Any good hunting in AZ???

[Magnum Mike]

Somebody sent me a privte message without his/her name on it asking me if there's any good hunting in AZ. I'd have to say it's not as good as it is in other states like Colorado, Wyoming or Michigan. For the past 14 years we've less than normal snowfall in the mountains so we're not seeing as much deer and elk as we used to.

[Livewire]

If I still kept in touch with someone I used to live with he could have given some good leads, as he always seemed to hunt or fish somewhere nearly every weekend. Didnt always know where he would go though, as he wouldnt tell me half the time, he'd just tell me hes going hunting or fishing with his buddy for the weekend...
There was always deer or elk in the freezer though. I wouldnt want to eat it, but he was an avid hunter/fisher.

[lelise]

Originally Posted by KBrusveen

I have gotten a record cougar out of your great state and know that Flagstaff has one of the largest elk populations around, what about Turkeys, deer, bird hunting, etc. Thanks.

I don't know why that other person said that it is liberal, anti-hunting here. My husband is both a liberal and a hunter, as we would rather eat the occasional wild game than factory-farmed meat. He has hunted his whole life in Arizona, and this year was drawn for a trophy bull elk tag near Williams. He also put in for deer in Flagstaff, which is a great hunt. The turkey hunting is good, and he used to enjoy hunting ducks as well. I don't know about the fishing, since he's not very successful at that... he's better with his bow than with a hook. But... the draw rate is fairly low. Look at the AZ Game and Fish Dept. website to get more information on that. You said you're a young professional... what is your profession? Flagstaff (and Prescott) can be hard to find a job in, so it would depend on your expected career path whether or not you could get a job here.

[DML1651]

Great dove and quail hunting here in AZ!

Many elk hunters make the mistake of paying $$$ for guided Elk hunts in Montana and New Mexico. A little known secret is that AZ has some HUGE elk.

Deer hunting is very frustrating - the hunts are by draw in specific units. Over 10 years, I've never gotten the unit I wanted to hunt... so I've eventually given up on deer hunting here.

AZ Game and Fish does little, if anything, about the tiny pheasant populations - matter of fact, I believe you can only legally hunt pheasant with a bow... what's the point of this???

I'll just mention fishing for a sec. Central AZ lakes, those around Phoenix suffered a large fish die-off due to yellow algae but fishing has been declining for years prior to that.

Of the 10 odd states I've lived in, AZ Game & Fish has to be the most incompetent in managing wildlife.

[WLUTZ]

And please tell us how you got your "record" cougar?

[Low Roller]

I went dove hunting with my father several times around the Show Low area, but it's been awhile.

I "think" it's still good bird hunting around that general area, however.

I'm hoping for at least a rifle range somewhere near Laughlin - don't know if there'd be much else to shoot at there, other than tarantulas.

[Route_66_traveler]

Originally Posted by and the

Mike,

I have a friend in Show Low who is big into hunting. He's been there 30 years and in that time has only been drawn for Elk THREE TIMES!! Is that fairly typical out there?

I came here in 1977 to open Sambo's in Show Low. I've been drawn once, for elk. So yes that would be normal, for here. On the other hand though, I know a guy that has been drawn 18 times, since I've known him (20+ yrs.).

[zonababe]

Originally Posted by KBrusveen

I am debating on moving out to northern arizona, looking into Prescott valley area from michigan, but I am just curious what types of hunts are available. I have gotten a record cougar out of your great state and know that Flagstaff has one of the largest elk populations around, what about Turkeys, deer, bird hunting, etc. Thanks for the information! Any info for a young professional looking to move to northern arizona, please feel free with that info also! Thanks.

Ever eat Jackolope meat? Need I say more?

[topjimmy]

Originally Posted by zonababe

Ever eat Jackolope meat? Need I say more?

Tastes just like chicken.

[nikkj123]

Originally Posted by KBrusveen

I am debating on moving out to northern arizona, looking into Prescott valley area from michigan, but I am just curious what types of hunts are available. I have gotten a record cougar out of your great state and know that Flagstaff has one of the largest elk populations around, what about Turkeys, deer, bird hunting, etc. Thanks for the information! Any info for a young professional looking to move to northern arizona, please feel free with that info also! Thanks.

Arizona has twice the hunting that Michigan offers. I never would have imagined it comming from Wisconsin myself. Theres even a cow elk hunt available. Its true you have to put in for the hunts...just put in for most of them !! In Wisconsin downing a big White tail is as good as it got...no Elk, no mule deer, no javalina, no cues white tail and several others. Besides the actual hunt as you know the canyons and mountains in Az. are beautiful. As far as Prescott Valley....its a desirable place for most in AZ. ...just not affordable, but if you get a good job that pays well, then its a no brainer. I live in Tucson, but spend time all over the state. Good luck