AZ publishes '04 Regs

[sumpnz]

Well, AZ has just published the 2004 hunting regs on their website . I have a friend at work that is an experienced hunter, and he and I will be sitting down hopefully in a few days when he gets back from a business trip to figure out which hunts to apply for tags. I've never been hunting before, so I'm really looking forward to this fall. Even if I don't get drawn, but he does, I still plan to go with him so that I can learn.

I'm figureing on putting in for mule deer and cow elk, but we'll see what happens.

There a hunter's ed course starting in a few days that I plan on going to so as to get the bonus point that might actually mean I can get drawn.

 

[Byron Quick]

Good luck!

 

[Fuzzy]

There is a date that I believe has passed to get your extra bonus point this year. If you take the class now the point wont apply until next year.

I tried the same thing last year. At least I have it this year.

 

[sumpnz]

Yeah I know, I read the fine print in the regs, and you have to complete the class 30 days prior to the deadline for permit apps. I was going to take the class offered in March, but it conflicted with at least one pre-natal class my wife and I were in at the time, and it didn't end until just a few days before the baby's due date, so I had to skip that one. I still figure it's worth taking, and at least I'll get the bonus point for next year.

 

[sumpnz]

Just had the first class for Hunter's Ed last night. It wasn't too bad, they seperated the adults from the kids which made it much more tolerable. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of girls (about 1/3 of the kids) in attendance, and even more pleasantly surprised at the number of them whose mom's were also taking the class. The way I figure it, the more girls (and women) get into hunting, the fewer problems we'll have with the anti-gun/hunting people as they seem to be predominantly female.

They did confirm that the class is way too late to get the bonus point for this year, but at least I'll have it for next year. Incidentally they mentioned that it looks like the people who took the class in March will probably not get their bonus point in time for the draw this year either. Apparently they're really behind at G&F with processing the paperwork for that.

 

[sumpnz]

Well, I just applied (along with a friend from work) for deer and elk tags for the fall hunt. First two choices for deer were the mule deer Nov. hunts in Units 30B and 30A (98% and 80% draw success rates respectivly for those same hunts last year). For elk, our first two choices were the cow hunts in Oct. and Dec for Unit 5B North (Marshall Lake) and 5A (46% and 42% draw success rates respectivly for those same hunts last year).

My friend does have bonus points for both elk and deer, so hopefully they'll help us get drawn (by putting in together it's both or neither of us get drawn).

I can hardly wait for the draw to take place. Unfortunatly I don't see a specific date for the draw, but it does say that the tags would be mailed by July 23, so somtime before then I should be able to find out if I was successful.

 

[Balog]

Here's hoping you make the draw. I wonder if the paper regs have been distributed yet?

 

[sumpnz]

Balog, thanks. Paper regs should be out soon if not already. G&F said on their website that paper shortages have delayed the printing. I believe they said that they would be out by May 15, but if you go to their website you can download the .pdf version (or just go here ). Right click, "Save Target As" will save it to you computer.

 

[BuckeyePPC]

I live in unit 30B and play dodgem cars with deer regularly. Last night it was a doe that tried to get across the street. Biggest herd of deer lately was 1 buck and 8 does all crossing. I live right next to the north end of the Dragoon mountains and national forest. Got some great places around the top of the mountains picked out already.

 

[sumpnz]

How's access to the hunting grounds where you are? Regs said access is somewhat restricted in that unit.

 

[BuckeyePPC]

For me the access is good
Don't tell anyone because this is my backyard but here's how you get here.
Take the Dragoon exit and head south. It's open range here so watch out for cattle, horses, and deer. At mile marker 5 turn on Lizard Lane, you can only go one way, and head up the road until you cross the cattle crossing. You are now in the national forest. You can follow the road up to the upper marble mine area ( 4 wheel drive highly recommended ) or you can take a right at the powerline road ( there's a gate there ) and head over to the Jordan Canyon area. You can also get to the Jordan Canyon area by taking the dirt road after the railroad crossing in town. There's also another entrance to the national forest at around mile marker 8 which is the east side of the Dragoons but I don't know much about this entrance.

 

[BuckeyePPC]

For me the access is good
Don't tell anyone because this is my backyard but here's how you get here.
Take the Dragoon exit and head south. It's open range here so watch out for cattle, horses, and deer. At mile marker 5 turn on Lizard Lane, you can only go one way, and head up the road until you cross the cattle crossing. You are now in the national forest. You can follow the road up to the upper marble mine area ( 4 wheel drive highly recommended ) or you can take a right at the powerline road ( there's a gate there ) and head over to the Jordan Canyon area. You can also get to the Jordan Canyon area by taking the dirt road after the railroad crossing in town. There's also another entrance to the national forest at around mile marker 8 which is the east side of the Dragoons but I don't know much about this entrance.

 

[sumpnz]

Well, I just checked G&F's website and they won't be publishing the draw results until July 23 :banghead: . It's killen me, I want to know NOW dangit.

I'll update again on the 23rd to let you all know what, if anything I get drawn for.