Dumb AZ questions

[zacii]

If I don't get a deer tag in the 2015 big game draw and buy an OTC archery tag for Jan 2016; can I put in for the draw again for the fall 2016 hunts?

If I don't get a deer tag in the drawing, I understand that I will get a bonus point. If I then get an OTC archery tag will I forfeit the point?

If I draw a spring turkey tag, but am unsuccessful at getting one, can I buy a fall archery tag?

Am I correct in understanding that AZ doesn't differentiate between deer species, and that I can only harvest one deer regardless of species? For example, I can't harvest a mule deer and a coues within a calendar year?

Will AZ recognized Hunter's Safety from another state?

I've been through the regulations, so much my head hurts, but am unable to find answers to my questions.

 

[zacii]

4. They don't differentiate. The calendar year for hunting is July-June. (Even though they used to sell the license for Jan 1 to Dec 31. It's now good for 365 days from purchase. Weird system in some ways)

So where they say one deer per calendar year, that means from July 2015 to June 2016? So I could theoretically take 2 deer in one year albeit two separate calendar years?


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[Bwht4x4]

I don't think Alabama is correct on this and for your own knowledge you should call the AZGFD to confirm. I've always been under the assumption that if you buy an OTC tag in January and kill a deer you cannot apply for the deer draw in June and not harvest another deer that calendar year. Below is the bag limit directly from the AZGFD regulations for deer and it says 1 deer per calendar year. A calendar year is always January 1 to December 31 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calendar year).

One (1) deer per calendar year, except as prescribed in R12-4-120.

 

[micropterus79]

I don't think Alabama is correct on this and for your own knowledge you should call the AZGFD to confirm. I've always been under the assumption that if you buy an OTC tag in January and kill a deer you cannot apply for the deer draw in June and not harvest another deer that calendar year. Below is the bag limit directly from the AZGFD regulations for deer and it says 1 deer per calendar year. A calendar year is always January 1 to December 31 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calendar year).

One (1) deer per calendar year, except as prescribed in R12-4-120.

This is also my understanding.

Lets assume you do draw a tag for a fall rifle hunt in 2015; if you were to go ahead and then buy an OTC archery tag for the August 2015 season and tagged an animal, you're done (you can't use your rifle tag now because you have reached the bag limit for 2015) and it would essentially be a waste of a permit (draw) tag.

Now let's assume you don't draw a fall rifle tag for 2015 and you're resorting to OTC archery tags. If you were to hunt say unit 21, you would have two chances to fill that tag. Once during the August 2015 season and Once during the December 2015 season. Let's say you nail one in the December 2015 season and want to go back out in January 2016. That's fine but if you tag out in January 2016, you are not to fill another tag for the whole rest of the year regardless of method of take.

This is why some archery hunters in AZ prefer to not hunt that January OTC season because if they fill the tag, deer season is over for the rest of the year.

 

[Alabama]

Somebody PM'd me yesterday stating the same thing. I was basing my info on a couple of assumptions based on the hunting seasons throughout the year at a glance chart on this page: https://azgfdportal.az.gov/Hunting/Regulations

Also the regulations booklets state they are for 2015-16. The deer, mountain lion and small game seasons that run past Dec 31 are always in the same regulation booklet. Deer seasons for OTC archery are all listed together (in 15 and 16). Mountain Lion seasons are from July 1st to June 30th. All these things point to a July to June "hunting year" Unfortunately I assumed vey wrong!

My apologies zacii! I have read the regulations many times over and even make my own notes but I was wrong on this one. Based on the PM I received, I called Game and Fish and micropterus79 is spot on with his explanation. Only one deer from Jan 1 to Dec 31st.

I hope you haven't purchased an otc license based on my info. I'm going to feel like a real a$$ if you did.

 

[zacii]

No, I haven't purchased anything yet. I'm just curious because this is the first year I've put in for AZ.



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[micropterus79]

No, I haven't purchased anything yet. I'm just curious because this is the first year I've put in for AZ.



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This is only my second year in AZ and it is confusing. It took me a bunch of reading just to ensure that a "non-permit" tag was in fact an over the counter tag. I can totally understand the confusion since there are so many seasons.

Hope everything works out zacii.

 

[AT Hiker]

Im planning to buy a OTC permit for January and if I kill one then I will consider myself fortunate and cut my losses by not applying for the fall 2016 draw, life will be so rough haha!

Its confusing for sure, especially when you start hunting multiple states. Its good to ask questions here but its even better to call the state when you are finalizing plans.

Good luck!



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[micropterus79]

Wanted to throw this in this in there too; I noticed Alabama had deleted the original reply but was correct on many other points:

Yes, AZ does recognize hunter safety from other states so long as you're of a certain age although I do not recall what that is. I do remember having to dig a little for it though.

Turkeys (for whatever reason) are managed as big game in AZ and the bag limit is one, as per deer and elk. So the same logic applies as above.

As far as I know, at least for OTC archery tags, they are valid for any antlered deer and there are no quantitative restrictions. If you can see antlers, even spikes, you're good to go but again, only one per year whether it be a muley or couesy.

 

[tythur111386]

Yes, no, yes, yes, yes

 

[UB-AZ]

For the newbies to AZ...don't hesitate to ask. You get a lot of information that way and is what makes this forum site better than most. People are willing to help and share. I praise Alabama for responding as well as all the others to make sure the correct information is out there.

One last piece of advice.... if you do tag in Jan on a deer.... apply for bonus pt only in the fall..... that way you're still building points for that elusive strip tag or cous tag...there is nothing wrong with that and it won't get rejected.

 

[micropterus79]

For the newbies to AZ...don't hesitate to ask. You get a lot of information that way and is what makes this forum site better than most. People are willing to help and share. I praise Alabama for responding as well as all the others to make sure the correct information is out there.

One last piece of advice.... if you do tag in Jan on a deer.... apply for bonus pt only in the fall..... that way you're still building points for that elusive strip tag or cous tag...there is nothing wrong with that and it won't get rejected.

Thanks UB, that last bit is a hell of a good point!

 

[UB-AZ]

That's what we're here for.....

Now if I could just figure out th tricks to to draw NM (anything....), and WY Buck Antelope....

 

[Alabama]

Wanted to throw this in this in there too; I noticed Alabama had deleted the original reply but was correct on many other points:

I just deleted it all so that bad info wouldn't be out there. I'm sure some people just read a few responses without reading the whole post.

 

[Alabama]

That's what we're here for.....

Now if I could just figure out th tricks to to draw NM (anything....), and WY Buck Antelope....

All you have to do to draw NM is apply there for 2 years That's what I did to draw my elk tag in 16C!