AZ Javelina... no tag for me

[Grey Taylor]

I just checked the AZ draw results and found that I did not get drawn for an archery javelina tag. That really bites. If you don't get drawn for a tag you get a refund on the tag fee. However, they keep the license fee and issue a hunting license. A license that is now worthless to me since I didn't get a tag. I had three hunt choices and figured I'd be sure to get drawn for something. Obviously, I was mistaken.
I guess this is the end of AZ hunting for me. I can't afford to throw $151 into the kitty on the off chance that I'll get drawn for a tag.

Hunter numbers are dropping all over the USA. What would posess a game department to manage their system in this way? Sure, they get my money this year but they sure won't any other year after this.

Guy

[wingnut]

Yep AZ has it backwards.  They got the last of my money this year.  I used the elk preferance points I had accumulated and got a cow tag.  Leaving on Tuesday.

Make sure you check with the Game Dept today.  They may have left over tags in other units.

Mike

[the Ferret]

Yep used to hunt out there with Wingnut and AZstickman but I won't risk that kind of money on the chance of getting drawn. Besides there's more javies in Texas which is where we are hunting this year..huh Mike?  

[Jack Shanks]

Grey,

 You can still buy an archery deer tag and hunt either mule deer or coues deer I believe. At least that was the case when I hunted there last January.

[Grey Taylor]

I was really surprised to not get drawn.  In two previous years we've gotten our first choices.  Not this time, though.
Jack, the archery deer tags are over the counter but I'm just not inclined to go over there for that.  I have even lower results with deer than I do with anything else.

This is probably going to be it for hunting for me.  I gave up on my home state a long time ago and now I won't be doing AZ any longer.  Other states are too far away, expecially with the way gas is going.  AZ was stretching it in that department.  I got a CA license this year (first time in about 3 years) for a camping trip a few weeks ago and only saw two rabbits, both in the campground and thus safe.
Between vacation time available, gas prices, and lack of results on even seeing game, I think I'm done.

Guy

[Jack Shanks]

Grey,

 No disrespect intended, but if success meant that much to me I would have given up on traditional equipment long ago. Just think how much fun you would have hunting for those deer with a stick bow and how rewarding it would be when you actually got one.

[the Ferret]

Grey can't you hunt hogs in California?

[Grey Taylor]

Jack, no offense taken.  I enjoy getting out into the bushes as much as anyone else but after years of not even seeing anything, the experience is waning.  Whether rifle or longbow, I just haven't had any success at anything.  Not killing anything... *seeing* anything.
Maybe it's where I go, maybe it's my skills (or lack thereof), but I'm just out of enthusiasm for the whole damn thing.

Micky, hogs are California's most taken large game animal.  Their southern-most range is a ways north of me.  Public land success is quite low and I don't really have the funds to pay for private land access.

Guy

[Ted Fry]

Grey, when I was young ( UNDER 12)My family had a ranch just north of Santa Barbara . I used to walk between the lemon trees and had a hoot hunting cottontails and quail.
Maybe try smaller game for a bit and just have fun. Your welcome to hunt Oregon and I am sure Nevada would like the increase in hunters , You are right on with , what a goofy tag system Arizona , they make it quite clear they only want your money

[the Ferret]

Sorry to hear that Grey, you obviously have a love for the sport.

Ever thought about moving?    all the states bordering Ohio (and then some) have lots of public access and plenty of game.

[Jack Shanks]

Grey, believe me when I say I can share your frustration. I have been on many hunts where I returned empty handed for one reason or another. It is always nice to get something at least every once in a while.

 You have already spent the money for a license. It is possible that there are left over tags in another unit other than the one you put in for. If you are able to purchase a tag in a different unit it might give you a chance to look over some new country and still hunt javelina.

[Benoli]

Grey, You might try the San Carlos Indian Reservation. We hunted it about 7 years ago and did well in unit D. Dates are different than the State and not sure what the cost is now. The last time we were there they actually gave us a free Mountian Lion Tag.

[TradAlaska]

Grey -- have you checked to see if AZ has any undersubscribed areas and therefore has over the counter javelina tags?  It seems to me that they usually do, not always, but frequently.

[Jeff Holchin]

Grey, you mentioned that you don't have much luck with deer, but since you already have a  license and can pick up an OTC deer tag (that will change soon), you might consider a trip to southern AZ in January for rutting coues and mule deer (I think you can hunt small game too).  The country is beautiful and the weather is nice in January...

 

Lots of game in the oaks...

 

Just seeing new country would be fun, especially if you could hook up with an AZ tradganger....
 

I'd stay away from the southern border.  I saw jack rabbits, roadrunners, quail, javies, coyotes, skunks, antelope, coues deer and mulies.  Saw lion tracks in the sand of some caves, and a jaguar was photographed in the area I hunted.  I enjoyed the experience.

Come to think of it, I have a valid AZ license too!  Wish I had some time to actually use it before the end of January.

[Wyben]

A couple years ago 3 of us got some leftover handgun tags. We had a good hunt. We each got a Javelina with our bows. It was a blast.

[deadpool]

cedar city, utah has tons of public land and plenty of deer for you to chase, over the counter tags available.....
only a 2 hour drive from vegas, vegas itself has plenty small game huntin, like blacktail jackrabbits and crazy amounts of cottontails!!
same goes for california, north couth and central

[trad kid]

i hate that they have drawings for javilina nd basically every other archery tags are over the counter

[Grey Taylor]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and thoughts.  I guess I have until January to decide what to do regarding Arizona.  Who knows?  Perhaps my enthusiasm for hunting will come creeping back just as it has in the past.  I really enjoy my time in the bushes.  But I'm a hunter, not a hiker.  Having the chance at game of some kind would really be nice.

Guy

[wingnut]

Grey,

there are a bunch of leftover tags.  Here is a link to the units.  They go quickly but one phone call and your hunt is back on.

 http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/documents/2008SpringFirstComeListwebsite.pdf

Mike

[Littlefeather]

Thanks Mike! I just landed 63 tags.    


Just kidding!