Should AZGFD eliminate the youth muzzleloader hunt in Unit 16A (Hualapai Mountains)?

[Capt. Don Martin]

Fellow sportsmen and parents:

 

Not many are aware that the Arizona Game & Fish Department is proposing this year to eliminate the youth muzzleloader hunt with the whopping 25 tags in Unit 16A, the Hualapai Mountains.

 

Here is some history about this hunt.

 

The hunt was started in 1999 at the bequest of local sportsmen who were muzzleloader enthusiasts who wanted to pass on this form of hunting to their kids.

But as time went on, the hunt became more popular with other sportsmen both in state and out of state as it was held over the Christmas vacation, a time when even those youth who were engaged in athletics would have the opportunity to hunt deer.

 

Then at the request of the Region 3 folks, they added a provision that those with a muzzleloader deer tag could also purchase a companion javelina tag!

Then some folks decided that this was a "trophy hunt" and the kids shouldn't be in the field at that time. That was and still is BULL! Sure there were a few larger bucks taken, but by far the majority were spikes, forkies and small three points.

 

Several attempts have been made before to eliminate this hunt. They FAILED because the sportsmen of the state got involved and contacted the Department and the Commissions and told them that since there was NO BIOLOGICAL REASON to eliminate the hunt (40-50% hunt success) that the hunt should stay as it was.

The Commissions responded to the public input and decided the hunt would stay.

 

That is until this year when the department is once again proposing in their hunt guidelines to eliminate this hunt!

 

There has been some who have wanted the Department and Commission to increase the youth tags from the current 5% of the tags to a higher percentage.

The Department is proposing under the new guidelines, which will be voted on in September, to increase the total number of tags from 5% to 8%! I applaud them for this effort, as it is true the youth are the future of outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing.

 

But does the Christmas break opportunity and the 25 associated tags need to be eliminated? Many around the state don't think so and I hope you are one of them. The school administrators like the idea of the kids not missing school, parents like it because its around the Christmas holiday when many are off work. It is a win-win for everyone EXCEPT maybe the AZGFD!

 

As an interesting sidebar to this issuer, I asked "If this hunt were to be eliminated, would the unit then be opened to over the counter archery tags and hunters?"

The answer was, "probably" which in government speak means "YES!"

 

Does the archery community really think that opening the archery deer hunt in the Hualapai Mountains in December at the expense of taking away the kids muzzleloader hunt is a good trade off? I sure hope that with over 44 units open across the state for December archery hunters, that they don't think so.

 

And don't forget, Unit 16A is OPEN for archers in January, AFTER the season for the 25 youth hunters is over!

 

I recently asked Amber Munig from the AZGFD how many comments the Department has received on this issue. She said 12.

Wow--that to me is amazing! If the Department and Commission doesn't get at least 100 comments about this issue, it WILL BE GONE not only for the next 5 years, but probably FOREVER!

 

You've got until August to make comments on this. All it takes is just 5 minutes to sit down at a computer and write a response to the Department's proposal.

PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: azhuntguidelines@azgfd.gov
and let's keep the limited opportunities for our young hunters in place!

 

It is going to be up to YOU the sportsmen (both resident and non-resident alike) to let your voices be heard on this matter! If you don't let them know that you oppose this, then I guarantee you it will be gone!

 

I personally have no dog in this fight. My grand kids live out of state and don't put in for this hunt. But if you have kids or grand kids that want to hunt with a muzzleloader during the Christmas break, then do this for them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jim]

I have made my comments to the game and fish. This has been one of my favorite hunts for my Grandkids. My grandson drew this the last 2 years and did not draw this year. He has taken a decent 3 point and a small fork horn along with a companion Javelina on this hunt. It has worked out great because he is out of school and can hunt anytime I get free time during his hunts. Our youth are our future and it's a shame that the game and fish fight this hunt every few years. I have helped other family's that have had this tag and the kids are always excited and really enjoy the hunt. It would be appreciated if we could get the Coues Whitetail family behind this hunt and send in your comments supporting it. You don't have to attend anything. I know there are several members on here who's kids have had this hunt and if any have it in the future feel free to contact me and I will help with the hunt as much as i can. Come on guy's all it takes is few minutes to send a message.

[Big Browns]

I sent my comments recommending they continue the youth hunt and add more youth opportunities!

[jim]

I would also like to add. Thank you Don for your continued fight for the sportsmen in this state.

[Analogkid1014]

I have sent a letter to the email you have provided in regards to this hunt. I hope it helps, every other cause I have expressed concern about has just been ignored I believe. lets hope they use common sense and keep the hunt the way it is

[TOBY]

I think the youth hunts are great. With that being said(and not going into a G$F rant) I also think the junior rut tags should be rotated throughout all units in the state on a yearly basis.

[Jazz]

I added my 2 cents. Thanks Don!

[Flatlander]

Commented.

[Capt. Don Martin]

Wow guys! THANK YOU ALL for commenting on this. I really believe that if the Department and Commission don't see at least 100 emails against this proposal, they will take it away.

 

Don Martin

[azruger]

I agree with toby. Rotate them through so kids all over the state can get a cracked at it and be close to home

[Sneaker]

I think the youth rut hunts should be rotated around. Not just the same unit every year.

[Analogkid1014]

here is the reply I got back from Amber Munig if anyone is interested in what she had to say, only took 17 days to hear back!!

 

 

Hello Dustin,

The Department offers youth hunt opportunities as a tool for hunter recruitment. The hunts are meant to introduce new hunters to the basic skills of hunting (in an ethical manor that includes scouting, tracking, field dressing, meat preparation, etc). The hunt guideline team received comments about quality and increasing these opportunities. These comments included several that indicated that youth hunts should not be offered during these quality opportunities because of the overall demand and interest in hunting during that timeframe. In the last guideline cycle, the team clearly stated that youth hunts would not be offered in alternative management units. December deer hunt opportunities fall into the “quality” timeframe so, the team decided to clearly state that youth hunts would not be offered during the deer rut.

Every hunter wishes to hunt deer in December when the deer are just entering the rut. This is a high demand time period. The Department’s recommendation does not eliminate this youth muzzleloader hunt; it just moves it to November instead of December.

Thank you for engaging with us and providing your views. Your comments will be shared with the Commission.

Amber

Amber Munig
Big Game Management Supervisor, Terrestrial Wildlife Branch
Arizona Game & Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, Arizona 85086
phone: 623-236-7355
fax: 623-236-7929
email: amunig@azgfd.gov

[Big Browns]

I got the same response. I completely disagree!!!!!!!!!!!