Does anybody know if AZ has a big game preference point system in place - perhaps somewhat like what CO has?? In CO, it is possible to apply specifically for the preference point (at least it used to be possible, I have not read the regs from this year), i.e. you could work your way up towards sufficient preference points without having to lend the state a substantial sum of $$$ (for a tag, which you were not going to draw anyway) every year??

Does AZ have a preference point system at all, and is it similar to what CO has??
- mike

Mike,



Tagged on the end of this is a segment from the "Where" chapter of my book, "How To Hunt Coues Deer." Although it addresses deer, the same bonus point system is also in use for several big-game species. And you do have to buy a LICENSE ($113.50 NR) before you can garner a bonus point. But you don't have to purchase the tag itself. Also, as of now, you cannot just apply for a point. Getting one is easy, though, if you simply fill in one hunt choice for the hardest unit to draw.



Holler if you have more questions. -TONY





A few years ago, the Arizona Game & Fish Department added deer to the list of animals in the bonus point program. Each applicant for a permit receives a point for every year they are unuccessful in the drawing. The points carry over to each successive year until the computer gods bestow a permit on that applicant.



Unlike preference point systems in other states, Arizona�s setup never guarantees a permit; all it does is increase the chances. It works similar to a raffle. If you have three bonus points, you wind up with four tickets in the barrel (computer) � one for that year�s application and three for the points. A person applying for the first time gets only one raffle ticket.



The application has spaces for five choices, which you select by a hunt number and not the unit. Using unit numbers means an automatic rejection of an application. For example, the late season in 36B was hunt number 1109 in 2003.



An applicant may apply for just one hunt or for all five, but the first two choices are the only ones considered for the first run through the computer. Once that initial draw is done, a second draw starts anew if some permits remain, and the last three choices come into play. In other words, applying for the hard-to-draw hunts with the last three choices is a waste of time. If all you want to do is hunt, utilize those choices for the less popular hunts, and you�ll probably wind up with a permit for somewhere. In fact, I nearly always suggest someone use their second choice for a hunt with better drawing odds if they just want a permit. In this case, pick a hunt that falls in the middle as far as being popular.



That said, some hunters merely fill in one or two choices for the prime hunts, preferring to amass bonus points so they�ll possibly draw a permit for one of them in the future. < !--color-->

Go to AZGFD.com and you will find the Arizona Game and Fish web page. In their regulations, look for R12-4-107 (on page 53 of the 2003-2004 proclomation). That is the Commission rule that specifies the bonus point system and describes how it works.

Tony is correct, with the exception of being awarded a bonus point for graduating from Hunter Safety, you must apply for and be unsuccessful in obtaining a tag to be awarded another point. Posession of a current hunting license is a requirement to apply for a tag.

Cool guys, just what the doctor ordered - concise and to the point!

Tony, btw, I enjoyed your book very much! Bad thing to read about a new hunting quarry and technique - immediately starts you wanting to go yourself and try out the new methods (e.g. glassing with the high power binocs on tripods). I'm probably an easy person to excite
- mike

Mike,

Geez, I forgot I had shipped a book over the pond to you. Glad you liked it. I'm working on another one now, but it will be a while before it's done. -TONY

BTW, I have 8 points for bull elk.