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 24-26, 2012 the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Bowhunters Association, and Outdoor Experience 4 All are hosting a weekend event near Prescott, 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. Outdoor hunting experts 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 and an Arizona hunting license are required for those interested in participating in hunting. Both of these can be purchased in advance at any of the seven Arizona Game and Fish Department offices (Kingman, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Yuma and Pinetop). A limited supply of hunting licenses and javelina hunting permit-tags will available on site; however, it is best to purchase them in advance of the event (See obtaining a hunting permit below for details).

 

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 experience, 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.

 

 

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 www.azgfd.gov/i_e/edits/hunter_education.shtml.

The 2012 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, 40-pound bow and arrow, or 125-pound crossbow (to be obtained on your own).

 Leftover javelina hunt permit-tags are available on a first-come-first-served basis at any Arizona Game and Fish office via mail or in person. They are not sold at license dealers and sporting goods stores.

Hunting licenses and remaining leftover javelina permit-tags will be sold at the javelina camp from noon Friday (Feb. 24) until noon Saturday (Feb. 25).  Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that desired permit-tags will still be available at this time. A Social Security Number and other personal information is required to purchase a permit-tag.

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 primary hunt permit-tag needed for the Javelina Hunting Fair event is either for GMU 17A/B or GMU 20A:

• SOLD OUT Hunt No. 5004 for open areas in Game Management Unit 17A and 17B is a General Spring Javelina firearm hunt valid Feb. 24 – March 1, 2012.
  
  
• SOLD OUT Hunt No. 5008 for open areas in Game Management Unit 20A is a General Spring Javelina firearm hunt valid Feb. 24 – March 1, 2012.

Surrounding areas supported by the Javelina Hunting Fair, if the above tags are unavailable include (these areas require a longer commute from the event location):

• Hunt No. 5007 for open areas in Game Management Unit 19B is General Spring Javelina firearm hunt number valid Feb. 24 – March 1, 2012.

• SOLD OUT Hunt No. 5006 for open areas in Game Management Unit 19A is a General Spring Javelina firearm hunt valid Feb. 24 – March 1, 2012.

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.

The camp location is at approximately 4,900 feet elevation in the Prescott National Forest with most hunting areas being of similar elevation or below.

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 a short distance from camp in Prescott.

 

Camping

Map of Javelina Hunting Camp Location and Directions

GPS Coordinates: WGS 84, N 34° 37.872’, W 112° 39.112’

Printable maps. Overview ~ Crossroads ~ Camp Area

View Larger Map

 

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.      Have fun

2.      All firearms must be unloaded and in a carrying case 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.      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

Good folks to help you

Xtreme Predator Callers – A family-oriented outdoor club designed to help families learn to enjoy calling for animals like coyotes, foxes, and bobcats.

Wade’s Custom Meats - Located in Chino Valley, specializing in beef, pork and lamb. Also process wild game, smoked meats, sausage and poultry (fresh and smoked).

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.

Mohave Sportsmen Club - a family oriented organization based in Kingman, welcoming all of those interested in the shooting sports, especially youth, ladies and the beginning shooters.

My Camp U.S.A - Gear for Life, My Camp USA is an online service selling quality camping gear for outstanding prices. Perfect for the entry level outdoors family and the seasoned veteran alike.

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

Cabela’s - America’s Foremost Outfitter. Quality hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor gear at competitive prices available online, by catalog and at retail stores.

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

Arizona Archery Enterprises - World's largest manufacturer of nocks and vanes.

Carbon Tech - The world's finest and most accurate arrows.

Special Event Schedule

This is the special events schedule for both Friday and Saturday.

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

 

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