No changes in hunt structure for 2006 AZ archery elk hunters

[DonMartin]

Guys:

In the face over a survey of over 6,000 hunters who opposed the idea, the Arizona Game & Fish Commission voted today at its meeting in Yuma, AZ to REJECT the department's recommendation to alter the hunt structure for archery elk hunt in 2006.

Despite the fact that archers will probably see about 200 less bull tags statewide this year, the hunt will remain int he rut and will remain 14 days.

The reductions are a result of the allocation system that is based on hunt success and in 2005, arhcers statewide had a 49% hunt success.

Over 90% of the archers said no to the proposal which would have had pre-rut hunts and archery hunts in November.

Those who put in for these tags owe a debt of gratitude to ##### King and David Myrick of the Arizona Bowhunters Association, plus lots of other sportsmen who stood up at the Commission meeting to oppose the department's idea to put more hunters into the field.

The question boiled down to, "Quantity or Quality," and Arizona sportsmen sent a huge message that said, "We are a quality state, leave it that way, even if it means reducing tags."

All of the major conservation groups spoke out against the recommendation...including but not limited to the Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Deer Association, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Southeast Arizona Sportsman and the Mohave Sportsman Club.

Don Martin

 

[HullinPhx]

Don,

Thanks for the update. The number of tags being less this year based on the success rate kinda puzzles me. is 49% high or low based on other years? Is it high or low based on other states?

Thanks again

John

 

[AZtrophyhunter]

That's really good! 50% success is amazing.....think about it, we're talking archery here, that's incredible.

 

[DonMartin]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-13-06 AT 09:37PM (MST)[p]The hunt success for archers in Arizona in 2005 was unbelieveable! Find me another state that has over 2,000 tags for archery bull elk hunters that has that kind of success (49%). Just a couple of years ago it was just over 20%.

Heck, I'm aware of some rut rifle hunts in Wyoming anbd Montana that don't have that kind of results.

Top that off with the fact that the "average" bull taken in Arizona was over a five point. That included a huge number of bulls that scored over the magical 400 points and now you realize just how good it was.

Arizona G&F distrubutes tags by the pie method which means that they look at the application and harvest rates when determing what group gets how many tags.

I'll go out on a limb and submit that part of the reason for the high success was a lot more hunters were non-residents and many of them used a licensed Arizona guide to help them on their hunts.

I'll use my outfit for an example. We had booked a total of eight archery hunters. Only two were a residents.

They killed six bulls (340-380 P&Y), and those that didn't kill all had three or more shots! One was a resident and one was a non-resident.

In talking with other guides they had same kind of success, so this was fairly typical.

2005 was a "blue light special" for non-residents for archery bulls tags. In many of good or great elk units, NR's drew around 50% of the tags available.

It will really be interesting to see what happens this year. Number one, NR's will be limited to 10% of the tags available.

The average size of bulls taken this year is going to be going down due to the NO RAIN situation we're having in northern Arizona. Antlers will grow to less than maximum potential in this scenario.

Due to the efforts of a lot of folks, those who do draw this year will get to hunt the full 14 days. The department had recommended reducing that hunt to 10 days.

Again, if you're a NR prepare for a real tough draw this year, unless you got a fistful of bonus points.

And most of all, pray that this La Nina thing goes away and we get some rain.. If not, oh well, you don't even want to know..

Don

 

[Prism]

Thanks for the update Don. I took the survey and I'm glad I did. I actually didn't think the pre-rut hunt idea wasn't too bad of an idea. I was going to try to burn my 8 points on it.

Now the November hunts are another story.

Keep up the good work. The passion you Arizona boys have about wildlife and hunting is great.