Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Nature isn't perfect. If a hunter spends enough time in the field, there's a chance he or she, at some point, might harvest an animal that appears to be sick or deformed, or looks suspect during the field-dressing process.

While oddities are few and far between, and rarely present any cause for concern - especially when it comes to turning that harvest into delicious table fare - hunters are being encouraged to let a wildlife health specialist at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) take a look.

That would require hunters to save the internal organs (and keep them cold in a sealable plastic bag), then call any of the department's regional offices to schedule an analysis. Another option? Take several photos of the anomaly and email them to AZGFD veterinarian Anne Justice-Allen at ajusticeallen@azgfd.gov.

"Harvested wildlife can be the most 'organic' food out there, but occasionally they get sick and this sometimes results in a food safety issue," Justice-Allen said. "The department has the resources to test animals with signs of disease for our customers."

AZGFD Accepting Applications For 2023 Spring Hunts

Portal account needed to access draw results.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2023 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for spring turkey, javelina, bison and raptor capture.

To apply, visit http://www.azgfd.gov and click on "Apply for a Draw." For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the "2023 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture Hunt Draw Information" booklet.

The booklet is posted online at http://www.azgfd.gov/hunting/draw. Printed versions soon will be available at all license dealers statewide (call in advance for availability).

The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.

In The Meantime -

• Check your AZGFD portal account. Take this time before the opening of the spring draw to review your personal data, including your application history and total bonus points (bonus, loyalty, hunter education). If something seems amiss, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Open an AZGFD portal account. Just visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and fill in the required information. Note: AZGFD no longer provides draw results through its automated phone service. The department encourages all customers to have an AZGFD portal account; that's the only place where draw results will be posted. Family account features are now available with a portal account, so everyone - including youth - can view their draw results online as soon as they are available.

• Applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license (or combination hunt and fish license) to apply for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the application period (Oct. 11). Licenses are available online and at any AZGFD office or license dealers statewide. Note: When purchasing an Arizona hunting (or combination hunt and fish) license online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer's receipt. Don't throw it away! That license number will be required as part of the draw application process.

• Know your Customer ID. This is a must to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on "View Details" under "My AZGFD Dashboard; 2) Check your hunting or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting http://www.azgfd.com/hunting/draw/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• "Arizona E-Tag" is now available. Hunters can download this mobile app from either the Apple or Google Play stores, and opt-in to receive an electronic tag in their AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected through the draw). The Arizona E-Tag app provides real-time delivery of licenses and big game tags purchased or drawn after the app has been downloaded. The app also provides the ability to electronically tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire. For more information, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

• Plan to purchase a PointGuard product. Choosing PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, ensures that applicants can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. A portal account is no longer required to purchase a PointGuard product. Information: http://www.azgfd.gov/pointguard.

• No more applying for bear through the draw. All bear hunt permit-tags have moved to nonpermit-tags (over the counter).

• View "What You Need to Know", a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/.