Phoenix Sportsmen: Draw results now available for spring hunts!
Tags remaining for javelina, turkey and bear to be issued first-come Dec. 1
PHOENIX – The draw process for the 2009 spring hunting season is complete, and the more than 35,000 eager applicants can now find out if they’ve been drawn by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw.
Applicants can obtain draw results for spring turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear hunt tags by providing a department ID Number (usually the applicant’s Social Security number) and date of birth. Draw results are also available by telephone at (602) 942-3000 (press 2).
Game and Fish officials said that hunt permit-tags will be mailed out to successful applicants no later than Dec. 5. Unsuccessful or rejected applicants will have their refund mailed out by Nov. 28.
For those individuals who were unsuccessful in the 2009 spring draw or did not submit an application, don’t despair – there are remaining tags for spring javelina, turkey and bear. Applications for more than 9,000 javelina tags, more than 250 turkey tags, and just over 70 tags for spring bear hunts will be accepted by mail only on or after 8 a.m. (MST) on Dec. 1, 2008. For a detailed listing of leftover permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw or call (623) 236-7702.
For those who qualify, there are military hunts available for Fort Huachuca. Call (520) 533-2549 for additional information.
Hunters are reminded that spring turkey tags for juniors-only can be purchased over-the-counter. Also available over-the-counter are archery-only javelina tags for hunts in metro units. Both of these tags can be purchased at any department office or license dealer.
Early outlook predictions are very favorable for the spring hunting season given the amount of precipitation the state received in winter and spring this year. Javelina are exciting and challenging to hunt, offering an excellent introduction to the skills needed for other big game hunting such as deer and elk. As for edibility, they make very good chorizo breakfast sausage, Italian and bratwurst sausages, as well as roasts and stews.
Other dates hunters should make note of include Nov. 21 for the opening of late season dove and Nov. 28 for the kick-off of Mearns’ quail season. For those interested in hunting elk and antelope next year, mark your calendars: The anticipated 2009 antelope and elk draw deadline is the second Tuesday in February 2009. Winter drawing information and regulations should be available on the department’s web site, www.azgfd.gov, by mid to late December 2008.
Hunting and fishing continues to be the cornerstone and a primary source of funding for wildlife management and conservation in North America. In Arizona alone, more than 418,000 hunters and anglers spend $3.8 million a day, or $1.3 billion per year participating in these activities to the benefit of local economies. Regardless of whether one chooses to actively participate in hunting or angling, people interested in wildlife and its future should understand the role sportsmen play in conservation.
Note to media: The big game draw is a lottery-style process for allocating the limited number of Arizona big game hunting permits to applicants. The first-come permit system allows individuals to apply for any leftover big game hunt permit-tags not issued during the normal drawing process.
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
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