Arizona hunters have now until Sept. 1st, to comment on hunting recommendations. The AZGFD is planning to review a five-year game management plan. These reviews are how state biologists set season structures, season lengths, permits allocated, and season dates.
Typically these suggestions from the public are taken into consideration while reworking the management plans. However, the AZGFD states that they try and strike a balance between public wants and science-based wildlife management practices. Likewise, the AZGFD believes that wildlife is held in the public trust of the state and should be managed for all of the public. Likewise, the Department has several programs to help wildlife. Recently, we covered them hauling water for wildlife. You can read more about that by clicking here.
“All of us are passionate about wildlife. There will be a lot of varying views that must be considered and balanced to create the guidelines for setting hunting opportunities in Arizona. We are seeking your ideas, comments, concerns, and observations on how to meet the many demands by our varied hunting public, as well as fostering new opportunities for continuing our hunting heritage for future generations.” – Amber Munig, AZGFD Big Game Management Supervisor
Public Comment Period Information
If you are interested in commenting on the review of the game management plan you can contact the AZGFD by emailing them at AZHuntGuidelines@azgfd.gov. Likewise, you can mail your comments to them at Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
After the comment period is over, the AZGFD will process the comments. At that point, the Department will have several meetings in late Oct. or early Nov. These meetings will be used to answer questions and collect any further public input. After the meetings, they will draft revisions to the plan.
Later on, in Dec. the AZFGD will present the proposed hunt management plan. After the plan is presented they will have another public comment period running from Jan. 1-30, 2022.
Then finally around April of 2022, the AZGFD will present the hunt management plan Arizona Game and Fish Commission. At that point, the commission will then vote to approve or reject all or parts of the plan.
For more information, you can check out the AZGFD website by clicking here.
What are your thoughts on the review of the management plan? Do you plan on contacting the Department? Let us know in the comments!
