Commission sets 2010 hunt orders for elk and pronghorn

The following was copied and pasted directly from the AZG&F website.

Regulations anticipated being online after Dec. 16

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission set the 2010 elk and pronghorn antelope hunt orders on Saturday (Dec. 5) during their regular meeting, authorizing a grand total of 952 pronghorn and 26,702 elk permits.

The full regulations are anticipated to be available online at the department’s Web site after Dec. 16 at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Once the regulations are posted, hunters can begin to submit their applications for the drawing process. (Note: There is no online application process.)

The application schedule listed below was also approved by the commission.

• Applications accepted – as soon as the regulations are available (anticipated Dec. 16)
• Correction period – Jan. 21
• Deadline to apply – Feb. 9, by 7 p.m. (MST), postmarks do not count

There were a couple of changes made to the proposed recommendations during the meeting for both elk and antelope.

Unit 19B antelope hunters can be thankful for an agreement arranged by Commissioner Woodhouse with the Chino Grande Ranch that will continue to allow hunters access on the ranch during the 2010 season. Closure of the property to the public would have resulted in a reduction of 45 antelope permits in the unit.

“We are very glad that Chino Grande Ranch decided to keep their property open to sportsmen,” said Commissioner Robert “Robbie” Woodhouse, of Roll, Ariz. “This is a great example of how teamwork and cooperation can resolve an issue. Open communication and cooperation between the commission, department, sportsmen, and landowners are critical to preserving our hunting heritage in Arizona.”

Sportsmen are reminded that access to private land is a privilege, and their conduct and behavior can have an effect on their ability to hunt in these areas in the future.

Unit 1 elk hunters will see an increase in the number of available antlerless permits compared to the proposed recommendations in an effort to stabilize that growing herd. One hundred and forty more permits will be available in this unit through a number of hunts.

An agreement with the Hopi Tribe will allow 2010 antelope and elk hunters from the general populace access to sovereign Hopi Trust Lands within Units 4A, 5A, and 5B. Through the agreement, a proportion of the available permits will be exclusively for Hopi tribal members. (Background information on Hopi agreement.)

The 2010 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/draw.