Originally Posted By: FursniperHere is the information on whether this area is open/closed to hunting and some background on it.
Amendments to ARS 13-3107 and 13-3108 were passd by the AZ legislature this spring and took effect on July 20, 2011. Basically, the amendments transferred authority from counties and municipalities to the AZ Game and Fish Dept (AGFD) to regulate the taking of wildlife. The amendments also made prior county and municipal ordinances null and void if they conflicted with AGFD regulations.
The result was one of the best things to happen for AZ hunters and to the AGFD. This opened about 1 million acres to hunting that had previously been closed. Wildlife is state property and county and municipal jurisidictions have no place regulating the taking of wildlife.
The AZ legislature passed the bills which were mainly sponsored by State Senator Frank Antenori. The AGFD did not sponsor the legislation.
The only glitch was that the law was signed by the governor after the AGFD approved most of the hunting seasons. The AGFD then needed to revise the Commission Orders they approved in April 2011.
The revised hunting regulations were posted on the AGFD website, but hard copies of the amended hunt booklet have not been printed and distributed to license dealers. People hunting in AZ need to download the amended hunting regulations from the AGFD website and read the revised "Notes" section to determine what areas are now open and closed to hunting.
Here is the website link to get the amended AZ hunting regulations.
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_rules.shtml
On the right side of the page, download the AMENDED! 2011-2012 Annual Hunting & Trapping Regulations [PDF, 7mb].
The revised section for predator and furbearers starts on page 71. That is where you will find the info to determine if this area is open to predator hunting and if so, what weapon types are allowed.
We can all thank Senator Frank Antenori of Tucson for fighting to get this legislation passed. I had the priveledge of meeting the Senator at a presentation from Arizona Game and fish about the changes to this law. Those signs are old, and I would imagine that FEW if any municipalities are going to run out and change their signs. I am sure they are counting on a lack of information to keep us in line. Bet they didn't count on forums like this!