rossislider

Actually, we don't. AZGFD doesn't receive any taxpayer money for game management. It's all through licenses and tags. And, in lean times, the Legislature sweeps their funds for the general fund. As to only going up a few percentage points each year. Okay. With no changes since 2007, what would a 3% increase per year over the course of 7 years look like? North of 20%, Let's not all forget that none of the proposed increases are above the fee caps the Legislature already had in place. In other words, the Department had authority to raise tag prices even higher than this before the "simplification" bill. They're just doing it now because they can also change the licensing structure. And to the guy complaining about they "keys to the Kingdom" license for resident and non-resident youth. Youth have always paid the same price for youth licenses, regardless of residency. Its in place, in part, to encourage new youth to try out our unique hunting experiences, but it also allows Arizonas resident fathers with children living out of state to bring their kids here for the same price as if they lived with the full time. I haven't made up my mind about all the other changes, but I support the $5 youth license 110%. They're our future hunters (and voters), and we should make it as easy for them as possible to get into the field and have a positive experience. So let me see if I have this correct? You want to argue against my point that “we subsidize AZ Game and Fish with our taxes each year” and then state a few sentences later, “in lean times, the Legislature sweeps their funds for (I believe you mean 'from') the general fund”. Thank you for arguing against my point by strengthening it. I never said how our tax money subsidizes AZGFD, just that it does. Second, you suggest that “With no changes since 2007, what would a 3% increase per year over the course of 7 years look like? North of 20%”. They aren’t recommending a 20% increase, they are recommending a 37.4% increase for elk, 107.9% increase for deer and a 73.3% increase in the application fee. As far as “none of the proposed increases are above the fee caps the Legislature already had in place”. Since the federal government has no cap on how much of our income they could potentially tax, I suppose that means the federal cap on income taxes is 100%. So we should be glad if one day the federal government raises our income tax to only 99% since it is short of the cap of 100%? As Obama might suggest I guess we hunters “aren’t paying our fair share” and “should pay just a little more”. You must be a democrat because yours is the most liberal arguments I have heard yet.

+1I thought the exact same thing!

That is awesome! My "future hunting buddy" turns 10 next fall. I can hardly wait!

Good thing we got my scope rings lapped last week because our friendship is over.

Yes, the cost of running a business does increase and so at times prices must also go up. However, those price increases usually equate to small 5%-10% increases. If you average the proposed tiered cost of an elk tag, it equates to a 37.4% increase. Most companies trying a price hike like that would find themselves out of business.

Wow, what a selfish attitude and stance to take! I work hard and have been blessed to be able to afford luxuries such as the occasional hunting trip. But the idea that they are going to have DRAMATIC increases, such at the ones proposed, that might make might hunting unaffordable to some of my fellow hunters really pisses me off. Additionally, there is a reason we pay less as AZ residents. Because we subsidize AZ Game and Fish with our taxes each year.

Just reviewed the PowerPoint and answered my own question. Essentailly any early season hunt will be a premium. What a load of crap!

What is the definition of a "premium elk"?

Thanks for the info! 36B it is!

My understanding is that buying left over otc tags does not use you bonus points. Getting drawn for these as a 3rd of 4th choice would. I want to keep building my points until I get one of the "premium" units I have been waiting for. R12-4-107 G. An applicant issued a first-come, first-served hunt permit-tag under R12-4-114©(2)(d) after the computer drawing does not lose bonus points for that genus, and a valid but unsuccessful applicant for a first-come, first-served hunt permit-tag remaining after the computer drawing does not gain a bonus point.

36b is one of the primary ones I am looking at so please elaborate on "fun". Good hunt or fun for other reasons?

I'd normally say check with AZ Game and Fish. But... (I'll let you finish this sentence however you like).

Sadly, you couldn't be more right. Today's citizen is lazy, has a short attention span, and cares more about handouts than their country or right and wrong. Nothing will come of all of this and it will all soon be swept under the rug.

It is a lot harder to get away from the roads in unit 1 than it is in unit 27.

True of so many things in our country today...

I've been told on a few occasion that the shortage of 22lr ammo is due to it's low profit margins. Ammo manufacturers are putting everything into cranking out the high dollar stuff that has higher profit margins while it continues to fly off of shelves. Can't fault them for that. Once the sales of the higher profit margin stuff slows down 22lr ammo will be back. I'm just glad I had a couple thousand rounds of it from before the Obama scare. Been teahing my 8 year ol how to shoot. He got a 22lr for his birthday last year and would be crushed if we couldn't go shooting.

Happy mother's day to any and all current and future moms on here. Dad's get the most credit for passing the sport of hunting on from generation to generation, but where would the sport be without all of you amazing moms? A special public thanks to my wife who allows me to leave her home with the kids, helps me prepare to leave, cleans my mess afterwards, lets me spend way to much money on gear, eats some "interesting" game, and about a million other things! You ladies are amazing, THANK YOU!!!

Dbacks are doing really well! Almost swept the phillies and on to the Braves. That shortstop is extremely talented. We have really got to shore up that bull pen though. They scare the crap out of me.

Looks good, the wife and I will put your place on our list for a future date night!

Great job guys. Thanks for the seminar a while back. When is the next one?

Try Spinatto's. There are a couple of them in the valley. Everything is amazing but I love either the house or spaghetti with meatballs calzones! I used to frequent Oregano's (it is really good too), but since discovering Spinatto's I haven't been back.

Apparently out of Retumbo now too...

My buddy just called and said Sportsman's in Mesa just got some. Might not last long.

He was looking but already found one.

That's awesome. I need to look into this on my next trip to Puerto Rico. Did you use a local fishing guide?