I have not been able to obtain official confirmation of the below, but Don has always seemed to be a straight shooter. I've copied and posted it here so fellow sheep hunters can see the effects of the rules implemented for the 2005 draw, as well as get a taste of what may be coming in 2006...


Game and Fish to reinstate Internet Draw system
Posted by HuntingAZ On August 03 2005 At 4:23:38 PM

Acting on the direction of the Game & Fish Commission, the Arizona Game & Fish Department announced last week that they will be going back to the Internet draw system for big game tags in 2006.

Richard Rico made the announced at the meeting of the Wildlife Conservation Council last week in response to questions from conservation groups.

Rico noted that a new vendor has been selected that will improve the process for applying for tags, but that once again, applicants will be available to apply for tags for only $5.

Thus, the department and commission will once again head down a slippery slope that the majority of Arizona sportsmen said they didn't want to see the department go on.

Arizona sportsmen and conservation groups were very vocal in opposition to the Internet system after is was learned that draw odds, which are already dreadfully small for most tags, go up even more due to the numbers of applicants that increase when the Internet system is used.

Not having to "front" the tag fees, causes more people to apply for tags. Having to put up the tag fees, like was done in this year's draw, does cause the numbers of applicants, especially non-residents to decrease.

Case in point.

This year, applicants-both resident and non-resident alike- had to buy a hunting license before they could apply. Then they had to send in tag fees. This caused a substantial drop in non-resident applicants for the 2005 draw.

Non-resident deer applications went down 28.2 %

Non-resident antelope applicants went down 56.2 %

Non-resident elk applicants went down 28.1 %

Non-resident turkey applicants went down 47.9 %

Non-resident bighorn sheep applicants went down 38.9 %

Non-resident buffalo applicants went down 99.8 %

The Commission will be seeking the public's input on going back to this draw system, though many will say its already a done deal since a new vendor has been selected and they are trying to get the system in place in time for the Spring, 2006 javelina, bear and turkey draw.

When the time comes for the public to comment, we need to once again flood the meetings and let the commission know how we feel.

Sportsmen just approved an increase in fees hunting and fishing license, -including boat license fees- for the department. We understand they needed to raise revenues, and we went to the legislature and supported it.

But going back to that dreaded Internet draw, where everyone from "greenies" who just want to keep sportsmen from drawing tags, to armchair "sportsmen" who just happen to have $5 and will apply for every tag under the sun, just isn't the way to go.

Get involved and let the Commission know how you feel.

There is a meeting in Flagstaff on August 12-13. There is a section called the "call to the public." Go the meetings and say you're against the Internet draw.

Get involved or watch your draw odds for precious Arizona big game tags go up even higher!

Don Martin
Government Liaison
Mohave Sportsman Club

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

This year I entered the draw in AZ. states that have the internet both the wife and I put in. And both of us put in for WY sheep tags,

Don or others,
So what is a better solution that is fair for folks that are getting up in age and have limited resources for purchasing licenses and tag fees before they apply where the draw odds are pretty poor? Have other states came up with something better? I'm just trying to get a feel on how the best way is to campaign. Thanks.
Ernie

Received the below in an e-mail from Arizona Game & Fish Department today. Not good news for non-residents...

Nonresident hunting limits likely to be reinstated, expanded

News Media
August 16, 2005

One of several issues addressed at August Game and Fish Commission meeting

PHOENIX - Many local hunters are likely rejoicing today, after the Arizona Game and Fish Commission decided to move forward with a proposal to reinstate a 10 percent cap on the number of out-of-state hunters who can receive tags to hunt for the most desirable big game species in our state each year. The decision was one of several high-profile moves made by the commission at its August 2005 meeting in Flagstaff, Ariz.

"The public input we received was overwhelmingly in favor of putting the nonresident cap back in place," says Richard Rico, assistant director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's special services division, which is responsible for hunt draws.

Arizona's original 10 percent cap on nonresident hunt tags was created to protect hunting opportunities for Arizona residents. Last year, a U.S. District Court declared the cap unconstitutional and prohibited enforcement of it, citing the federal Commerce Clause as the reason. However, Congress recently took action to renounce interest in regulating hunting and fishing permits under the federal Commerce Clause, opening the door for states to impose caps and other limits on nonresident hunt opportunities.

"It will take some time, and we'll have public hearings before a final change is made," says Rico, "however, we're moving in the direction of putting a cap back in place, if the court lifts its injunction as expected."

The previous cap and similar limits applied to bull elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep and some antlered deer hunts in Arizona. The Game and Fish Commission voted to add the rest of the antlered deer hunts, plus pronghorn antelope, javelina, and turkey hunts to the list of those that would be affected by a reinstated cap. For most species, the new cap would be applied as no more than 10 percent of the tags available for each hunt number.

Some other important decisions by the commission at its August meeting include:

1. Reaffirming Commissioners' direction to provide an online application for Arizona's hunt draws by the fall 2005 draw or sooner, if possible. The department has taken a one-year hiatus from online applications to better evaluate options and technologies and will once again provide this service to make it easier for hunters to apply for Arizona's draws.

2. Approving the Arizona Game and Fish Department's recommendations for spring 2006 hunts, including hunt application dates, hunt season dates, and bag limits.

3. Approving more than $100,000 in additional funding for shooting range development grants. Call your local Game and Fish office or the Phoenix headquarters at (602) 942-3000 for more information about how to apply for these grants.

I have no problem for a state having a 10-20% non resident cap.

Just my 2 cents

From: http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_372.shtml

Federal judge removes injunction on 10-percent nonresident cap

News Media
August 25, 2005


There is more good news for Arizona hunters: U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Broomfield on Aug. 22 granted the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s motion to revoke the permanent injunction prohibiting enforcement of the state’s 10-percent nonresident cap on big game drawings.

“This means the last major legal hurdle has been crossed. Now the Game and Fish Commission can continue moving forward with its rule making efforts to reinstate the 10-percent nonresident cap,” says Commission Chairman Hays Gilstrap.

Arizona’s original 10-percent cap on nonresident hunt tags was created to protect hunting opportunities for Arizona residents. Last year in July, a U.S. District Court declared the cap unconstitutional, citing the federal Commerce Clause as the reason, and issued an injunction prohibiting the commission from enforcing the cap.

That court action set in motion an exhaustive effort during the past year by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and department, hunters and other stakeholders to institute a wide range of strategies to help protect resident hunting opportunities.

More recently, the U.S. Congress took legislative action to renounce interest in regulating hunting and fishing permits under the federal Commerce Clause, opening the door for Arizona to re-instate limits on nonresident hunting.

At its August meeting in Flagstaff, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved a notice of rulemaking to reinstate and expand the 10-percent cap. The original 10-percent cap applied to bull elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep and some antlered deer units. The commission voted to expand the cap to include all antlered deer, pronghorn, javelina and turkey hunts as well. For most species, the cap would be applied at no more than 10 percent of the tags available for each hunt number.

“The rule process takes time and involves lots of opportunities for public input, but we anticipate having the caps in place for the 2006 big game drawings,” says Gilstrap.

From an e-mail I rec'd today:

Rule process to reinstitute 10-percent nonresident hunting cap underway
Other rule changes also under consideration

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is beginning its rulemaking process to reinstitute the 10-percent nonresident hunting draw cap and possibly make other rule changes, as well.

The department is accepting written comments on the proposed draw cap rule from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10. The cap proposal and others can be accessed at the department's web site (http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/rulemaking_process.shtml). The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will take public comment on the proposals during its Oct. 21-22 meeting at the Embassy Suites, 2333 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix.

Arizona's original 10-percent limit on nonresident hunt tags was created to protect hunting opportunities for Arizona residents. Last year in July, a U.S. District Court declared the cap unconstitutional, citing the federal Commerce Clause as the reason, and issued an injunction prohibiting the commission from enforcing the cap.

Now, thanks to actions by Congress and a lifting of the injunction by the district court, the door is wide open for Arizona to reinstitute its nonresident cap. However, the reinstated cap would apply to several more species.

The original cap applied only to hunts of bull elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep, and antlered deer north of the Colorado River (the Arizona Strip). The new proposal would also apply to the rest of the state's deer hunts, plus hunts of pronghorn antelope, javelina and turkey.

The department is also proposing rule changes that deal with miscellaneous licenses and permits, such as the guide license and disabled veteran's license. These proposed rule changes will also be heard at the commission's Oct. 21-22 meeting in Phoenix.

Through a similar process, where public comments will be taken from Sept. 17-Oct. 17, changes are being proposed to rules regulating the taking and handling of wildlife in the three following areas:

To authorize possession of a part of a wildlife carcass;
To authorize possession of a bear or mountain lion that has killed livestock and was taken during a closed season.
To change check-out requirements for bears and mountain lions.
A public hearing on those proposed changes is scheduled for the Game and Fish Commission's Dec. 9-10 meeting at the Francisco Grande Hotel and Gold Resort at 26000 Gila Bend Highway in Casa Grande.

Lastly, the department is considering changes to rules regulating the use and possession of live wildlife. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will consider the amendments during its Sept. 23 meeting at the department's Pinetop regional office at 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd. in Pinetop.