AZ Newbie Question

[Buzz_Saw]

Please forgive my ignorance, but I am more than a little confused by AZ Hunting and Fishing Regulations. I did apply for Elk, Deer and Javelina permits for the management area where my land is located in SE AZ. Did not get a tag. Did not understand that buy additional chances thing.

 

I understand there is a first come provision for leftovers, but that is another subject.

 

I cannot find anyone on or off Fort Huachuca to tell me how that works. I am eligible. Tucson AZGFD is not clear. Huachuca is clueless. Someone must know..

 

But what I REALLY want to know is if I can shoot a white-tail on my own property during the appropriate season without a permit tag, and if so, do I need a tag, and if so, how do I get one?

 

If I do not need a permit or a tag for game on my own land where can I find that information, especially as regards reporting. Having lived in FL where there are lots and lots and lots of white tails that I could shoot out my bedroom window at the farm with just a FL hunting license I am stymied by the perverse seeming AZ system. I do understand the need for game management and support it wholeheartedly, but hey, I lived in MD for several years, you know, that socialist State? There they beg people to do deer hunts within city limits at times to reduce the deer population there. And if you can hit a pie plate at about 25 yards you can hunt on Ft Meade, but I digress.

 

If I cannot shoot a deer in AZ on my own land to put in my freezer, I guess I can eat a lot of jack rabbit. I am afraid to hunt squirrels because there is this one version up in the Pinalenos that is endangered, and it is not enough different looking from the others for me to distinguish. I have only been hunting squirrels for over 50 years.

 

Please help me erase a little of my ignorance.

 

Thanks!

[krp]

You must have a tag to take a deer, archery is over the counter and you can only hunt in an appropiate season. Unless you are in an area that will have leftover tags where you live archery will be the only choice. If you get a rifle tag you will only be able to shoot out your window if your property has no one else living within 1/4 mile, or permission granted.

 

Kent

[AZWildcat]

Your best bet is to get a set of regs at walmart (or other type store) and read the requirements. Once you have read and still do not understand, I would give the game and fish a call. As far as shooting deer on your property.....Kent is correct in needing a tag. In AZ the landowner does not own the game on the land, the state of Arizona does. Sorry for the bummer, but with very few animals this is the only way we can preserve for other generations.

[gotcoues]

That's a pretty funny post. You'll get it all figured out soon, unfortunately it sounds like your in for lots of dissapointment (lottery system). I would also suggest grabbing regs or even throwing your phone number out there. Tons of people would love to call and chat for a while I'm sure! Good luck on AZ hunting.

[billrquimby]

I wish we could shoot game on our own property. There were five bull elk in my yard at first light today.

 

Bill Quimby

[bustedknuckleinc]

I wish we could shoot game on our own property. There were five bull elk in my yard at first light today.

 

Bill Quimby

 

 

Why dont you just rub it in!!!

[Buzz_Saw]

Thanks everyone for the clarification. I have, in fact, read AZ regulations over and over and over. You answered my leftover questions. Speaking of hunting own land, in FL, if you own 160 contiguous acres you can shoot any sex deer during the season about as often as you like.

 

I do have a 1/4 mile of land, so if I had a bedroom with a window, I COULD shoot a deer from said window. Did it exactly once in FL. Same thing applies as shooting a pistol from inside a car. Not recommended. Loud, very, very, loud. That is why well place rolls of hay make great cover and good rests when placed in the back yard next to the pasture.

 

I did not have a grasp of how limited the deer population is in AZ; thus the tag requirement, I guess. I see deer all over the place. I saw two of the biggest Coues I have seen in AZ on Fort Huachuca the other day. All the others, sometimes in herds, have been little bitty buggers. That seems to me to mean they are maxing the carrying capacity of the area. Shoot more, get bigger ones, later? Census off?

 

Is it like bass, if you keep too many big ones, only the small ones get left behind?

 

One thing I have not fully explored is the depradation provision for Elk in Graham County. Seems those elk just love to munch from the orchards, and the pomologists are not keen on such, so AZ is trying to eliminate Elk in our southeast AZ mountains. Kind of sad. I would rather pay the farmers for their losses, so there could be more elk to hunt.

 

I look forward to spending many of my waning years learning the ropes and maybe someday having some of my own earned AZ venizen.

 

Cheers!