There are over-the-counter elk nonpermit-tags available (from Game and Fish offices only) for 2008 for very specific locations where the Arizona Game and Fish Department is attempting to create areas with few or no resident elk.

“These areas were identified through public process as places where elk did not occur historically and their continued occupation could negatively impact other wildlife or land uses,” said Big Game Supervisor Brian Wakeling.

Wakeling pointed out that as the regulations state, elk numbers in these hunt areas are very low, therefore, hunt success is expected to be very low. Despite those qualifications in the regulations, there are lots of hunters already buying those over-the-counter nonpermit-tags since the regulations were posted online Monday.

“Hunters should not have expectations of high numbers of elk in these areas, but especially the Alamo Lake area and 12A and 12B on the Kaibab. The elk densities are extremely low. Hunt success is going to be correspondingly low,” Wakeling said.

Wakeling added that hunters are going to have to be attentive to the hunt area boundaries as listed in the elk and antelope regulations for 2008 (the “elk notes” starting on page 24) because they are much different in most cases than are the unit boundaries.

“Although these may not be the most desirable hunts for many people, others have already told us that these hunts will allow them to hunt with friends, which hasn't been possible because of the difficulty in getting drawn for draw hunts,” Wakeling said.

Another issue, at least in 4A and 4B and the Verde Valley, is private property. “We caution in the regulations that these areas also have significant amounts of private property. Hunters who do obtain these tags really need to make contact with the private property owners and get permission,” Wakeling said.

For additional information, maps, hunt dates and more, go to www.azgfd.gov/h_f/over-the-counter-elk-tags.shtml and download the "Informational handout and maps for over-the-counter elk nonpermit-tag hunts" at bottom of page.