Over the counter tags

[Wnn135]

Not to start an argument, but I was talking to a friend about the number of hunters out this year. It seems they are everywhere, seen more hunters from out of state than I ever have and just more archery hunters in general, so how long do you think arizona will keep the over the counter tags if this many people continue to archery hunt?

[bowhunter4life]

The results from the uptick from Covid getting outdoors! But the more hunters= huge $$$$ from out of state hunters. Would think at some point- more closed half seasons....

[UggRedBilly]

Some units are making changes for what types of deer can be hunted during OTC such as 24B for Antlered Whitetail ONLY I believe that is just for the December season though and they changed it this year.

[CouesFanatic]

I wouldn't mind all the archery deer hunts going to a draw. Its headed that way. Every year there's a couple more that are draw only. We need less tags in this state. Quality is down a lot lately. 

[UggRedBilly]

1 hour ago, CouesFanatic said:

I wouldn't mind all the archery deer hunts going to a draw. Its headed that way. Every year there's a couple more that are draw only. We need less tags in this state. Quality is down a lot lately. 

What if there was an antler minimum? Like no spikes killed? Maybe even forkies? Would that even help population at all?

[Wnn135]

I think archery will go to a draw also, just don’t know when. But I wonder if you will be able to put in for rifle also or will you have to choose to hunt rifle or bow.

[Saguaro]

Arizona will grow another 1.3 million people in 10 years.  Even if .5% of that hunts, that will mean there are an additional 6500 hunters to what we have now.  If the success rate is 12%, around 800 deer will be dead each year to those new hunters.  Throw in the drought and the acres lost to development in places like 3B, 2A, 2B and the Prescott units, wounding and not recovering, auto deaths and predators there will be no reason to not close it down.  It was 15 years ago that the strip and Kiabab went to draws and 3a/3c went to draw around that time so it will happen.  I’m thinking in 15 years, sometime between 2033-2036 hunting will be nothing like it is now.  If we get a lot of rain between now and then, it could be better but there will be wind turbines  all over the countryside.

[trphyhntr]

8 hours ago, UggRedBilly said:

Some units are making changes for what types of deer can be hunted during OTC such as 24B for Antlered Whitetail ONLY I believe that is just for the December season though and they changed it this year.

And if I went there right now I bet I’d find plenty of dudes hunting carp deer.

[Flatlander]

Per the hunt guidelines if more than 20% of the total annual harvest comes during archery the unit transitions to a draw unit.

Because there is no cap on the number of OTC non-permits sold to non-residents, that means that a flood of successful  non-residents can push a unit to a draw for archery.

I believe we should be petitioning the commission to adjust the guidelines regarding NR archery deer permits. I would advocate a cap on the total number available for purchase, which could lead to problematic situations for a first come first serve buying scenario. Or requiring NR’s to apply for archery. But either way, my recommendation is that NR be required to choose between applying for a rifle hunt / building points and hunting the archery hunt.

[jdown]

7 hours ago, UggRedBilly said:

What if there was an antler minimum? Like no spikes killed? Maybe even forkies? Would that even help population at all?

I've said this a few times, have to quit shooting spikes, reduce the number of tags by 1/3 or more and double the price of a deer tag if you want to make up for it.  

[idgaf]

Random thought, we could self regulate and just not shoot small deer.  If you have a level experience dont shoot a spike or fork.  

[bowhunter4life]

33 minutes ago, Flatlander said:

Per the hunt guidelines if more than 20% of the total annual harvest comes during archery the unit transitions to a draw unit.

Because there is no cap on the number of OTC non-permits sold to non-residents, that means that a flood of successful  non-residents can push a unit to a draw for archery.

I believe we should be petitioning the commission to adjust the guidelines regarding NR archery deer permits. I would advocate a cap on the total number available for purchase, which could lead to problematic situations for a first come first serve buying scenario. Or requiring NR’s to apply for archery. But either way, my recommendation is that NR be required to choose between applying for a rifle hunt / building points and hunting the archery hunt.

This is a great idea and should be presented at a commission meting

[Flatlander]

2 hours ago, bowhunter4life said:

This is a great idea and should be presented at a commission meting

My main concern is that this may lead to a similar adjustment for residents in the future. However, the current guidelines call for otc opportunity wherever possible.  Which is in our favor.

[HuntHarder]

3 hours ago, Flatlander said:

Per the hunt guidelines if more than 20% of the total annual harvest comes during archery the unit transitions to a draw unit.

Because there is no cap on the number of OTC non-permits sold to non-residents, that means that a flood of successful  non-residents can push a unit to a draw for archery.

I believe we should be petitioning the commission to adjust the guidelines regarding NR archery deer permits. I would advocate a cap on the total number available for purchase, which could lead to problematic situations for a first come first serve buying scenario. Or requiring NR’s to apply for archery. But either way, my recommendation is that NR be required to choose between applying for a rifle hunt / building points and hunting the archery hunt.

Maybe we should act on this.  

[CatfishKev]

3 hours ago, jdown said:

I've said this a few times, have to quit shooting spikes, reduce the number of tags by 1/3 or more and double the price of a deer tag if you want to make up for it.  

Ive been told it doesnt really work though. Some say it results in too many illegal kills which get left and untagged. Which im not too sure i believe.  Although i have seen it happen with a spike getting killed on the youth cow hunt last year, but im sure thats a completely different story.