By Doug Burt, public information officer, AGFD

Hey kids, are you looking to hone your hunting skills even further? There are still some fall hunting permits available for deer, javelina and sandhill crane.

All of the tags are available on a first-come, first-served basis by mail only using a hunt permit application form. For a list of remaining hunting permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw. For sandhill crane, use hunt number 9006.

• Deer: General deer hunts are available during early and late November. All the deer tags are for the antlered Coues’ whitetail, which is considered one of Arizona’s most revered big game animals. They are challenging to hunt and inhabit the beautiful topography of southern Arizona. A success is considered one of a lifetime.

• Javelina: Javelina hunts are during the last week of November. Javelina are unique to the Southwest, with a wide distribution in Arizona. Javelina offer an excellent introduction to the skills needed for other big game hunting like deer and elk. As for edibility, they make very good chorizo breakfast sausage, Italian and bratwurst sausages, as well as roasts and stews.

• Sandhill Crane: The sandhill crane hunt is the second week of December. Sandhill cranes are large (5-foot wingspan), spectacular birds, which closely resemble a terradactyl. They migrate to the state and winter in wetland areas. They are very wary birds and are challenging to decoy within shooting range, making for an amazing hunting experience. Most surprising is they provide incredible table fare, often referred to as “the flying rib-eye steak.” The department will have check stations with mentors and guides to offer help.

For instructions on applying for javelina or sandhill crane tags, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw and find the hunt number of the area you wish to hunt from the list of left-over fall hunts and/or the left-over list for sandhill cranes. Fill out the “Hunt Permit/Tag Application Form” per the instructions and mail it to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, P.O. Box 52002, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2002.

Young hunters ages 10-13 are required to have completed a certified hunter education course to hunt big game (javelina and turkey only). All youth hunting big game are also required to have a general hunting license.

There is no hunter education requirement to hunt sandhill cranes, although it is encouraged. Additionally, youth hunters 10-13 do not need a general hunting license when accompanied by a licensed adult when hunting sandhill cranes.