yotebuster Report post Posted May 11, 2016 The AZ G&F has a record of setting seasons to appease anti-hunters. If you live in Flagstaff you probably saw in the local news last year about residents having deer run through the neighborhoods with arrows flopping out of them. It was pressure from these residents that caused the game and fish to create a new rule that you have to be more than 1/4 mile from a residence to fire a bow. This publicity last year also caused 11m to go to a draw.Sounds more like hunters that screwed themselves rather then G&F doing anything. I'm as hardcore of a hunter as the next guy but the sight of a wounded animal with an arrow in it makes me sick too. The game and fish has very simple rules about the archery harvest in relation to the aug dec and jan hunts. If success goes up they drop the dec hunt. Its that simple. No conspiracy theory.There was never a December or January hunt in 11m and the ratio of archery harvest to rifle doesn't apply here either since 11m has never had a rifle season. I'm not trying to conspiracy theory anything just giving the answer to the original question. I stand corrected on the season structure up there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HEADACHE Report post Posted May 11, 2016 The AZ G&F has a record of setting seasons to appease anti-hunters. If you live in Flagstaff you probably saw in the local news last year about residents having deer run through the neighborhoods with arrows flopping out of them. It was pressure from these residents that caused the game and fish to create a new rule that you have to be more than 1/4 mile from a residence to fire a bow. This publicity last year also caused 11m to go to a draw. This explains it to me. Sad but probably a plausible explanation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted May 11, 2016 I would ask Amber Munig from the Department in an email or phone call. She has been very reliable and straightforward in answering any questions I may have. I suspect it has do with managing the people, not the deer but you need to ask her or the Region II Big Game specialist in Flagstaff (Carl Lutch) if you want to know for sure. Good Luck! PS, this does suck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted May 11, 2016 It has a lot to do with the number of people who come up out of the heat to chase deer in 11M in the early season on top of the "hunters" who have disregarded the relatively new (2 or 3 years old now) urban archery rule and hunt in and around neighborhoods within the city limits, including some of the urban parks. We always teach in hunter ed about the 10% die hard hunters, 10% ant-hunters, and the 80% of folks who don't really care, but are swayed by how we act as hunters. The hunters shooting deer in neighborhoods affected the 80% and contributed to the decision to make 11M a draw this year, sadly. I used to love getting up early and heading out closer to home or getting a couple of hours in after work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossiranch Report post Posted May 11, 2016 Dont forget the two "hunters" who poached deer in buffalo park last year. They were shot in season but in a closed area and left for people to find. Pretty frustrating, I'm sorry to see 11m change to a draw but there's still plenty of areas to hunt around flag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted May 12, 2016 Dont forget the two "hunters" who poached deer in buffalo park last year. They were shot in season but in a closed area and left for people to find. Pretty frustrating, I'm sorry to see 11m change to a draw but theng re's still plenty of areas to hunt around flag. I was referring to those two idiots, too! I've been following that herd since I moved up here. Some great bucks running around up there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HEADACHE Report post Posted May 12, 2016 If that is an underlying factor, it's a shame to see the unit all but closed for the actions of a couple knuckleheads. I don't see many people burning potential strip or bab points for 11m. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossiranch Report post Posted May 12, 2016 Haha no way! I'd be much happier hunting the otc units and waiting for a good rifle tag! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nateNAU Report post Posted May 12, 2016 Im going to give it a few years for this change to sink in but I will absolutely put in for this hunt. I remember seeing pictures of bachelor groups from the 70's and 80's that my dad took of bucks at A1. Im talking 30+ 160-190 bucks and he said that how every day of the hunt used to be and even when I hunted there I never went a year without seeing p&y bucks. Not to mention the bucks that hang out in walnut canyon that push 200. All the people have ruined 11m over the past five or so years. To hunt the unit with only 79 other people sounds great and trophy quality will only improve in a unit that is already great. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted May 12, 2016 Wait you guys are talking about mule deer. What seems to be the problem here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Presmyk Report post Posted May 15, 2016 Maybe will be like unit 7 was otc went to draw for couple Yeats then back to otc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HEADACHE Report post Posted May 19, 2016 Yes, but the unit will still be ruined, Nate from NAU just told everyone there are 200" bucks running around everywhere in the unit.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted May 19, 2016 Idiots ruining everything, I say lets do all archery hunts a draw. Lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nateNAU Report post Posted May 19, 2016 Yes, but the unit will still be ruined, Nate from NAU just told everyone there are 200" bucks running around everywhere in the unit.... In a few years time there will be. But thats ok. Leave these tags for the locals. We wont have to burn 12+ points to shoot a big buck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted May 19, 2016 Well then leave the 22 tags to the locals, what a intelligent statement !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
