Ideas on conserving our game.

[OpticNerd]

This is by no means an insult to the guys who suggested this but I'm having a hard time seeing how a change in the current bonus system could in anyway help increase animal numbers. Every other suggestion made I can see how it might help increase our herds but the bonus point system change has me stumped.

 

I would also like to add this hypothetical thought if the G&F does in fact lower the tag numbers and raise the cost of said tags then how long would it take until they raise the tag numbers back up but keep the higher price of the tags? I can see how a drastic increase in tag costs like this could cause more bad than good especially for your run of the mill common hunter that have a hard enough time as it is forking down the cash for a tag at current prices.

[naturegirl]

Harvest report mandatory. Everything is a guess without it.

 

I was impressed with the reporting system for many species when I hunted in Illinois. Much more detailed than what we have here and it's some valuable information they are receiving back from their hunters.

[CouesPursuit]

1- We need to get out and kill more predators. If anyone isn't familiar with the 3-Bar Wildlife Area and study, you should read about it. Before the enclosure was opened up, something like 120 whitetail and mule deer were having a party in a single square mile with no predators, and no significant habitat damage after several years of drought, in the desert. Sure, lack of precip and habitat conditions influence population dynamics, but predators are and always will be #1. The department could implement something to entice that control.

 

2- I'm also talking about 2 legged predators, more people need to familiarize themselves with the firearm or bow in their hand, and not take every shot they think they can make. We have all heard the stories about wounded animals and that is something we can often control. We need more 'one shot one kills' across the board (or at least more 'only one animal shot at' kills). Also food for thought, many of the animals that are being wounded are often the "trophy" animals whose absence are what many folks are concerned about. We need to stop helping feed the coyotes.

 

3- Habitat restoration. The reason this is #3 and not #1 is that it is slowly happening. Just recently (and still ongoing), the public came to terms with what smokey the bear did to our forests. There are some big things happening in the Arizona forest industry and some big players getting the word out. Again, it will be a slow battle but it is happening.

 

 

Tag numbers down and prices up? Sorry, but that's a terrible idea in a realistic world. We need to maintain the recruitment and most of the folks unhappy with the game right now make up a low percentage of the total hunting population.

[Sam]

Introduce a senior only hunt for antelope, deer and elk to all those who have a pioneer hunting license. Many older folks are running out of time. Draw only for these folks.

 

Mandatory harvest questionnaires. To cut down on postage - the username, password and permit number should be emailed to all those who applied online. Continue with the online version to complete the questionnaire.

 

Waiting period of one year to all those who draw a bull elk tag or a premium deer tag (December whitetail/mule deer or Kaibab or strip tag).

[trphyhntr]

wow. some of these suggestions have me rolling on the floor laughing my butt off.

[HuntHarder]

I think it is really easy for a guy with money to say double the price of tags. This is NOT a good solution. I have never had a problem paying for my tag, and I feel fortunate to not have had that problem. There are many, many families that do have problems getting their family's out to hunt because of funds. So, does this mean that only people with money should be able to hunt? heck NO, that will be the demise of hunting.

 

I am from the belief of more trophy hunts vs. opportunity hunts. I know I am in the minority for sure. Let's get serious, most guys that go online to discuss hunting, probably take their hunting more serious than the average joe. Not aimed at you Average Joe. LOL. With that being said, the majority of the hunters in this state would rather hunt every other year than wait 8 years for a tag.

 

A tag is exactly what you make it. Trophy caliber animals can be taken on ANY hunt. Do you homework, put your time in, and the results will speak for themselves. Look at some of the more well known guides. Is it a coincidence that they seem to take trophy animals on their own tags?

 

I guess I am just sick of everyone saying to increase tag prices and cut tags. I wish AzGFD would do this and watch those same guys piss and moan until year's end. You think not having a tag every 10 years is bad, well, if they reduce tags, it will be every 15 years. In an average healthy life, you MIGHT get in 4 bull elk hunts. Those who complain, keep putting in for the top 10% tags in the state, and then wonder why they never get drawn..... It is not rocket science, look at Tjhunt2, he hunts elk darn near every year.

 

Go to commission meetings and actually speak up if you have a problem with the current guidelines. Too many keyboard cowboys with the solution to all the wildlife problems.

[100%DIYazCOUES]

I see what you're saying huntharder.I don't make a lot of money and to me it would be well worth the sacrifice of paying double to have half the tags issuedfor deer.it would be the only possible way to satisfy the g&f money wise.also the higher quality experience,deer numbers, and deer maturity would be undeniable.would be money well spent to me personally,and its a very viable solution that most hunters I know would be happy with(yes I'm aware that it won't actually happen)

[Snapshot]

I don't have money, and I say double the price, if that's what it would take to keep units from overcrowding, and overhunting.

[twowindy]

Get rid of the online draw system and make everyone pay up front like it use to be.Im sure this would cut down on the number of apps.

[5guyshunting]

Get rid of the online draw system and make everyone pay up front like it use to be.Im sure this would cut down on the number of apps.

what you said.

[sherman]

A lot of these ideas are good ones but what if they did away with otc tags after the draw that way people would have to really choose what hunt to go after rather than i will put in for a premium tag and if i don't get it i will get a BP and pick up a leftover tag. I feel strongly that with technology getting better some people are talking way to long of shots imo. I know it takes skill to make a 500+ yard shot but at that distance is it really hunting or snipping. If they put limits on that it will make a difference. And last i was told if a rangefinder was used on a hunt the animal would not be entered into the record books i might be off but i don't think so.

[Bambikiller]

I have hunted in az for 20 years. I see as many elk now as i did 20 years ago. I see pics of 350-400" elk taken every year. I have taken 6 elk in 12 years. I have hunted the units people say there arent big bulls and see many big bulls. They arent standing on the side of the roads anymore. You have to put in the legwork. Why everyone is bitching about all this is besides me! I guess no one cares about anything but trophy's. Somehow it is all about taking a big 400" bull or 130" coues and anything less is unacceptable. I hunt the same units as everyone else here. I seldom see people. I see plenty of mature animals. On coues hunts i can expect to see anywhere from 1 or 2 bucks a day on a bad day to 10-20 on a good day. On elk hunts even more. So what is the problem? Do you want them standing on the roads or what? Cutting tags in half is frikkin ridiculous. Raising the prices will just cut out hunting all together for the poorest of hunters. But hey as long as you can hunt with less pressure in the field right?

 

Funny thing again is that every state thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Other states love Arizona's model and bonus point system. Utah colorado wyoming idaho all think there state is the worst. They all bag on game and fish, they all think they could do better. Lol.

 

I think all it comes down to is that trophy hunters are selfish aholes. They want it all for them with bulls around every corner and not another hunter in sight. Well welcome to the real world where you have to share with us POS meat hunters who are happy to be in the field with friends and family enjoying hunting for more than the size of animals they hunt.

[Bambikiller]

I have hunted in az for 20 years. I see as many elk now as i did 20 years ago. I see pics of 350-400" elk taken every year. I have taken 6 elk in 12 years. I have hunted the units people say there arent big bulls and see many big bulls. They arent standing on the side of the roads anymore. You have to put in the legwork. Why everyone is bitching about all this is besides me! I guess no one cares about anything but trophy's. Somehow it is all about taking a big 400" bull or 130" coues and anything less is unacceptable. I hunt the same units as everyone else here. I seldom see people. I see plenty of mature animals. On coues hunts i can expect to see anywhere from 1 or 2 bucks a day on a bad day to 10-20 on a good day. On elk hunts even more. So what is the problem? Do you want them standing on the roads or what? Cutting tags in half is frikkin ridiculous. Raising the prices will just cut out hunting all together for the poorest of hunters. But hey as long as you can hunt with less pressure in the field right?

 

Funny thing again is that every state thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Other states love Arizona's model and bonus point system. Utah colorado wyoming idaho all think there state is the worst. They all bag on game and fish, they all think they could do better. Lol.

 

I think all it comes down to is that trophy hunters are selfish aholes. They want it all for them with bulls around every corner and not another hunter in sight. Well welcome to the real world where you have to share with us POS meat hunters who are happy to be in the field with friends and family enjoying hunting for more than the size of animals they hunt.

[Bambikiller]

I have hunted in az for 20 years. I see as many elk now as i did 20 years ago. I see pics of 350-400" elk taken every year. I have taken 6 elk in 12 years. I have hunted the units people say there arent big bulls and see many big bulls. They arent standing on the side of the roads anymore. You have to put in the legwork. Why everyone is bitching about all this is besides me! I guess no one cares about anything but trophy's. Somehow it is all about taking a big 400" bull or 130" coues and anything less is unacceptable. I hunt the same units as everyone else here. I seldom see people. I see plenty of mature animals. On coues hunts i can expect to see anywhere from 1 or 2 bucks a day on a bad day to 10-20 on a good day. On elk hunts even more. So what is the problem? Do you want them standing on the roads or what? Cutting tags in half is frikkin ridiculous. Raising the prices will just cut out hunting all together for the poorest of hunters. But hey as long as you can hunt with less pressure in the field right?

 

Funny thing again is that every state thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Other states love Arizona's model and bonus point system. Utah colorado wyoming idaho all think there state is the worst. They all bag on game and fish, they all think they could do better. Lol.

 

I think all it comes down to is that trophy hunters are selfish aholes. They want it all for them with bulls around every corner and not another hunter in sight. Well welcome to the real world where you have to share with us POS meat hunters who are happy to be in the field with friends and family enjoying hunting for more than the size of animals they hunt.

I agree average Joe hunting is about the experience and being out with friends and family. The deer are there you just have to walk off the road. 40% of the hunters drive the roads anyway, not to many tag out. If you want to sit out a couple of years to get a trophy fine sit out save your money go to Mexico less hunters,pressure they will even find and prepare it for you.

[stanley]

 

Get rid of the online draw system and make everyone pay up front like it use to be.Im sure this would cut down on the number of apps.

what you said.

 

 

There are statistics from past years that show there is NOT a significant drop in the number of applicants when the online draw system is not available. Also, what would this do for conserving our game anyway (which was the original point of this topic.....)? No matter what the draw odds are, it is the number of tags that is at issue here.

 

S.