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Keep the quotas and otc. Add antler restrictions. Way to many bucks don't have a chance to grow up.

I think the Quotas are working. Imagine how many mule deer were getting killed before the quotas. 🤯 At least now they can close the unit when harvest objectives are met.

I believe itll be full draw soon. Just like javelina. Who’d of thought archery pig would go to a draw ? I know several guys who swing for the fence on their rifle deer apps knowing that they can still deer hunt during archery season as they wait to pull a great tag. Once it happens, they’ll be rethinking it, probably putting in for less desirable hunts to be able to go hunt. Once it happens , it’ll be interesting to see how the dynamics of bonus pts changes. JMO.

Emotional response reminds me of Josiah and the trail cam ban. His lawyers failed, as I am hoping these new ones will. Grab a gun and go hunting, if you can no longer bowhunt. It is what I will do, when that day comes..

Seeing how fast some of the units are closing it is amazing and alarming how many bucks are being saved and how much the AZGFD had no clue about. The result will be harder deer tags to draw but better quality.... ...

I agree brother but antler restrictions IMO would be disastrous. People will still shoot dinks, bury them after going oops and keep hunting. Very few instances of antler restrictions have solved a problem. Ever. Unfortunately....

I imagine NR draw first because the current rush to get the tags is nothing short of dumb. I do not think resident OTC will last 10 years. I agree on harvest reporting. No one had any idea how many deer were getting killed by archery and crossguns. I think it should be mandatory for ALL big game hunts, punishable by not allowing you to enter the draw next cycle if you fail to report. There will be some deceit, but the vast majority of hunters will report honestly imo.

On the topic, Guys killing poverty just to fill a tag. I get flamed for this but like the guy posted on here, their camp killed 2 muley spikes and forky in December. messes everything up. Something has to be done.

Unless we start bickering amongst ourselves in fishing as well……a flies only season , VS. any lures, and the soon to be controversial bait permit for the handicapped and cheaters…..

Hard to believe but there was a time every time you drove around in those units you saw bucks like this. And it wasn't just during the rut. The Az elk population Boom of 80's - 90's, trapping ban in early 90's, and drought that began around 2000 has been the demise of mule deer IMO.

First off, it is apparent that you have little no true understanding of criminal law and what is needed by an agency to secure a charge that would withstand a trial and or judge. Having been in that field for over 30 years, I may have a bit more understanding. It is difficult for an agency to invalidate a physicians signature the way the permit system is CURRENTLY implemented. As such, the department has elected not to challenge some of those abused permits. Instead, they have ‘revamped’ the entire system AND redefined what archery equipment should be……essentially closing the loophole. Crossbows, except for those legally permitted through CHAMP, did not fit their definition. Good luck with a civil ‘challenge’. It’s been tried before in other states and failed. The fact is, you must prove that there is NO opportunity for permanently impaired sportsman who NEED to use a crossbow. That simply is not the issue here, as the system provides many opportunities the use a crossbow providing they meet the requirements. Additionally, other weapon systems are available to use instead of a crossbow. Nothing prevents you from hunting with a muzzleloader, pistol, etc., and a crossbow is not a legally ‘guaranteed’ weapon system. No weapons system is. It’s ironic that you believe Russ is slanderous towards handicapped people…..especially when he deals with a special needs family member daily. Perhaps you should look at this issue objectively, analyze factual data, and then form an opinion. Your rhetoric above depicts an emotional response, which usually doesn’t bode well in these types of proceedings. Having said that, I still understand your concerns, I just don’t support them.

Thanks Everyone Single one of You for the support and prayers. It really means a lot to Me. I just got to the hospital and Dad is Doing much better. He is being moved from ICU into his own room. They are going to get him up to walk today. He's not looking forward to it 😩... Sure was nice to be there when He woke up. And get a Smile from Him. Enough said... Forgiven🙏

We can always fish. Hunting is slowly slipping away.

I think you need to stop and look at the data and statistics to know that the crossbow permitting system was clearly being abused. Crossbow permit holders are taking a disproportionate number of deer and thus reducing opportunity for bowhunters. Your argument is based off emotion and not rational thought.

If anyone has one for sale please let me know. Adam 928-595-1554

SOLD I have a unopened 8lb bottle of H1000 for sale. $350.00 Located in the east valley.

Lol, this season has proved to me that my wife needs to practice more:)

People do that now and shoot multiple deer so I don’t think that’s a relevant argument

I personally love the harvest reporting. We get actual data finally... The deer were being annihilated prior to it....

I agree and the mule deer really pay for it. I’m there there are a lot of people that see their unit closing Wednesday, panic and shoot the next legal buck they see. This whole mandatory harvest report is very interesting though, seeing how fast some units close and just to think in the past it would still be open. Should have been mandatory reporting years ago and rifle should be the same!

Cactusjack, I understand where you are coming from and somewhat agree with you. However, you keep talking about how everyone is an accomplice to fraud by not turning abusers in. That is a very loose statement that you are using as everyone of them has gone in to a doctor and received a signed form stating that they are handicapped in some way that is 100% legal. In our minds, they are abusing the system but in fact they are going through the proper channels to receive the permit just like you did. So, maybe they are abusing the system but prove it. Good luck with that. I am kind of in the middle of the road as I see both sides of the issue. Just no solution. There are only so many days in a year that we can hunt and everyone wants to create another hunt for this or that. We are at a point that we have to steal tags from one hunt to give tags to other hunts. So there will always be someone that is not happy.

"Lord God, we pray for healing of Bill's body. No matter what your will is for Bill, he and Billy are able to make amends and his family draws closer to you. Amen"

I stuck a 105 on Tuesday that was full rut. Definitely has started up high.

I went to the Commission meeting. Unfortunately my voice is gone due to a sinus infection. I struggle with the way crossbow hunters were portrayed in the last meeting by Russ Richardson and Marvin Zeiser. I can get the CHAMP permit, with the new requirements, but I shouldn't need to and what about other people that are disabled, but not disabled enough? I have been speaking with ADA groups and an attorney but hopefully we can find an equitable solution. here is what I tried to communicate. Attached is what I struggled to get through this morning. Good morning, Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns regarding the proposed repeal of R12-4-216 and the debate surrounding crossbow use in archery-only hunts. As an advocate for equitable and fair hunting practices, I believe this change risks alienating and disadvantaging hunters, especially those with physical disabilities who rely on crossbows as their legal method of take. Numerous allegations have surfaced regarding fraudulently acquired crossbow permits. However, how many of these cases have been formally cited or reported to Operation Game Thief? Without concrete evidence, these claims appear speculative and detract from the core issues. The argument that crossbow technology has advanced beyond "standard archery equipment" lacks consistency when viewed alongside advancements in other hunting tools. Modern compound bows now feature 90% let-off, trigger releases, and arrow speeds of up to 340 fps. Paired with laser rangefinders, these advancements enable accurate kills at distances exceeding 100 yards—a fact readily verified with a simple search. Singling out crossbows while disregarding these other innovations is both unfair and impractical. If technology is truly a concern, should restrictions also apply to compound bows or other tools? Clearly, such a policy would be unreasonable and inequitable. Concerns regarding increased crossbow use also lack proper perspective. Arizona’s population has grown by nearly 10% since 2015, naturally increasing the number of hunters. Currently, only 1.3% of permit holders use crossbows—a proportional rise, not an outsized issue. Dr. Harding noted that, in 2010, approximately 895 permanent crossbow permits were processed compared to nearly 1,100 today. This modest increase does not indicate widespread abuse. Similarly, claims attributing over-the-counter (OTC) unit closures to crossbows fail to consider important nuances. Hunters with disabilities often face significant mobility challenges and must seize opportunities efficiently, while many able-bodied hunters extend seasons in pursuit of trophy harvests. Notably, nearly half of OTC units remained open as of January 14th, with 27 still open today—clearly showing that crossbow hunters are not responsible for widespread closures. To address these concerns fairly, I propose the following solutions: Refining CHAMP and Crossbow Permits: Strengthen the application process to ensure accountability from medical professionals and maintain the program’s integrity. Transitioning to a Draw-Based Archery Season: Implement an equitable draw system for archery tags. Currently, OTC archery hunters enjoy 71 days per year, which could be more fairly balanced. Ensuring Stakeholder Representation: Include crossbow and CHAMP permit holders in policy focus groups to ensure their perspectives are considered. Mandatory Harvest Reporting: Require harvest reporting for all big game species, regardless of season or method of take. Dr. Harding mentioned during the December Commission meeting that two years of crossbow harvest data has been collected but remains statistically inconclusive. More robust data collection is necessary to ensure fairness for all hunters. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has built public trust through its commitment to responsible wildlife management. Repealing R12-4-216 without addressing these critical concerns risks alienating an important segment of the hunting community and undoing years of progress. Thank you for your consideration. I trust Arizona Game and Fish will prioritize fairness, inclusivity, and respect as the foundation of Arizona’s outdoor heritage. Steve King

Well, it nearly took an army but we got it done. I don’t have the time or the energy to write it all up now, I will have to do that later. But suffice it to say that @1denogean, @bonecollector, @wish2hunt, @trphyhntr and a group of others all pitched in big time to make this happen and they will forever be part of our sheep army. @lancetkenyon thanks for the range time making sure the gun and charts were ready when the time came. This was our longest shot ever, 542 yds. We killed a good ram and it was amazing for my kid to experience. But more importantly my kid got to see men being men. He got to experience what it means to be part of something and to have others support you in accomplishing a goal without taking any credit for themselves. Here are some pics, I will write up the story later.