Outdoor Writer

BTT

Dave, Hey, an education never hurt anyone. -TONY

The $500 is not too bad for a rut hunt. Is that a marginal area, thus the reason for the huge price difference? -TONY

From YOUR messages, it sounds like you drew your tag for the Navajo Res. and NOT Camp Navajo, right? What's the cost of non-tribal permit there now? -TONY

Dave, Good point, but...the downside of that is the legislature can come back at any time and change a law it puts forth for a ballot vote, i.e. a year from now it can send the funds elsewhere. And if I recall, they can do that in-house rather than going through another referendum vote. That isn't the case with an initiative, however. Once it becomes rule of law by a vote of the people, the "hands off" rule in regards to the legislature and governor kicks in. I'm guessing this is the reason for the sand-kicking attitude. -TONY

Seems to be a bit of confusion here between Camp Navajo and the Navajo Reservation, no? -TONY

Dave, Curious; Why would a referendum be better than an initiative??? -TONY

Boy, have I got a deal for you. I have most of the items Doug listed in his reply, but the press is an RCBS Jr. with primer catcher and auto primer feeder circa 1968 in perfect shape. I also have the RCBS powder measure with stand, a Lyman/Ohaus M5 scale (not electronic), Forster case trimmer, gauges, deburring tool, loading blocks, all sorts of shell holders, extra primer decapping pins and assorted other goodies, including primers, bullets, etc. Have a couple sets of rifle dies, too, but not sure what calibers you need. Everything is in almost new shape and perfect setup to get started with. We can negotiate a smoking deal for the works if you want. Where do you live? -TONY

M77, Other than a few typos and misspellings, which I assume are here only, it's a nice job. -TONY

No wonder you get misinformation. That main number basically puts you in touch with a bunch of gals who don't have a clue. You don't need an "inside" contact to talk to knowledgeable folks at G&F. When you call, just be SPECIFIC and ask for the department -- i.e. big-game branch, fisheries, etc, -- that can best answer your questions or just ask to talk with a public information officer in I&E. Both Rory Aikens and Tom Cadden are good resources for accurate info. And of course, it's always best to NOT start off with something like, "I know you guys don't have a clue about game management and are only concerned about making more money for new trucks, but can you answer a question for me?" -TONY

Only my guess, but I would probably say you'd be in a real gray area if it was done immediately before or during the bear season. When I talked to Wakling this morning, I asked him what would happen if all baiting for deer was made illegal and someone sat over a salt block a rancher had left for his cattle. He said that it would be a judgement call by the wildlife officer as to citing the individual. But he also said it would be a tough prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the hunter had placed the block in the location. -TONY

Lark, Here's a refresher on when the spring season actually began here. This is a snippet from a bear hunting article I wrote in 1989. -TONY **** Back then the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache Indian Reservations were the only two areas in the state where spring bear hunting seasons were open. The Arizona Game & Fish Department eventually authorized the first state-run season in 1985 and issued a total of 53 permits --- 50 in Hunt Unit 31 and three in Unit 35A. Due to a few freak storms that kept the animals holed up, no bears were taken during the initial hunt. The results were the same the following year. Finally, in 1987, after the game department increased the permits in Unit 31 to 100, six hunters took trophies. For 1989, 100 permits will be available for Unit 28 (April 14-29 season) and three for Unit 35A (April 14-May 14 season). The hunting license and tag, including the special permit application fee, costs $28.50 for a resident and $208.50 for a non-resident. The low success during the state hunt can probably be attributed to the fact that both baiting and the use of dogs are not allowed. Consequently, hunters must depend on the spot-and- stalk method of hunting, which requires lots of patience and good optics.

Lark, You are correct on the baiting being legal for the fall season only, and I had meant to word it that way. My bad. The rest about the reason for making it illegal was correct, though. The department realized that an attempt to close the fall season by the AR folks because of the baiting issue would jeopardize all bear hunting in the state, including the spring hunt, mainly because it was the latter that was targeted in other states. I believe bait ban here occured about 1992/93, right after Amendment 10, which banned spring, bait, and hound hunting of black bears, was passed in Colorado by a 70% to 30% vote. In 1994, the AR folks also had bear baiting and hound hunting of mountain lions banned in Oregon via Measure 18 with a 52% to 48% vote. If the department was concerned about hunters fighting, it would make treestands and sitting over other water holes illegal, too. -TONY

M77, Did you perhaps call G&F after hours and speak with someone on the cleaning crew? -TONY

So you enjoy being in the majoiry?? -TONY

Right. Correct information always trumps wild-assed guesses. -TONY

Oh, okay. Thanks for explaining the sarcasm involved. GH -- ignore my questions!!! -TONY

GH, Can you cite the rule or law that says it's illegal to put a salt block on public land? I sure can't find anything that says that, and ranchers put them on their federal and state leases all the time. Or are you using illegal as to mean unethical by your code of sportsmanship? -TONY

In this one, the key word is KNOWINGLY. The point of the rule is to keep someone from PURPOSELY attracting bears, especially if you have a bear tag in your pocket. In any case, yes, best to just watch or take photos. -TONY

The key word in the above is INTENTIONALLY. As Wakling explained, there is no way they would prosecute a deer hunter using salt if it attracted a bear even if a game officer cited him. He said there would be no way to prove that hunter's INTENT to attract a bear. -TONY

DB, Baiting was indeed legal here at one time for the spring hunts, which is probably why you remember all the specifics being listed. And you are correct that the game department phased out the baiting as per its rules rather than state law. Having discussed this quite a bit with G&F folks when it happened, I'm aware of the main reason for it; it was to prempt a strike by the animal rights folks to put another initiative on the ballot to outlaw the spring bear season altogether, as they managed to do in Colorado and as they did here with the steel-jawed traps. THAT would have been state law and irreversible if done by initiative. As it now stands, G&F could bring back bear baiting again with a simple rule change. Don't hold your breath, though. In fact, don't be surprised if ALL baiting is banned not too far in the furture. -TONY

The following are the only comments AZ G&F makes in regards to treestands. Note that the department actually has NO enforcible rules as far as regulating their use. Instead, it will depend on the agency -- BLM, state or USFS -- that oversees the land you're hunting on. Also, in reference to "permanent;" this doesn't mean leaving a portable stand overnight or even over several days. It refers to constructing something permanently, ala a wooden nailed platform or even a ground blind that isn't removed on a timely basis. -TONY Tree Stands and Blinds Tree stands and blinds can be effective and perfectly legal tools to aid in the taking of wildlife. However, please take into consideration the following before hanging a tree stand or setting a blind: • It may be unlawful to cut any trees or branches while hanging tree stands or setting blinds. • It may be unlawful to leave tree stands hanging or blinds set for extended periods of time. They may be considered abandoned property and subject to seizure. • Construction of permanent tree stands or blinds on public lands is unlawful without appropriate authorization. • It may be unlawful to pound climbing spikes or attach anything that penetrates the surface of a tree causing permanent injury or scarring. • Placement of tree stands or blinds on public property does not give a person ownership of that area. First come — first serve is common courtesy that should be used when more than one person wants to hunt the same area (or waterhole). Sportsmen are advised to be responsible when using tree stands or blinds, and check with the appropriate land management agency regarding use and/or restrictions.

First, it is quite LEGAL -- at least for now -- to use salt, corn or other feed on either public or private land in AZ to attract deer. You guys can argue among yourselves as to it being ethical or not. In regards to bear baiting, the exact rules from the 2007/2008 regs: Under the Bear Permit list: 1. No person shall KNOWINGLY use any substance as bait at any time to attract or take bear. In the Rules section under R12-4-303 - Unlawful Devices, Methods, and Ammunition An individual shall not place substances in a manner INTENDED to attract bears. So... because these sound somewhat ambiguous, I called Bryan Wakeling just now for clarification. Everything depends on INTENT, according to him. For example, if a guy is sitting over a salt block during the Dec. Coues hunt and a bear wanders in, the hunter's INTENT is not to attract a bear, and a wildlife officer would consider that 1) there is no bear season open 2)the hunter doesn't possess a valid bear tag but does possess a deer tag for that unit. Of course, if the guy actually shoots at the bear, he'll be in deep dodo. -TONY

Need some help. I believe someone here put me in touch with Craig Cormier a few months ago, but I no longer have his mail address. So if someone knows it, please send it to me in a PM here. Thanks. -TONY

If any you guys draw a sheep tag before me, I'll be quite upset. After 38 years, I'm entitled!!! Plus, it's the only critter I applied for, opting for bonus point puchases for deer and bison. -TONY