Boquillas Ranch will include fee

[Outdoor Writer]

Big Boquillas Ranch access will include fee

 

Ranch Rules will go into effect on Aug. 15

 

SELIGMAN, Ariz. -- The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department are advising hunters, particularly Unit 10 hunt permit-tag holders, of some decisions made by the Big Boquillas Ranch regarding access to the ranch for the upcoming 2013 fall hunting season. These changes include implementation by the ranch operator of new "Ranch Rules" that charge a $60 recreational impact fee for most adults and govern allowable hunter activities.

 

The Department has been working diligently to maintain hunting access to private lands on the Big Boquillas Ranch since concerns expressed by the ranch operator and landowner about behavior exhibited by some users of land managed by the ranch led to their questioning continued access in 2012.

 

At this point there is no formal agreement between the Department, Cholla Livestock LLC, and the Navajo Nation. Cholla Livestock LLC has made the decision to exercise its right to implement Ranch Rules that include a recreational impact fee of $60 per adult for the upcoming hunt season, beginning with the August archery-only pronghorn and deer hunts. The Ranch Rules also address vehicular access, use of blinds, hunting in the vicinity of livestock waters, and other practices related to facilitating hunting on a working ranch. Everyone entering the ranch will be under the same rules and have the same opportunity for access. For more information on the fee and the Ranch Rules, including FAQs and contact information, visit www.huntbigboranch.com.

 

The Department, Cholla Livestock LLC, and the Navajo Nation -- which is the private landowner for the area -- will continue to work toward a signed agreement into the future that will ensure access is available and that the Ranch Rules remain reasonable for our constituents.

[Outdoor Writer]

Ranch Rules

 

It’s a good idea to bring a copy of the Ranch Rules with you while hunting at Big Bo. Your Permit E-mail contained a download link, or you can click here to download the Rules. (or right click, save link as)

 

2013 RANCH RULES:

1. “Recreational User” means any person (1) with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property; (1A) any person with a prairie dog permit for Aubrey Valley (2) any person scouting for a big game hunt that includes the Subject Property, (3) a guide as defined in A.R.S. § 17-101 and who is assisting a person with a big game permit, (4) any other person assisting or accompanying a person with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property.
   *** Recreational Users who are assisting or accompanying a person with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property must know and provide the name of the person that they are assisting and the hunt that they are assisting on.
2. Recreational Users must pay the Recreational Impact Fee and obtain a separate Ranch Access Permit for each hunt using the Big Boquillas Hunting website or at the Lessee’s office in Seligman, Arizona. The Ranch Access Permit will be valid beginning August 15, 2013. This permit includes the Big Boquillas Ranch within Game Management Unit 10 and will expire at midnight on second day after the conclusion of the hunt associated with Ranch Access Permit. Note: Guides and outfitters, please refer to Ranch Rules 5 and 6 below.
3. Exceptions to the requirement to pay the Recreational Impact Fee are:
   * Disabled veteran hunters.
   * Youth hunters (17 years old and under at the time of entry) and one mentor who assists the youth hunter.
   * Junior hunters who are participating in a Department sanctioned juniors-only big game hunt and all others assisting with that hunt during the hunt dates.
   * Youth, 14 years old and under, who are assisting or accompanying a person that is prairie dog hunting or possesses a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property.
   * Those Recreational Users for whom the Lessee and Department agree to waive access fees.
4. Recreational Users who intend to enter and remain on the Boquillas Ranch must sign in at one of the designated access points. All Recreational Users who enter and remain on the Big Boquillas Ranch must at all times possess a valid Ranch Access Permit. Permits are available at the Lessee’s office in Seligman, Arizona, or by purchasing the Permit online at the Big Boquillas Hunting website.
5. All guides and outfitters must register with the Lessee’s Hunt Manager, pay a $200.00 Recreational Impact Fee and provide proof of licensing and insurance when operating on the Big Boquillas Ranch. Each guide and outfitter is allowed two guides per contracted hunter in the field to scout and/or hunt. Each guide and outfitter must purchase their own individual permit. Other guide and outfitter employees, such as a cook, will purchase a hunter assist permit, but at no time will they be allowed to assist the hunter in scouting or hunting on the ranch. A guide and outfitter must have a hunter contracted for a hunt that lies within the boundaries of the Big Boquillas Ranch in order to enter the ranch to pre scout. In order to pre scout, a $200.00 Guides and Outfitters permit must be purchased.
6. Those holding an Arizona Game and Fish Department Special Tag and their guides/assistants may access the Big Boquillas Ranch during special tag season dates but must register with the Lessee’s Hunt Manager. Guides and outfitters must pay a $200.00 Recreational Impact Fee and provide proof of licensing and insurance when operating on the Big Boquillas Ranch. The same rules apply for guides and outfitters on special tag hunts, with two exceptions: 1. The special tag hunter must designate two individual guides by name for the duration of their season. 2. During the time the ranch is closed (December 18, 2013 to August 15, 2014) the two individual named guides must contact the director of hunting operations-hunt manager and notify him when they are going to enter the ranch to hunt or scout.
7. This access program for permitted Recreational Users to enter and hunt the Big Boquillas Ranch will begin August 15, 2013.
8. Access by Recreational Users to the Big Boquillas Ranch will close December 17, 2013. Access after that date is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch, unless otherwise expressly authorized in writing by the Lessee.
9. Ranch Rules will apply to all private property and Arizona State Trust Land that is accessed through private property within the Big Boquillas Ranch.
10. While on the Big Boquillas Ranch, a violation of any state statute or regulation or these Ranch Rules shall result in revocation of the Recreational User’s Ranch Access Pass and may result in permanent revocation of the privilege to access the Bog Boquillas Ranch. This applies to all private property and Arizona State Trust Land accessed through private property within the Big Boquillas Ranch.
11. Prior to entering the Big Boquillas Ranch, all adult Recreational Users must acknowledge in writing that the Recreational User has read and understood the Ranch Rules and agrees to abide by the Ranch Rules and accept responsibility for damage the Recreational User causes to the Big Boquillas Ranch. Each individual must keep a copy of their permit on their person at all times while on the ranch.
12. All other access on the Big Boquillas Ranch is forbidden unless written authorization is obtained from the Lessee (No Trespassing).
13. All vehicles must display on the dash board a copy of the permit for each individual that is associated with that vehicle.
14. Aerial scouting is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
15. The use of trail cameras, scouting cameras or any other automated remote camera systems is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
16. The construction of or use of blinds or tree stands (commercial or otherwise) is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
17. Hunting within 100 yards of a water source is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
18. Any off-road vehicle including ATVs and UTVs are prohibited (utilized or possessed) on the Big Boquillas Ranch. An exception will be made for those holding a Champ permit.
19. Horses, mules and donkeys (all equines) are prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
20. Off-road motorized big game retrieval is authorized only for the retrieval of elk on the Big Boquillas Ranch. When retrieving a harvested elk, hunters may make a single trip in and out using only one vehicle. Off-road motorized big game retrieval is not authorized when conditions are muddy. Motorized big game retrieval in walk-in only areas will be at the discretion of the Hunt Manager. Unless otherwise permitted, all other off-road travel is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
21. The use of any edible substance (including salt) to attract wildlife (baiting) is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
22. Walk-in only hunting areas may be identified periodically throughout the year. The purpose of these areas is to assist ranch operations. Hunters can check on the status of the walk-in areas, by contacting the hunt manager, contacting the ranch office in Seligman AZ, or by checking the Big Boquillias Hunting website.
23. Gates are an important management tool on the Big Boquillas Ranch. As gates are utilized on the ranch they must be left in the same condition as when they were found. Securely close gates that were closed and leave gates open that were already open. If there is any question on a gate status, contact the hunt manager or a ranch employee.
24. Cattle have the right of way at all times.
25. Improvements on State Trust Lands including corrals, troughs, tanks, dirt tanks, pipelines and fences are private property owned by the ranch. Respect the investments of the Ranch and preserve your privilege to hunt the Big Boquillas Ranch.
26. All spotlighting is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.
27. Within 200 yards of Big Boquillas Ranch residences the speed limit is 15 MPH.
28. Discharge of a firearm is !!!NOT!!! Permitted within a one mile radius of the Pica Camp Headquarters.
29. Hunters, Hunter assistant’s, Guides and Outfitters, will in no way interfere with other hunters during their hunt.

[Outdoor Writer]

Permits

 

• You must have already been drawn for a hunt in Game Management Unit 10 before you purchase your Big Boquillas Ranch Access Permit.
• Approximately 1/2 of Unit 10 is within the boundaries of the Big Boquillas Ra
• Permits are purchased here, online, or at our office in Seligman Arizona.
• There are 5 types of Ranch Access Permits:

  - Outfitters & Guides Permit (purchased through Hunt Manager only)

  - Hunt Permit ($60 – for hunters 18 yrs and older)

  - Junior Hunter Permit (FREE! – for hunters 17 yrs and younger)

  - Prairie Dog Permit ($60 – Aubrey Valley Only, on specified pastures only, valid for one week. Limited to 75 permits per week)

  - Hunter Assist Permit ($60 – for non-hunting companions)

• Non-hunting Kids under 15 do not require a permit and are Free!

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

I read up on this today and this is great info Tony Thanks.

I have only been in unit 10 one time and did not plan on hunting there but some freind's drew December elk tags there and it is a little shady they now have this fee. I think implementing could have waited at least for the fee part until next draw cycle. I know they said they would not have put in for the hunt had they known this ahead of time.

Sounds like it will improve hunt quality IMO. What might the penalty be for not having proper permits? Just curious.

"the pain to change must be greater than the pain not to change"

[Big Browns]

I'm concerned that more ranch owners will do the same around the state. This could be very bad for Hunters!!!!!!!!!!!

[aznate]

I have a friend who will eventually inherit part of 1,000 acres in Colorado. I asked him why his family doesn't charge or lease the land to hunters. He said that - once people have paid they feel entitled to trash the place. I hope the ranch knows what they are doing.

[naturegirl]

Not ever having hunted 10, I had to research the ranch and read the rules. Sounds like a place I'd like to hunt and pay the $$ to hunt there. Not sure how they enforce their rules, but the rules do not seem out of line and it sounds like the animals are their priority along with collecting some money.

 

No cameras, no salt, no blinds, no tree stands, no ATVs, no vehicle retrieval for elk if roads are muddy, and only 2 guides per hunter. Sounds like they are going old school and evening the playing field a little.