Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZThis warden wants to force the base to allow open access, and the base would rather close it all together than do that.
I think you were referring to Camp Navajo in Unit 6B since that would be the small military base with elk on it. The requirements that Camp Navajo has for hunter access is extensive. Here is a link for what Camp Navajo requires.
http://www.azguard.gov/CampNavajo.htm
All of these requirements are established by the base, not by the AGFD.
According to requirement 2, the base is open to hunting by nonmilitary people with several restrictions.
The state laws established by the AGFD Commission for taking wildlife also apply inside military bases. The Camp Navajo access requirements conflict with state laws for taking wildlife. For example, requirement 7 says that predator hunting and small game hunting is not allowed on the base. Since the base is open to hunting by military personnel and others, why not allow opportunities to take small game and predators? Why prevent hunters from taking small game and predators during their big game hunt? Personally, I think this restriction is an over reach by the base.
Closing the base to military people and others for taking predators and small game has nothing to do with controlling access. The purpose for this appears more in line with an anti hunting agenda.
Look at the indecisive restrictions the base commander has put on firearms as a condition for access in requirement 9. If there was a security issue, the base can be closed to entry at any time. Designating certain areas as archery only is fine, but it appears that hunters are being purposely setup to break the base regulations when the base commander does not know what weapon types can be used before the hunting season starts and can change weapon types without notice.
You should support the game warden. They are trying to get military folks to have the same opportunities for hunting wildlife on the base as civilians have off the base. It is not fair for military people to receive less. I think the AGFD has made good progress in getting more hunting opportunities at Camp Navajo, but there is still more that needs to be done to resolve all the conflicts.