New AZGF rule (proposed, which means it’s a done deal) about game cameras:

[Snapshot]

 

 

Because you don't like something doesn't mean other people shouldn't have them.

As long as your trail cam is not INFRINGING on my privacy, you can have as many as you like. I don't GAF about that.

It is public land.

True enough, but that doesn't mean that certain people have to like it.

[firstcoueswas80]

Not liking it, and hoping it gets banned are completely different.

[AzDiamondHeat]

Sadly, government gets involved when society's ability to self manage fails. The general philosophy within our society these days is "it is not illegal" so go ahead and do it. Find every loophole and advantage and not just use it, but ABUSE it. I am not directing this at trail cams, but the ATTITUDE of our society.

 

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't always mean you SHOULD do something. The "me" generation is what is causing these things to happen within our government.

 

I love trail cams. I use them regularly. I use them on MY land though. I have no issues with anyone using them anywhere it is legal to do so.

 

The issues I have are with some of the attitudes and actions that go along with SOME of the people who are using them(and UTVs, ATVS, etc etc). I feel the same way about the people who blare their stereo full blast OUT IN THE WOODS.

 

Abuse is the reason the government is stepping in. Just my opinion.

[Flatlander]

Sadly, government gets involved when society's ability to self manage fails. The general philosophy within our society these days is "it is not illegal" so go ahead and do it. Find every loophole and advantage and not just use it, but ABUSE it. I am not directing this at trail cams, but the ATTITUDE of our society.

 

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't always mean you SHOULD do something. The "me" generation is what is causing these things to happen within our government.

 

I love trail cams. I use them regularly. I use them on MY land though. I have no issues with anyone using them anywhere it is legal to do so.

 

The issues I have are with some of the attitudes and actions that go along with SOME of the people who are using them(and UTVs, ATVS, etc etc). I feel the same way about the people who blare their stereo full blast OUT IN THE WOODS.

 

Abuse is the reason the government is stepping in. Just my opinion.

Man, took the words out of my mouth. The argument that something is legal, and therefore should be beyond question, is the greatest detriment to hunting culture.

 

I dont hate trailcams. I have them. I use them, primarily on water. But I can see why this has become an issue with AZGFD when I here of dozens of cameras on a single drinker, or see someone post a picture of hundreds of cams they put up on nearly all water sources in an area. To me, that practice is not above reproach and should be challenged and discussed.

 

But as was stated above, trailcam use is not the heart of the issue. The fact is, hunting methods and technology continue improving while habitat and environmental conditions continue to decline. Hunter recruitment per capita also continues to decline each year. That should be enough to tell you that hunting practices are going to be challenged, legislated and restricted.

 

Most of the people using the woods are not hunters and go there for other reasons. Our practices on shared public lands also need to be evaluated through the lense of non-hunter recreationalists who will encounter them. They may not want to see trailcams, tree stands, blinds, and salt licks littering the forest when they are enjoying their chosen recreation. Just the same we have to consider each other when hunting or preparing to hunt, we also have to consider those who are also there but not hunting, and their vote counts, literally.

 

Should they ban trailcams on waterholes? I dont know. It certainly puts a damper on my experience. Is it the best thing for the sport, thats a different question.

 

But one things for sure, if we keep pushing the limits on acceptable practices, eventually someone will come in and set the terms for us. Trailcams are a good example.

[bowsniper]

There is a logical reason for this new rule:

 

Game cameras at water holes spread chronic wasting disease!

[ThomC]

Wow 6 pages of jumping to conclusions based on skimming reading. You have to read the whole thing. Then you have to go to the commission and voice your concerns in a intelligent manner. As they say over and over this is a response to people who have voiced concern. It is not over, write to all commission members, go to meetings and speak up, See you all in Tucson in march. LOL I think that the commission does read this site but, mindless yammering on this web site will not get much. IMHO of course.

I must apologize for defending the commission. I have just looked at the agenda for next weeks commission meeting. It is NOT in Tucson it is in Douglas. Why, because the commission wants to meet in secret and give the carefree bureaucrats and themselves an all expense paid trip to see some museums in Douglas. Paid for by your license fees. You talk about a waste of money in the G&F department or should I say the T&A department that is always crying about lack of funds. That is what I get for giving the regim the benefit of the doubt. We finally got rid of Comrade Voles and I hoped that things would change a little bit, but no it just gets worse. The carefree socialist government has a new czar. No wonder the commission did not allow anyone from outside the T&A to apply for the Director( Dictator) position.

[elkaholic]

Does this mean there will be a truckload of cameras for sale at g&f booth at the sportsmans expo?

[trphyhntr]

Does this mean there will be a truckload of cameras for sale at g&f booth at the sportsmans expo?

It means g and f officers will have plenty of cameras to put on all the waters we paid for

[PRDATR]

 

Does this mean there will be a truckload of cameras for sale at g&f booth at the sportsmans expo?

It means g and f officers will have plenty of cameras to put on all the waters we paid for

 

 

I know there are some G&F Drinkers out there but there are also a heck of a lot of tanks put in by and maintained by ranchers. One in particular I know of which is in an area that is now a wilderness area, was originally built by a rancher in 1961. The area has about a dozen head of cattle in there and it still is maintained. It is quite a ways back in and had one lone camera on it.

[Red Sparky]

Does this mean my hacking the ICE cameras to scout Coues in border units was for nothing?

[Explorer]

Ambition always makes creativity. The hunt will go on. I set cams on trails and a few springs. Never risked waterholes anyways. Hung my hat over a few without causing harm and checked the tank.

[trphyhntr]

Why do people always put their hat on the cams?

[Explorer]

I would rather see a hat instead of one like that old naked guy someone posted a few years back.

[MT_Sourdough]

So, reading through this, I do not think it has been clarified that the new rule means absolutely no cams within 1/4 of a tank? Or is it specific to taking of game? I'm still trying to understand what the law is.

[bowsniper]

So, reading through this, I do not think it has been clarified that the new rule means absolutely no cams within 1/4 of a tank? Or is it specific to taking of game? I'm still trying to understand what the law is.

Seems pretty obvious to me:

 

https://www.azgfd.co...icle-3-NPRM.pdf

 

Page 34

 

A person shall not use any trail camera, or images from a trail camera, for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife within one-fourth mile (440 yards) of the outer perimeter of a developed water source.

 

THE LINK ON THE G&F WEB SITE NO LONGER WORKS! INTERESTING.......................