No More Big Game Auction Tags in Arizona!
By Andrew Gillett
On Friday, March 15, the AZGFD commission met and discussed potential changes to their special commissioner tag system. In what appears to be the latest battle in an ongoing war between some resident sportsmen and the AZ outfitting industry, questions were raised about whether the auction of special tags to the highest bidder aligned with the tenants of the North American Model ofWildlife Management. Frustrated by pictures widely distributed on public forums and social media of legions of scouts and guides escorting a small pool of ultra-wealthy hunters to record class bucks, bulls and rams, AZ hunters raised their concerns over the past several months.
We have all read or heard someone talk about locating bedding areas, feeding areas and water on hunting trips. Well, that is just what you are going to do. However, you are going to learn to do it without setting foot in your unit. This will be accomplished with the use of your satellite imagery and 3D rendering on programs like TagHub 2.0 or onX. For starters, you need to find dark, north-facing timber, thick brush, steep banks, large rock outcroppings, etc. These are your bedding areas, well in theory, but nothing will bed there unless you have food and water nearby.
Next you want to find water and south-facing slopes with large meadows/parks or other feeding areas such as drainage bottoms or crops, etc. Finding water that is actually there when you show up is where it gets difficult. Topo maps show water everywhere and make a person think every drainage will be a source. Perhaps this is true in your area, but in most cases that is not the case and you will have to spend a bit more time digging deeper with satellite images to actually verify water or strong signs of water. For example: extra green grass, willows, deciduous trees, etc. Often, this is the part you won’t get right until you get boots on the ground knowledge of the area.
While the impact to wildlife is questionable, the impact to the state’s elite guiding and outfitting business is apparent. A handful of outfitters do the lion’s share of the guiding for these tags. Wealthy tag holders pay enormous fees for their services, which allows outfitter’s to employ guides year round. While these guides focus on finding the best of the best for auction tag holders, they are also to prepare for guiding all of the other clients who will come that fall. Without these swollen revenue streams employing year round, full-time guides will eat into the margins of elite outfitters.
What say you? Is this a good or bad thing for AZ hunters and wildlife?
Christian Schauf – “Life is not a dress rehearsal!” | Eastmans’ Journal Podcast Edition
In the latest episode of the Eastmans’ Journal Podcast, Ike had the pleasure of interviewing Christian Schauf, a former singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and a kind-hearted person. The conversation went deep into Christian’s experience performing for the military overseas and how he helped veterans disconnect from the trauma of war. They then discussed how Christian established companies that help people, including Uncharted Supply Co. He recognized the need for people to prepare themselves for emergency situations and jumped in to lend a hand. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.
