Flatlander

Don’t look now… Devils are 3-0 since Dustin’s prediction. Wins over Oregon, GCU and Creighton.

amanda@coueswhitetail.com

What’s your training in Thom?

Where is the gun at? I need to run down to AW this week or next anyway.

This is absurd. Having 3X as much data will certainly provide more reliable statistical information because the margin of error is much reduced. The only way it wouldn’t is if more people lied on their survey than already do not return a survey. The probability of which makes it statistically irrelevant.

Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell how accurate their extrapolations from the source data was. But my basic level of statistical training tells me that the more data points we start with the lower the margin of error and thus the more reliable the data is.

Count me in for a donation. PM me with how to pay.

So what did they say about the Big Bo? Is it being sold? Changing its policy? Did Jimmy John buy all the access?

It doesn’t make sense to have some data based on mandatory reporting and some not. My guess is that mandatory reporting will come to all species soon.

I don’t think the commission was as worried about possible forgetfulness as they are about guides intentionally avoiding the FS permit process. Which is important. If it’s true he had done this before, was warned and then did it again (and plastered it all over the internet) as the regulating agency AZGF is likely to give a good long listen to another government agency who they work together with on a number of issues. If the FS LEO asked for stiff punishment because of intent, it’s not surprising the dept listened. If I remember correctly Steve Ward was one of the most vocal opponents of the bait ban several years ago. I don’t know if I would buy into the dept having anything against his success, they are just managing a resource. The seasons were reduced in units where success was high and triggered the pre-determined steps outlined in the guidelines.

That’s a two edged sword…that would make it pretty dang easy to put condos on that big private piece.

Ever been there?

This is amazing.

That your unit shuts down earlier and that the success rate will look higher in reports. Pretty flimsy concerns if you ask me. And not any different than challenges with data we already rely on completely. All mandatory reporting does is increase the sample size of data that already gets gathered.

Amazing. Congratulations!

Anyone know what AZGFD decided today at the commission meeting?

I really like the ones I get from the dept. Not as thick and a lot easier to read. They started selling 22 tags in November.

This didn’t age well…

You ship?

Great, now everyone knows. Why do we have to put everything on social media?

UPDATE 9.24.21 Commission Meeting We need to tell AZGFD and the Commission to stop paying social media to expedite the loss of opportunity for AZ residents! Yesterday the department gave an update on the 2023 hunt guidelines. This much is clear, OTC archery deer hunting is likely to change or disappear in the near future unless something changes. Please make our voices heard by signing and sharing this petition. *** Since 2016 AZGFD has been paying influencers between $5k - $60k per year to promote a wide range of hunting opportunities in Arizona. This program has been very effective at increasing license sales among Non-Residents and increasing demand for previously under-subscribed hunts. A portion of this effort has been focused on OTC archery deer hunting. Promoting these specific opportunities has contributed to a rapid loss of opportunity in OTC hunts. Since this advertising campaign began Non-Resident license sales have increased dramatically while there has been a 25% decline in OTC opportunity. I am encouraging all AZ residents to sign the petition below and request that AZGFD cease their promotion of all hunts without a non-resident cap. I fear that if these opportunities are lost for residents in our state that we will quickly lose the interest of the public and become subject to a disinterested and disengaged electorate who will no longer support wildlife at the ballot box. It is critical that we maintain every opportunity possible for residents of this state to ensure this privilege exists for future generations. https://chng.it/62rjYqFMYp

I’m really confused about where this conversation went. But, the survey asks if you wounded and didn’t recover an animal.

Many states require this to buy a license or tag the next year. It’s very effective and doesn’t cost the dept anything.

Brian has done a heck of a lot more than send an email to get this considered. He has been pitching this idea, adapting and improving it for almost a year in an effort to try and preserve OTC opportunity in AZ. I am learning the hard way that sending a few emails is not an effective way to get anyone to listen to your ideas. Pretending Brian is getting some special treatment is just plain ignorant. Trust me, the dept (Amber Munig specifically) started giving the same nonsensical argument about barriers to participation etc. and Brian didn’t let it go. He took it to the commission, branch chiefs, critter groups, etc. There is no need for sour grapes. Mandatory reporting is good for wildlife management and we have been asking for it long enough. Let’s make sure everyone hears it this time.

Kev isn’t wrong that there is a perception among much of the public that hunters are ignorant rednecks. It’s a stupid stereotype that isn’t any more accurate than pretending all inner-city youth are gang members or criminals. Neither of these is correct and the stereotype doesn’t help fix problems that either of them face nor does it value the good that they often bring. Like it or not, MeatEater pushed hunting towards mainstream. There are a litany of challenges that imposes on an extractive recreation like hunting, fishing, gathering, etc. How we manage that going forward is the million dollar question.