. Brewer at the time she made the appointment
on Dec. 8. “In addition to an eclectic
professional background, Kurt is both well-liked
and well-versed in issues affecting the Arizona
outdoors. He will be a tremendous asset to the
Arizona Game and Fish Commission.”
An avid hunter and angler, Davis is currently a
founding partner at FirstStrategic
Communications & Public Affairs, where he
specializes in strategic public policy
development for nonprofit clients, issues
relating to rural Arizona, and government
relations. He also is on the board of directors
of Great Hearts Academies, the Arizona Chamber
of Commerce, and ASU’s Ramsey Executive
Program for Public Policy.
Prior to forming FirstStrategic, Davis served as
the vice president of public affairs &
marketing at Northern Arizona University.
Earlier, he was vice president of public affairs &
corporate communications at Rural/Metro, a
company that provides fire and ambulance
services to communities across the country.
Before joining Rural/Metro, Davis was a
deputy chief of staff and executive assistant in
the office of former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington.
In that role, he had direct oversight of
executive agencies such as the departments of
Transportation and Corrections. He has also
served as director of intergovernmental affairs &
issues analysis at the Arizona Attorney
General’s Office, and executive director of
the Arizona Republican Party.
Davis has held a variety of state and federal
appointments, including with the Arizona Board
of Regents and Arizona State Board of Charter
Schools, as well as with the administration of
President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Department of
Education, and the U.S. Small Business
Administration. He received a Bachelor of
Science from Northern Arizona University in
1984.
Davis will replace outgoing Commission Chair
Robert Woodhouse on the commission.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is composed
of five members (serving staggered five-year
terms) appointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate. No more than one commissioner may
be from any one county. No more than three may
be from the same political party. The commission
is the policy-setting board overseeing the
Arizona Game and Fish Department. Since its
inception in 1929, this organizational structure
has served as a buffer for the best interests of
science-driven wildlife conservation during
eight decades of back-and-forth political
change.
To
learn more about the Game and Fish Commission,
visit www.azgfd.gov/commission
~~~~~ ~~~~~
January 10, 2012
AZGFD
Arizona Game and Fish Commission
votes to oppose HB 2072 (sale of big game tags)
PHOENIX
- The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted
unanimously today (Jan. 10) to oppose proposed
Arizona House
Bill 2072, a bill that would have reserved a
large number of big game tags for a “qualified
organization” to resell at auction or raffle.
As
part of its 5-0 vote to oppose the bill, the
commission also directed its representatives to
“clearly inform the sponsor and supporters of
this bill that our opposition is not just to the
bill as written, but to the entire concept of
removing or adding any big game tags from the
pool of big game tags available for the general
public and transferring them to any private
organization.”
In
discussion leading up to the vote, several
commissioners expressed strong concerns over the
bill.
“We
have a trust responsibility to manage wildlife
for all the citizens of this state, and I see
some real issues in this legislation that takes
part of that away from us,” said Commission
Chair Robert Woodhouse. “I think we need to
speak on behalf of all citizens of this
state.”
Among
the concerns commissioners expressed over this
particular legislation are which organizations
would qualify, how money would be spent, who
would benefit, and what accountability there
would be over expenditures.
Commissioners
pointed out that the proposed legislation
differs from current law that authorizes the
commission to issue a small number of big game
tags to nonprofit organizations dedicated to
wildlife conservation. Awarding these tags is
through an open and competitive process that
allows the organizations to auction or raffle
those tags. All the proceeds come back to the
Arizona Game and Fish Department for projects
that support wildlife management.
“Public
trust assets must never be diverted to benefit
special interests,” said Commissioner Norm
Freeman. “The language of the bill itself is
fraught with problems, and the very premise
should be discarded in its entirety.”
Chairman
Woodhouse also made it clear during the meeting
that neither the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission nor the department were involved in
the crafting of the bill, and this item has
never been on a commission agenda.
Nine
constituents representing organizations or
themselves spoke in opposition to the bill. No
constituents addressed the commission in the
bill’s favor. Prior to today’s meeting, each
commissioner had received many personal
expressions of strong opposition from various
members of the public.
HB
2072 was originally slated for a hearing in the
House Commerce Committee on Jan. 11, but that
meeting has since been delayed indefinitely.
To
view a copy of HB 2072, visit www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/hb2072p.pdf or
www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2072&Session_ID=107
~~~~~ ~~~~~
December 6, 2011
AZGFD
AZGFD Commission sets 23,383 permits for elk
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved the 2012 hunt
seasons for elk and pronghorn antelope during its Dec. 3 meeting in Phoenix,
paving the way for hunters to start applying once they have the pertinent  information
available online in mid December.
The Game and Fish Commission set 23,383 hunt permit-tags for elk (down 1,035
from last year). The commission also set 788 hunt permit-tags for pronghorn
antelope (down 21).
Don’t forget that the hunt-permit application deadline for elk and antelope
is 7 p.m. MST Feb. 14 at all seven department offices – postmarks don’t
count.
The department anticipates having elk and antelope regulations posted online by
mid December. Once that is done, hunters can begin submitting applications.
The printed elk and antelope regulations for 2012 will be mailed to license
dealers at the end of December and should be available the first week of
January.
Keep in mind that the online application process is back and is expected to be
available in December, but it may not be available right when the regulations
are posted. The department will send out a notification about when the online
application process will be available to submit applications for elk and
antelope.
Hunters applying manually via the paper applications will want to jot down this
date: Jan. 20, which ends the correction period. During the correction period,
if you make a mistake on your submitted application, the department will make
three attempts within a 24-hour period to notify you by telephone (if a phone
number is provided), and give you a chance to correct the mistake.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
October 29, 2011
USFWS
2011 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Winner
Joseph Hautman, an artist from Plymouth, Minn., is the
winner of the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The
announcement was made today by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan
Ashe at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W. Va.,
during the annual art competition.
This is Hautman’s fourth Federal Duck Stamp Contest
win. His art previously appeared on the 1992-1993, 2002-2003 and
2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamps. Hautman’s acrylic painting
of a single wood duck will be made into the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp,
which will go on sale in late June 2012. The Service produces the
Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year
to provide critical funds for conserving wetlands for the benefit of wildlife
and the enjoyment of people.
Of 190 entries in this year’s two-day competition,
32 entries made it through to the final round of judging. Adam
Grimm of Burbank, S.D., placed second with his oil painting of a single
gadwall. Grimm is also a previous Federal Duck Stamp Contest
winner. His art appeared on the 2000-2001 Federal Duck Stamp.
Richard Clifton of Milford, Del., took third place
with an acrylic painting of a pair of mallards. Clifton won the
2006 Federal Duck Stamp Contest and his winning art appeared on the 2007-2008
Federal Duck Stamp. "I wasn’t too nervous to begin with,"
said Hautman. “But as soon as my brother- Bob’s painting went
out, I started wanting to win.”
Hautman’s brother Bob has won the Federal Duck Stamp
twice previously, in 1996 and 2000. Their brother Jim is the
current Federal Duck Stamp artist, having won the 2010 contest and three
previous contests. Among them, the three brothers have won the
contest 10 times.
"My sincerest congratulations to Joe Hautman on
his win, and to all of the artists who entered this year,” said Dan Ashe,
the Service’s Director. “The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is a
time-honored tradition, and the dedication of wildlife artists to the contest
and the stamp’s conservation mission spans generations. This
year we saw the oldest contest entrant – a veteran wildlife artist -- as
well as the youngest entrant, a young woman of just 19 years old.
“The stamp itself is widely known as one of this
nation’s most successful and effective conservation programs,” said
Assistant Director Jerome Ford of the Service’s Migratory Bird Program.
“This connection of generations through the traditions of wildlife art and
conservation is what makes the Federal Duck Stamp Program so successful.”
This year's five-judge panel included Ira Cotton, a
stamp collector (philatelist) and philatelic journalist; H. Dale Hall, a
former Service Director and current CEO of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Gary Kramer,
an award-winning freelance outdoor writer and photographer; John Neal Mullican,
a sculptor whose works have been displayed in the United States and abroad;
and Lynn Scarlett, former Deputy Interior Secretary and a visiting scholar and
co-director at the Center for the Management of Ecological Wealth at Resources
for the Future. The alternate judge was Christine Thomas, dean and
professor of resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Natural Resources.
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to
purchase and carry the current Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp
– commonly known as the Duck Stamp. Conservationists, stamp collectors and
others must also purchase the stamp in support of habitat conservation.
Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck
Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports the purchase
of acres of wetlands for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped
to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the Refuge
System. To date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire
habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state. There are
555 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S.
territories. A current Duck Stamp may also be used for free
admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. Refuges offer
unparalleled recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird
watching and photography.
Electronic files of the artwork can be downloaded from
the links below
1st place, number 103 (single wood duck)
Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota
Low res – http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2011/11DS103dpi500.jpg
2nd place, number 117 (single gadwall)
Adam Grimm, Burbank, South Dakota
Low res - http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2011/11DS117dpi600.jpg
3rd place, number 60 (pair of mallards)
Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware
Low res - http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2011/11DS060dpi600.jpg
Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp
Contest were the blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, gadwall, mallard and wood
duck.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are
both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources,
dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information
on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
October 5, 2011
USFWS
Five-Year Survey Shows Wetlands Losses are Slowing, Marking
Conservation Gains and Need for Continued Investment in Habitat
WASHINGTON -- America’s wetlands
declined slightly from 2004-2009, underscoring the need for continued
conservation and restoration efforts, according to a report issued today by the
Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The findings are
consistent with the Service’s Status and Trends Wetlands reports from
previous decades that reflect a continuous but diminishing decline in wetlands
habitat over time.
The report, which represents the most
up-to-date, comprehensive assessment of wetland habitats in the United States,
documents substantial losses in forested wetlands and coastal wetlands that
serve as storm buffers, absorb pollution that would otherwise find its way into
the nation’s drinking water, and provide vital habitat for fish, wildlife and
plants.
“Wetlands are at a tipping point,”
said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “While we have made great strides
in conserving and restoring wetlands since the 1950s when we were losing an
area equal to half the size of Rhode Island each year, we remain on a downward
trend that is alarming. This report, and the threats to places like the
Mississippi River Delta, should serve as a call to action to renew our focus on
conservation and restoration efforts hand in hand with states, tribes and other
partners.”
“This report offers us a road map for
stemming and reversing the decline,”
said Fish and Wildlife Service Director
Dan Ashe. “It documents a number of successes in wetlands conservation,
protection and reestablishment, and will be used to help channel our resources
to protect wetlands where they are most threatened and reduce further wetland
losses.”
The net wetland loss was estimated to be
62,300 acres between 2004 and 2009, bringing the nation’s total wetlands
acreage to just over 110 million acres in the continental United States,
excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
The rate of gains from reestablishment of
wetlands increased by 17 percent from the previous study period (1998 to 2004),
but the wetland loss rate increased 140 percent during the same time period.
As a consequence, national wetland losses have outpaced gains.
The net loss includes a combination of
gains in certain types of wetlands and losses in other types, especially
forested wetlands.
“In a five year period, we lost over
630,000 acres of forested wetlands, mostly in the Southeast – an area equal
to half a million football fields each year,” Director Ashe said. “We
should all be concerned about the substantial loss of this diminishing
resource, which helps ensure good water quality for local communities and
provides vital habitat for a diversity of important wildlife species.”
The southeast United States, primarily
freshwater wetlands of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain, and the Lower
Mississippi River experienced the greatest losses.
Losses were also observed in the Great Lakes states, the prairie pothole
region, and in rapidly developing metropolitan areas nationwide. The reasons
for wetland losses are complex and reflect a wide variety of factors, including
changes in land use and economic conditions, the impacts of the 2005 hurricane
season on the Gulf Coast and climate change impacts.
This report does not draw conclusions
regarding the quality or condition of the nation’s wetlands.
Rather, it provides data regarding trends in wetland extent and type,
and it provides information to facilitate ongoing collaborative efforts to
assess wetland condition. Further
examination of wetland condition on a national level has been initiated by the
Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and other federal, state and Tribal partners.
Wetlands provide a multitude of
ecological, economic and social benefits.
They provide habitat for fish, wildlife,
and a variety of plants. Wetlands are nurseries for many saltwater and
freshwater fishes and shellfish of commercial and recreational importance.
Wetlands are also important landscape features because they hold and slowly
release flood water and snow melt, recharge groundwater, act as filters to
cleanse water of impurities, recycle nutrients, and provide recreational
opportunities for millions of people.
The report, Status and Trends of Wetlands
in the Conterminous United States 2004-2009, is the most recent of the five
reports to Congress reporting on the status and trends of wetlands across much
of the United States since the mid-1950s.
For more details on the report, visit
www.fws.gov/wetlands/StatusAndTrends2009
~~~~~ ~~~~~
October 3, 2011
USFWS
Service Supports “Double Up For The Ducks”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is supporting Double Up for the Ducks –
a new campaign by Ducks Unlimited encouraging duck hunters and all persons who
would like to make a difference for wildlife conservation to purchase two
federal Duck Stamps this year to help conserve habitat for wild ducks, geese
and other waterfowl.
“The Service certainly appreciates this effort being undertaken by Ducks
Unlimited to further waterfowl and wetlands conservation across the country,”
said Service Director Dan Ashe. “The Duck Stamp program has been one of the
most successful conservation programs in history and buying not one but two
duck stamps is one of the best ways around to protect wildlife and waterfowl
habitat.”
“The Federal Duck Stamp has been an important tool in waterfowl habitat
conservation for 77 years, but its ability to purchase and conserve important
waterfowl habitat has been greatly diminished by inflation and rising land
prices,” Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall said.
Since 1934, sales from the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation
Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp, have helped to acquire more
than 5.3 million acres of waterfowl habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge
System. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar is spent to acquire land
and protect waterfowl habitat. Stamp revenues benefit waterfowl and
countless other wildlife species as well as people by expanding opportunities
and access for wildlife dependent recreation.
The cost of the Duck Stamp has remained the same since 1991. Based on the
Consumer Price Index, the stamp would need to cost more than $24 today to have
the same buying power that $15 had in 1991. In 1991, revenue from the Duck
Stamp enabled the Service to acquire 89,000 acres of habitat for the National
Wildlife Refuge System at an average cost of $306 an acre. In 2010, the Service
was able to acquire only 32,000 acres because land values had tripled to an
average of $1,091 an acre.
There are many easy and convenient ways to buy Duck Stamps:
-
Call or order online from the United States Postal Service at 1-800
STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724) or online at http://shop.usps.com
-
Visit your local post office
-
Call or order online from Amplex Corporation at 1-800-852-4897 or online
at www.duckstamp.com
-
Contact the Federal Duck Stamp Office at 703-358-1784 or duckstamps@fws.gov
-
Duck Stamps can also be purchased at most major sporting goods stores that
sell hunting licenses.
Review the Service’s Federal Duck Stamp video: http://www.fws.gov/video/flash/ds_promo.html
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted
partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence,
stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people
who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws,
follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq,
watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws
and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
September 22, 2011
AZGFD
Arizona deer and elk hunters can
assist in monitoring for wildlife disease
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is requesting deer and elk
hunters’ continued vigilance in monitoring for chronic wasting disease (CWD)
by allowing biological samples of the animals’ lymph nodes to be collected
for testing.
CWD has not yet been found in Arizona through regular
annual testing since 1998. However, it is present in the neighboring states of
Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. CWD is fatal to deer and elk; however, there is
no evidence that it poses a risk to humans.
“As in past years, the participation of hunters,
meat processors, and taxidermists is essential for the department’s CWD
surveillance program,” said Clint Luedtke, wildlife disease biologist.
“Collection of samples from elk and deer hunters in Game Management Unit 12B
(which borders Utah), as well as Units 1 and 27 (which border New Mexico), is
crucial in assuring CWD is not in these potential corridors near neighboring
states that have detected the disease.”
For Kaibab and Arizona Strip hunters, the Jacob Lake
check station will be open for collecting samples on Oct. 6-11 during the
juniors-only deer hunt; on Oct. 20-31 for the general deer hunt; and on Nov.
17-28 for the late season hunt. The check station will be operational from 8
a.m. to 8 p.m., with the following exception that the station will close early
at noon on Oct. 11, 31 and Nov. 28.
Department biologists will also be collecting samples
during the juniors-only elk hunt in Units 1 and 2C from Oct. 7-13. In addition,
biologists will be working in the field from Oct. 27-31 in Unit 28, seeking
successful hunters to provide samples for the CWD monitoring effort in this
area.
Arizona hunters hunting out-of-state
To help prevent CWD from entering the state, Game and
Fish asks that all deer and elk hunters hunting outside of Arizona take
the necessary precautions before bringing any harvested animals back into the
state. Furthermore, hunters should contact the wildlife agency in the state
they are hunting, as several states have restrictions on carcass
transportation.
Here are some important things out-of-state deer
and elk hunters need to know before coming back to Arizona with their deer
or elk harvest:
-
Do
not cut into the spinal cord or remove the head.
-
Do
not quarter (or other method) the carcass with any of the spinal column or
head attached.
-
Do
not bring the brain, intact skull, or spinal cord back into Arizona.
Successful out-of-state deer and elk hunters need to
bone out the meat and package it (either commercially or privately). It is okay
to bring back animal hides, as well as skull plates that have been cleaned of
all tissue and washed in bleach. Heads from a taxidermist, sawed-off antlers,
and ivory teeth are also OK to bring into Arizona.
Other ways to participate
All hunters are encouraged to assist the monitoring
effort by bringing in the head of their recently harvested deer or elk to any
Game and Fish Department office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Place the head in a heavy plastic garbage bag for delivery, and
keep it cool and out of the sun. If the weather is warm, it is best to either
bring in the head within a day of harvest or keep it on ice in a cooler before
delivery.
When submitting heads for sampling, please provide
accurate, up-to-date hunter information (name, street address, city, state, zip
code and phone number) as well as hunt information (hunt number, permit number,
game management unit harvested in, county, state, and hunting license), as this
information is crucial should a positive CWD sample occur. If this information
is not provided, the department will be unable to test the sample.
Test results are now available online at www.azgfd.gov/cwd,
by clicking the “Chronic Wasting Disease Test Results” link on the right
side of the page.
CWD basics
Here are some guidelines for hunters when out in the
field:
-
Don’t
harvest any animal that appears to be sick or behaves oddly. Call the
Arizona Game and Fish Department at 1-800-352-0700 if you see an animal that
is very thin, has a rough coat, drooping ears and is unafraid of humans.
-
When
field-dressing game, wear rubber gloves and minimize the use of a bone saw
to cut through the brain or spinal cord (backbone). Bone out the meat.
Minimize contact with and do not consume brain or spinal cord tissues, eyes,
spleen, or lymph nodes.
-
Always
wash hands thoroughly after dressing and processing game meat.
The non-hunting public can also help prevent the
potential spread of CWD. If you come across any deer fawn or elk calf in the
wild, it should be left alone. Don’t assume it has been abandoned by the
parent; in all likelihood, it hasn’t. Being a “good Samaritan” and
bringing these wild animals into captivity poses a risk to the state’s
wildlife resources.
CWD is a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is
fatal to cervids, which include deer, elk and moose. Clinical symptoms include
loss of body weight or emaciation, excessive salivation, increased drinking and
urination, stumbling, trembling, and behavioral changes such as listlessness,
lowering of the head, and repetitive walking in set patterns.
No evidence has been found to indicate that CWD
affects humans, according to both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the World Health Organization.
The department also has had rules in place since 2002
restricting the movement of captive deer and elk into or within the state, and
subjecting those animals to marking and reporting requirements.
For
more information about chronic wasting disease, visit www.azgfd.gov/cwd
or www.cwd-info.org.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
September 8, 2011
AZGFD
Arizona’s
hunting regulations amended to incorporate expanded hunting areas
|
New
rules restrict use of rifles, pistols in metro hunt units for public
safety
|
|
|
|
 PHOENIX
– Hunters rejoice, you now have access to approximately 1 million
acres of public and state trust lands within municipal boundaries this
hunting season, but there are regulation changes that relate to these
new opportunities and public safety that hunters need to know.
These opportunities
required amending the 2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations,
as well as the 2011 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Regulations because
the changes to state law became effective after these publications were
distributed.
In an interest of
time and as a cost savings measure, Game and Fish will NOT be reprinting
the 2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping regulations, or the 2011
Pronghorn Antelope and elk Hunt Draw Information Booklet.
“Basically, because
of these law changes, Arizona hunters now have access to the undeveloped
lands on the fringes of municipal boundaries that were once off limits,
much of it is perfect for safe recreational small game hunting using
shotguns, which have a short effective range,” said Chief of Wildlife
Recreation, Craig McMullen.
McMullen also
expressed, citizens can feel safe because the Game and Fish Commission,
a public body, has prohibited the use of long-range firearms like
rifles, muzzleloaders, or pistols on private property in city limits and
in metropolitan hunt units. In addition, a core area in metro Phoenix
was closed to hunting. These restrictions were implemented to minimize
conflicts in urban areas and to assure public safety.
 Because
of these law changes, hunters will need to download and print the
amended regulations (changes are indicated in red font), to get the
latest legal hunting requirements. Most of the changes are identified in
the notes section for each species in the regulations.
Hunters should
carefully read these notes to learn about any restrictions to methods of
take, and modifications to open areas for most species including, but
not limited to elk, antelope, deer, quail, rabbits, predators, and
fur-bearing mammals. The latest regulations are available at the Arizona
Game and Fish Department’s website at www.azgfd.gov/rules.
What
changed?
The regulations were amended
because of recent law changes to ARS §13-3107 and §13-3108 that
transferred the authority to regulate the use of firearms for the take
wildlife within municipal boundaries to the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission. The commission amended the appropriate hunting seasons and
regulations at its Aug. 6 public meeting to comply with the new
legislation.
While there are many
changes to the regulations due to the change of authority, much of these
changes are to mimic sensible restrictions that were already in place
through other regulations such as overarching state laws,
intergovernmental agreements, or other means.
“The good news is,
hunters that haven’t heard about these recent law changes and are
following the original regulations will not be hunting in city limits,
because those originally issued publications do not make specific
allowances for hunting within municipal boundaries,” said McMullen.
Before the law
change, it was against the law to shoot a firearm, even while taking
wildlife, within city limits. Under the new authority of the commission,
the hunting regulations have been amended to assure public safety, while
also providing as much hunting opportunity as possible.
This is done by
implementing seasons that do not permit high-power rifles in certain
areas, closing populated urban centers, or through continued
communication of the state law that prohibits hunting with a firearm
within a quarter mile of an occupied building.
Some of the key
changes to the regulations that hunters and the public need to know
about, include, but are not limited to:
- Closed
to hunting – A large portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area is
closed to hunting. For boundary description and area map, visit www.azgfd.gov/rules
.
- Closed
to hunting – Golf courses, airports, and posted water treatment
facilities are closed to hunting.
- Closed
to hunting with firearms: Private lands in both the Tucson and
Flagstaff metro hunt units (11M and 38M respectively) are closed to
all hunting during firearms seasons, including those for shotgun
shooting shot. Hunting with a firearm inside city limits in these
populated metro units is only permitted on public and state trust
lands.
- Closed
to hunting during “General Firearm Rifle Seasons” – Private
property within city limits is closed to all hunting during
“general firearm rifle seasons” using any weapon type including
a rifle, pistol, muzzleloader as well as bow and arrows. There are
some limited exclusions for wildlife management needs.
- Open
to hunting with restrictions – Generally, county and city parks
and preserves are closed to hunting. The Commission opened some
county parks in Pima and Maricopa County for hunting. For the Pima
and Maricopa County parks and/or preserves that are open to hunting
by commission order, further restrictions make it unlawful to take
wildlife within a quarter mile of a developed campground, picnic
area, occupied building, boat ramp, shooting range, or golf course.
- Open
to hunting with restrictions – Private property inside city limits
not already excluded (i.e. 11M, 38M and Phoenix metro area) are only
open to hunting during “limited weapon, shotgun shooting shot
seasons.”
- Reptile
hunting and collection restrictions – Hunting reptiles with a
firearm is closed statewide on private property inside city limits,
city and county parks and preserves, golf courses, airports and
posted water treatment facilities. A limited weapon season, which
does not include the use of firearms, was created for
taking/collecting reptiles in these areas closed to firearms.
To learn more about
these recent law changes, and how Game and Fish has implemented these
changes to assure the public’s safety, while still providing hunting
opportunity in these undeveloped, uninhabited public lands in
municipalities, visit www.azgfd.gov/rules
|
~~~~~ ~~~~~
April 28, 2011
AZGFD
2011-12
Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations available online
Game
and Fish is now accepting applications for the lottery-style drawing process
PHOENIX — The
Arizona Game and Fish Department today announced that the 2011-12 Arizona
Hunting and Trapping Regulations are available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw
and the application period for the draw is now open.
 Tuesday,
June 14, 2011 at 7 p.m. (MST) is the deadline to submit an application for a
hunting permit issued through the draw for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina,
bighorn sheep, fall buffalo, and pheasant.
Those submitting
an application are reminded that postmarks do not count and there is no online
application process available.
Applications must
be either hand-delivered to one of the seven Game and Fish offices or sent by
U.S. mail to:
Drawing Section
Arizona Game and Fish Department
PO Box 74020
Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052
The 2011-12
Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations contain information on how to fill out
an application, how the draw works, license requirements, hunt numbers, season
dates, number of permits available, and other pertinent information for the
hunter.
Another valuable
online resource for hunters when applying for a permit is the Hunt Arizona:
Survey, Harvest and Draw Data guide. This book contains nearly 200 pages of
information on species and hunt areas including the odds of being drawn,
harvest success rates, and more.
To aid your
application process there is a digital editable PDF application that can be
typed using a computer and then printed, signed, and submitted to Game and
Fish. Alternatively, print a blank copy of the form, fill it out using an ink
pen, and then submit in the same fashion.
Regardless of how
you fill or submit your application, be sure to apply early and take advantage
of the correction period. Here is how it works: If your application has a
mistake and is received before May 27 at 5 p.m. MST, Game and Fish will attempt
to call you three times in a 24-hour period and give you the opportunity to
correct the mistake. After that date, mistakes can cause your application to be
rejected.
Printed copies of
the regulations are anticipated to be available at all Game and Fish offices
the second week of May (9-15).
To learn more
about the drawing process, hunting season dates and more, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.
Youth deer
hunting camps
Kids ages 10-17 can
learn to hunt deer from experienced sportsmen at hosted hunting camps. These
camps help young hunters and their families reconnect with the outdoors and
learn about the hunting heritage. Each camp offers expert instruction on
hunting, safety, camping, game care, and other useful information for
first-time hunters. To enjoy one of these camps, apply for a tag for the hunt
number for the camp that best fits your schedule and location:
-
Wickenburg
area, Nov. 18-20: Apply for hunt number 1165, juniors-only deer.
The Unit 42 Juniors Deer Camp is hosted by Wickenburg sportsmen and local
businesses.
-
Wickenburg
area, Nov. 18–20: Apply for hunt number 1155, juniors-only deer.
The Unit 20C Juniors Deer Camp is hosted by Youth Outdoors Unlimited.
-
Green
Valley area, Nov. 18–20: Apply for hunt number 1163 or 1164, juniors-only
deer.
The Unit 36A/36B Juniors Deer Camp is hosted by the Arizona Chapter of
Safari Club International. These hunts are eligible for a corresponding
javelina tag (see below).
Two hunts,
same area, same season
To give kids twice the
reason to go hunting this season, Game and Fish is offering a javelina tag in
some of the juniors-only deer hunts. The hunts that qualify are hunt numbers
1159, 1160, 1163, 1164 and 1177 (general hunt areas include units 28, 29, 30A,
30B, 31, and 32 for one hunt; 33; 36A; 36B; and a 16A muzzleloader hunt). The
companion tag (restricted nonpermit-tag, population management hunt) can be
purchased over-the-counter from Game and Fish offices for $15.
Buy a
ticket, support wildlife
To increase your odds
in getting a big game tag, and possibly one of a lifetime, take part in the
Arizona Big Game Super Raffle. There are 10 special big game tags (issued by
the commission) and every dollar raised for these tags goes directly towards
management projects that benefit that species in Arizona. Winners will be able
to hunt for 365 days almost anywhere in the state of Arizona during a special
2011-12 hunting season. Tickets range from $5-25. For more details, order form,
and deadlines, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.
The
Arizona Game and Fish Department does not receive any of the state’s general
funds to operate. Wildlife conservation and management of the state’s game
animals, which also benefits many non-game species, is made possible through a
user-pay, user-benefit system. Funding from the direct sale of hunting and
fishing licenses, big game tags, and matching funds from the Pittman-Robertson
Act, a federal excise tax that sportsmen pay on guns, ammunition and related
equipment, remain the backbone of wildlife conservation in North America.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
August 17, 2010
Arizona Game and
Fish Department
Arizona Game and Fish acquires 160-acre site
for long-awaited Northern Arizona Shooting Range
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and
Fish Commission finalized the purchase of the 160-acre Foster Ranch property in
Coconino County for the future site of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range.
“This is a historic moment for a
project that has spanned nearly 15 years,” said Game and Fish Commission Chair
Jennifer Martin. “After evaluating nearly 50 properties, Foster Ranch was the
best choice that meets our objectives for a public shooting range in the
Flagstaff area.”
A pubic survey was used to shape
the objectives of the shooting range, the top three concerns were 1.) to be
located within 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff; 2.) sized for a local range
with potential to expand to regional range; 3.) and the ability to be
operational by 2013 (3-5 years).
Northern Arizona residents have
been without a rifle and pistol shooting range since 1968. In 1994, closures of
the local shotgun and archery ranges resulted in one of Arizona’s largest
communities being without a designated place for recreational shooting.
Surrounded by the Coconino National
Forest, the property is located approximately 15 miles east of Flagstaff and 5
miles south of the Town of Winona. The property is in the mid 6000 foot
elevation, consisting of pinion-juniper and high country ground cover.
“The Coconino National Forest is
looking forward to a safe, designated area for recreational shooting –
especially one that offers youth development and hunter education programs,”
said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart. “We are prepared to
work cooperatively with Game and Fish in the development of this long-needed
range.”
The $1.1 million property purchase
came at no expense to taxpayers, state or local.
Because the Game and Fish receives
no tax dollars from the state’s general fund and operates under a user-pay,
user-benefit model, the property was purchased and will be developed through the
sale of licenses to hunters and anglers.
A $3 surcharge is imposed on
hunting and fishing licenses to acquire, construct, renovate, or improve Game
and Fish facilities. The fund for the development of the Northern Arizona
Shooting Range was established beginning in 2001.
Developing the range
At this stage, no detailed site plans have been made. Properties for shooting
ranges are selected based on key macro-level considerations, such as size,
layout, safety, access, drainage, utilities, and other development
considerations.
Before any development of the
property can take place, there is a multitude of logistical planning required,
including an environmental compliance checklist; coordination with the Coconino
National Forest and Coconino County; developing a scope of work and timelines;
and providing the public opportunities to give input to assist in the
development of this local range.
Other factors such as funding,
process time for of environmental compliances, resources, and weather will
dictate a phased-in development approach of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range
over the next three years and beyond.
The public is invited to an
informal open house to provide input on the range development plan on Thursday,
Sept. 23 from 3-8 p.m. at the Game and Fish Flagstaff regional office at 3500 S.
Lake Mary Road. For those who are unable to attend the open house, the same
materials and a way to submit your comments will be made available online at the
same time at www.azgfd.gov/nazsr.
On display will be a very early
conceptual site design, preliminary timelines for development, and an
opportunity to provide comments. While no formal presentation will be made, key
Game and Fish personnel and representatives from the Coconino National Forest
will be available to provide information and answer questions.
“Given all the supportive
comments from residents, shooting clubs, past commissioners, along with the
Coconino National Forest supervisor at the May public meeting, I’m confident
that we are on the right track to meeting the needs of the shooting community
and reduce wildcat shooting around Flagstaff,” added Martin.
History and information
A local or community range is typically 60-80+ acres in size, and provides a
multi-purpose facility. Some features of a local range may include a 100-yard
rifle sight-in and pistol range, a small bore / hunter education range, shotgun
/ clay target shooting (trap, skeet and/or sporting clays in some cases), and
archery venues.
Game and Fish has spent the last 15
years seeking to establish a shooting range in northern Arizona. Some of the
past key events include:
-
1995-2003 – Attempted
Bellemont land exchange with Coconino National Forest (CNF).
-
2005-2009 – Willard Springs
site identified as alternate for land exchange with CNF.
-
March 2009 – Begin 90-day
re-evaluation of alternate sites due to 2019 estimation to complete land
exchange for Willard Springs property.
-
May 2009 – Criteria for
eliminating potential alternate sites identified based on public survey:
located within 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff; sized for a local range
with potential to expand to regional range; and the ability to be
operational by 2013.
-
June 2009 – Three sites
recommended, all require land exchange with CNF.
-
Sept. 2009 – Foster Ranch
added to recommended properties for consideration.
-
Dec. 2009 – Site selection
reduced to three properties, including Foster Ranch.
-
May. 2010 – Commission
approves purchase of Foster Ranch.
-
July 2010 – Purchase of
property completed.
Interested parties can get the
latest information on the Northern Arizona Shooting Range by e-mail www.azgfd.gov/signup by
selecting “shooting sports news” or by visiting www.azgfd.gov/nazsr.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
The News Release reproduced below is of critical importance to Arizona
hunters...
December 12, 2008
Arizona Game and
Fish Department
|
Outdoor recreationists: Respect private
and public land, or risk losing access
|
Recent incidents involving thoughtless and even
destructive acts by some outdoor recreationists have Arizona Game and
Fish Department officials and responsible outdoor users concerned
about retaining continued public access to vast tracts of public and
private land.
"We work cooperatively with landowners,
especially ranchers, to keep access for recreation open," said
Sal Palazzolo, the Game and Fish Department�s Landowner Relations
Program manager, "but it is a daunting task because senseless
acts by a few thoughtless outdoor recreationists can jeopardize
relations and result in large tracts of land being closed to us
all."
Palazzolo said some of the lands in question
happen to be premier hunting areas where outfitters are sometimes
willing to pay landowners thousands of dollars for exclusive access.
We can�t do it all ourselves. We
need the assistance of sportsmen and other conscientious recreationists
to help curb these senseless acts," Palazzolo said.
Here are some examples of what is happening.
Recently, a rancher in northern Arizona had closed
a section of road across a stream because the road crossing had become
washed out.
"One one day this autumn, an elk hunter
ignored the closure sign and promptly got his truck stuck in the
creek," Palazzolo said, "The rancher took it in stride and
helped the individual contact a tow truck to haul the vehicle
out."
The following day, another person also ignored the
closure sign and got stuck in the creek, but nobody was home at the
remote ranch house. There was a bulldozer parked near the private
residence that a contractor was going to use to repair the road
crossing.
"Without any permission, the person who had
gotten his vehicle stuck got into the bulldozer, fired it up, and pulled
his truck out of the creek, causing damage to the fragile riparian
area," Palazzolo said. "We are still waiting to hear if
the bulldozer was damaged in any way."
That isn't all.
On another ranch, a ranch hand had collected and
displayed lots of deer and elk antlers over the years, and had actually
made a fence of the antlers around his ranch house. While the cowboy was
out working the range, someone stole all the prized antlers.
On yet another ranch, three men wearing camouflage
clothing and riding all-terrain vehicles were seen shooting at a herd of
grazing horses. Fortunately, these illegal road hunters didn't
hit anything.
Fences have been cut, windmills shot up and signs
shot to doll rags. Trash and litter have been left to despoil the land.
Vehicles have torn up cattle tanks and earthen dams.
These senseless acts and others are putting
continued access for hunters, off-roaders, campers and other
recreationists in danger - for many reasons.
For instance, one rancher in the area said it
costs him about $5,000 annually to repair damage or address other issues
associated with recreationists.
"Fortunately, this conscientious rancher
still keeps working with us despite the fact he has been offered
thousands of dollars by outfitters for exclusive hunting rights to his
property," Palazzolo said.
Incidents such as these concern the responsible
majority of outdoor recreationists.
"I spend a lot of time working with
ranchers and land managers on projects, and it�s appalling to see
some of the damage," says longtime sportsman John Koleszar. "Some people do it willfully, but others just don�t know
any better and need to be educated on outdoor ethics. Remember, ethics
is what you do when no one is watching."
Koleszar has seen a great deal of good behavior by
outdoor users, but some bad behavior as well. Good behavior, he
says, is respecting other people and the land, helping others out,
asking permission to use private property. Bad behavior is ignoring
posted signs, causing damage to habitat and property, cutting fences,
among others.
These recent incidents also highlight a much
broader issue facing outdoor recreationists.
Palazzolo pointed out that Arizona consists of
about 72.6 million acres, of which 18 percent is privately owned. These
lands represent important recreational opportunities as well as access
corridors into other publicly owned lands.
Public access restrictions in Arizona have
increased substantially over the last decade as more landowners exercise
their right to deny access to or through their private lands. In many
cases, access is prevented to State Trust and public lands as a result
of these closures.
The seven most common reasons for landowners
denying access are:
"We can't be everywhere. Recreationists, especially hunters, need to be our eyes and ears out
there, and also be ambassadors for conscientious recreational ethics on
the land," Palazzolo said.
If you see someone doing one of these senseless
acts, contact local law enforcement or call our Operation Game
Thief at 1-800-352-0700.
"The thing that worries me is that some
people seem unaware of the potential consequences of their bad
behavior," says Koleszar. "If you don�t exercise
good outdoor ethics and educate others to do the same, land management
agencies and private property owners could close off access. It's
in the hands of the users to demonstrate they're
responsible - or they could lose it forever."
Palazzolo adds, "The tract of public land
you help keep open might just be your favorite hunting ground or maybe
one of your favorite places to ride your quad. These lands belong to all
of us, so help us help others to treat them that way."
|
Here is an interesting bit sent in by a reader...
Deterrence
After the Japanese decimated our
fleet in Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941, they could have sent their troop ships
and Carriers directly to California to finish what they started.
The prediction from our Chief of Staff was we would not be able to stop a
Massive invasion until they reached the Mississippi River. Remember,
we only had a 2 million man army.
So, why did they not invade?
After the war, the remaining Japanese generals and admirals were
asked that Question. Their answer. They knew that almost every home had
guns and the Americans knew how to use them.
The world's largest army...America's hunters! I had never thought about
this....
A blogger added up the deer license sales in just a handful of states and
Arrived at a striking conclusion: There were over 600,000 hunters this
season in the state of Wisconsin.
Allow me to restate that number. Over
the last several months, Wisconsin 's hunters became the eighth Largest
army in the world. More men under arms than in Iran... More than in France
and Germany combined.
These men deployed to the woods of a single American state to hunt with
Firearms, and no one was killed.
That number pales in comparison to the 750,000 who hunted the woods of
Pennsylvania and Michigan's 700,000 hunters - All of whom have now
returned Home.
Toss in a quarter million hunters in West Virginia and it literally
Establishes the fact that the hunters of those four states alone would
Comprise the largest army in the world.
The point?
America will forever be safe from foreign invasion with that kind of
Home-grown firepower.
Hunting -- it's not just a way to fill the freezer. It's a matter of
national security. That's why all enemies, foreign and
domestic, want to see us disarmed.
Food for thought when next we consider gun control.
|
arizona hunting tips or a similar keyword phrase can help you find
additional interesting information.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Don't be a Hoplophobe!
Arizona hunting is closely associated with sighting in your
firearms. You can track development of the Northern
Arizona Regional Shooting Facility here.
Go to the News Releases page
This
page often carries hunting related press releases... usually from the Forest
Service and AZGFD.
Find
Expanded News Here
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