2013-14 Arizona Hunting Regulations - Arizona Game and Fish ...

Operation Game Thief: Wildlife’s Answer to Dialing 911Poachers are a serious threat toArizona’s wildlife. They contributenothing, yet every animal they takedeprives hunters and non-huntersalike of wildlife recreational opportunities.Please report any poaching orother wildlife related violations to theOperation Game Thief hotline. Thehotline operates 7 days a week, 24hours a day. All calls will remain confidential upon request. Rewards of upto $8,000 may be offered upon arrestin certain cases. Poachers are a “Mutinyon your Bounty” so please helpus put them out of business.License Revocations and Civil AssessmentsThe Arizona Game and Fish Commission has the authority to revokean individual’s privilege to take wildlife. It also can bring a civil actionagainst the individual to reimburse the State for the value of any unlawfullytaken wildlife. For repeat offenders, the Commission may revokea person’s license to take wildlife for the rest of his or her life. Civilvalues vary depending on the species of wildlife taken and the size.The current civil assessment for trophy class wildlife starts at $8,000.Togetherwe can stopthese thieves.POACHING IS A CRIME— Minimum Rewards —For information which leads to an arrest.$350 Elk, bighorn sheep, eagles, buffalo, endangered species$250 Deer, antelope, bear, lion, turkey, javelinaUp to $150 Beaver, geese, raptors, ducks, small game, nongame birds,fishRewards of up to $8,000 can be offered for information about major violations,repeat offenders and commercial poachers. You need not appear in court orgive out your name. Upon the arrest of a violator, a reward may be paid toyou in such a manner that you will remain anonymous.— Other Rewards Of $50–$8,000 —In addition, several sportsmen’s groups provide reward monieswhich allow payment ranging from $50 to $8,000 in cases whereunder state law Operation Game Thief is not able to pay. Nevertheless,the rewards are for cases where the tip was provided originallythrough Operation Game Thief. Decisions on these are made in consultationwith the boards of these organizations:Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona Bowhunters Association, ArizonaElk Society, Tucson Rod and Gun Club, Arizona Desert BighornSheep Society, Arizona Bowhunters and Field Archers Association,Arizona Muzzleloading Association, Central Arizona Bow-hunters,Sportsman’s Voice, Phoenix Varmint Callers, Arizona Trapper’s Association,North American Bear Society, Sportsman’s Gun Club, TucsonChapter of Safari Club International, Phoenix Chapter of Safari ClubInternational, Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation,and the Arizona Deer Association.The Arizona Houndsmen have offered a reward up to $5,000.Please see page 105.Operation Game Thief Needs Your HelpA majority of cases were initiated by concerned sportsmen, such asyou, making a call on the Operation Game Thief hotline. You canand do make a difference! If you witness a violation the followinginformation will assist us during our investigation.What is the violation?Where did it occur? Be as specific as possible. It is necessary thatour officers return to the site.When did it occur?Specific violator/vehicle information. What did the individual looklike and what were they wearing? What make, model, and color vehiclewere they driving? Record the license plate if possible and, ifthey left, the direction of travel.Your name and telephone number. Although this is optional, thenumber of cases that are actually prosecuted from anonymous tipsis very low. This is simply because most people do not know thetype of information needed to successfully charge and prosecute aviolation. Our officers want to talk with you and will guarantee thatno one knows your name. We also want to give you a reward forthe information you provided if an arrest is made in the case. Eachyear we pay out thousands of dollars in reward payments to concernedsportsmen. During the past five years the Operation GameThief Program has paid more than $58,000 in rewards.Do the right thing, CALL TODAY 1 (800) 352-0700100 Arizona Game and Fish Department — www.azgfd.gov