Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association Page 17.

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HUNTING DIVISION

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CURRENT REPORTS

Hunter Division

Ty Griffith hunterdivision@asrpa.com

Welcome to the Hunter Division of the Arizona State

Rifle and Pistol Association!

The variety of game in Arizona is as diverse as the terrain. The Hunter

Division of the ASRPA is an area to educate hunters as well as share stories

of hunts in Arizona. If you have pictures and a story to share, please e-mail

them to hunterdivision@asrpa.com.

Big Game

Arizona utilizes a raffle system for most of its big game tags. See the Big

Game Hunt Draw Information section at the Arizona Game and Fish

Department (http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/draw.shtml)

Elk and Antelope

The elk and antelope big game draw is February of each year, with the

results out before the “standard” big game draw paperwork is due (elk and

antelope results out in April with the other draw deadline in June). This

changed a few years ago as a result of many issues, one of which was to

allow hunters the opportunity to “manage” their hunting season based on

tags drawn. Now, before applying for deer tags, etc, hunters know if and when they have an elk or antelope tag (or both!).

Elk – Following the local extinction of Arizona’s elk population (the Merriam’s Elk) in the late 1800’s, elk from Yellowstone were introduced to

Arizona in 1913 and with proper management the numbers have continued to grow and now support an annual harvest of almost 10,000 elk

per year. With approximately 25,000 tags issued each year, a hunter has about a one in four chance of being drawn. Being flexible with the

weapon, time, hunt unit, and especially the sex of the elk, will increase the chance of being drawn.

Antelope – Pronghorn are native to Arizona, and much like the elk, were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800’s. Following years of

management, the population grew from a low of around 1000 antelope to the point where “normal” seasons and tags began again in the late

1940’s to 1950’s. Today, approximately 500-700 antelope are harvested in Arizona each year.

The “other” big game”

Several other species fall into the big game draw program in Arizona. These include deer (both mule and whitetail), bear, bighorn sheep,

buffalo, javelina, and turkey. The deadline for paperwork to be submitted for this draw is in June, with the tags out in August.

Spring “big game” hunts

Arizona also offers several spring hunts for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear with the application deadline in October and tags mailed out late

November to early December. Some of these hunts are as late as May and offer a great opportunity to extend your hunting season.

Small Game Species

Arizona is home to many small game species to include squirrel, cottontail rabbit, pheasant, chukar, blue grouse, and of course, quail.

The quail population in Arizona isn’t what it used to be, but it is still an abundant game bird that is found throughout the state. The most

common is the Gambel’s followed by the Scaled, and lastly the elusive Mearns’. The Gambel’s and Scaled can often be found in the same

areas, and the Mearns’ inhabits the scrub oak terrain of south eastern Arizona.

In general, quail population is dependent on rain. This is a broad statement that I could spend pages expanding on; however it is the

shortest explanation. The time of year that the rain occurs affects each species and their broods differently. A wet winter usually results in

good broods due to the abundance of food and a heavy monsoon season will sometimes result in second broods.

Migratory bird species

While many may first think of dove when it comes to migratory bird hunting in Arizona, there are also opportunities to hunt duck, geese, and

even sandhill crane. Jump shooting ducks out of water tanks has had good success for many hunters in Arizona, but the many lakes and

rivers also provide good hunting opportunities. Hunting geese in fields can also be very exciting and successful.

Dove hunting in Arizona can be a rewarding way to start the shotgun season with an “early” season in September, followed by the regular

season from late November to early January. This late season also makes for a great opportunity for a great mixed bag hunt while chasing

quail through the desert. Hunting dove is as simple as sitting a food or water source or along a flyway between the two.

Tips to a safe and successful hunt in Arizona

While each hunt is different and requires different preparation, equipment, and planning, the following tips can apply to any hunt:

Wear layered clothing. Temperatures can vary from below freezing at night to well above 70 degrees during the day. Failure to

properly layer can result in being uncomfortably warm in the best of cases to hypothermia in the worst of cases. A long sleeved shirt will

also protect your arms from scratches from cat claw and other desert flora that just likes to grab hold of you.

Blaze orange. While wearing blaze orange during big game hunts is not a requirement in AZ, I carry a small vest in my pack for after

the shot, so I can be seen by all during the field dressing and packing out activities. Not that I ever want to be shot in the field, being shot

by another hunter while I’m packing out meat from a successful kill would really ruin my day. I also wear, and will not hunt with anyone who

doesn’t wear, plenty of blaze orange while upland bird hunting. Especially a hat. At times a blaze orange hat is all you can see of your

hunting partners. My pup even sports a blaze orange collar when he’s out in the field.

Hats and sunscreen. Even in January you can get burned out here. Wear a hat and use plenty of sunscreen (when you can, scent

permitting) and lip balm.

Water. Have more water than you need, especially if you are hunting with dogs (upland game, etc). I carry a hydration bladder in my

pack along with additional bottles of water and usually have a 7 gallon jug of water in the truck to refill between hikes. A small collapsible

water bowl can make hydrating your dog a little more efficient as well.

Watch for snakes before Thanksgiving. Not that they won’t be out after that, or in their dens before that, but as a general rule, it

works.

Have a plan for snakebites. Once a dog or person is bit is not the time to figure out what to do and where to go. Having your dog

snake trained and/or getting them vaccinated helps, but isn’t the end of it. I carry Benadryl with me and always have my vet’s emergency

number handy.

Carry a Multi-tool. I carry one with needle-nose plyers for removing cactus from me or my pup. If you’re hunting with a dog I also

recommend carrying a comb. It makes getting cholla off of a moving animal much easier than trying to grab it with your plyers (which

usually just results in the cholla being attached to the back of your hand).

550/parachute cord. Much like duct tape, I never go anywhere without it. From a make-shift call lanyard or bird strap to hoisting an

elk or javelina in a tree to aid field dressing, the stuff has endless uses.

Keep a good first aid kit in your truck. There are plenty of pre-made kits available, and I have used everything from the pain killers to

the antiseptic and gauze in mine. And not just on you or your buddies; dogs tend to come up with all sorts of cuts, the most common being

from blasting under barbed wire.

Think safety and ethics. Don’t take a questionable shot. Make every attempt to recover shot game. Leave the area you hunt/camp

the same as you found it (or better).

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Ladies Only Hunter Education Course

On Wednesday, March 21st, Cliff Saylor will be teaching the Diamonds in the Rough, a hunter’s education course geared

directly to the ladies. The class will be held from 5-9pm at Cabela’s, upstairs in the conference rooms.

Contact information:

Alyssa Riggins

Assistant to General Manager, Glendale Cabela's

623-872-6704

alyssa.riggins@cabelas.com