News

AZGFD to review game management hunt guidelines

Posted July 22, 2021

Public encouraged to submit comments through Sept. 1

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is initiating the review of the five-year game management hunt guidelines that provide the biological and social parameters used by wildlife biologists to formulate the annual hunt recommendations — season structures, season lengths, season dates, permits allocated, etc. These recommendations result in the annual hunts in which all licensed hunters may participate. 

The public is encouraged to review the existing hunt guidelines (www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines) and then offer feedback on how to improve them so AZGFD can continue the sustainable management of the state’s game animals. While acknowledging that hunting opportunity is important, and that wildlife is held in the public trust, wildlife biologists also concur that using science-based principles to shape the hunt guidelines process remains paramount to ensure healthy, sustainable and diverse wildlife populations in perpetuity.

“All of us are passionate about wildlife,” said Amber Munig, AZGFD’s big game management supervisor. “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.” 

Comments on the existing hunt guidelines may be submitted through Sept. 1 by email to AZHuntGuidelines@azgfd.gov, or by mail addressed to: Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

After initial comments are received, reviewed and processed, the department will:

• Host several webcasts or public meetings in late October-November on the draft revisions, answer questions and collect any further public input
• Present proposed hunt guidelines to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Dec. 10-11.  
• Open a 30-day public comment period Jan. 1-30, 2022.
• The final proposed hunt guidelines will then be prepared and posted on the department’s website prior to being presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in April 2022.

For more information about the hunt guidelines process, as well as to review the existing hunt guidelines, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.