AZG&F Commision meeting

[Delw]

This all doesnt look good for AZ, if it passes I guess its time to move or quit hunting.
Theres alot more on the website on the bottom og the quote.

All caps or % have been done away with except for sheep, that includes buffalo. Residents and non-residents will have the same opportunity to draw all species except for sheep. Sheep was the only species that they made non-commercial and banned the sale of parts. The 10% of tags being set-aside for non-resident sheep are non-commercial just the same as the resident tags.

George Taulman sent his lawyer, Jim Scaratino to attend the commission meeting yesterday and address the commission. He filled out a blue speaker's card for agenda item 14f. What he had to tell the commission was basically none of your cap ideas will work and wanted to invite the commission to negotiate with USO on how they would control non-resident tags in the future. One must wonder if our position was so week, why did it take them 7 years to win the case? Why would Taulman send him if our position is weak? Why wouldn't they just sue us again if they didn't like the new regulations? I thought it was an attempt to intimidate or scare the commission.

On a brighter note, let me explain what agenda item 16, "smart pricing" is. These fee increases for permits are based more on the value of the animal. They have added two new categories. They have split deer and bull elk into two categories, "deer" and "premium deer (N. of the Colorado)". "Bull elk" and "premium bull elk (early bull)". On an average the resident to non-resident pricing will be 1/9 or non-residents being nine times higher than residents. This seems to be consistent with other states nation wide. I will give you some examples of what the new pricing may be. Keep in mind these prices are cap prices submitted to the governor and legislature, the actual prices will be lower.

Deer: res. $50, non-resident $200

Premium deer: res. $150, non-resident $1200

Bull elk: res. $150, non-resident $775

Premium bull elk: res. $350, non-resident $3200

Sheep: res. $335, non-res. $3000

Bull buffalo: res. $1000, non-res. $5000

Antelope: res. $90, non-res. $630

What will probably happen is that resident fees will be below the stated caps and non-resident fees will be very close to the stated caps.

http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/TF/regional/thread.cfm?threadid=98736&MESSAGES=3&state=Az#900858

 

[Ten Bears]

Sounds like AZ residents are gonna get screwered.

 

[A-con]

Does anyone know if "Premium Bull Elk" includes early archery ?
No way I can fork out 3K+ for an elk tag !

 

[BuzzH]

Taulman is getting his way for his rich clients, narrowing the field so only they (rich dudes) can play. Like A-con, I wont be applying for a premium elk tag for 3k.

Arizona, along with Taulman, can both kiss my ass.

I think reciprocal prices for AZ folks to hunt WY, MT, OR, etc. are in order.

 

[JoseCuervo]

USO makes out like bandits on this one. Only their rich clients will be able to afford tags.

Not sure why AZGFD had all the laws to restrict non-residents, but they sure are backfiring... The caps on tags were stupid to begin with, and I am glad USO won. Now hopefully the AZGFD will realize they need to embrace the non-resident, and not do something stupid like they have planned.

And I have heard, that there is some argument that COULD be made once the Non-res tags get out of line for reasonableness, that there is another lawsuit ready....

 

[feclnogn]

At some point USO will control all non resident hunting in the west. AZ fell right into USO's little trap. 3200 for a tag, 3 to 5000 for taulmans guide service. This takes 90% of public land hunters out of the equation. It seems to me the easy solution is to pass a law either state or nationally barring the sale of animal parts. Why is no one doing this????

 

[JoseCuervo]

I don't understand why the AZ residents are so against the Non-residents. How does AZ fund their Game department? Via licenses/tags or via General Fund?

Idaho just funds off of licneses and tags, and we make the bulk of the money off non-residents.

I think the AZ residents and their Commission are focusing on the wrong problem.

 

[cjcj]

Gunner you say you are "glad U.S.O. won" and then you wonder why some AZ residents are against [non-residents]?

 

[JoseCuervo]

Yeppers CJ,
I think the framers of the US Constitution were incredibly bright and foresighted. And for the AZGFD to violate our Constitutional rights was an attack on ALL of America and that what this country stands for.

But answer the question, who pays the bills for AZGFD? The Taxpayers of AZ or the hunters (via licenses and tags)? And if it is the latter, who carries the burden the residents or the non-residents?

 

[cfree]

Go to the financial statement on page 7 and see who carries the burden for Arizona's wildlife. I say whatever percentage non-residents DIRECTLY contribute to the budget should be their tag allocation.

http://www.gf.state.az.us/pdfs/inside_azgfd/Annual%20Report%202002-2003.pdf

 

[cjcj]

Cfree you beat me to the punch, [ i like your idea] Maybee those out of staters should start buying AZ Lottery tickets to increase their % [heritage fund]