Big Game Super Raffle
Deadline is July 13 for online orders only
By Doug Burt, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Photo courtesy of AZBGSR – 2006 elk winner Gary Chiurazzi

Elk and antelope tags are taking on the stature of the Holy Grail. Many hunters go years between receiving a tag, and some go even longer for a trophy hunt. If you need another shot at one of these highly sought after tags – you are in luck.

The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle organization was awarded nine special big game tags by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for 2008. The organization is hosting the state’s largest hunt tag raffle, and for as little as $5 – $25 (depending on species), you will have a chance at a hunt of a lifetime.

Big game species include: pronghorn antelope, black bear, buffalo, Coues whitetail, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelina, mule deer, and turkey – Gould’s or Merriam’s. In addition, there will be an incredible Swarovski optics package raffled.

Why are these tags so special?
The season dates for each hunt will be 365 days starting August 15. There are very few limitations on hunting areas, and the prices for each ticket have been set to give every hunter in the world an opportunity to win a true hunt of a lifetime. Arizona offers some of the best trophy opportunities in North America for each of these species.

What is the raffle for?
The Super Raffle was launched in 2006 as a way to raise substantial money for wildlife habitat work in Arizona. After a decade of prolonged drought, exploding human population, and funding needs, landscape-wide project work is critical to the future of all big game species. Every dollar raised through ticket sales of each species will go directly toward that species. All costs associated with the raffle are covered through optics raffle ticket sales and contributions from our sponsors.

Time is short, July 13 is the deadline to buy tickets.

Get your tickets online today at:
www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com/online_orders_2008.html

If you miss the Super Raffle this year, don’t worry, there are other chances to get a special tag. The Super Raffle will be in operation again next year – this time with 10 tags, as they added mountain lion to the package.

In addition to the Super Raffle, two more special tags for each species were allocated for 2009 by the commission per A.R.S. 17-346 and R12-4-120 to support wildlife conservation. Proceeds from the sale of these tags are used for wildlife management of the species of each particular tag.

The commission’s 2009 special big game tag allocations are as follows:

• Arizona Big Game Super Raffle – one each for 10 big game species
  Raffle tickets sold all year, drawing to be held in summer 2009.

• Arizona Antelope Foundation – two pronghorn
  Auction one permit at Antelope Foundation banquet, likely in summer 2009.
  Auction one permit at Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Banquet, likely in March 2009.

• Arizona Bowhunters Association – one each: bear, buffalo & javelina
  Combination of auction and raffle awards at March 2009 banquet.
• Arizona Deer Association – one mule deer, two white-tailed deer, & one mountain lion
  Auction one mule deer and one white-tailed deer permit at annual banquet in spring 2009.
  Raffle one white-tailed deer permit.
  Raffle or auction one mountain lion permit.

• Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society – two bighorn sheep & 1 mountain lion
  Auction one desert bighorn sheep permit at Wild Sheep Foundation convention in Salt Lake City during February 4-7, 2009.
  Auction one Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit at ADBSS banquet on March 7, 2009.

• Arizona Elk Society – one elk
  Auction one elk permit at annual banquet in March 2009.

• Arizona Wildlife Federation – One bear and one javelina
  Auction or raffle both permits at annual trophy banquet in late spring 2009.

• Mule Deer Foundation– One mule deer
  Auction one permit at National Convention in Salt Lake City during February 5-8, 2009.

• National Wild Turkey Federation – two turkey
  Auction one permit at annual convention in Nashville during February 2009.
  Raffle one permit through Arizona Chapter to be awarded during summer 2009.

• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – one elk
  Auction permit at annual elk camp in Fort Worth during March 5-8, 2009.

• Phoenix Chapter, Safari Club International– one buffalo
  Auction one permit at 2009 banquet.