A record 29,435 elk hunt permit-tags are available this year in Arizona, which is 4,675 tags more than last year.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission April 21 adopted the 2001-2002 hunting regulations (covers everything except 2001 migratory bird hunts and 2002 spring hunts).

Although elk permits hit a record high, deer permits once again sank to a record low 47,190 due to the lack of balanced bi-seasonal rainfall (summer and winter) for a number of years. Most recent years have seen good rainfall in one of the seasons, but not in the other. Upland deer especially need both summer and winter rainfall for good annual reproduction and recruitment. Even with good bi-seasonal rainfall, it could take a number of years for deer populations to recover in many areas.

There are 1,089 permits for North American pronghorn, which is 35 permits less than last year. Spring turkey permits are 125 fewer than last year for a total of 4,635. The number of bighorn sheep permits remains at 103. There is an 18-permit increase in buffalo permits, for a total of 66 permits at the House Rock and Raymond Ranch wildlife areas.

For bear, the statewide sow harvest objective for the general season is 93, which is no change from last year.

A small change was made to the lion season this year. Last year, a more liberal bag limit coupled with a harvest objective was established for Units 13B and a portion of Unit 22. This year, portions of Units 16A and 18B were added to the multiple bag limit. Should the harvest objective be attained, the bag limits in Units 16A, 18B, and 22 will return to the statewide bag limit of one lion per calendar year.

Units 16A and 18B are planned for a bighorn sheep transplant. The intent is to reduce the lion population in the Hell’s Half Acre area prior to the transplant. A bighorn sheep research study is still underway in Unit 22.

Another change from last year is a new season on prairie dogs from July 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002 and June 16 through June 30, 2002. In essence, the prairie dog season will be closed during the breeding season.

Prairie dog populations are down significantly from historic levels, primarily due to loss of habitat due to land-use practices. Regulated hunting has not been a factor in prairie dog decline. "During our statewide public meetings, and virtually all the written comments we have received, there appears to be widespread acceptance of establishing this prairie dog season," said Big Game Supervisor Brian Wakeling.