tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 First of all I would like to thank the 8 men and women who attended tonight's open public meeting in Mesa on AZGFD's new Conceptual License/Tag Structure & Fees. The rest of the 31 in attendance were from azgfd. When I first heard of this fee increase I was outraged and furious and knew nothing was going to keep me from this meeting and expressing my opinion. After sitting and listening to what they had to say I actually liked some of their ideas on their new proposals along with fee increases. Now before you stone me to death I ask you to read thru it. I will tell you I did not like or agree with their Conceptual Tag Structure & Fees. The Premium Deer and Premium Elk Structure sucks in my opinion and I let them know how I actually felt. I also expressed my dislike on them wanting to increase our $7.50 application fee to $13. The premium elk tags would increase from our current $114 to $200 on all early sept & early oct rifle, muzzle loader, and archery hunts in every unit. The premium deer hunts would increase from our current $34.75 to $100. This would include all units above the big river along with all dec hunts in every unit of the state including all archery hunts as well. I know most of you are saying it doesn't matter what we say because they have made up their minds but I hope and encourage each of you would take the time to attend an upcoming meeting or email the azgfd with your comments. I know these meeting were a short notice and many of you couldn't possibly make it tonight. I would like to thank the azgfd for opening this up to the public tonight and for their patience in some of us expressing our dislike towards a few of their license/tag structure & fees. Thank you! TJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motoxno53 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Tucson's meeting is tonight at 6:00PM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted May 21, 2013 here is the list of all meetings/times Thursday, May 16, Pinetop, Pinetop Fire Department, Station #2, 5976 Buck Springs Road. Monday, May 20, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway (Note: This meeting will also be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast). Monday, May 20, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive. Tuesday, May 21, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road. Wednesday, May 22, Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road. Wednesday, May 22, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St. Thursday, May 23, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road. Thursday, May 23, Page, Page Police Department Conference Room, 808 Coppermine Road. Tuesday, May 28, Globe, Besh Ba Gowah Museum, 1324 S. Jesse Hayes Road. Tuesday, May 28, Lake Havasu City, Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center, 100 Park Ave. Tuesday, May 28, Sierra Vista (meeting starts after the 6 p.m. hunt guidelines meeting), Sierra Vista Police Department, 911 N. Coronado Drive. Wednesday, May 29, Payson, Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road. Wednesday, May 29, Safford, Graham County General Services Building, 921 Thatcher Blvd. Wednesday, May 29, Wickenburg, Wickenburg Community Center, 160 N. Valentine St. Thursday, May 30, Eagar, Eagar Town Council Chambers, 22 W. 2nd St. Thursday, May 30, Prescott, Yavapai County Building, 1015 Fair St. Thursday, June 6, Ajo, Ajo Ambulance, Inc., 1850 N. Ajo Gila Bend Hwy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krp Report post Posted May 21, 2013 It's very important to express your thoughts in emails, this was emphasized last night repeatedly... as these are not even recomendations yet. This is still evolving. The commissioners have only approved going to the public for opinion at this time... voice that opinion. Kent 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Headed for the wickenburg meet, I may be one of 2 there but we will see Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJMauro12 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 How long did the meeting in mesa last? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 How long did the meeting in mesa last? How long did the meeting in mesa last? It lasted about 2hrs. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJMauro12 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Was the commission at that meeting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Siwash Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Will try to make Tucson tonight, thanks for posting the meeting dates/times. Will also say I'm glad I used my tax return to buy a lifetime hunting/fishing license two years ago. I know it would pay for itself, but I didn't think it would start to happen this fast... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jcubed Report post Posted May 21, 2013 Anyone else going to the Tucson meeting? I'm going to try and make it as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted May 21, 2013 TJ did they happen to mention what exactly they are trying to gather from the public- is it a simple yes or no or are they looking for articluated responses. For instance what would be the difference between 300 people against the changes versus to 20,000 people against the changes. Is this going to have any actual weight on there decision making? I take the "premium hunt" increases pesonally I have waited a decade for a tag which Im sure they consider "premium". With the given increase in application fees and the actual tag fee it very well could soon be out of my range to go on a "premium hunt" that I have been in line for more than 10 years. I would be forced to take a november hunt with these new standards and this does not sit well with me. They say hunting in Arizona is a "privelege" and this is why you can not sue for monetary value with the given system for not drawing a tag. However, with this new Tier system I do not fall in the premium hunt price range anymore. And I feel this eliminates the whole concept of it being a privelege.uggh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 21, 2013 TJ did they happen to mention what exactly they are trying to gather from the public- is it a simple yes or no or are they looking for articluated responses. For instance what would be the difference between 300 people against the changes versus to 20,000 people against the changes. Is this going to have any actual weight on there decision making? I take the "premium hunt" increases pesonally I have waited a decade for a tag which Im sure they consider "premium". With the given increase in application fees and the actual tag fee it very well could soon be out of my range to go on a "premium hunt" that I have been in line for more than 10 years. I would be forced to take a november hunt with these new standards and this does not sit well with me. They say hunting in Arizona is a "privelege" and this is why you can not sue for monetary value with the given system for not drawing a tag. However, with this new Tier system I do not fall in the premium hunt price range anymore. And I feel this eliminates the whole concept of it being a privelege.uggh Breau, what I took away from last night's meeting is that these are not recommendations yet as krp posted earlier in his post. However, with that said, and how I wish I'm wrong, something in the back of my mind makes me think that these are exactly what the commissioners have in mind and are bound by a set of rules that make these meetings reguired in a set of steps to let the public think their opinions really do count. Maybe I'm not making much sense here but for the sake of hoping I'm wrong I'm going to try and keep positive that these meetings just might make a difference. Breau, you have a very good point on the "premium hunts" and I encourage you to e-mail your exact comments to the department of g&f. I really want to stay positive so I've told myself I will and will continue to ask each and everyone of you to do the same with all your comments and opinions forwarded to azgfd. Not really sure I answered your question Breau. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted May 22, 2013 I will generate an email to the appropriate recipients. I will also make sure I spell privilege right lol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted May 22, 2013 Thanks TJ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted May 22, 2013 These meetings are just like with baiting they will listen and then do exactley what they want. I will be at the kingman meeting to vote against the premium tags. I do like some of the liscense changes but this premium thing sucks. My guess is they already have their price range set and it will be a little cheaper than what is posted. They will probally go with 20 dollars cheaper on most of the tags and then say we listened and lowered the price of what we were suggesting. I'm taking the wife and a buddy so we can get no's against the premium tags. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
