TR0UBLE SH00TER

I'm actually quite fond of the quote "Mistakes are opportunities to learn". But, shooting from that road wasn't a mistake. Neither was transporting a deer in your truck that you knew was unlawfully taken. (Something Mr. DeBaca denies) See, at the commission meeting, the game warden was asked if the hunter could have stepped off the road and got a shot on that deer, and he said it would likely not have been possible because of the steep terrain and where the deer was positioned.

Live meeting of the AZGFD Comission 1/16/2026 View the live stream here: https://www.azgfd.com/about-arizona-game-fish/commission-public-information/about-the-commission/commission-meeting-webcast/ View what's on the agenda here: https://www.azgfd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-16-2026-Commission-Agenda.pdf

Then your comment had no validity, because you were conflating AZ laws regulating shooting from public roads, with shooting from private roads in NM. In addition: New Mexico and Texas State hunting regulations must be obeyed while hunting on Fort Bliss. These regulations are posted on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department websites. (Which I linked above) and some roads on McGregor Range are public, like SR 506 and county roads. https://ftbliss.isportsman.net/Regulations.aspx I'm not trying to be argumentative, but details matter.

It is unlawful to: Shoot at game on, from or across any paved, graded or maintained public road https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/download/13-general-rules/?wpdmdl=48370&refresh=696ad32316e151768608547 https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/hunting/general-rules/#2e2e7f79ec5a026e2

Let me think, ...nope, not once. I actually enjoy the challenge of hunting. If I don't fill a tag, I consider it a win for the species and use the defeat as motivation to become a better hunter. Cheating would only hinder my progress. I'm fairly new to hunting. I only started back in 2020 when my oldest son was 9. We read the regulations front to back, several times before he and I took our Hunter Education classes/tests. I keep a current copy of each regulations book in my truck and my sons and I all carry copies in our backpacks too. The rules regarding hunting from, across or into a road/railway are easy to understand. There are so many things that can be learned and practiced while hunting. One of the most important to me personally is ethics, as I have become a youth hunting mentor to my sons and many of their friends. During youth hunts, I've been known to assist other parents who I've just met to fill their youth's tags, after my son's tags were filled. Some might say I'm a glutton for punishment. But as a homeschooling parent, I get a real sense of accomplishment from teaching our youth. And what would I be teaching them by doing something the unethical way? My 15-year-old son has shown an interest in guiding as a potential career opportunity, so these threads/cases are especially intriguing to me.

He was caught flying his paraplane in a grid pattern, only hundreds of feet off the ground during a OTC Elk hunt in unit 13B. On August 7, 2024, following a bench trial in the North Canyon Consolidated Court in and for Mohave County, defendant, David Shane Koury, a Show Low resident, was found guilty of violating A.R.S. § 17-309(A)(1) per R12-319(B), Use of Aircraft to Take Wildlife. During the bench trial, testimony and video was presented that defendant intentionally committed the crime alleged including information on the flight path and elevation conducive to locating wildlife versus locating water. The trial court also heard testimony from Koury that he was unaware of an ongoing hunt despite testimony that he was the owner of a guide service, familiar with the specific area and had been a licensed guide for over 25 years. Defendant further testified that he was looking for water sources, not wildlife and that he had an archery tag for the upcoming Mule Deer hunt. The trial court did not find defendant credible https://appsweb.mohave.gov/attorney/public/trials/22/pdf/download/f8087041-3e4a-4cd8-b535-568010d9b188

Revoction hearing for Nicholas Debaca - 2025-0044 Possession of Unlawfully Taken White-Tailed Deer https://www.azgfd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-16-2026-Commission-Agenda.pdf St. Duwayne Adams, his son- in law, Nicholas Debaca and another guide were assisting a rifle Coues tag holder that admitted to shooting a Coues deer from a dirt road, in their presence. The hunter cut a deal with the court and implicated the guides. The court found Mr. Debaca guilty of possessing the unlawfully taken deer, because it was located it in his vehicle and today, the commission imposed a hefty fine on him, revoked his hunting license for 5 years, and ordered him to take the hunter-ed course.

https://www.azgfd.com/2026/01/13/2026-pronghorn-elk-draw-now-open/ NEWS RELEASE Jan. 13, 2026 Deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2026 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn and elk. To apply, visit https://draw.azgfd.com/. The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 6 of the “2026 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed versions are now available at license dealers statewide. A few reminders: Possession of a valid Arizona hunting license is required at the time of application entry and on the deadline day of the application period (Tuesday, Feb. 3). Only a hunting license, or a combination hunt and fish license, is valid. Short-term licenses are not valid. To purchase a license, visit license.azgfd.com or any AZGFD office statewide. When purchasing an Arizona hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license, online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. Don’t throw it away! That license number will be required as part of the draw application process. Know your Customer ID. This is a must to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard; 2) Check your hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting customerlookup.azgfd.com/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Download Arizona E-Tag. Download this free mobile app from either the Apple or Google Play stores, and opt in to receive an electronic permit-tag in your AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected through the draw). Be sure to update to the most recent version of the app, which is compatible with both Apple and android products. The Arizona E-Tag app provides real-time delivery of licenses and big game tags purchased or drawn after the app has been downloaded. The app also provides the ability to electronically tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/etag. Plan to purchase a PointGuard product. Choosing PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, ensures that applicants can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. A portal account is no longer required to purchase a PointGuard product. Sign up to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message. As part of the application process, a customer can now enter his or her phone number (ghost number format) to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message on their mobile device. Open an AZGFD portal account. Just visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and fill in the required information. AZGFD encourages all customers to have an AZGFD portal account; that’s the only place where draw results will be posted. Family account features are available with a portal account, so everyone — including youth — can view their draw results online as soon as they are available. Check your AZGFD portal account. Take this time to review personal data, including application history and total bonus points (bonus, loyalty, hunter education). If something seems amiss, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Good ladies, gentlemen & kids!

It's being held on Friday January, 16th https://www.azgfd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-16-2026-Commission-Agenda.pdf

AZGFD - PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA January 5, 2026 Hearings on License Revocations for Violations of Game and Fish Codes and Civil Assessments for the Illegal Taking and/or Possession of Wildlife. The Commission will consider and take action on the license revocations and/or civil assessments for the individuals listed below. - Nicholas Debaca 2025-0044 Possession of Unlawfully Taken White-Tailed Deer https://www.azgfd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-16-2026-Commission-Agenda.pdf

"Trust me, bro."

Guiding hunters in a NF where you aren't permitted and have been warned not to may not be an "illegal method" but it is a form of poaching. Mysteriously, "forgetting" to report only those specific hunts on your yearly guiding report shows you were aware you were flouting the rules. Over 4 years ago, @wardsoutfitters himself, promised us, "In time folks I will give you all the details", if we were patient, but never followed through. Here's the link:

Chef, you'll be happy to know, we've already made and enjoyed three meals from his harvest. One at our campsite with our father and son neighbors, and two breakfast meals of back strap and eggs. I think I'm going to need to fill my multi unit antler-less tag next month...

My 14-year-old son, Ryder, got it done on Sunday morning during his youth antlerless elk hunt. He and I stalked and bumped the herd of 20 or so that she was in for nearly 2 hours and 1.5 miles through the forest before he dropped to a prone position and shot through a thicket while they were trying to get away again and hit this girl in both lungs with his .308 Weatherby using a 165 grain Nosler Accubond, in what was likely his last chance at them that morning. I couldn't be more proud of him if I tried! Now we'll let the meat age for a few weeks, then butcher it up and head on out to our father-and-son deer hunt on the 24th. I can hardly wait! Special thanks to my 8-year-old son, Gatlin, for tagging along!

Great shot, kid. Enjoy that tasty meat, you earned it!

Thank you! I'm certain Ryder will never forget this hunt. He ultimately decided the most vital parts of the hunt, where we camped, which spot we hunted, and he even made the correct assumption and anticipated the herd's/her final move. All these things will be a real confidence booster for him and something he can fall back on during his future hunting endeavors.

Nice work as always from you and your son, sir!

Did you figure out what will be done with the tag? Because, if not, I'd hate for it to go into the trash. You could do what my wife and a friend of ours did and donate it to (Outdoor Experience For All). It's a very simple process, just print this form: https://outdoorexperienceforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-OE4A-Transfer-Affidavit.pdf and then mail it (filled out) and the tag to the address on the form. Eddie Corona is a great human being and he will take care of the rest of the details.

Quick, remove every last jackass from Arizona, before they completely ruining this place!

It appears that unhinged people, from all walks of life are finally starting to suffer real consequences for their online actions. Honest folks from both sides have had it with their hateful rhetoric. Hopefully this trend continues.

Here's the link: https://www.azgfd.com/2025/09/15/governors-office-opens-game-fish-application-2/ NEWS RELEASE from the Governor’s Office Sept. 15, 2025 PHOENIX — The Governor’s Office is now accepting applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Residents knowledgeable and passionate about Arizona wildlife and conservation in eligible counties are welcome to apply. The five-member Game and Fish Commission establishes policy, rules, and regulations for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife and fishery resources, as well as watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations. The commission also serves in an advisory role to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. (The mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations). About the Commission The Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor pursuant to A.R.S. 38-211. The Commission appoints the Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Director serves as secretary to the Commission. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county. No more than three may be from the same political party. Each commissioner serves a five-year term, staggered. Commissioners customarily serve as chair during their last year. The commission is structured to ensure geographical and political representation from across Arizona. The upcoming vacancy must be filled by a resident of either Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Yuma, or Yavapai counties. Applicants must disclose their party affiliation on their application and must not have changed party registration within the past two years in order to be eligible. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Individuals interested in applying must do so through this application FORM here: https://bc.azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/arizona-game-and-fish-commission-application-2025-v2_0.pdf Applicants are required to include their current residential address, political party, resume, and any additional materials or letters of recommendations with their application. The Game and Fish Appointment Recommendation Board will be meeting in October to review applications and conduct interviews in-person. Questions regarding the review process should be directed to Madeline Gaffney (mgaffney@azgfd.gov) with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Individuals also may contact the Governor’s Office of Executive Appointments by emailing bc@az.gov. So, any CWT members, who are are qualified and meet the parameters to fill this (volunteer position), willing to go into the trenches and represent your fellow hunters?

FYI:

Big difference being that, (lane splitting) greatly reduces rider safety, and is illegal.

Who raised these people? In the past few years, we've been finding lots of plastic marijuana containers and wrappers in the wilderness, too. Knowing that it's hunters/outdoorsman leaving their trash behind makes it even more despicable, to me. Please, pick up after yourselves, so we don't have to!

Most don't realize that it's (lane filtering) now perfectly legal in AZ. But only in a 45 MPH or less zone, and only when they're passing stopped vehicles. It's allowed to enhance the rider's safety.