2025 hunt guidelines

[HuntHarder]

A few numbers on Unit 1 and 27 archery.  The harvest / limit they wanted in 2024 was 45 deer in Unit 1 and 90 in unit 27.  What they got because the unit had to stay open at a very minimum of 6 days ( first Wednesday after open)  was 80 deer killed in Unit 1 and 110 deer killed in unit 27.   I love OTC deer hunting more than most, but know that going forward, it will likely be a thing of the past.  More hunters, better technology, declining MD herds all contribute.  It is only a matter of time until OTC is gone.  Having a 1 week or 5 day season would still go considerably over their intended objective.  No easy solutions unfortunately.  It will continue to be a trickle effect until it is draw only.  

[BOHNTR]

4 minutes ago, HuntHarder said:

A few numbers on Unit 1 and 27 archery.  The harvest / limit they wanted in 2024 was 45 deer in Unit 1 and 90 in unit 27.  What they got because the unit had to stay open at a very minimum of 6 days ( first Wednesday after open)  was 80 deer killed in Unit 1 and 110 deer killed in unit 27.   I love OTC deer hunting more than most, but know that going forward, it will likely be a thing of the past.  More hunters, better technology, declining MD herds all contribute.  It is only a matter of time until OTC is gone.  Having a 1 week or 5 day season would still go considerably over their intended objective.  No easy solutions unfortunately.  It will continue to be a trickle effect until it is draw only.  

They could reduce that number by simply closing the unit 48 hours after the threshold is met instead of the next Wednesday.  

[654321]

1 hour ago, ctracingraptor said:

I agree with you, but sticking it in the general draw isn’t the answer. Change the process instead of. Those units could have a 1 week only season, or a 5 day only season and it would resolve the issue. Or even a mandatory daily check on tag status similar to a bear hunt. It’s b.s. those are great units. My point is there are other ways to manage this other than ripping the carpet out from underneath hunters 

Unit 1 archery was basically a 6 day hunt, Friday to Wednesday and then closed.  It went to a draw for a reason and should have never gone back to OTC. At least AZGFD was smart enough to now put it back to a draw. As for bear it is set up exactly like the deer. It doesn’t matter if the sow quota was 1 for a unit if 15 sows were killed opening day it still wouldn’t close until sundown on the following Wednesday.  

[idgaf]

August otc is my version of Christmas.  I have spent more time hunting unit 1 than most.   I don't think harvest is the only factor  g&f is considering. The amount of hunters over the last few years since they instituted harvest objectives is absolutely insane and I am sure only increase.

Secondly,  g&f needs to institute mandatory reporting for draw tags as well to get a more accurate version of harvest. 

It is with mixed emotions and some sadness that I support the draw for these units.  

[HuntHarder]

1 hour ago, BOHNTR said:

They could reduce that number by simply closing the unit 48 hours after the threshold is met instead of the next Wednesday.  

This could reduce, but doubtful it would be by much in the "problem units".  You currently have 48 hours to report your kill.  Add another 48 and you could be looking at a minimum of 4-5 days of total hunting, IF majority of kills were on opening day.  Not much less when talking about units that close 6 days after opening.  I do think overall the 48 hour rule would be better tho.  A reduction is a reduction.  If the harvest objective # hits on a Wednesday, the 48 hour rule would be great! I would imagine a significant reduction.   I know the unit I typically hunt in, closed in middle January and 25% more deer were killed than the objective wanted.  Basically, that last week, 8 deer died in a unit with less than 25 objective.  

 

[BOHNTR]

36 minutes ago, HuntHarder said:

This could reduce, but doubtful it would be by much in the "problem units".  You currently have 48 hours to report your kill.  Add another 48 and you could be looking at a minimum of 4-5 days of total hunting, IF majority of kills were on opening day.  Not much less when talking about units that close 6 days after opening.  I do think overall the 48 hour rule would be better tho.  A reduction is a reduction.  If the harvest objective # hits on a Wednesday, the 48 hour rule would be great! I would imagine a significant reduction.   I know the unit I typically hunt in, closed in middle January and 25% more deer were killed than the objective wanted.  Basically, that last week, 8 deer died in a unit with less than 25 objective.  

 

Must report within 24 hours, closes in 48.  There’s no reason to wait 48 hours to report in today’s electronic world, IMO. 

[NOTAGS]

AZGF needs to grow a  pair, and make all reporting mandatory , or no draw the following year. Their piece meal approach is  a joke.  This is mandatory, but this is not….wth?  NM requires it, the Navajo Nation requires it…  the whole “ we don’t want to lose hunter retention and recruitment “ BS has sailed.