A lot of waterfowl hunters have already been taking advantage of the mountain zone waterfowl opportunities. Now the season has shifted to the lower elevations as well.

Randy Babb, an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and veteran duck hunter, said waterfowl reproduction estimates for this year are good in North America, with most species showing an increase in numbers. Summer surveys this year indicated nesting was generally up.

“A common problem we experience in Arizona, despite nesting success, is warm winter weather. Often warm winters in the western states will ‘short-stop’ much of the migrating waterfowl before they make it to the southern U.S. So while states north of us (Utah, Nevada, etc.) enjoy fantastic hunting, we experience sporadic shooting at best,” Babb pointed out.

On the other hand, he said, if warm weather keeps Arizona’s high country waters open, many ducks and geese will spend the winter there rather than migrating to lower elevations.

“Simply put, many migrating waterfowl species go no farther south than they have to. If we have a warm winter, our state’s high elevations will likely offer the best hunting,” Babb said.

The early part of the season offers the best opportunities for some of the early migrants like cinnamon and blue-wing teal. November is usually when waterfowl hunting in the desert areas really picks up.

”At this time free water at northern latitudes typically becomes scarce, forcing birds southward to seek feeding and resting areas. Mornings after big winter storms and severe cold snaps are often an excellent time to check desert stock ponds for ducks,” Babb said.

Decoys will prove useful on central Arizona lakes, rivers, and ponds. “If you are decoying, you’ll want to start early. Have your decoys set and your blind built before legal shooting time comes. Once again, a little scouting will be a big help in finding a productive shooting spot,” Babb said.

Ducks tend to congregate in backwaters, slow runs on rivers, and sheltered areas on lakes such as coves and the mouths of rivers and creeks.

“With some scouting you will discover that though there may be several spots that seem to look good and are used by ducks, there is one or a few spots that they prefer. Set out your decoys and build your blind while it is still dark so you will be situated at legal shooting time,” he advises.

Typically the best shooting is in the first couple of hours of the day, so it is important to be ready by legal shooting time. “On a typical duck hunt, shooting is usually over by 10 or 11 a.m. Geese generally fly a little later than ducks, but you’ll still want to be prepared by first light,” Babb said.

Ducks will tend to move more in inclement weather, so shooting often lasts longer on these days. “Ducks have excellent eyesight and color vision, so keep this in mind when hunting them. Camouflage is recommended. It is also very important to remain motionless while birds are working the decoys or coming in,” said the veteran waterfowler.

To retrieve downed birds from stock tanks, try using a fishing rod rigged with a topwater plug. Cast over dead birds and reel them in. The same rig fitted with a diving plug will retrieve decoys in deep water by snagging the anchor line. Remember, only non-toxic or steel shot may be used for ducks and geese.

The remaining meetings will be held at these Game and Fish regional offices:

• Monday, Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive

Previous meetings were held Oct. 12 in Pinetop and Oct. 20 in Kingman.

After the public forums have been completed, the final proposed draft hunt recommendations that will be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be made available for public review at six regional open houses. No formal presentation will be made; however, a knowledgeable staff person will be available to discuss regional hunt recommendations.

The open houses will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, Nov. 23, 3-5 p.m. – Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
• Tuesday, Nov. 24, 3-5 p.m. – Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road
• Tuesday, Nov. 24, 3-5 p.m. – Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Friday, Nov. 27, 3-5 p.m. – Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road
• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 3-5 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 3-5 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive

A PDF version of the 2010 hunt recommendations for elk, pronghorn antelope, and population management hunts will be available for review at the Game and Fish Department’s Web site beginning Saturday, Nov. 21 at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Each year, the department makes recommendations to the commission regarding the management of game species for the annual hunting and trapping regulations, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas, and hunt permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years. These recommendations are in accordance with the recently revised hunt guideline package, which is effective for hunts starting in the fall of 2010 through the spring 2012.

The final recommendations are scheduled to be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for consideration during its Dec. 4-5 meeting in Phoenix at the Game and Fish headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17). The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission under commission agenda.

To learn more about the hunt recommendation and hunt guidelines process, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Paper applications can be submitted by mail (Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, PO Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052), or they can be hand delivered to any Game and Fish office. Applications must be received by the department by the deadline; postmarks don’t count. There is no online application process available.

The spring hunt draw information booklet is available at more than 300 license dealers statewide, at Game and Fish offices, or by downloading from www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Remember, you must purchase a 2010 license to enter the spring draw.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.

“While the locations of the two animals killed are about 2 miles apart, according to department law enforcement personnel investigating the scenes, evidence shows the same weapon killed both elk,” says Bruce Sitko, spokesman in the department’s Pinetop office. “The poacher left the animals to waste, and we need assistance from the public to find the individual who committed these senseless acts.”

“These aren’t the actions of a hunter,” adds Sitko. “They’re acts of a criminal stealing wildlife assets and resources from the people of Arizona.”

Sipe is located in eastern Arizona, a few miles southeast of Springerville and Eagar. Wildlife viewers regularly visit to enjoy watching and photographing the elk herds that frequent the wildlife area.

To report information on this incident, or any Game and Fish violation, call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700. Caller identities may remain confidential upon request. Callers are eligible to receive a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of the violator in these poaching cases.

• Statewide shooting range grant requests for fiscal year 2010.
• Proposed revisions to the Heritage Public Advisory Committee charter.
• Request for the commission to approve the agreement for a permit with Arizona Public Service for the purpose of continuing service for construction, operation, and maintenance of electric poles and lines at Page Springs Hatchery – Bubbling Ponds, Yavapai County, Arizona.
• Request for the commission to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service for the department to participate as a cooperating agency in the National Environmental Policy Act process concerning the Rosemont Copper Project.
• Request for the commission to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management for the department to participate in the development of the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS).
• Intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the City of Maricopa regarding hunting within city limits.

The Saturday, June 27 portion of the meeting begins at 8 a.m. Items on Saturday’s agenda include:

• Summary of alternatives for site selection of the Northern Arizona Regional Shooting Facility, including projected scale, timeline, and budget commitments.
• Consideration of applications from organizations for Special Big Game Hunt License Tags for antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, buffalo, elk, javelina, mountain lion, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and turkey for 2010-2011.
• Consideration of proposed Commission Order 29 for Special Big Game License-Tag Seasons for mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, elk, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, black bear, and mountain lion for the 2010-2011 special tag hunting seasons.
• Consideration of proposed Commission Orders 19 (dove), 20 (band-tailed pigeon) and 24 (sandhill crane) establishing seasons and season dates, bag and possession limits, and open/closed areas for the 2009-2010 hunting season.
• Proposed dates and locations of Arizona Game and Fish Commission meetings for 2010 and January 2011.

The commission may vote to take action or provide the department with direction on the agenda items. For a complete agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the commission agenda link.

Four of the men — John K. Parks, Michael E. Mangum, Jeffery D. Phillips and Frederick P. Dobson — were arrested May 15 at the Tucson Electric Power/Salt River Project generating station outside of Springerville. The four were taken into custody without incident with the assistance of power plant security staff and the Apache County Sheriff’s Department.

A fifth man, Freeman L. Kartchner, was later arrested off-site by officers.

Parks, Mangum and Kartchner were charged with unlawfully killing four mule deer does during the closed season and with the aid of a spotlight. Most of the meat was left to waste.

They were also charged with vandalism for damage caused to ranchers’ fences, gates and locks. In addition, Parks and Mangum were charged with littering for allegedly leaving a string of empty beer bottles in the area.

Phillips, who was not present during the alleged poaching incidents, was charged with providing false and misleading information to officers to protect two of the other individuals. Dobson, who also was not present during the incidents, was charged with eight counts of fraudulently obtaining resident Arizona hunting licenses and tags.

The alleged poachings occurred during the night and early morning hours of Dec. 20-21, 2008, near Richville, a rural farming and residential community located along the Little Colorado River between Springerville and St. Johns. The arrests were made as a result of a tip called in to the Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline.

“I’d like to recognize and commend the high level of cooperation our staff received from the power plant administration and its security personnel,” said Jim Hinkle, law enforcement program manager in the department’s Pinetop office.

Hinkle emphasized that poaching is not hunting. “The vast majority of people who hunt have a deep respect for wildlife resources and the laws established to protect them, and they are outraged by poaching. Unlawful killing of any wildlife is considered a major loss for the residents of Arizona and our wildlife resources.”

If convicted of the criminal charges, each of the men, except Phillips, will face potential license revocations and/or civil assessments from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The commission may civilly assess the men a minimum of $1,500 or more for the loss of each mule deer to the State of Arizona.

To report a poaching or wildlife-related violation, hunters and non-hunters alike are strongly encouraged to call the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline at (800) 352-0700, 24 hours a day, 7 days week. Callers are eligible for a reward if the information leads to an arrest. Caller identities can remain anonymous upon request.

The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle now has 10 special big game tags up for raffle to raise money for wildlife conservation in Arizona. The deadline to purchase tickets by mail is July 3 (postmarks don’t count). The deadline to purchase tickets online is July 12.

The big game tags up for raffle include one each for pronghorn antelope, black bear, buffalo, Coues whitetail, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelina, mule deer, turkey (Gould’s or Merriam’s), and now mountain lion. In addition, there will be a Swarovski optics package raffled, which will pay for the administration costs of the Super Raffle.

What makes these tags so special? The season dates for each hunt will be 365 days starting Aug. 15 and there are very few limitations on hunting areas.

Launched in 2006 by a consortium of sportsmen’s / conservation groups in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission as a way to raise money for wildlife conservation, the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle returns all ticket proceeds to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Every dollar raised for each species will go directly toward the management of that particular species.

Last year’s raffle raised $478,860.

Raffle tickets cost between $5 and $25, depending on species, and a ticket for all 11 raffles is only $150. Tickets can be purchased by mail using the downloadable order form and making a check payable to AZBGSR. Mail the form and payment to AZBGSR, P.O. Box 61713, Phoenix, AZ 85082. You can also buy tickets online at www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com. The site is a verified Authorize.Net merchant site and accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

The public drawing is Saturday, July 18. The time and location will be announced soon.

Special big game tags are granted to qualifying nonprofit organizations, dedicated to wildlife conservation, by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission through a public application process each year per A.R.S. § 17-346 and R12-4-120.

Wildlife conservation and management of game animals by the Arizona Game and Fish Department is made possible by funding generated from the sale of hunting licenses, hunt permit-tags, and matching funds from federal excise taxes hunters pay on guns, ammunition and related equipment.

So, the next time you see a herd of elk near Flagstaff, or antelope in the open plains of Prescott, or if you’re lucky to spot a desert bighorn sheep peering down from a cliff in the desolate desert, remember to thank a hunter – wildlife’s original conservationists.

The 2009-10 recommendations take into consideration the public input received from a series of regional public forums held in March. Department officials said this new process addresses the concerns of hunters earlier in the process, when there is still time to make changes if they are warranted, and give constituents a look at any potential changes before they happen.

During the regional open houses, no formal presentation will be made. However, a knowledgeable staff person will be available to discuss regional hunt recommendations. The schedule of remaining open houses is:

• Tuesday, April 14, 4-6 p.m. – Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
• Tuesday, April 14, 4-6 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
• Tuesday, April 14, 3-5 p.m. – Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Tuesday, April 14, 5-7 p.m. – Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road
• Tuesday, April 14, 3-5 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive

An open house was held at the Kingman regional office on April 7.

The final recommendations are scheduled to be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for consideration during its April 17-18 meeting in Phoenix at the department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17). The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission under commission agenda.

Each year, the department makes recommendations to the commission regarding the management of big game species for the annual hunting and trapping regulations, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas, and hunt permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years. The next guidelines will be set in the summer of 2010 for hunting seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Juniors-only spring turkey tags now offered over-the-counter
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now offering juniors-only spring turkey hunting tags over-the-counter for the 2009 season. The change to the tag allocation method is in an effort to introduce youngsters to the American hunting tradition and wildlife conservation.

In previous years, the tags were issued through a random lottery draw process. Now, parents, relatives and friends can pick up a tag for a youngster at any department office or license dealer and take a kid out spring turkey hunting to experience nature and wildlife like never before, and try to trick a wary wild turkey to respond to their calls.

“Hunting strutting turkeys in the spring season is incredibly exciting, and is probably one of the best ways to introduce a youngster to big game hunting,” said Brian Wakeling, chief of game management with the department. “Our goal with this change was to get kids back into the field by removing one of the key barriers to hunting – the application and lottery process.”

To celebrate this new opportunity, the department is coordinating two “Juniors’ Turkey Camps” hosted by a number of conservation organizations who are dedicated to introducing kids to hunting. They include the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Elk Society, Chandler Rod and Gun Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Outdoor Experience 4 All, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Without their dedication, time, money and resources, these camps would not be possible.

Both camps run Friday to Sunday morning, April 17-19. Each camp will offer:

• Experienced hunters to provide one-on-one coaching or even assist you in the field
• Advice from wildlife managers on where to focus your hunting efforts
• Seminars Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. on how to call and hunt turkeys – Steve Sams, state chair for the National Wild Turkey Federation, will be the featured instructor at the Mogollon Rim Camp
• Calls and giveaways to youth hunters (while supplies last)
• Free afternoon food, snacks and drinks
• Free hotdogs and hamburgers Friday and Saturday evening (White Mountain Camp)
• Campfire entertainment with a renowned banjo picker Saturday evening (Mogollon Rim Camp)
• Those desiring field assistance should contact the respective camp coordinators to work out logistics prior to the actual camps.

The camps are located at:

• Mogollon Rim Camp – serving Game Management Units 3C, 4A, 4B, and 23, is based at Colcord Ridge Campground, located 33 miles east of Payson. Take SR 260 to Forest Road (FR) 512 (Young Road) and turn right, then travel 3.2 miles to the campground on your left. For more information, contact Wildlife Manager Supervisor Craig McMullen at cmcmullen@azgfd.gov.
• White Mountains Camp – serving Game Management Units 1 and 27, is based near Alpine, located at the junction of FR 249 and FR 276, 5 miles west of Alpine. For more information, contact Wildlife Manager Supervisor Mike Godwin at mikegodwin@frontiernet.net.

The juniors-only season for bearded turkey runs from April 17 – May 21, opening a week earlier than the general season. Open areas are limited to Units 1, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B (except Camp Navajo), 7, 8, 10, 12A, 23 and 27. Junior hunters must be between 10-17 years old, and kids younger than 14 are required to complete a certified hunter education course prior to the hunt. The cost of a nonpermit-tag is $10. In addition to the turkey tag, young hunters are required to have a 2009 general hunting license.

Turkey hunters are reminded that heavy snow and road closures still exist in some high-elevation areas. Furthermore, weather conditions in Arizona’s high country during this time of year change quickly and hunters should prepare for freezing temperatures, snow, rain and/or sunshine – so dress and pack accordingly.

Contacts for the latest updates on road closures and conditions are:

• Arizona Department of Transportation, 5-1-1 or (602) 712-7355 or www.az511.com
• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, (928) 333-4301 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf
• Coconino National Forest, (928) 527-3600 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
• Kaibab National Forest, (928) 635-8200 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai
• Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

Arizona is home to three subspecies of wild turkey: the Merriam’s (the most abundant), the Gould’s (found mostly in the southern reaches of the state), and the Rio Grande (recently translocated to the far northwest of the state on the Arizona Strip). For additional information about wild turkeys, visit www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_turkey.shtml.

Send your tips in by April 6, and you could win a free copy of “Hunt Arizona 2009.” The first 50 persons to send in a qualifying entry get a copy of “Man and Wildlife” for their trouble.

What kind of tips do we want? That nugget of wisdom gleaned from years of experience, or a piece of advice you would share with your best friend or your child to improve their success at hunting.

Keep it brief: Three sentences or fewer should cover it. Be specific: Avoid generalities by tying your tip to a particular species, situation, time of year or other fact. Don’t give away a favorite location; we’d rather hear about techniques or practices that pay off. And yes, it’s OK to identify gear you swear by.

Examples of what and what not to submit:

* Pay attention to wind direction. (This is too general: We’re looking for specifics.)

* Hunt into the wind. (This is excellent and brief, a true nugget of wisdom.)

* When making a stalk, take wind direction into account. Wind is never your friend, and if ignored will carry your scent toward your quarry, lessening your chance of success. To avoid that, hunt into the wind. (Excellent and an acceptable length — but please don’t go longer.)

The best tips received by April 6 will be published — along with the author’s first name, last initial and home town — in an upcoming issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. Everyone whose tip is published gets a free copy of that issue. The author of the best tip wins “Hunt Arizona 2009” when it’s published in May. And the first 50 people who submit a complete entry will receive a copy of “Man and Wildlife,” a fascinating history of wildlife in Arizona — a $14.95 value!

Ready to share your best hunting tip? Send it by e-mail to HuntingHighlights@azgfd.gov (use the subject title: Best Tips).

Be sure to include your full name and mailing address in the body of your message to be eligible to receive top honors or a free gift. Limit one tip per person, please.

Every spring, deer, elk and other upland wildlife lose their antlers. They grow them all winter long, keep them through mating season, then the antlers fall off (or are shed) and the process begins anew.

A common question asked of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is if individuals may pick up and keep the head or any part of wildlife they find dead in the field. What may appear to be an easy question actually requires a complicated answer.

State law requires an individual to have evidence of legality when possessing or transporting wildlife carcasses or their parts. A hunting license and/or big game tag meets this requirement for wildlife lawfully taken during hunting season. However, if an individual in the field finds dead wildlife, or any part of an animal he or she did not legally take during the hunt, then that individual may not automatically possess and /or transport any of it. An exception is that there are no restrictions on the possession of naturally shed of cast antlers.

If an individual wishes to keep such wildlife parts found in the field (other than shed antlers), he/she must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department so an officer can determine the cause of death of the animal. If it is determined the animal died from a natural cause, such as predation, disease, fights, falls, drowning, lightning, etc., the wildlife part may be possessed by the individual. If the officer determines the animal died from an unnatural cause, such as wounding loss, illegal activity or vehicle collision, no part of the wildlife may be possessed or transported.

If the cause of death cannot be determined and the wildlife part is fresh, meaning bone or tissue moisture is present and the part is not oxidized, possession will not be allowed. This also applies to parts, such as skulls, where the age cannot be determined because the finder has boiled and/or cleaned them. If the cause of death cannot be determined and the part is old (with no moisture and oxidized), possession will be allowed.

Just remember, the key is to contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department prior to picking up the part. There is no way these parts may be lawfully possessed until the department has determined the cause of death.

In recent years, the use of off-highway vehicles to go out and find these sheds has increased in popularity. The Game and Fish Department cautions all shed hunters who use OHVs to always stay on roads and trails when out shed hunting.

Walking while you stalk not only protects wildlife habitat, but it gives you great exercise and is the best practice for watching wildlife as well.

TREAD lightly in the areas where you are shed hunting and always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

For more information about OHV use while shed hunting, go to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

If you have visions of elk steaks on the grill or sending those trophy horns of a 70-class pronghorn to the taxidermist, don’t forget the most important step – applying for a hunt permit-tag before the deadline.

The final deadline to submit paper-only applications for a 2009 hunt permit-tag for pronghorn antelope and elk hunts through the draw process is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by mail or hand delivered to a department office before the deadline; postmarks don’t count.

To help hunters navigate the application process, the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers these tips:

1. Buy your 2009 hunting license before applying. If you need your license before the draw is completed (April 24), buying your license now will eliminate the wait and long lines at department offices. (Note: This is a great year for a combo hunt and fish license – the fishing should be fantastic this year.)

2. Use the new editable PDF application. By using a computer to fill out the application, many errors are eliminated, including legibility issues. Just fill it out, print it out, sign it, include your payment, and deliver it to the department. Remember, there is no online application process for the draw.

3. Consult the 2008 Hunt Arizona booklet. Research draw odds, hunt success, tag allotment and more with this valuable resource available online in PDF, or purchase a hard copy for only $6 at any department office.

4. Pay by check, money order or cashier’s check. The department doesn’t accept cash or credit/debit card payments with the hunt permit-tag application. (Note: You may pre-purchase a license at the front counter with cash or credit/debit card.)

5. Include the correct payment amount. Be certain to double-check your math when making out your payment. There is a worksheet on the second page of the application. Also, make certain you don’t transpose any numbers when writing out your check, money order or cashier’s check (it’s more common than you may think).

6. Use a separate application for each species. If you are applying for both elk and antelope, you must use two separate applications, envelopes and payments.

7. Use the “Hunt No.” in the first through fifth choice fields. This is the four-digit number in the far left column under each Commission Order. Don’t use Game Management Unit numbers (which are typically alphanumeric).

8. Consider what type of hunter you are. When looking over the Hunt Arizona information, keep in mind what type of hunt you are after. Do you just want elk meat, or are you dead set on harvesting a trophy? Do you have flexibility in your travel time, or is it limited? All these play a key role in your odds of being drawn. It could take time to draw that rutting bull tag compared to a late-season muzzleloader cow hunt.

9. Include your social security number – it’s a federal law. Even if you use a department-assigned identification number, you are still required to include your social security number. If you only use one number, it must be your social security number.

10. Only use one choice when applying for a bonus point. If you are just applying for a bonus point, use the first Hunt No. listed under each Commission Order in the first choice field and include the $7.50 application fee (leave the second through fifth choices blank).

For some other great tips and additional insights on how to get drawn, check out the article in the Arizona Wildlife Views Magazine at www.azgfd.gov/i_e/pubs/ElkHunting.shtml. The award-winning bi-monthly publication is a great resource for wildlife enthusiasts and a steal at $8.50 for a one-year subscription.

Staff will be on hand at each department office on deadline day to assist hunters with the application process. If this is your first-time applying, or you are new to the process, feel free to stop by and ask for assistance. However, license sales at department offices end at 5 p.m.

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information regulations booklet, application forms and the 2008 Hunt Arizona are all available online for downloading from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Hard copies of the 2008 Hunt Arizona publication are also available for sale at all department offices.

To learn more about big game hunting, wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

“Towards the end of the season, smaller coveys congregate to make larger super coveys,” said Mike Rabe, small game management supervisor. “This can make for some excellent bird hunting. However, if you don’t have a spot already picked out, you might have to do a little extra walking to locate these jackpots – so be patient and persistent. A call can be particularly effective to locate quail this time of year. Don’t overdo it though; just use the call to locate birds.”

Rabe recommends hunting sunny, southern-facing slopes in the morning near washes and good roosting cover. As the day progresses, country with mixed cover and natural washes (big and small) are always good bets. Quail dependence on water in the late season is minimized due to morning moisture and recent rains.

Hunting in areas over 2,500 feet in elevation that don’t get much pressure can be very productive for Gambel’s. Pour over maps to find those secret spots off the beaten path. Pack a lunch and plenty of water and enjoy a day in the field – regardless of harvest, there is nothing better than walking the open Arizona desert in springtime.

Rabe reminds hunters that late-season birds can be gun-shy, tough and challenging. When choosing shot size, switching to a No. 6 will help put mature, early flushing quail in the bag. Also, if your shotgun has interchangeable chokes, consider using a full and improved choke to increase your range and pattern density.

Don’t forget: While you are out in the field, cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits offer an excellent supplement to the upland hunter’s game vest. Both can be extremely challenging to shoot. In decent quail cover, a running cottontail may only offer a split second for a shot opportunity. Both rabbits are excellent eating, especially the back straps from the jackrabbit. The season for rabbits is year-long.

To learn more about small game hunting in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

For those hunters looking to get introduced into big game hunting, there are many spring javelina hunt permit-tags available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most of these hunts begin in early to late February, so act quickly. Javelina hunting is fun, exciting, challenging, and a great way to test your skills at locating game, glassing, stalking, shooting, and hopefully, processing your harvest. For a list of available spring javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw under “List of Leftover Permits for Spring 2009 hunts (PDF, 45kb).”

PHOENIX —  Arizona’s sportsmen and women are stepping up to help the recovery of endangered California condors. For the fourth consecutive year, participation in the state’s voluntary non-lead ammunition program has grown.

Surveys shows that 90 percent of hunters took measures in 2008 to reduce the amount of available spent lead ammunition in the condor’s core range versus 80 percent the year prior.

“We are very encouraged by the high participation rate in 2008 and the year-over-year increases since the program began,” says Kathy Sullivan, the condor program biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “It clearly indicates that hunters are aware of the conservation challenges condors face, and they are willing to voluntarily take action to reduce the available lead.”

Lead poisoning has been identified as the leading cause of death in condors and the main obstacle to a self-sustaining population in Arizona. Studies show that lead shot and bullet fragments found in game carcasses and gut piles are the main source of lead in condors.

Of the 90 percent of successful big game hunters who took lead reduction efforts, 654 used non-lead ammunition during the fall hunts in the condor’s core range. Another 160 hunters removed gut piles from the field or took other action to reduce the condor’s access to lead.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, and its partners the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, and the Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, have encouraged hunters to continue sportsmen’s proud tradition of wildlife conservation by using non-lead ammunition in condor range (Game Management Units 9, 10, 12A/B, and 13A/B).

The department started offering free non-lead ammunition in 2005 to hunters drawn for hunts in the condor’s core range, which includes Game Management Units 12 A/B and 13A. The free non-lead ammunition program is supported in part by the Heritage Fund, a voter-passed initiative started in 1990 to further conservation efforts in the state, including protecting endangered species, educating children about wildlife, helping urban residents to better coexist with wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Funding comes from Arizona Lottery ticket sales.

Participation in the non-lead effort has jumped more than 40 percent from its initial levels in 2005.

The condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. The birds can weigh up to 26 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 9 1/2 feet. Condors were first reintroduced in Arizona in 1996, and they now number 66 in the state. Visitors at the Grand Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs may be able to observe the birds, especially during the spring and summer.

For more information on condors and lead, visit www.azgfd.gov/condor.

You can beat the rush of procrastinators for the 2009 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw and apply before Jan. 22 to take advantage of the “grace period” where you are offered an opportunity to correct application mistakes.

Here’s how the grace period works. If you apply before Jan. 22 and there is an error on your hunt-permit application, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will make three attempts within a 24-hour period to notify you by telephone (if a phone number is provided) so you can correct the application. Errors can cause an application to be rejected from the draw process.

The final deadline to submit paper applications for a 2009 hunt permit-tag for antelope and elk hunts through the draw process is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by mail or by hand delivery to department offices before the deadline; postmarks don’t count.

Department officials also noted that the printed elk-antelope regulation supplement has been distributed to all license dealers, and the information is also available online at www.azgfd.gov. Hunters are reminded there is no online application process.

Don’t forget – a 2009 hunting license is required to apply. Department officials encourage hunters to get their license before applying for an elk or antelope hunt permit-tag if they wish to do any other hunting in early 2009.

Licenses purchased through the draw process will not be mailed out until April 24, 2009, regardless of application success.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted by mail (along with the correct fees by check or money order), or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and then filled out using an ink pen.

The PDF application and the 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet can be downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The elk over-the-counter nonpermit-tags (for limited areas) are also available in 2009. These tags are akin to a “limited opportunity” hunt in areas with very low elk populations. Hunters interested should thoroughly review the regulations and visit www.azgfd.gov/otc to download the “2009 Elk OTC Informational Handout” PDF for frequently asked questions, hunt area boundary descriptions and area maps before purchasing.

For those hunters looking to get into the field before the fall, there are many spring javelina hunt permit-tags available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Javelina over-the-counter archery-only nonpermit-tags for metro Game Management Units are also available at any department office or license dealer. For a list of available spring javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw under “List of Leftover Permits for Spring 2009 hunts (PDF, 45kb).”

For those who hunt and fish, the Combo Hunt and Fish license (class F) is the best choice. It is cheaper than buying each license separately and it includes your trout stamp.

Families with children between ages 14 and 18 can take advantage of the Family Combo Hunt Fish license (class K) and save big. A family of four can hunt small game (and other game, with appropriate tags) and fish in all state waters, including trout, for less than $35 per family member. Add an Urban Fishing license (class U) for everyone in the family and enjoy fishing at any of the 21 waters, stocked regularly, for your fishing pleasure.

Dedicated resident sportsmen cannot go wrong with the Super Conservation Combo Hunt and Fish license (class N), which comes with more accessories than a Swiss army knife. Not only do you get the general hunting and fishing license, a trout stamp is included, as is the urban fishing license. Now the good stuff: The package includes a dove stamp, a state duck stamp (the federal stamp must be purchased separately), an over-the-counter archery deer tag (open units subject to change), a fall archery turkey tag, a fall bear tag and a mountain lion tag. The cost is only $163 – a $50 savings. If you don’t fish, just get the Super Hunting License (class M) for $118, which is still a $37 savings.

In addition, new this year is the Apprentice Hunting License (class H). This is a free two-day general hunting license for introducing someone new to hunting. Designed as a “try before you buy” program, this license is obtained from any Arizona Game and Fish Department office at no cost by a licensed adult 18 or older. This person takes on the role of “mentor” and takes an “apprentice” (friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor) out hunting for small game and teaches them the basics of hunting. Mentors are an important component to preserve the hunting heritage and to promote the conservation value that hunters provide. For more information about the Apprentice Hunting License, see the article in this issue.

Carryover hunting season reminders:

• Dove – ends Jan. 4, 2009
• Quail (all species) – ends Feb. 8, 2009
• Rabbit – open year round*
• Predator / furbearing – open year round*
• Waterfowl – ends Jan. 11, 2009 (mountain zone), ends Jan. 25, 2009 (desert zone)
• Juniors-only waterfowl, desert zone – Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2009
• Archery deer (nonpermit-tag required) – ends Jan. 31, 2009
• Mountain lion (nonpermit-tag required) – open year round*

*see regulations for restrictions

Due to Scott’s extensive history of wildlife violations, Yavapai County Deputy Prosecutor Eric English asked for a separate sentencing hearing, held Dec. 15.

After reviewing Scott’s previous wildlife convictions, Prescott Justice Court Judge Arthur Markham sentenced Scott to 10 consecutive days in jail, three years of unsupervised probation, $600 in jail fees, $250 for possession of an unlawfully taken mule deer, $250 for using another individual’s big game tag, and 40 hours of community restitution to be completed at a nonprofit organization.

For the past two years, Scott has been the focus of a long-term investigation by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and has recently received court fines in Coconino and Yavapai counties that totaled $4,220 for violations of wildlife laws.

In addition, Scott has had cases come before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on seven occasions, and he has been civilly assessed a total of $7,000 for the loss of wildlife to the state of Arizona, and his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges have been suspended for a total of 38 years.

The commission’s action to revoke Scott’s license privileges has far-reaching implications. Arizona is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact with 32 other states and seven Canadian provinces. Until Scott’s license privileges are restored in Arizona, he will not be able to legally hunt in any of those states or provinces.

Scott will soon appear before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for the Nov. 17 conviction, at which time the commission will vote on whether to civilly assess Scott up to an additional $8,000 for the state’s loss of the trophy mule deer and will also vote on whether to suspend Scott’s license privileges for an additional five years.

Currently, Scott has one case pending in Yavapai County and, if convicted, may face an additional $1,500 assessment for the loss of wildlife to the state of Arizona and a loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges permanently.

Anyone having information pertaining to the unlawful take of wildlife or other violations of wildlife laws is urged to call the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline at 1-800-352-0700. Calls can remain confidential upon request, and callers may be eligible for cash rewards.

After hearing his statement, the commission voted to civilly assess Malik $14,995 for the state’s loss of the 408-point, velvet-antlered elk. The commission also revoked his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Arizona for five years, and he must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to having his license privileges restored.

The commission’s action to revoke Malik’s license for five years has far-reaching implications. Arizona is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact with 32 other states, including all western states and Malik’s home state of Michigan. Until his license privileges are restored in Arizona, he will not be able to legally hunt in any of those 32 states.

Malik paid $135,000 at an auction for Arizona’s 2006-07 “special” elk tag at a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual convention. Special tag holders have the added privilege of pursuing their designated big game for one full year.

In the early hours of July 26, 2007, Malik, assisted by four companions, including Arizona elk guide John McClendon, shot, wounded and eventually killed the bull in a privately owned meadow in the Morgan Flat area east of Pinetop. While on patrol, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s wildlife manager in Unit 3B, Shawn Wagner, heard the initial shot and responded to investigate. He found the Malik hunting party and wounded bull in close proximity to several occupied houses where the property owners were upset with Malik hunting and shooting near their homes.

Wagner determined the homeowners had not been approached nor had they granted permission for Malik to hunt on their property. Wagner seized the bull and cited Malik for shooting violations. Shooting a firearm within a quarter-mile of an occupied building while taking wildlife without permission from the owner is a Class 2 Misdemeanor.

After several pre-trial conferences and continuances, Malik was found guilty in the Pinetop Justice Court on Aug. 29, 2008, of discharging a firearm within the quarter-mile limit of occupied residences while taking elk. The criminal conviction authorized the commission to take civil action against Malik.

“This incident is more a private property and public safety violation than it is a wildlife crime. The court and commission decisions are a strong reminder to all hunters about the importance of hunter awareness and safety and respecting the rights of private property owners and rural residents,” says Jim Hinkle, law enforcement program manager at the department’s Pinetop office.

The department donated the edible portions of the elk carcass to Shepherd’s Kitchen, a charitable organization in Snowflake. The antlers and cape remain in custody of the department pending the outcome of an appeal to the Pinetop Justice Court decision by Malik.

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information regulations booklet is available online at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Hunters interested in obtaining a hunt permit-tag via the draw process can start applying now.

All applications must be submitted by mail or hand-delivered to a department office – no online application process is available. Applications are due by 7 p.m. (MST) Feb. 10, 2009 – postmarks do not count.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted (along with the correct fees by check or money order) by mail, or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and filled out using an ink pen.

Early applicants can take advantage of the “grace period”—those who submit an application by Jan. 22, 2009 will receive up to three calls from the department in a 24-hour period if an error is found on the application. If the applicant is reached by phone, the department will help fix the error to ensure a completed application.

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials said printed copies of the regulations should be available at license dealers across the state by mid-January.

For 2009, there are 26,474 elk tags available (a slight increase of 385 tags from last year), and 1,007 pronghorn-antelope tags available (a 1-permit increase from last year).

The elk over-the-counter nonpermit-tags for limited areas will continue to be offered in 2009. These tags are akin to a “limited opportunity” hunt in areas with very low elk populations. Hunters interested should thoroughly review the regulations and visit www.azgfd.gov/otc to download the “2009 Elk OTC Informational Handout” PDF for frequently asked questions, hunt area boundary descriptions, and area maps, before purchasing.

A 2009 hunting license is required to apply. Department officials encourage hunters to get their license before applying for an elk or antelope hunt permit-tag if they wish to do any other hunting in early 2009. Licenses purchased through the draw process will not be mailed out until April 24, 2009, regardless of application success.

You can assist by bringing in the head of your recently harvested deer or elk to any Game and Fish Department office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Place the head in a heavy plastic garbage bag for delivery, and keep it cool and out of the sun. If the weather is warm, it is best to either bring in the head within a day of harvest or keep it on ice in a cooler before delivery.

To better assist the surveillance efforts, you will be asked to fill out a form with your drop-off. Please include the following information: county, game management unit in which the animal was harvested, hunt and permit number, and an address and phone number where you can be reached. If this information is not provided, the department will be unable to test the head.

You will be notified of the test results by postcard within six to eight weeks. There is no charge for the testing and notification.

In particular, all successful hunters in Game Management Units that border the states of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico are strongly encouraged to participate in the voluntary CWD sampling program, since deer from this area of the state have the greatest potential for initial detection. CWD has not yet been found in Arizona, but has been in those states.

CWD is a wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk. Currently, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk to humans.

The department has been conducting surveillance using hunter-harvested deer and elk since 1998. Test samples from more than 10,000 animals during that time (close of 2007-08 season) have found no evidence of CWD. Aggressive monitoring is essential to detect the disease early if it does arrive in Arizona.

The department recommends these guidelines for hunters in the field:

• Don’t harvest any animal that appears to be sick or behaves oddly. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 1-800-352-0700 if you see an animal that is very thin, has a rough coat, drooping ears and is unafraid of humans.
• When field-dressing game, wear rubber gloves and minimize the use of a bone saw to cut through the brain or spinal cord (backbone). Bone out the meat. Minimize contact with and do not consume brain or spinal cord tissues, eyes, spleen, or lymph nodes.
• Always wash hands thoroughly after dressing and processing game meat.
• If you hunt in another state, don’t bring back the brain, intact skull or spinal column. It’s OK to bring back hides and skull plates that have been cleaned of all tissue and washed in bleach.
• Taxidermied heads, sawed-off antlers and ivory teeth are OK to bring home.
• If you intend to hunt out of state, contact the wildlife agency in the area you intend to hunt. Several states have regulations on carcass movement.

Archery-only Harvest Reporting:
Nonpermit-tag (over-the-counter) archery-only deer hunters are reminded that harvest reporting is mandatory, please call (866) 903-3337 to report your deer harvest.