Don't expect AZ any time soon

[Outdoor Writer]

And so it begins. -TONY

****

July 22, 2004


To Whom It May Concern:

It has taken us a few days to sort through all the issues, rumors and
hearsay revolving around the recent court ruling concerning the Elk draw
in Arizona.

Primos has advertised its products on United States Outfitters' TV show
that airs on The Outdoor Channel and we have used USO's licensing
services as well as hired USO for its guide services in areas that we
were unfamiliar with. Primos has been pleased with all services
provided by USO.

Through a number of e-mails and phone calls it has become apparent that
people have lumped Primos Hunting Calls in with USO as being involved
with the court case. It was never our intention to take a position in
this matter, but rather to let the courts decide what was equitable or
not. That, of course, appears to have been misunderstood. With our use
of USO's products, Primos has been included in a fight we did not ask
for and do not desire to be a part of.

All of us at Primos are first and foremost for the Elk and the places
they call home. We do not want to do anything or be a part of anything
that takes away from that.

At this time, we have decided that in order to support elk, the other
wildlife of Arizona, and the places they call home, we should withdraw
USO's TV show from our list of sponsorships.

We thank you for your input. This has not been an easy decision to
reach but after much prayer and thought our decision is based solely on
what we feel is best for the Elk and the Elk hunting community.

Sincerely,



Will Primos
President, Primos Hunting Calls

 

[wmidbrook]

Good to see democracy in action. That's a smart business move given the popular sentiments against USO--I think it would have been just a matter of time before others stepped in to battle this quota issue. USO wasn't the first, and won't be the last imo (for what little my two bits are worth).

Goes to show how close to home this issue is for most folks. I'll wax a bit by saying,...it's apparent this hatred of USO may well be tied to a 'feeling of entitlement' that most have regarding their "Resident Tags." Remember hunting is a privilege, not a right. Let's be civil.

I'd encourage all to read a recent RMEF Bugle Magazine article on this issue. I'd give you the month, but my library is boxed up right now.

 

[COUESNAM]

Good decision Will,

I think that the majority believe that USO is in the wrong in this case as do I. The 10% cap allowed Arizonan residents a much better chance of getting drawn for trophy deer hunts and the coveted Elk hunts. Now with the 10% cap taken away it looks like my boy and I may not be able to enjoy a father and son bull elk hunt that we can afford. All of the hunters I know and many non resident hunters are opposed to the courts ruling because it is unfair to the arizonan residents.

 

[COUESNAM]

Today, I am afraid is the virtual dividing line between the "Good Old Days" and the Day we all hope will never come. "

Well after reading ALL of the posts previous on the topic, my .02 cents worth is already said by many othersHowever, Using this wonderful board as a vent for my anger is all I can do.

First, I will try to go to the meeting tomorrow. I work only about 5 miles from there so any input you would like me to carry along feel free to share.

Points I would like to state:

1 I believe the draw is not "legal" until it is processed which includes notification, so letting us know who was Shafted byt the USO B will likely be difficult or impossible to get.
2. I agree that fees for out of state permits should be raised, however, the Guides should only be allowed if they are AZ Residents.
3. BOYCOTT USO... DEFINITELY. Post your thoughts and objections to what this one JERK Montoya has doe to alll hunters, and do not allw him to profit from his treasonous actions( treason to hunters everywhere.)
4. One thing we all are overlooking, is the impact this decision could have in benefit of PETA and Anti Hunters. All they have to do is get some daddy warbucks to break off a millo bucks or so and they can effectively buy tags to prevent others from using them. This has been done previously but with the state borderlines now gone, The bank Vault is wide open!
5. I think one option to not void the entire draw might be to review the data, and see where the 10% rule was a problem. For example if out of state apps for a particular unit were filled 100% those units and hunts should be valid. Go with the original results since there were not enough out of state applicanst anyway.
Next, review the areas with less than a 100% draw sucess rate review and if needed re-draw only the units and hunts with problems.
Many more thoughts on the matter, but trying to keep it civil, so that said, I must reflect more on the long term potential impact this will have on hunting. Someone once said, "enjoy this time because these ARE GOING TO BE your Good old days."

 

[Outdoor Writer]

Another redraws sponsorship. Letter below to Arizona Hunters Who Care. -TONY

Please be aware that we're currently in the process of withdrawing our sponsorship of USO. We have not been party to, nor have we endorsed, USO's lawsuit over the availability of tags in Western states.

Like you, we care very deeply about the outdoors, hunting and wildlife. Realtree contributes financially to conservation groups each year, and we'll continue to sponsor groups like Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Quail Unlimited/Dove Sportsman's Society ­ groups that share our goal of ensuring a bright future
for the hunting and shooting sports.

Best regards,
Bill Jordan

 

[subfan]

Sweet... Who is next? With all the money USO will be making, he probably does not care who sponsors him.

 

[Kentuck]

I'm jumping here late but one thing I saw brought up as an option for the AZ Fish and Game dept. to look at is making all Non-Res's hire a guide to hunt there. Didn't New Mexico try that? Seems to me they rescinded that desicion after all the flack they got. I do believe though that Non-res fees went up after that.

I also think that if USO is only interested in the buying and selling of non-edible parts of the animal and not the recreational value of the hunt, the DFG folks should ban the practice of buying and selling animal parts. A lot of other states do.