What’s it all about?

Have you ever thought about trying hunting but are not sure about how to get started? How about for an animal that is unique to the Southwest – the javelina. It looks like a cross between a pig and prickly-cactus. Hunting them is exciting, challenging, and rewarding.

Well now is your chance. On February 22-4, 2013 the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Bowhunters Association, and Outdoor Experience 4 All are hosting a weekend event near Bagdad, Ariz. to teach you how to hunt javelina and other great outdoor skills.

This event is free and open to the public with an emphasis on those who are new and interested in wildlife, hunting, and the outdoors. Experienced hunters and outdoorsmen/women will be providing seminars throughout the day about javelina hunting, the excitement of predator calling, how to prepare and care for your harvest, and much more.

A javelina hunt permit-tag already obtained through the drawing or leftover tags process and an Arizona hunting license are required for those interested in participating in hunting.

At this time, all of the javelina hunting permits are sold out in the areas near the event.

However, for those interested in learning about predator and rabbit hunting, you will need a general hunting license. Licenses are available online or from any of the seven Arizona Game and Fish Department offices (Kingman, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Yuma and Pinetop).

 

Something for everyone!

 

Not ready to hunt, but interested in wildlife and the outdoors?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to hunt or be a hunter to come out and enjoy this great event.

We will have seminars on wildlife watching, camping skills, off highway vehicle use, Dutch oven cooking, along with other general outdoor activities that you are sure to enjoy.

In addition, there will be plenty of hands-on activities too, including target shooting with bows and arrows, air guns, and many popular outdoor-related attractions to help folks become more prepared to enjoy Arizona’s great outdoors.

Furthermore, there will be professional state wildlife biologists, and experienced outdoorsmen on site to help those who are new to the outdoors so they can learn how to safely enjoy Arizona’s diverse wildlife and habitats.

 

Mentors for the hunt

 

We will have a limited number of volunteers available to mentor youth hunters under the age of 18. Preregistration is required for the mentored hunting program.

Please keep in mind this is NOT a guided hunt. The volunteers are experienced, but many are new to this area, so they will be showing you the skills and techniques for hunting javelina in the terrain and habitat versus guiding you to the animal.

You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the hunting areas, obtaining a hunting license, javelina permit, firearm, and gear needed to go afield. A legal guardian must accompany all youth hunters under age 18 at all times.

 

Event Schedule

Friday, Feb. 22:

12:00    Javelina Natural History and Hunting
1:00    Glassing/using optics
2:00    Game Care

Saturday Feb. 23: 10:00   Wildlife Viewing
11:00    Predator Calling
12:00    Javelina Natural History and Hunting
1:00    Glassing/using optics
2:00    Game Care
3:00    Basic Camping Skills

Who Can Hunt Javelina?

You must be 10 years or older to hunt javelina.
Youth 10, 11, 12 and 13 years old are required to pass an Arizona certified hunter education course before they can hunt javelina or other big game animals.
Hunter education courses are offered in person and online (a live field day is required). Youth ages 10-13 who wish to hunt javelina must first pass a hunter education course online or in the classroom. Hunter education is not mandated for those 14 and older, but it is recommended. For a listing of classes and access to the online course, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/edits/hunter_education.shtml.

The 2013 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Buffalo and Bear regulations provide valuable information and requirements, a digital copy can be found at www.azgfd.gov/regs/springregs.pdf.

Javelina are classified as big game animals in Arizona and hunting them is limited through a permit system and structured hunting seasons.

Legal requirements for hunting javelina:

• An Arizona hunting license, $15-$26.50 youth (varies by age), $32.25 adult resident, $151.25 adult non-resident;
• A general season javelina hunt permit-tag, $28.75 residents, $105 non-resident;
• A centerfire rifle or handgun, muzzle loading rifle or handgun, 30-pound bow and arrow, or 125-pound crossbow (to be obtained on your own).

 Unfortunately, all javelina tags for the Units surrounding the Javelina Camp are sold out.  However, if you don’t have a javelina tag still plan to attend the event and learn about javelina hunting, predator hunting and many other facets of the outdoors.  An Arizona hunting license is required to hunt predators.  A hunting license can be purchased ahead of time at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office or any authourized license dearler.

Javelina are classified as big game animals in Arizona and hunting them is limited through a permit system and structured hunting seasons. To balance harvest and to manage javelina populations hunt permit-tags are restricted to certain areas of the state called Game Management Units (GMU).

The Game Management Units surrounding the Javelina Hunting Fair event are GMU 17A, 17B, 18B, 20A and 20C.

People with a general season (Feb. 22-28) javelina hunt permit-tag for these units, and new to javelina hunting are encouraged to come to the event.

Arizona Game and Fish Department locations:

PHOENIX, HEADQUARTERS - 602-942-3000
5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
    
PINETOP, REGION 1 – (928) 367-4281
2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop, AZ 85935

FLAGSTAFF, REGION 2 – (928) 774-5045
3500 S. Lake Mary Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001

KINGMAN, REGION 3 – (928) 692-7700
5325 N. Stockton Hill Rd., Kingman, AZ 86409

YUMA, REGION 4 – (928) 342-0091
9140 E. 28th St., Yuma, AZ 85365

TUCSON, REGION V – (520) 628-5376
555 N. Greasewood Rd., Tucson, AZ 85745
    
MESA, REGION 6 – (480) 981-9400
7200 E. University, Mesa, AZ 85207

What to Bring?

There will be open, undeveloped, dispersed camping on site with public portable restrooms available. Camp participants will be responsible for bringing their own camping equipment, hunting equipment, and food.

Mother Nature is unpredictable in mid-February and weather conditions can range from sunny and warm to wet and cold. Be sure to bring clothing that you can layer, as well as any other equipment that you might need.

Mother Nature is unpredictable in mid-February and weather conditions can range from sunny and warm to wet and cold. Be sure to bring clothing that you can layer, as well as any other equipment that you might need.

Numerous hotels, grocery stores, gas stations and other suppliers are available  in Prescott, while more limited supplies can be obtained closer by in the town of Bagdad. 

Camping

Map of Javelina Hunting Camp Location and Directions

GPS Coordinates: WGS 84, N 34° 28.596’, W 113° 03.324’

If you are coming from Prescott:

• From the Williamson Valley and Iron Springs intersection in Prescott.
• Go west on Iron Springs Rd (Yavapai Co. Rd 10) for approximately 23.4 Miles to Kirkland Junction (in 16.6 miles on this road you should go through Skull Valley and cross railroad tracks).
• Once at the Kirkland Junction/County rd 10 and County rd 15 Junction/ or Hwy 96 turnoff, you will take a right hand turn over the railroad tracks onto Hwy 96 (Yavapai Co.Rd. 15)  towards Bagdad.
• Once on Hwy 96, you will travel approximately 27 miles to the Santa Maria River, right after mile post 11, the camp will be on the right (in 13.8 miles you will pass a white painted rock on the left that looks like a Duck, after mile marker 24, in 16.1 miles you will pass the Hillside turnoff after mile post 22).

If you are coming from Phoenix:

• Take US-60 to Wickenburg
• Take US-93 North towards Kingman/Las Vegas, once on US-93 North you will pass through one roundabout
• Go Approximately 44 miles on US-93 North 
• Turn right on Az Hwy 97 to Bagdad, after mile post 155
• Stay on Az Hwy 97 for approximately 11.1 miles to Hwy 96 and Hwy 97 Junction
• Turn Right on Hwy 96 towards Hillside
• Go approximately 6.4 miles on Hwy 96 to the Santa Maria bridge approximately Mile post 11.  
• The camp will be on the left

If you are coming from Kingman:

• Take I-40 east towards Flagstaff for approximately 18.3 miles.
• Exit on Hwy 93 South exit toward Phoenix AZ, Exit 71.
• Stay on Hwy 93 South for approximately 62.8 miles, going through Wikieup.
• After mile post 154 you will take a left turn toward Bagdad on Hwy 97.
• Stay on Az Hwy 97 for approximately 11.1 miles to the Hwy 96 and Hwy 97 Junction.
• Turn Right on Hwy 96 towards Hillside.
• Go approximately 6.4 miles on Hwy 96 to the Santa Maria bridge approximately Mile post 11.  
• The camp will be on the left.

Mileage may vary slightly depending on vehicle.

There will be camping on site for the general public.  Portable restrooms will be available, but participants will be responsible for bringing all other needed camping equipment.

 

Camp rules

1.    

1. Have fun
2. All firearms must be unloaded and in a carrying case in a  vehicle while in camp!  Firearm safety is of the utmost importance and this rule will be enforced.
3. Children under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian at all times
4. Children under 18 are not permitted to go on any excursions or hunts without their parent or legal guardian present.  A camp mentor does not qualify as a legal guardian. Only the juveniles parent or official legal guardian may satisfy this requirement.
5. Parents/guardians may not drop children off and return later to pick them up.
6. Mentors shall not leave or become separated from participants in the field.
7. In order to take wildlife all hunters must have a hunting license and the required javelina tag.

Who will be there?

You,  a lot of javelina, and these good folks to help you:

Arizona Game and Fish’s OHV Education Program – Learn about safe and responsible off highway vehicle use, laws and places to ride.

Dutch oven cooking (Saturday mid-day) - Learn all about cooking with cast iron pots, western-style in the outdoors.

Archery Headquarters -  Offers all your archery hunting and target archery needs in the Phoenix metro valley and statewide since 1989.

Vortex Optics – Sells optics equipment like binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes for the needs of all outdoors people, whether hunting or wildlife viewing.

Hensley Distributing - Arizona’s largest beverage distributor, serving the greater Phoenix and Prescott Valley areas for 56 years.

Affinity RV - Northern Arizona's largest full-line, full-service RV dealer and proudly offer the #1 selling recreational vehicles, Class A, B and C, diesel and gas motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding trailers, and truck campers.

Arizona Bowhunters Association - To foster, perpetuate, and expand bowhunting and bowhunting ethics in Arizona

Outdoor Experience 4 All - Changing lives one adventure at a time. Everyone who participates in an OE4A adventure, including volunteers, sponsors, parents, and siblings leaves camp with a new outlook on life!  

Badlands Packs - Gear  for the serious hunter, Badlands builds the finest hunting equipment on the market. Known for durability and attention to detail, Badlands customers are quick to stand behind their gear.

Mohave Arms Collectors

OHV Ambassadors 

Yavapai Exceptional Industries (YEI), Javelina Help’r

Lonesome Valley Taxidermy 

 

For specific questions about this event, email Darren Tucker at DTucker@azgfd.gov