New to Hunting?
Sign up for a Hunt Camp or Juniors-only Event

The Department also understands the need to offer opportunities for first-time hunters. In a collaborative effort with sportsmen’s groups, gun clubs and conservation organizations to offer first-time hunters an experience to learn about hunting, here is a list of upcoming events. For a list of other outdoor activities offered by the Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov/getoutside.

Interested, but not ready to go hunting yet?
Don’t worry, we still want you to come on out and see what the outdoor experience is all about. Hunting is just one portion of these events. Many of these camps are also open to people wishing to learn more about wildlife biology, ecology and their habits; target shooting; archery; wildlife viewing; camping; camaraderie and more. If you are interested, just contact the camp host and let them know.

2012 Season Hunting Events

FEBRUARY

Feb. 9, 2012: Novice Predator Hunt Camp
• Location: TBD
• Hosted by: Mesa Varmint Callers

• Website: www.arizonapredatorcallers.com
• Learn to call predator animals from expert predator callers. Open to 20 novices who will be teamed with the expert hunters at the monthly membership meeting before each novice hunt.

• Facebook Event Details

Feb. 11-12, 2012: Calling for a Cause Predator Camp
• Location: Kingman
• Hosted by: CEI Outdoors

• Contact: Craig Steele at 928.279.5805 or craig@CEIoutdoors.com
• Our goals: Have Fun! Raise Money! Manage Predators!

• Facebook Event Details

Feb. 17-19, 2012: Women's Javelina HAM Hunt*
• Location Near Three Points, southwest of Tucson
• Hunt Units: 36A, 36B, and 36C, apply for hunt numbers 5075, 5076, or 5077
• Hosted by: Youth Outdoors Unlimited and Coueswhitetail.com
• Contact: Amanda@coueswhitetail.com
• Assistance hunting javelina in the area; outdoor skills activities; food provided. A javelina tag is required for hunitng portion of the camp.
• Website info

• Facebook Event Details

Feb. 18, 2012: S.E. Arizona Youth Quail Camp
• Location: Sonoita, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
• Hunt Unit: 34B
• Hosted by: Cochise Bird Dog Club
• Contact: Dave Higgins (520) 378-4114
• Hunt quail behind well trained pointing dogs, lunch is provided. NO overnight camping.

• Facebook Event Details

Feb. 18-20, 2012: Youth Trappers Camp
• Location: Mayer, Chauncey Ranch
• Hosted by: Southwest Fur Harvesters
• Contact: Bob Rhoton by phone at (928) 532-5776, or Don Rohla at (928) 636-0585
• Limited to 12 students ages 10-17
• All phases of wildlife trapping taught and demonstrated by certified instructors; open to 12 students ages 10-17; meals provided.

• Facebook Event Details

Feb. 23-26, 2012: International Sportmen's Exposition
• Location: University of Phoenix Stadium
• Location: Glendale
• Free for kids 15, active military, free parking, $15 adults
• Website: www.sportsexpos.com
• 300 companies offering you a staggering selection of outdoor goods and services including fishing & hunting outfitters & guides; fishing tackle & gear; hunting products & gear; travel, vacations, lodges & resorts; outdoor apparel & optics; boats, motors & marine accessories; RVs, campers & outdoor gear; mountain-home furnishing; outdoor clubs, groups & associations; ATV’s, trucks, trailers & aftermarket accessories

Feb. 24-26, 2012: Javelina Hunt and Outdoor Fair*
• Location: Prescott area
• Hunt Unit: 17A/ B, 19B and 20A
• Hosted by: Arizona Bowhunters Association and Outdoor Experience for All
• Website: www.huntingfair.com
• Learn to hunt javelina; other outdoor skills activities; food provided. A javelina tag for hunt number 5004, or 5007 or 5008 in these regulations is required for the hunting portion of this camp.

• Facebook Event Details

MARCH

March 2-4, 2012: Junior’s Jackrabbit Kamp
• Location: Southwest of Tucson, Three Points
• Hunt units: 36A, 36B, 36C
• Hosted by: Safari Club International – Arizona Chapter
• Contact: Lisa Marie Gandara (520) 312-8099; azsci@yahoo.com
• Learn to hunt antelope and black-tailed jackrabbits in the open desert; other outdoor skills activities; hunter education graduates ages 10-14; food provided.

• Facebook Event Details

March 8, 2012: Novice Predator Hunt Camp
• Location: TBD
• Hosted by: Mesa Varmint Callers

• Facebook Event Details

March 31 - April 1, 2012: AZGFD Outdoor Expo
• Location: Ben Avery Shooting Facility, Phx.
• Hunt units: 36A, 36B, 36C
• Hosted by: Arizona Game and Fish Department
• Hands-on wildlife-related and outdoor recreation activities, including wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, archery, shooting sports, camping, off-highway vehicle recreation, and boating recreation. FREE entry and parking. Learn more

APRIL

April 12, 2012: Novice Predator Hunt Camp
• Location: TBD
• Hosted by: Mesa Varmint Callers

• Facebook Event Details

April 20-22, 2012: Juniors-only Turkey Camp
• Location: Happy Jack, north of Payson
• Hunt Units: 6A (draw tag holders) and 5A/5B (OTC tag holders)
• Hosted by: Arizona State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
• Contact: Tim Denny at dennysden@msn.com, or (928) 301-0853
• Learn to call and hunt wild turkey; develop outdoor skills; food, tips and mentoring; a turkey tag for hunt number 4055 in these regulations, or an over-the-counter nonpermit is required for the hunting portion of this camp.

• Facebook Event Details

April 20-22, 2012: Juniors-only Turkey Camp
• Location: Colcord Ridge Campground, east of Payson
• Hunt Units: 23 (draw tag holders) and 4A/4B (OTC tag holders)
• Hosted by: Arizona State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
• Contact: Rich Williams at rich@saselectric.com, or (602) 881-6815
• Learn to call and hunt wild turkey; develop outdoor skills; food, tips and mentoring; a turkey tag for hunt number 4056 in these regulations, or an over-the-counter nonpermit is required for the hunting portion of this camp.

• Facebook Event Details

April 20-22, 2012: Post Wallow Fire Turkey Sciences Field Workshop
• Location: White Mountains, Greens Peak
• Hunt Unit: 1, 27
• Hosted by: Arizona Game and Fish, Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Arizona Elk Society
• Contact: youthoutdoorsunlimited @gmail.com
• Come learn about conservation biology of wild turkeys; effects of the Wallow Fire; hunting regulation process; surveying animals and habitats; food provided; hands on event.
• Junior hunters with a turkey tag for hunt number 4053 in these regulations are welcome to attend the camp for hunting assistance as well.

• Facebook Event Details

MAY

May 10, 2012: Novice Predator Hunt Camp
• Location: TBD
• Hosted by: Mesa Varmint Callers

• Facebook Event Details

JUNE

June 15-17, 2012 Wapiti Weekend
• Location: Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area
• Hosted by: Arizona Elk Society
• Contact information: www. arizonaelksociety .org

*These camps require a permit-tag by submitting a hunt application through the Draw lottery process due to limited availability. There are three Draws conducted each year. To learn about the Draw process, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Note: Due to unexpected events such as administrative public land closures, severe weather, or wildfires, camps may be delayed, relocated or cancelled. Be sure to check the sponsoring organization’s website, or the Department’s website at www.azgfd.gov/getoutside for updated camp information.

To learn more about future hunting events, or to share an event your organization is hosting, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Hunter Recruitment and Retention section at (602) 942-3000.