txspeck

To All: I spoke with Game and Fish just yesterday to find out why my results did not show anything for spring turkey or bison. It did show I drew tag# 9999 for archery javelina and that was on November 29th (a Sunday). The response I received from G&F is a little alarming to say the least. The draw (online apps) was so screwed up this time a lot of us that thought we were in the draw actually never were. Here are the FACTS as I know them: 1. Several "hundred" applications never made it to the draw pile and remained in 'limbo' status 2. G&F stated they were experiencing severe IT issues that really messed things up 3. G&F is supposed to call (I never heard anything yet) every affected applicant to offer 2 remedies (which I find insulting) a. Refund of the $13 or b. 1 Bonus Point 4. I was told it is safer to go back to old school applications (paper apps plus paying FULL tag fees up front again) 5. I was charged and the $13 taken out of my account for all 3 apps, only 1 made it into the draw which was the one I wanted the least (javelina) 6. Having my printed receipts for the tag application fees may have saved me from a he said/she said moment I am going to write, which is probably useless, to AZGF to voice my serious complaint over this debacle. To only offer a refund (which means loss of banked points) or just a bonus point is not right. I would not want to ask for a complete re-draw which would not be fair to those who were lucky enough to even get into the draw and get a tag. I would ask G&F to at the LEAST offer those who thought they were in the draw and never got in 2 points per affected species at a minimum. I have never voiced my concerns or issue with G&F who have a very difficult job with low pay (compared to other LEO agencies) and could use more help in my opinion. This issue of constant problems with the online draw process is completely unacceptable when surrounding western states have been doing it for years with scant a hiccup. I am asking anyone affected in this way, as I was, to PLEASE contact everyone you can in upper management at AZGF to demand a different compensation that what is currently being given out. To offer me only a refund or 1 bonus point (which I would have received anyway if not drawn) is total B.S. . With the way this draw system works (or not works as the case may be) I had a okay chance at a Goulds tag with the number of points I'm sitting on right now. I for dang sure am not going to draw anything if my application never even makes it into the draw. Rant over. I CANT WAIT FOR ELK/ANTELOPE with this jewel of a draw system! CALL AZ GAME AND FISH AND VOICE YOUR CONCERNS! This issue can be fixed if enough of us hunters, fisherman or anyone who gives the G&F money throws the BS flag and asks for change!

No results for me, all it shows are the fall tags that I didn't draw...

Browning X-bolt Medallion 270WSM Extras: Custom muzzle break from a very reputable gunsmith Lots of bedding work done Leupold 30mm rings and bases Approximately 70 rounds through the barrel Shoots very well and very little recoil. Rifle has a few nicks and scratches on it, it was a hunting rifle but not mistreated. $650

still available

Me as well. Going to try a spot near Cody.

Here's a thought, although unlikely...Losers driving around (probably drinking), see fresh deer hanging in someone's camp, make moronic decision to steal the deer and drive off. Quick grab of the of the choice parts of the deer and dump carcass. Someone went to a lot of extra trouble, cutting off lower legs, cleaning gut cavity, taking head, etc. to just grab a few pieces of meat why even bother with that? However, some people are just plain stupid and you can't fix stupid.

Congrats! What caliber rifle is she shooting?

Yeah saw that, I put in anyway

Coming down on price $700 obo

They were all called in, 2 came in at fly down and the other we called up at around 10:30AM.

My group went 3 for 3 in as many days. Saw very few birds but the toms were singing. Guess in the end we only needed to see 3! Their beards averaged 9 1/4 to 10" ; all around 20 pounds or more.

oops, sorry. just realized this was in the "elk" section. My bad.

What was this for antelope? I thought we had until May to put in??

Oh, okay. Thanks cohntr6. Figured it had to be a tree or shrub of some kind.

What's a "Quakie"?

Dang, I didn't draw for the 3rd time? Don't get it, I was certain that last year it was 100% with 2 bonus points which I had! I give up. Anyone explain to me what this means exactly; If I'm reading it right 75 people put in for zero tags who had less than 3 bonus points (which i fit into). But there were plenty of other tags in the higher bonus point category 4 or more that weren't issued? There are no left-overs for Unit 81 now which I don't understand. 081 1 ANY ANTELOPE Area Type Description Quota Issued Points Applicants Success/Odds 81 11 1 6 1 100% 10 0 < 6 0 100.00% 10 1 5 1 100.00% 9 0 < 5 0 100.00% 9 2 4 2 100.00% 7 0 < 4 0 100.00% 7 9 3 11 63.64% 0 < 3 75 0.00%

Very cool pics.

Beware! If you, like me, applied for more than one species and did it all at once their may be a problem. I called my bank (BofA) to let them know that there were 5 seperate charges I completed through a website for AZG&F. I was told the first one went through, but since there were four others from the same vendor, for the same amount, the subsequent 4 applications were declined. I did not get a declination notice when I submitted the credit card on the site, but only found out after calling BofA. I had a suspicious feeling that the transactions would be flagged being so close together and for the same amount. However, in years past I had done the same thing with no problems (BofA too). So now, I have to call G&F draw department tomorrow to make sure everything is good to go. Not too happy about that, I don't want to lose my bonus points for missing a draw. Deer is the only one I am truly interested (and able to hunt) in drawing. I'm sure it will get resolved but, man what a pain. I KNEW i should have done it one at a time over the course of a day, but the bank probably would have done the same anyway. You live and learn I guess. Not really blaming BofA, even though I'm not really a fan, as any legit bank would/should have done the same thing. AZG&F needs to figure out a way to do it all at once so that you only get one charge for everything instead of 2,3,4 etc. seperate ones.

I went last year (early summer) and we caught a bunch. HOWEVER, the average size of the fish we were catching was 8-10". Lots and lots of little bass which was great for the kids as they would bite anything that hit the water. Awesome country and as long as your not going out there expecting to catch a lot of 3-5 pounders it was fun to be out on the reservation. Had our section of the river all to ourselves the whole trip. I think the biggest caught (or seen) was maybe a shade over a pound. Water was clear and flowing and seemed pretty healthy. This is the one and only time I have fished the Black. Whatever you decide will be good, always a good time.

RAC Depending what you want to do (long range or day trips) I can recommend the Vagabond out of Diego. Great boat and a great skipper. I've also fished the Condor which was good, also a very "fishy" boat. These boats do long range only pretty much ( overnight to 10 days+ kind of trips). As for the half-day type boats they are all pretty much the same, more crowded on the weekends/holidays.

Couldn't agree with everyone more, this show is complete garbage and totally staged.

Maybe a hen Gadwall?

Don't want to be the naysayer but I believe this type of "hunting" to be completely ridiculous. This is exactly the kind of thing the anti-hunting groups drool over. If the ranchers/farmers were really serious about saving their land they would use large traps that capture entire herds. Then the pigs could be dispatched quickly and the meat either donated or whatever they wanted to do with it. These traps are probably as effective or better than helicopter hunting because you catch most of the group at once. I have personally seen how effective the traps are. If you don't like whats in the trap you can always let them go. It comes down to dollars, the ranchers both hate and love the feral hogs. It brings in extra dollars for the hunting leases, hence they often charge a few hundred bucks to shoot some. They are destructive, no arguement there, but "hunting" out of a helicopter? If someone wants to pretend to be a helicopter door gunner flying the canyons looking for targets then join the military. It just looks so bad to the non hunters out there, why give them ammo? Just my two cents. I never comment on things like this that are sure to generate a wide variety of opinions but couldn't keep my fingers shut!

A little late now, but I spoke to a warden about 2 years ago and asked him about hunting squirrels on Mt. Lemmon. He said "go ahead" just be aware of other people around and try to get way off the trails. I was fishing Rose Canyon at the time and had been watching about half a dozen Abert's running around. He told me I could hunt around the lake which would probably be good after the campground closes (i.e., very few people). Probably not much help, but I know you can hunt there or at least I was told so by an AZGF Ranger.

Has anyone noticed that Wyoming Antelope are LESS tasty than what we have in Arizona? I was told they are a lot gamier in WY versus AZ because of the sage in their diet. Tired of waiting on drawing here, would like to finally get one!