AZ Wildlife news,

[az4life]

I read the latest email from AGFD and was amazed at the first 2 articles. Article 1 is discussing the proposed fee increases, and article 2 discusses the HRR (Hunter Retention program) I noted the info from the core HRR group did not cite any tag fees as concerns but the committe met back in 2004. Also noted the proposals to increase hunter opportunity (tag redisribution) seem to have grown from this committee.

I sent in 2 more scorching letters of my dissatisfaction, and urge others to do the same. Keep the heat on the commission or we can kiss our western way of life goodbye.

 

IMO These 2 articles together is sort of like placing a turd next to a punchbowl.

Text below....

 

Fees increases are coming before the commission for final approval

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is scheduled to finalize the rule-making process for proposed fee increases on most hunting and fishing licenses, tags, stamp and permits during the Saturday, Feb. 11 portion of its two-day meeting in Yuma.

 

The Game and Fish Commission is meeting at the Shilo Inn, 2550 S. Castle Dome Road, Yuma, on Feb. 10-11 starting at 8 a.m. both days.

 

The department is still accepting written comments on proposed fee increases until Feb. 6. Comments can be submitted by sending an e-mail to rulemaking@azgfd.gov. Public comments received will be provided to the commission for consideration during its Feb. 11 meeting. Although the department originally planned to present final rulemaking in March, the department notified the public earlier this year that it will instead present final rule changes in February.

 

If approved by the commission, the increases would not become law until the department obtains final approval from the Governor's Regulatory Review Council. If approved, the increased fees would become effective for 2007 licenses and tags.

 

The proposed changes include:

 

* Increased fees for resident and nonresident big game hunt permit-tags, adoption of Class J and K family hunting and fishing licenses, and adoption of the Class L, M, and N super conservation hunting and fishing licenses.

* An equal increase for resident and nonresident guide licenses.

* A new class of reduced-price junior hunt permit-tags for elk, deer, javelina and turkey at an equal cost for resident and nonresident youth.

* Elimination of the proposed Class A premium hunt permit-tags for deer and elk.

 

Examples of the new pricing structure include a general resident fishing license going from $18 to $23.50, a resident elk tag increasing from $78 to $114, a resident deer tag going from $19.50 to $34.75, a resident combination hunt and fish license increasing from $44 to $54, and a youth combination hunt and fish license going from $25.50 to $26.50.

 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department sought the increases through the rulemaking process after the Arizona Legislature approved higher fee caps last year. The new fees were sought to help the department meet increasing operating expenses and to address program priorities.

 

If you have questions or would like a copy of the changes, you can visit the department's Web site at azgfd.gov or contact Carlos Ramirez, the department's rule writer, at (602) 789-3288 or at rulemaking@azgfd.gov.

 

Efforts are underway to increase hunter retention

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has recently undertaken efforts to explore opportunities for increasing hunter and shooter retention and recruitment in the state.

 

In September of 2004, the department chartered a Hunter and Shooting Sports Retention Team (HRR Team) to evaluate potential barriers to hunting sports and to identify specific recommendations that can be adopted by the department to address declining participation in hunting and shooting sports. These trends reflect a national phenomenon that has been experienced by state wildlife agencies throughout the country. Game and Fish?s Pinetop Regional Supervisor Jon Cooley, who chaired the HRR Team, provided the Arizona Game and Fish Commission with a briefing of the team?s findings during the commission?s Jan. 20 meeting in Scottsdale.

 

One tool the HRR Team used during the process was to conduct an online hunter needs assessment survey that was distributed to 50,000, with the department receiving responses from approximately 7,000 people, the majority of which consisted of active Arizona hunters. The survey participants identified several factors that represented ?barriers? to their participation in hunting, including:

 

* Not getting drawn for a big game tag ? 90 percent.

* Urbanization/development of hunting areas ? 65 percent.

* Lack of time ? 59 percent.

* Off-highway vehicle disruption ? 54 percent.

* Overcrowding ? 51 percent.

 

The ability to go big game hunting might be a barrier to participation, but the HRR Team also recognized other hunting opportunities as a way to diminish barriers and increase recruitment. ?Among the major themes reflected in the approaches recommended by the HRR Team is emphasizing small game hunting as a vehicle to promote hunting recruitment and retention and to serve as a bridge to the more limited big game hunting opportunities,? said Cooley.

 

The HRR Team developed12 main recommendations as the base of a comprehensive hunter recruitment and retention program, which are broadly highlighted in the following:

 

1. Construct a comprehensive property management plan for the Robbins Butte, Powers Butte and Arlington Wildlife Management Area complex to promote small game opportunity and provide a venue for hunter recruitment/retention activities.

2. Develop a short-term hunting lease program through landowner relations designed to obtain access to private lands for small game hunting opportunities.

3. Implement enhancements to the department?s Hunter Education Program that promote course convenience and flexibility to customers and that further institute adaptive management evaluation/management practices that mitigate potential barriers to entry.

4. Charter a team to identify improvements in the delivery of hunting information through the annual regulations booklet in a manner that encourages and facilitates use and understanding by new/inexperienced hunters in particular.

5. Evaluate existing big-game draw and hunt structures to maximize hunting opportunity on a sustainable basis.

6. Institute special licenses that promote participation of new hunters through family/friend social structures that serve to reinforce and support hunting activities.

7. Create department positions, public information and outreach efforts, and Web site enhancements that promote and support hunter recruitment/retention programs and activities.

8. Create a new hunter recruitment and retention coordinator position within the Information and Education Division to launch and coordinate the implementation of department hunter recruitment/retention programs, activities and promotions.

9. Establish a full-time shooting range development coordinator position in the Information and Education Division to promote convenient public access to shooting sports/ranges.

10. Launch coordinated, department-wide public information and outreach efforts that promote hunting and otherwise reinforce hunter recruitment/retention efforts and activities made available to the public.

11. Update the department?s strategic planning documents to proactively address urban encroachment as it relates to maintaining small game hunting opportunities in proximity to urban areas, which serve to advance hunter recruitment and retention efforts.

12. Conduct periodic/annual reviews of important hunt draw and license sales data and trends and apply adaptive management practices to department hunter recruitment/retention programs as needed.

 

Various HRR Team recommendations are already being implemented. For instance, the big game hunt guidelines were significantly revamped this year in light of the hunter retention team recommendations. Efforts were also increased to provide small game hunters better information on where to go for quail, doves, rabbits and waterfowl. The department developed a Hunter Newsletter and a process has been initiated to look at improving the hunt regulation booklet.

[ronaldo]

It does not surprise me Jon Cooley is behind all this mess......he couldnt make it with the WMAT so now hes sticking it to us...

Ronaldo

[Couesi1]

Another cheap shot, that was uncalled for. I don't know about all you others on the site, but disagreement and active dialogue on any topic like this is fine and encouraged. However I must add that getting personal serves no useful purpose. I hope that kind of stuff stops occurring. I remember reading a string in the past where everyone said they didn't want to be like those other sites. It's time to walk the talk. When this process is over, there will still be a game and fish department and us. It's time to work together. The stuff about working with the local wardens on the water catchment repairs is something that is useful. Why don't we channel our efforts there instead of crafting cheap shots. We owe our best efforts to the deer we love so much. Come on Gang!!!! Is anyone else with me???

c-1

[coueshunter]

I agree that all of us need to attempt to work together and unify behind a common goal. There is a real apathy problem with sportspeople that dont go to commission meetings or support and get involved in a wildlife group. Currently within AZ we are seeing the AZGFD back away from some sportsmen groups like ADA because the commission sees the group as only the board members and not the members. Most times only the board members voice their concerns, go to the meetings etc etc and now the AZGFD will take a stance that may not be right but is understandable, they dont take a group like ADA seriously. There is a major issue with redistribution of coues tags from the december hunts to the october and november hunts and because AZGFD doesnt perceive ADA as much more than a voice from its few board members and not a cohesive group of members, AZGFD is not listening to ADA. Right now is our chance as concerned Arizona sportspeople to join a group like ADA, get involved and voice our opinions via email or in person to AZGFD and not just post our objections on a website..........Allen Taylor..........

[DesertBull]

I agree that all of us need to attempt to work together and unify behind a common goal.  There is a real apathy problem with sportspeople that dont go to commission meetings or support and get involved in a wildlife group.  Currently within AZ we are seeing the AZGFD back away from some sportsmen groups like ADA because the commission sees the group as only the board members and not the members.  Most times only the board members voice their concerns, go to the meetings etc etc and now the AZGFD will take a stance that may not be right but is understandable, they dont take a group like ADA seriously.  There is a major issue with redistribution of coues tags from the december hunts to the october and november hunts and because AZGFD doesnt perceive ADA as much more than a voice from its few board members and not a cohesive group of members, AZGFD is not listening to ADA.  Right now is our chance as concerned Arizona sportspeople to join a group like ADA, get involved and voice our opinions via email or in person to AZGFD and not just post our objections on a website..........Allen Taylor..........

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Just playing the devils advocate here, so don't take this the wrong way. Isn't one of the reasons to join a group like ADA is so that we can have a dedicated spokesman represent a large group of us at funtions like the Commission meeting?

 

I agree that we should all voice our concerns, but how come the G&F can't realize that a group like ADA is formed so that we can have someone represent us at these funtions? Seems to me they feel threatened by such groups and are scared they might weild too much influence. I'll bet they don't ignore the ADA, RMEF, etc when they have some money or man power to help with their projects?

[coueshunter]

I dont disagree, just passing along what AZGFD just got done telling ADA. Basically since only a handfull of people from ADA have been involved over the years, AZGFD thinks that those people speak and not the membership. I dont have an easy answer but the more involved in commission meetings and public gatherings we as members can be, the more AZGFD will listen. ApparenAtly on the last Yuma issue regarding the bowhunting dates for Elk, there was a great turnout from AZ bowhunters Association and only a couple people from ADA so the prevailing thought is ADA and other groups who's members dont show up or speak out are not groups worth listening to. May not seem fair but this is the message being sent out...........Allen..........