JULY 20, 2011

Drawing results now available for Arizona’s fall big game hunts

Many prime Coues deer tags and others remain; offered first-come, first-served

PHOENIX – Let the planning begin. The drawing results for Arizona’s 2011 fall big game hunting permits are now available at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Draw results are also available by telephone at 602-942-3000 by selecting option two.

The more than 107,000 applicants, an increase of 3 percent from last year, can find out if they were issued a permit-tag for deer, fall turkey, fall juniors-only javelina, bighorn sheep, fall buffalo, or pheasant by providing their sportsman’s ID and date of birth.

Game and Fish officials report that hunt permit-tags will be mailed out to successful applicants no later than Aug. 12 (archery deer tags will be mailed out earlier). Refunds for unsuccessful and rejected applicants will be mailed out to applicant “A” no later than Aug. 23 (less application fees).

For those individuals who missed the drawing application deadline or were unsuccessful in getting a permit-tag, there are more than 5,767 hunt permit-tags remaining. These remaining tags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and include more than 4,600 deer tags, more than 700 fall turkey tags, and nearly 400 tags for the juniors-only fall javelina hunts.

There are two methods to obtain a leftover tag. Applications will first only be accepted by U.S. mail (U.S. Postal Service) beginning at 8 a.m. (MST) on Aug. 1. Starting on Aug. 8 at 8 a.m. (MST), hunters can obtain a leftover tag in person at any of the seven Arizona Game and Fish Department offices. A list of office locations is available at www.azgfd.gov/offices.

For a detailed listing of leftover permits which includes hunt number, number of permits available and unit number, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw  and click on the “Leftover Permits for 2011 Fall Hunts” link under the “2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations, season dates and drawing information” section.

Hopi hunts with leftover tags are available to everyone, tribal and non-tribal members. For those who qualify, there are military hunts available for Fort Huachuca. Call (520) 533-8763 for additional information.

For those that applied for a fall turkey permit in unit 1 (hunt number 4501) or unit 27 (hunt number 4518), there was a reduction in permitted tags issued through the draw compared to what was listed in the regulations. On July 8, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted to reduce the number of permit-tags by 1,075 permits due to the Wallow Fire. The commission action was taken after the application deadline, but before the draw was processed.

Hunter clinics and seminars
Getting prepared and planning for an upcoming hunt is almost as fun as the hunt itself. It’s also the most important. Many of the local hunter conservation groups are hosting hunting clinics to teach the basics, all the way up to how to score a trophy. Many of these clinics offer biology and ecology of the species; hunting tips and techniques; knowledgeable guest speakers, and other great information from experienced hunters. The popular hunting clinics are open to all, not just tag holders, and include:
July 30: Arizona Elk Society Elk Hunting Clinic
Aug. 13: Arizona Deer Association Hunting Clinic
Sept. 24: Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Clinic

For more details on these clinics, upcoming hunting camps for first-time hunters, and events hosted for families and juniors-only hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoorskills.

Wildlife Conservation Center searching for new home in valley

Organization plans to create “natural oasis” that provides rehabilitation, education and sanctuary for wild mammals of the Southwest

SCOTTSDALE — Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC), which operates a wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation center in northeast Scottsdale, is searching for a new home in the Valley.

The nonprofit organization has existed for 17 years on 10 acres near 156th Street and Dynamite Road. SWCC Director of Development Jennifer Martin says the organization is looking for 20 to 30 acres to relocate the sanctuary. She says that SWCC wants to retain the natural setting of the current facility, while allowing for expansion and easier access to the public.

“We plan to maintain the native identity and create a gorgeous, intimate setting as we have in our current location,” she says. “We envision the new location to be part of a natural and cultural oasis — one that enriches the area.”

Martin says the organization is looking at relocating in the north Valley, but also will consider other areas of metropolitan Phoenix. She says that plans call for opening to the public at a new location within three years, and that SWCC will launch a capital campaign to develop the new facility.

Focusing on wildlife native to Arizona, SWCC is the only organization in the state and one of a few in the Southwestern United States that is qualified and permitted to care for and rehabilitate large carnivores like bears and mountain lions. It rehabilitates and returns to the wild about 70 percent of the animals it takes in.

Animals that cannot be returned to the wild live at SWCC’s Nature Center. The center’s residents include foxes, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, coatimundis, bears and others. The Nature Center also serves to educate children and adults on living with wildlife and the importance of native wildlife to healthy ecosystems. 

SWCC reaches more than 5,000 people per year through on-site visits and off-site presentations, according to Martin. The Nature Center offers a uniquely personal experience, where visitors are able to see the animals up close and the number of people at the sanctuary at any one time is limited in order to enhance the experience.

For more information about SWCC or to donate, go to http://www.southwestwildlife.org/.

Orphaned Coyote is Inspiration for Unique Organization

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center was founded in 1994 by Linda Searles, of Scottsdale, after a friend gave her a young coyote. A farmer had run over a coyote den with his tractor and only one pup survived. The farmer took the coyote in and eventually gave him to a boy down the road. When the boy’s mother realized a wild coyote was not a good pet, she gave him to her friend Linda Searles, who named him Don Coyote.

Searles couldn’t find a vet who would treat the coyote because wild animals are illegal to keep as pets in Arizona. She realized there was a need for a rehabilitation center for large mammals, and started Southwest Wildlife to provide appropriate help for wildlife and a permanent home for Don Coyote, who is now 19 years old and continues to live at SWCC.  

Don Coyote, orphaned as a pup, inspired the creation of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center 17 years ago and still lives at the center.
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More about Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Southwest Wildlife rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured, displaced, and orphaned wildlife.  SWCC operates a sanctuary and nature center in northeast Scottsdale that provides a home for animals that cannot be released because of injuries or because they have become imprinted on or habituated to humans and would be unable to fend for themselves in the wild. The sanctuary also serves as a holding facility for the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program. In addition, it contributes to wildlife research and provides veterinary interns from around the world the opportunity to practice wildlife medicine.