Arizona: Fall Draw Results Now Available for Big Game Hunters

PHOENIX – The 2008 fall big game draw process is complete and applicants can now find out if they’ve been drawn by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Applicants can obtain draw results for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo and bear hunt tags by providing a department ID Number (usually the applicant’s Social Security number) and date of birth. Draw results are also available by telephone at (602) 942-3000.

Game and Fish officials said that hunt permit-tags will be mailed out to successful applicants no later than Aug. 22 (archery deer tags will be mailed out earlier).

For those individuals who were unsuccessful in the draw or didn’t submit an application, don’t despair – there are leftover tags for deer, turkey, and juniors-only javelina. Applications for more than 3,000 deer tags, more than 350 turkey tags, and more than 2,000 tags for juniors-only javelina hunts will be accepted by mail only on or after 8 a.m. (MST) on Aug. 11, 2008. For a detailed listing of leftover permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw or call (623) 236-7702. For those who qualify, there are military hunts available for Fort Huachuca. Call (520) 533-2549 for additional information.

Hunters are also reminded that fall turkey tags for juniors-only can be purchased over-the-counter at any department office or license dealer. Also, predictions are good to excellent for the dove season that begins Sept. 1. Dove hunting is a great way to introduce young and new people to hunting. Other dates to remember include Oct. 3 for the opening day for quail and squirrel seasons, and Tuesday, Oct. 14 for the anticipated deadline to submit applications for the spring draw for javelina, turkey, bear and buffalo.

Hunting and fishing continues to be the cornerstone and a primary source of funding for wildlife management and conservation in North American. In Arizona alone, more than 418,000 hunters and anglers spend $3.8 million a day, or $1.3 billion per year participating in these activities to the benefit of local economies. Regardless of whether one chooses to actively participate in hunting or angling, people interested in wildlife and its future should understand the role sportsmen play in conservation.
Note to media: The big game draw is a lottery-style process for allocating the limited number of Arizona big game hunting permits to applicants. The first-come permit system allows individuals to apply for any leftover big game hunt permit-tags not issued during the normal drawing process.