Opportunity

[Flatlander]

Sometimes this word is confusing to me. I have often heard AZ referred to as a trophy over opportunity state, and it doesnt make sense to me.

 

As of January 1 I will have 2 javelina tags one good for 3 weeks the other 2 week, a Spring Turkey (given that took a couple seasons to draw, but if you hunt the later hunts or archery its pretty easy or OTC), and an archery deer tag good for 9 weeks of the year.

 

On top of that I draw a rifle deertag every year, and sometimes tack on an Aug bear hunt. We have the most liberal lion hunts in the US.

 

Elk and antelope are bonus hunts in my mind and when I have one its a treat. All told, the only months of the year I dont typically have a valid big game tag in my pocket are March, June, July and sometimes October. Thats pretty dang good if you ask me.

[HuntHarder]

I think you misheard whoever said we are a trophy state... AZGF has sent out surveys and the vast majority of hunters seem to want more tags which in turn, decreases the "trophy" tags. Have you seen how many tags are given out for deer in this state? I would hardly call that trophy over opportunity. I would say we have waaaayyyy more opportunity than we do trophy.

[Red Sparky]

It is mainly looked at that way because of the draw process. As a resident of NM I have plenty of opportunity to hunt but if I was a NR applying here I would only have a chance at 6% of the tags. Both states have their "trophy" units for deer and elk but look at how long it might take to draw those units. Here in NM we don't have a point system so hunters may go their entire lifetime and never draw a Gila bull elk tag. If I was to start applying now I may never draw an AZ strip mule deer hunt. I don't think I could ever catch up on points.

 

I think the ones saying it is trophy over opportunity don't know how to work the draw systems. I admit I have never put in for antelope here but in the last 12 years I have drawn 10 elk tags and I have never not drawn a deer tag. I also don't apply for the "trophy" managed units, I even apply for cow elk tags, because I would rather be hunting than sitting on the couch thinking about next year. I think both states have plenty of opportunity.

[Flatlander]

I think you misheard whoever said we are a trophy state... AZGF has sent out surveys and the vast majority of hunters seem to want more tags which in turn, decreases the "trophy" tags. Have you seen how many tags are given out for deer in this state? I would hardly call that trophy over opportunity. I would say we have waaaayyyy more opportunity than we do trophy.

Thats what I was getting at. People are asking for more opportunity, how much more could you want?

[654321]

How many 200" mule deer came out of this state this year? How many 110" whitetail? 85" antelope? 350" elk, I think this state has plenty of both trophies and opportunity.

[300RUM]

The "opportunity" and "trophy" issue is a hard one for an agency to find an equitable compromise for. Myself, I would like to hunt big horn sheep. Is it opportunity or trophy that I desire?

[muledeerarea33?]

I just like hunting. Its not my fault I was born and raised in a state that allows good hunting. Trophy hunting is possible in any state or country in the world. Ability to hunt is awesome in this state.

[Delw]

I think its both, a Trophy is in the eye of the beholder. you can usually tell a trophy by the pictures that people post, its not how big the animal is its how big there smile it. Iv'e seen tons of older guys with trophy smiles on spikes 2 points 3 points etc

I can hunt everyday of the year in this state. lion yotes, archery deer has 3 seasons bear is over the counter. except for yotes who wants to hunt in june and july in the heat?

 

 

 

 

I just like hunting. Its not my fault I was born and raised in a state that allows good hunting. Trophy hunting is possible in any state or country in the world. Ability to hunt is awesome in this state.

exactly

[trphyhntr]

There's plenty of opportunities to get tags, our kill success for everything other than elk is probably the lowest in the country

[brian390]

I think that Arizona is the best state out there to be a hunter in. Just about everything about it you can't beat. Even the tags that we use to tag the game that we harvest are better than the rest of the states. I could go on and on....

[naturebob]

That I agree with. Our big game tags are great. Most States REALLY suck. Now to get a tag is a different story unless you want oppurtunity......BOB!

[W250]

Dont get me wrong Im like everyone else on this site Id love more opurtunity but every animal I have had the chase to pull the trigger on or put an arrow in are all trophies to me. AZGFD has done a darn good job allowing us the opportunity to take a trophy every year. Im setting at camp right now having an adult beverage and baby setting the dogs my wife is setting a spring hopping to put an arrow in a deer, my oldest son put down a big oll rutted up muley this week with a rifle and we killed 2 foxes yesterday evening. Thank God you live in Arizona and not California!!!