Live Stream of the January 16th AZGFD Commission Meeting

[TR0UBLE SH00TER]

Just now, Flatlander said:

Did we ever find out the actual facts about what Koury did?

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

 

 

[Flatlander]

Seems like a pendulum swing. A few years ago some guides were getting off with a slap on the wrist.
 

That’s a lame application of that law. Koury was looking for otc elk instead of scouting for his once in a lifetime deer tag?! 

Of course he should have known better. That’s on him.

But that’s a silly letter of the law interpretation and honestly it sounds like they busted him because he was a guide. I hate that stuff. Seems like WMO’s want to target these guys, and I am not a fan of LEO’s trying to make a name for themselves.

 

[mc68]

This sh!t is hilarious to me. These “guides” are finally getting caught and something actually happening with charges. I’ve seen plenty of BS from “very reputable “ outfitters as recently as last September.  I’m dam sure not sad when they finally get caught. 

[bonecollector]

That Debaca case was very odd. 

[AZCoueser]

41 minutes ago, bonecollector said:

That Debaca case was very odd. 

5 yr revocation seemed excessive to me. 

[HuntHarder]

6 hours ago, bonecollector said:

That Debaca case was very odd. 

Boned, if you ask me.  What a terrible revocation.  Maybe there is more to it. 🤷

[idgaf]

14 hours ago, mc68 said:

This sh!t is hilarious to me. These “guides” are finally getting caught and something actually happening with charges. I’ve seen plenty of BS from “very reputable “ outfitters as recently as last September.  I’m dam sure not sad when they finally get caught. 

They have been catching them for decades they just haven't been prosecuting. See jed Larsen not knowing the boundary for the rez.  Or john mcclendon's client shooting that velvet bull in the main office at g&f in someone's yard.  

[654321]

3 hours ago, idgaf said:

They have been catching them for decades they just haven't been prosecuting. See jed Larsen not knowing the boundary for the rez.  Or john mcclendon's client shooting that velvet bull in the main office in someone's yard.  

Pretty sure John and his client were prosecuted and license lost.

[idgaf]

1 hour ago, 654321 said:

Pretty sure John and his client were prosecuted and license lost.

Client lost.  John officially did not take payment, so he was just a friend helping and not a licensed guide. It was a big thing up here for a bit. 

[trphyhntr]

22 hours ago, Flatlander said:

Seems like a pendulum swing. A few years ago some guides were getting off with a slap on the wrist.
 

That’s a lame application of that law. Koury was looking for otc elk instead of scouting for his once in a lifetime deer tag?! 

Of course he should have known better. That’s on him.

But that’s a silly letter of the law interpretation and honestly it sounds like they busted him because he was a guide. I hate that stuff. Seems like WMO’s want to target these guys, and I am not a fan of LEO’s trying to make a name for themselves.

 

 

On 1/16/2026 at 7:09 PM, TR0UBLE SH00TER said:

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

 

 

 

22 hours ago, Flatlander said:

Seems like a pendulum swing. A few years ago some guides were getting off with a slap on the wrist.
 

That’s a lame application of that law. Koury was looking for otc elk instead of scouting for his once in a lifetime deer tag?! 

Of course he should have known better. That’s on him.

But that’s a silly letter of the law interpretation and honestly it sounds like they busted him because he was a guide. I hate that stuff. Seems like WMO’s want to target these guys, and I am not a fan of LEO’s trying to make a name for themselves.

 

Nah, he was flying when he shouldn’t have been.

What case did Kourys attorney reference for punishment, Jed larsons? 

[trphyhntr]

6 hours ago, HuntHarder said:

Boned, if you ask me.  What a terrible revocation.  Maybe there is more to it. 🤷

Gotta be more to it. 

[Flatlander]

21 minutes ago, trphyhntr said:

 

 

Nah, he was flying when he shouldn’t have been.

What case did Kourys attorney reference for punishment, Jed larsons? 

Wasn’t there a Rhoton with a flying violation for a sheep tag?

[trphyhntr]

44 minutes ago, Flatlander said:

Wasn’t there a Rhoton with a flying violation for a sheep tag?

I believe there was. 

[wildwoody]

On 1/16/2026 at 11:33 AM, MogollonMan said:

It was clear that anything said by either party or attorney was irrelevant. The outcome had been predetermined. I found it extremely interesting that Mr. Koury's attorney cited precedence of a seemingly more egregious violation of the same law where the guilty party was assigned education but no suspension.

My main takeaways. The commission members are biased know-it-alls who are reinventing laws on the fly, and if you have shown yourself to be a highly successful guide or hunter, they are going to seek out any opportunity to make an example of you. Don't waste your time or money on attorneys or even bother going to the commission meeting.

that comment biased no it alls. So the crime doesn't matter. Cheat get caught and its the no it all committees fault. The person in the mirror is responsible for the person in the mirror. And  I thought his name was Shane. Just my opinion like its your opinion. Quick question, no disrespect for Koury but you have it for the council ?

[4huntrs]

Anyone that is out hunting and especially guides who have clients following their lead need to know the law and hold themselves and clients to a high standards. The thing I see time and again is when people try to twist the law in their favor and know they are wrong then try to make excuses and blame others for their own actions.