License encourages sportsmen to mentor others, assist hunter recruitment effort in Arizona

Effective Jan. 1, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a new “Apprentice Hunting License,” at no charge, to encourage existing hunters to become mentors and introduce a friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker to the traditions and importance of hunting.

The Apprentice License allows an already licensed hunter to take a beginner on an actual hunt—without the beginner having to buy a hunting license. The Apprentice License is free for residents and nonresidents and is valid for two consecutive days for the take of small game, fur-bearing, predatory and nongame mammals, nongame birds, and upland game birds. (To take migratory birds or waterfowl, the appropriate stamps are required at normal costs). The license is not valid for the take of big game.

Garden-raised vegetables are probably the tastiest, and eating food raised from seeds you planted yourself always gives a deep sense of satisfaction. But nothing beats hunting for connecting you to the land.

I came to this conclusion recently. Over most of my life, I equated hunting with killing, even though I was raised in Montana, where it's normal to see antlers and hooves in pickup truck beds every fall. My family ate game meat every year, mostly courtesy of one of my aunts and her husband. Our freezer often had white-paper-wrapped packages of antelope, deer and elk.

How to describe my awakening? About four years ago, I hiked into one of Montana's western valleys below pine-covered mountains. Flurries of light snow fell from a low and cloudy sky. I followed a set of deer tracks, stepping slowly over brush, the rifle heavy and cold in my hands.

Brackets offered for men, women and children

Finding a safe and challenging place to shoot your bow and arrow is getting tougher each year. To help archers keep their skills sharp, the Ben Avery Shooting Facility is offering an eight-week long winter archery league starting Jan. 7, 2009.

Every Wednesday night, under stadium lights, on the FITA Range shooters can safely shoot 3-spot or single targets at 20 yards. Archery classifications for men and women include compound unlimited, compound bowhunter and recurve/longbow. A junior class is also available for shooters ages 8-17 to encourage family participation.

Leagues run from Jan. 7 – Feb. 25, 2009. There will be a cookout and an awards banquet on March 11.

Hunters can start submitting applications now

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information regulations booklet is available online at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Hunters interested in obtaining a hunt permit-tag via the draw process can start applying now.

All applications must be submitted by mail or hand-delivered to a department office – no online application process is available. Applications are due by 7 p.m. (MST) Feb. 10, 2009 – postmarks do not count.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted (along with the correct fees by check or money order) by mail, or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and filled out using an ink pen.

Application deadline is Jan. 15, 2009

Shooting clubs, sportsmen’s groups and government agencies involved in the development, improvement or maintenance of public shooting ranges, including archery ranges, have an opportunity to apply for grant funds from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Grants are available through a competitive application process each year. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission determines how much money is available, but generally, the total is about $100,000. The maximum grant award is $50,000 per project. Privately owned and for-profit ranges are not eligible for this program.

“The program offers a number of benefits,” says Anthony Chavez, the department’s statewide shooting ranges administrator. “It helps provide shooting enthusiasts with safe public shooting areas, supports the department’s hunter education and youth programs, and supports law enforcement training.”