AZ Game and Fish releases survey results

[Huntin'AZ]

The AGFD released their survey results that appear to show that hunters prefer quantity or quality. I could have swore that the ADA did there own survey that said the opposite.

 

 

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunter_study.shtml

 

A newly released independent study shows Arizona hunters feel having more opportunities to hunt is more important than hunt quality or outcome of the hunt.

 

“This agency has always prided itself on providing hunters with the highest quality hunting experience it can,” says Arizona Game and Fish Department Deputy Director Steve Ferrell. “However, hunt demand now far exceeds hunting opportunities. This survey provides us with another perspective for use in our management efforts so they may address our customers’ expectations.”

[dave]

Very disappointing but expected.

 

Here we go.

 

Can't wait for the sales tax initiative.

[coueshunter84]

Remember how the question s were worded. Thats about the only possible outcome they could have had.

[ultramag]

Remember how the question s were worded. Thats about the only possible outcome they could have had.

ya I know what you mean. those questions were kinda chicken sh!t and that was the outcome. ask for an inch take a mile.

[jamaro]

If I were a resident of AZ I would be very concerned about the tradition of hunting... If a kid only gets to hunt once every 6+ years he/she is going to lose interest real quick. I agree that hunting is about the experience not the trophy.

 

J-

[coueshunter84]

I'm done,

 

 

There is no way to appease everyone. I dont envy the position the G&F is in. I do not liek the changes they are making , but realise that other folks do. And no matter hwo the survey was worded. there are a whole bunch of folks who believe that way. Especially the folks who havent had a tag in an ungodly amount of years, the USO types who make a living on our hunting bonanza, the out of staters who want that once in a lifetime " western adventure" and the list goes on. Not many folks have the pateince to wait for a tag and believe they should have one every year.

 

And the G&F also seem to be money hungry. Maybe its just the way were precieving it. Its all in the point of view. Most the folks on here would probably be classified in the unusually dedicated catagory. Meaning we dont mind waiting a couple of years for a quality tag. but boy wouldnt it be nice to draw a Dec tag every year. or your unit 9 archery bull tag. Wouldnt hurt my feelings either. But I know its not going to happen and I'm ok with that. to a point. I have not seen an elk tag since 01 or a rifle coues tag since 02, I have never drawn an antelope tag here in AZ and it took me 10 years to draw my first turkey tag ever this year.

 

My kids are however doing pretty good on tags sor far. Last year I had one wanting to hunt and she drew the javy tag she wanted, and had an otc archery deer tag also. This year I now have 2 who will be hunting as both drew first choice on both javy and turkey. I'm kind of saddened by the fact that my hunting will now start ebbing off as they get older and hopefully want to hunt more. But its pretty cool to know I have instilled it in them.

 

I dont know, really I just dont know. Where do we go from here?

[DesertBull]

Here come the November archery elk tags, watch and see.

[mattys281]

So far, I'm 0 for 3 in both the elk & antelope draws here, so I can definetely understand people wanting to see more tags. And I know some of you have gotten skunked a lot longer than that. I would still rather see the emphasis be on a quality herd, though, rather than lots of tags. So this year if I don't draw a bull tag, I'm headin north to buy one over the counter in either Co. or Id. If some one else gets skunked and is interested, I could use some one to carpool with.

[DesertBull]

Remember how the question s were worded. Thats about the only possible outcome they could have had.

ya I know what you mean. those questions were kinda chicken sh!t and that was the outcome. ask for an inch take a mile.

 

We can hunt elk every year if we want. If it is just a hunting experience someone wants, they can draw a cow tag almost every time and it's a fun hunt and they are held at a great time of year to be in the high country with your family. If you want to hunt deer, you can draw an oct/nov tag almost every year, as it is now.

 

IMO, higher tag fees is more detrimental to hunter retention than not being drawn for a year or two. When a cow tag is $120 and you have 2-3 kids that want to hunt, that gets hard on the average family.

 

Anyway, the only way to change the direction the department is heading is to elect a new Gov and get rid of the greenies / bean counters on the commision.

[missedagain]

what a bunch of bullshit propaganda!! DesertBull hit it on the head, the people complaining that they can't get drawn are the people holding out for a monster tag!

The way those questions are worded they give you absolutely no meaningful information!! I am at a loss of why the g$f would waste money on a fixed survey like this when they are going to do whatever is in the best interest of their pocket book anyway!

 

coues84- you say that you haven't seen a coues tag since 02 and an elk tag since 01. This is because you put in for bull elk and dec coues tags (ie quality hunts) it is statistically impossible for you to have not drawn a november coues tag or a cow elk tag (ie oppurtunity hunts) in that time period. You are a perfect example of how this survey and are g$f are total bullshit. If just getting any tag was the most important thing to you, you would have had one by now.

 

I have to go now as I am becoming to angry to type!

[GameHauler]

My daughter had a Dec 1st bull tag this year. We had more troubles with other hunters screwing up our stocks than anything else. There were only 150 tags last year and this year they jumped it up to 300 . The quality of the hunt just went up in smoke because all your going to do is trip over other hunters.

How does G&F hope to recruit young hunters when the kid does draw a tag it not any fun because of all the hunting pressure.

Mike

[DesertBull]

IMO, they need to go to a system with waiting periods after drawing a tag and limit the number of applications each hunter can submit. That way you can still keep some quality hunts, but shuffle more people though. They would just have to decide what they REALLY want to hunt. Also, it's time to move rifle Antelope to the once in a life time status. Odds of drawing a tag are getting into the sheep level now.

 

Example:

 

Apply for only one from each group -

 

Rifle Antelope, Sheep, Buffalo (once in a lifetime)

Kaibab/Strip deer, December Coues Deer, Bull Elk (3 year waiting period)

All other deer, late bull elk, cow elk (one year waiting period)

 

Again, this is just a a quick example, not something that was thought out.

[GameHauler]

I don't think it was broke, what are they trying to fix?

[mattys281]

I've never held out for trophy units or "quality hunts". I just put in for the units I like, and have still managed to not draw. Admitedly, though, three years isn't very long to get skunked. I know folks who've waited longer. This year, I'll either draw or I'll drive, but one way or another I'm hunting bull elk in the fall.

[Rembrant]

All symptoms of a greater problem: overpopulation of humans. The blame lies nowhere. We've had this discussion numerous times. Pound on you keyboard and point your finger all you want; it won't change anything. The Dept is running a business and providing a service. There is no answer to having too many people in the state.

If you want to get drawn for everything all the time, then move to a state like Wyoming that has only one area code.

If you really think its a conspiracy then don't support the culprits - don't hunt. Why would you give money to someone you hate when you don't have to?

I don't like the problem either, but I'm not gonna let it steal my peace.

"...accept the the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Wise up.

Mike