Public forums, open houses scheduled for 2010 fall hunting regulations
Feb. 17, 2010
Hunt guidelines, science-based surveys, and public input shape recommendations
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting a series of public forums followed by open houses across the state to allow constituents an opportunity to provide their input, learn about the process, and then see the preliminary hunt recommendation package before it is set by the commission in April.
“If you have ever wondered, why did the Department recommend an increase or decrease in harvest in your favorite unit, these public forums offer that level of explanation,” said Brian Wakeling, chief of game management. “You will get to hear from a representative who has the knowledge from the survey data, hunter surveys, as well as the on-the-ground reports from wildlife managers.”
Wakeling added, “This improved hunt recommendation process allows us more flexibility in hearing from our constituents and making modifications, if they are warranted, before presenting the package to the commission.”
Each Arizona Game and Fish region will be hosting a public forum and providing details about the populations within their jurisdiction. This means that if you have interest in a particular unit, you will need to attend the public meeting in that region to discuss management direction.
Public forum dates, times and locations are:
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 6-8 p.m. – Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road
Thursday, March 4, 6-8 p.m. – Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
Thursday, March 4, 6-8 p.m. – Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road
Monday, March 8, 3-5 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
Note: When you attend this meeting, ask at the front counter about this topic. Expect an informal atmosphere because of ongoing construction on the conference room at the Flagstaff office.
Wednesday, March 10, 6-8 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive
Monday, March 15, 6-8 p.m. – Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
The final draft of the hunt recommendations will be made available for public review through six regional open houses prior to being presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. No formal presentation will be made. However, a knowledgeable staff person will be available to discuss regional hunt recommendations.
A PDF version will be available at the Game and Fish Department’s Web site beginning Saturday, April 3 at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.
Open house dates, times and locations are:
Wednesday, April 7, 3-5 p.m. – Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road
Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive
Wednesday, April 14, 3-5 p.m. – Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road
Each year, the department makes recommendations to the commission regarding the management of game species for the annual hunting and trapping regulations, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas, and hunt permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years.
The final proposed recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its April 16-17 meeting in Phoenix at the department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17). The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission under commission agenda.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is the five-member civilian policy setting board expressly developed to avoid undue politics into wildlife management; ensure citizen participation; provide recreational opportunities through stewardship; and ensure ethical and prudent operation of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The Game and Fish Department operates on revenue-driven “user pay, user benefit” business model and relies on non-tax dollars – it receives no tax money from the state’s general fund. To learn more, visit www.azgfd.gov/heritagefund.