Fursniper
Active member
The AZ Game and Fish Dept. amended the 2011-12 hunting regulations booklet this week. This is the second time this year the hunt booklet has been revised. Hard copies of the hunt booklet are NOT available at license dealers. To get the latest revision you must download it from the AGFD website at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_rules.shtml
The latest revision was to Mountain Lions and Coyotes to allow night hunting seasons in specific areas where lions have caused declines in bighorn sheep and where coyotes have caused problems with antelope fawn survival. There is no night hunting seasons on bobcats, foxes, and rabbits.
Mountain Lions:
Night hunting for lions became retroactive to when the general lion season started, but only in units that mainly have bighorn sheep. See page 59 for the specific units that are open. There is also a new Note in the Commission Orders that states, (Note 27) In units listed with this note, mountain lions may be taken at night with the aid of artificial light; however, the light may not be attached to or operated from a vehicle.
It is now legal to take mountain lions with shotguns shooting shot because the AGFD Commission made several changes to Commission Rule R12-4-304 which took effect on December 9, 2011.
Coyotes:
A new spring season for night hunting coyotes was established in units that have antelope to minimize depredation on antelope fawns. Night hunting coyotes is only by shotgun and archery. See page 70 for season dates and which units will be open. There is also a new "Note" in the Commission Orders that states, (Note 22) In units listed with this note, coyotes may be taken at night with the aid of artificial light; however, the light may not be attached to or operated from a vehicle.
There is nothing mentioned about the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge being closed to using artificial light and there should be. The USFWS does not allow hunting with artificial lights on any national wildlife refuge.
The latest revision was to Mountain Lions and Coyotes to allow night hunting seasons in specific areas where lions have caused declines in bighorn sheep and where coyotes have caused problems with antelope fawn survival. There is no night hunting seasons on bobcats, foxes, and rabbits.
Mountain Lions:
Night hunting for lions became retroactive to when the general lion season started, but only in units that mainly have bighorn sheep. See page 59 for the specific units that are open. There is also a new Note in the Commission Orders that states, (Note 27) In units listed with this note, mountain lions may be taken at night with the aid of artificial light; however, the light may not be attached to or operated from a vehicle.
It is now legal to take mountain lions with shotguns shooting shot because the AGFD Commission made several changes to Commission Rule R12-4-304 which took effect on December 9, 2011.
Coyotes:
A new spring season for night hunting coyotes was established in units that have antelope to minimize depredation on antelope fawns. Night hunting coyotes is only by shotgun and archery. See page 70 for season dates and which units will be open. There is also a new "Note" in the Commission Orders that states, (Note 22) In units listed with this note, coyotes may be taken at night with the aid of artificial light; however, the light may not be attached to or operated from a vehicle.
There is nothing mentioned about the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge being closed to using artificial light and there should be. The USFWS does not allow hunting with artificial lights on any national wildlife refuge.