Arizona’s 2006 Bonus Point Listing hit my mailbox a couple of days ago. Since it seems that many folks like to see this kind of information (I don’t know why, it’s rather depressing), I thought I’d post it here...

Arizona Game & Fish Notes:
• Bonus points listed below include the permanent hunter education point and the new loyalty point.
• There were individuals with a permanent point that were not counted in previous years.
• Remember, all potential hunters may not apply in a given year.

SHEEP

BONUS - 2006
PTS. - POOL
1 = 84,068
2 = 4,689
3 = 3,268
4 = 1,715
5 = 1,505
6 = 1,476
7 = 1,102
8 = 880
9 = 814
10 = 673
11 = 672
12 = 617
13 = 540
14 = 445
15 = 384
16 = 422
17 = 452


I'm at 14. Good luck to everyone!

84,000 applied last year?!?! What caused such an increase in participation? Do you think it is a result of the resident / non-resident issues that went on in Arizone last year?

That has to be a mistake.
Year before was internet applications. This past year you had to send the cash.

It's not a mistake. The key is in first two bullets under "Arizona Game & Fish Notes".

It includes all that have taken the hunter education course. They all have one point if they enter the draw, even if they've never entered it before. And it is a point that is never taken away if you quit applying.

OK, I forgot about the hunter safty course bonus point.

John,

Yep, the numbers made my eyes bug out when I first saw them as well. The "1 point pool" is huge for all species in Arizona the way they are recording it now.

Antelope = 78,902
Bear = 89,520
Buffalo = 86,551
Deer = 102,373
Elk = 94,251
Javelina = 88,923
Turkey = 88,360

"Applications will be accepted online again this year after a one-year hiatus. The new hunt regulations and application form should be available online at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web site, azgfd.gov, no later than the first week of May. Printed regulations and applications should be available at department offices and license dealers statewide no later than mid-May."

The above was cut and pasted from: http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_497.shtml

Also...
2006-2007 Hunt Guidelines
Arizona Game and Fish Department proposed changes and Commission directives for the 2006-2007 hunting seasons are as follows:

COMMISSION ORDER 7: BIGHORN SHEEP

Establish a season for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Units 23 and 24A combined.

Manage for the harvest of 20-30% of Class III and IV rams.

Okay, going off last year I already ordered and received my hunting license. Was that necessary to do?

Ramslam,

I did the same thing. I'm pretty sure you're still going to have to buy the license in order to accrue bonus points. That's a money maker that I can't see them turning their back on at this point.

My license application came in the mail about 2 weeks ago

The hunting licenses may also be ordered on-line (in addition to the mail-in paper form). That's the way I did it, back in late December.

This can be done at: https://www2.wildlifelicense.com/az/

There was a $1.50 per license "Convenience Fee" tacked on to my purchases.

Do you know if we have to front the tags fees if we do this online? Thanks Joe

Lookingfor#1,

The dust hasn't quite settled yet, with respect to how the draw will EXACTLY go this year. More will be decided later this month by the Commission.

My paper license came in the mail yesterday. It took 7 days from when the check left my mailbox, till I received my license. Probly the fastest state out there for turn around. But early in the "application saeson" for AZ. I doubt it will be that fast come end of May.

The 2006-2007 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations should be available for download
from this web site (http://www.gf.state.az.us/eservices/draw.shtml) no later than May 1, 2006.

Deadline to submit applications for fall 2006 hunts is Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Online and paper applications will be accepted.

Printed copies of the regulations should be available at license dealers statewide by the third week in May.


This year's "Big game hunt permit-tag application" form (for use in applying by mail) can be printed or downloaded now, from this page: http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/hunting_rules.shtml
You can alternatively go directly to the application form at: http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/documents/HuntApplicationform2006-07v8.pdf

The regulations brochure is now available on-line. The direct link to it is: http://www.gf.state.az.us/eservices/documents/AZFallRegs06-07.pdf

It's 85 pages long, so may take some time to download depending upon your connection speed.

Here are some highlights (or lowlights):
- The online application process will again be available this year.
- It is anticipated that online applications will be accepted through the Web site no later than May 12, 2006.
- A 10-percent non-resident cap now applies to bighorn sheep, buffalo, all antlered deer, bull elk, javelina, antelope and turkey.
- There is no longer a 15-percent bighorn sheep set-aside of hunt permit-tags for non-residents.
- The $5 application fee per applicant will no longer be refunded on rejected applications.
- The 20-percent bonus point pass, meaning that 20-percent of tags in each hunt will be set aside for applicants with the highest number of bonus points, now applies to bighorn sheep, buffalo, antelope, bear, deer, elk, javelina and turkey.
- The fall hunt application deadline is 7 p.m. (MST) June 13.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RamDreamer,

You'll notice on page 8 of the regs that this year the application fee is $5 and the tag fees are $195 for a resident and $1,000 for a non-resident. The general hunting license fees are $25.50 for a resident and $113.50 for a non-resident.

Then you go to page 9 and get the bad news for next year. The application fee goes to $7.50 and the tag fees go to $265 for a resident and $1,400 for a non-resident. 50% increase in application fees and 40% increase for tag fees. On the general hunting license side, in 2006 the resident goes to $32.25 and the non-resident goes to $151.25

Remember, of course, that the legislatively approved ceilings on these tags are $335 for residents and $3,000 for non-residents. The caps on the hunting license prices are $35 for resident and $185 for non-resident. So don't expect the increases to stop after next year.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RamDreamer,

You may now apply for the 2006 draw on-line at: https://www1.wildlifelicense.com/az/index.php

You'll need your Arizona Game & Fish Department ID (may be your social security number or previously referred to as Sportsman ID) and Date of Birth to input and make application.

I called the AZ office today. The last of the booklets should bein the mail today.

The 2006 draw results are now available. Go to: https://www2.wildlifelicense.com/az/index.php

Select "View Draw Results/Bonus Points". Then you'll need to enter your Department ID # and your date of birth.

Good luck!