Aplications & the Economy

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I figured this is a pretty good and anonymous way to make a cross section our group of junkies and the choices we may or may not have made.

[CouesWhitetail]

Although I made about 1/2 as much income last year as previous years, I always make hunting a priority and so when I cut back on spending it's not on resident tags. So my applications were the same as always.

 

Amanda

 

[Couzer]

I hear ya there Amanda, in fact hunting will always be a priority for me. I just went out and bought my Lifetime hunt and fish combo so i don't have to worry about coming up with that extra 50 bucks each year. That was probably one of my better investments that I have made! lol

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I hear ya there Amanda, in fact hunting will always be a priority for me. I just went out and bought my Lifetime hunt and fish combo so i don't have to worry about coming up with that extra 50 bucks each year. That was probably one of my better investments that I have made! lol

 

 

Amen!! And it is still good even if you move out of state! My Boy and I both have Lifetime lic. and it is nice not having to cough up that cash too each year.

[bowsniper]

It sure seemed to me to be much less crowded than normal for December and January deer. Anyone else get the same feeling? I was think it was the economy.

 

Mark

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

It sure seemed to me to be much less crowded than normal for December and January deer. Anyone else get the same feeling? I was think it was the economy.

 

Mark

 

 

Well I want to hunt with you from now on.... I thought it was more of a zoo this year than any other!

[BML]

I know times are tough for lots of folks right now. I have friends that aren't putting in this year. For me, though, hunting is a passion and I would be a lost soul if I couldn't do it. My business is taking a beating from the economy, but I am still working. I have a savings account that I use specifically for hunting stuff. Every now and then I will put in a 100 bucks or so and leave it. When it comes time for application fees, and actual hunt expenses I have the money there.

 

Lets say for just the tag purposes, figure the cost of the license and the three main species(for most anyway), deer, elk and antelope, is $281 total every year. Figure most folks draw 26 paychecks a year. That's only $10.81 you have to deposit into an account every time you get paid.

 

I am one of those guys who buys every over the counter tag possible and puts in for every single species, other than buffalo and sheep, every single year. Even at that rate, I still only have to put in about $17 out of every paycheck.

 

 

Like I said before, I know first hand that times are tough for a lot of good hard working people right now. I am just giving an example of how easy it really is to save the money.

[GameHauler]

I figured this is a pretty good and anonymous way to make a cross section our group of junkies and the choices we may or may not have made.

 

 

Good idea Gino but this is a hunting web site

and I am sure it will not reflect the results of Arizonans in general.

 

BML, you are absolutely right about how easy it is to save for hunting

if you just put a small amount of effort towards it.

I have posted on here before that I save all my change

and buy everything I can with cash, and if something cost $1.01 they get $2.00

Heck, I refuse to have a credit card but use my debit for online stuff.

I have a second checking account just for hunting related thing.

When I get my refund checks back from GF they go right into that account

so my tags are pretty much paid for the next year

 

When I lived in the Valley I would come up here every year for Elk hunts

and would cash in my change for those expenses.

I would always have between $300.00 and $400.00 to pay for my trip.

Now that I live up here I have not needed to take time off work and

be camped out for 2 weeks so I have not tapped into it since 2003

when I drew my Bighorn Sheep tag.

Do the math, at $300.00 a year thats $1500.00 waiting for an upcoming

HUNT OF A LIFE TIME.

Not enough to do the Dall Sheep hunt I want but its a start

 

[Hunterjohnny]

The seperste account and saving change are both great ideas. Neither would have helped this year just because I was laid off one week before the deadline. I was glad I hadnt put in yet, I would rather have even a few hundred dollar buffer. The family and their needs will always come first, as I'm sure you all do also. Just to jumpy right now not being able to find work yet.

[IHunt2live]

I have to say the my aplication was different this year in that I finnaly felt I have the time and put in for a tag and not just bounus points.

I feel sorry for those who have to make the choice wither they can afford to hunt or not. I HAVE TO HUNT, or no one would want to be around me. Thank goodness for quail so I don't have to wait for tags.

[tjhunt2]

I know a few who was effected to the point that they didn't put in or buy a bonus point this year. I wish I had the money to help out those who couldn't have. Years ago when I was out of work my wife just about killed me when times were bad and I took the house payment and made sure the permits got in. I still have that same priority today. I think somehow those who have it in their blood, as bad as me, will continue to find a way. I missed one year of putting in for big horn years ago, due to being out of work, and it has haunted me ever since. I will sell the house, the truck, the wife, " well maybe not the wife", but everything else if I have to.

 

TJ

[25-06]

I will sell the house, the truck, the wife, " well maybe not the wife", but everything else if I have to.

 

TJ

Just to hunt I would do the same....

[AZMEATHUNTER]

tj,

thats epic!!! i quit a job about 10 years ago because my forman didn't understand the "big deal" about an elk tag man i though my wife was going to hang me by my big toe..lol that year she finally got it.

 

as for me this year just look at my user name and that will tell you what i did.

put my 21 year old in for rifle antelope 13 bps come on lucky 13!!!!!!!!

put me in for archery speed goats...love them backstraps!!!

put us both in for our anual " summer sausage" cow elk hunt...

azmeat

[Coach]

Great Topic, and this is something I would love to hear the Commission respond to. I was hoping to put myself, my wife and my two sons in for elk and antelope this year with the hopes that at least one of us would draw - however the total amount of checks I would have written would have been OVER $800. Most of that would get refunded but still - in these times I just can't see forking out that kind of money as an interest free loan to G&F. Ended up just getting BPs for the kids for antelope since the draw odds are so slim and my wife opted not to put in at all - too expensive she said....Kind of goes against the whole "new hunter recruitment" goal, IMO.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

Good idea Gino but this is a hunting web site

and I am sure it will not reflect the results of Arizonans in general.

 

Thanks, Mike!

 

I think that the pole numbers show pretty high numbers considering just that. If the hunting Junkies have to make changes/choices, just imagine what the recreational hunter are doing with their apps..... I know several families that did exactly what Jason (AZOnecam) did. Heck, Colton (my Son) had to make a choice... he put in for elk and only BP for goats.... That is 30% less Antelope apps in my house... and it looks like even among the Junkies there may be 25% less goat apps???? That could make a big difference in draw odds.....