Application deadline for fall big game hunts is June 12
By Rory Aikens, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

It’s time to apply for the remaining fall big game hunts.

Arizona big game hunters can now download a copy of the 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Regulations and apply online at azgfd.gov for the available fall big game hunts, such as deer, javelina, turkey and bighorn sheep, or they can apply manually by mail.

The hunt application deadline is June 12 at 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by the department by that time; postmarks don’t count.

Keep in mind that the draw has already taken place for elk and antelope. Now hunters already know whether or not they have been drawn for those two species prior to applying for other fall hunts.

The printed copies of the regulations will be mailed to license dealers throughout the state on May 16 and should be available at stores by that weekend.

Those applying via the paper hunt permit-tag application form have a grace period; if a submitted paper application contains an error and is received by May 30, the department will make three attempts within a 24-hour period to notify the applicant by telephone, if a telephone number is provided on the application.

No grace period is needed for the online process, which allows hunters the assurance of entering a correct and complete application when submission occurs.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved the fall big game hunts for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, bear and mountain lion on Saturday, April 21.

Hunters this year will see a slight increase in deer permits and a continuation of fall javelina seasons.

Something new for the fall are juniors-only archery and muzzleloader javelina hunts in Unit 39. The commission also set a 400-permit juniors-only antlerless hunt in Unit 12A on the North Kaibab.

Although an early archery deer season starting on Aug. 31 had been directed for this upcoming fall season, the commission opted to move that season a week earlier to start on Aug. 24, thus preventing an overlap with early archery elk seasons that were previously set by the commission in December 2006.

Don’t forget that the small game seasons were set by the commission last year for a two-year period. However, the commission did make a slight modification to the season for blue grouse due to a planned grouse transplant effort.