Fall draw for hunt permit-tags
By Rory Aikens, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

You will be able to start applying for the permitted fall hunts for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, and buffalo once the completed regulations are posted online, typically by the end of April. Printed copies of the regulations should be available around the second week of May.

The anticipated deadline day to submit for those fall big game hunt-permit applications is Tuesday, June 10 (the second Tuesday of June). The date will be confirmed at the April 19 commission meeting.

However, be sure to mark May 29 on your calendar in big bold letters – after that date, application mistakes can be costly.

Here’s why.

If you apply for fall big game hunt-permit tags and make a mistake on your application prior to May 29, the department will attempt to contact you three times within a 24-hour period (if a phone number is provided) and provide you the opportunity to correct the mistake. It’s like having a built-in “Make A Mistake Free” card – at least to a point.

This grace period was created years ago in part to encourage folks to apply early, but also as part of the department’s ongoing customer service improvements.

The word is getting out. During the recent 2008 elk-antelope draw, 27,206 applicants took advantage of the grace period. Compare that to the 2007 elk-antelope draw, where there were 5,715 applicants who applied prior to the grace period ending.

There aren’t many times in life you get the opportunity to make a mistake without having it cost you (sometimes big time). So, don’t miss out.

As a reminder, the online application process will not be available for the fall draw. Applications must be submitted by mail only. Remember, postmarks don’t count.