Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Who thinks this stuff up? AZ e-tag

1. Some of the places I hunt, when I get down to AZ, have no service.

2. I assume they believe no one's "device" will crap out on a hunt, for whatever reason (left the charger at home, fell on the pocket it was in, etc etc)

3. Flagging or tape?

I'll not be "opting in" until it's mandatory.

Then again, if the red wave doesn't happen and fuel prices increase again, I won't be able to afford getting to AZ for any more hunts.


https://www.azgfd.com/arizona-e-tag-mobile-app-now-available/

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is now offering a mobile application to modernize the tagging process for hunters and provide them with additional technology options, streamlining the tagging and harvest reporting process.

The new “Arizona E-Tag” app is available for download in the Google Play and Apple app stores, providing hunters added flexibility to the current procedures for big game tag delivery and use. The mobile application will help strengthen the hunt data from which biologists make hunt recommendations and the Game and Fish Commission makes decisions.

Hunters who choose to download the app and receive their big game tags electronically will be able to:

Receive an electronic copy of big game tags on an electronic device, eliminating the need to keep paper copies.
Electronically tag harvested big game in the field and complete harvest reporting.
View hunting and fishing licenses.
View and manage licenses, as well as hunt permit-tags, for authorized dependent accounts.
Hunters can choose a material of their choice, such as flagging or tape, to attach a unique validation code (provided in the app during the tagging process) to their animal following a successful harvest.

Those who hunt in Arizona are encouraged to download the app to a mobile device and opt-in through their AZGFD portal account to receive electronic tags and licenses. After “opting-in,” an electronic tag for big game permits purchased at a department office or obtained through the draw will be automatically delivered to the mobile device. As a reminder, “opting-in” to receive an electronic tag is not required to participate in the draw.

Tags that were drawn or purchased before the app has been downloaded will not appear as an electronic tag.

Arizona E-Tag is a result of the department’s tag modernization efforts. “AZGFD is thrilled to deliver Arizona E-Tag to all who hunt and fish in Arizona as we continue to provide additional value, flexibility and options for our customers.” said Luke Thompson, the department’s habitat evaluation and lands branch chief.

The AZGFD mobile application is compatible with both Apple and android products. Visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting and click on the Arizona E-Tag link for more information.

Oregon tags are also on line although you can print out a paper tag I miss the old cut your tag.

Been like that for a couple years here and I like it.. You don't need service to tag...Once you get the hang of it , easy peasy.

The potential failure of technology ain't why I'm sticking with paper.

My state went this route several years ago. I think most people like it. Saves rushing to the store to get a license and tag. It also did away with the game check stations, which were mostly all volunteer affairs at local gas stations or fire houses. Wardens can look your info up on their cellular device or look at a screen shot on yours. I’m a lifetime license holder so it doesn’t affect me as much, I have my card in my wallet and for the most part nothing else is required tag or license wise. We have 24 hours to Echeck them after a kill so you have time to get to an area with cell service.

I'm certainly not complaining about online purchasing of tags, that's worked really well for me over the years.

Santiam, not sure how that works, tagging an animal if you don't have service. I can see having the tag "downloaded" to your device, but if you kill in an area with no service, how do you "tag" the animal. And if one has to go to a spot with service, what if one is a ways off the beaten path and hunting with friends? Must one then go to an area with service to tag their animal?

Then there's the issue of the "device". What if one doesn't like using or bringing one on a hunt? Is the State now requiring a person obtain one ?(once they go all in on the program ans stop issuing real tags altogether)

Also, that thing I mentioned about a device failing for one of any number of reasons. Then what is a hunter to do? "Gee Mr Game warden, my phone is dead and I couldn't tag the critter before I left the field. No, I'm not trying to take more critters later with my unfilled tag"

I'm perplexed about the need to even have licenses/tags in the field in some cases. Had a warden I knew check our group, years ago. When I asked if he wanted to see my license and tag he told me " no need, I saw it on the computer list of who has tags in this unit". Other than my ID, why the hell do I need to carry a license and tag, paper or otherwise then?

Oh well, I'm still not convinced it's a good thing.

Plus the state can charge extra dollar or two for the "convenience fee"

Wer have e-tag (e-notch) in Virginia. It works well. It still works if you are outside cell range. You still e-notch on your app and when you are in cell range it uploads to the DWR. Or you can do paper and call in and report your kill.

In both states I hunt in they have a electronic game check. In Ohio as far as I know you still need to make a paper tag and put it on the animal until you use your device to check it. In Alabama you dont put a tag on the animal but you still have to check it. In both states you have a period of time to check it in. I buy online and print a paper copy of any license I buy. But I still have the Apps from each state that have my harvest records and licenses in there. I use the online checking as well. I dont know all the situations in each state but I have never had any issue using the APPs and I really like them. Printing my license and tags is just an easy insurance policy against unknown glitches.
In both cases you can create a e tag in your app. It will transmit it when you get in cell service.

E tag may be all well and good but you still have to get drawn first!

NM has an e-tag and it doesn’t require service. I stick with the paper tag cause you still have to cary paper, pen, tape/flagging etc to attach a handwritten “tag”.

TFF

Its 2020 not 1975 and old fuggs are confused. Etags, self checkouts trip them up regularly. It would be bet if you all just stay home.

Oregon has optionally gone that route. For big game one still has to pack paper, write down all manner of data, secret codes, etc, and affix it to the animal. Not at all convenient.

LEO's hate it, as do the majority of users. If apps are downloaded and operate properly, no service is needed but one still has to have his phone aboard and power it up before dragging out his animal. We're supposed to tag at the kill site, and I'm not about to pack a phone around while hunting. That's my escape time.

It came out of the blue here with no public input. I suspect it was agency bean counters, as the argument was it would save the agency about $2 million for the printers and tear/waterproof paper. We are not allowed to downsize the documents to save paper or thin the wallet. One can still do purchases at agency offices, but those to are printed on copy paper.

We do near all of our licenses and permit online now, and all are printed on typical 8 1/2 by 11 paper if one wants to go the traditional route. Given rain/snow etc, the agency advice is to secure it in a zip lock bag, then bind it to the critter with tape.

My flip phone lives on our microwave, so I've stuck with the traditional route. Probably saves me $100 a month not needing a smart unit to tag my elk or halibut.

Sorta doesn't make much sense, eh?

I usually carry most of that stuff anyway, have for years, and now I have to purchase an "app" from google or some android "store". And carry a "device". Yeehaw!

Better watch it neighbor to the north.

That "guy" posting right above you will call you a boomer and tell you to stop hunting.

Nah, I prefer putting in for tags just so if I can get one I may prevent youngsters from getting out there with your "devices".

In Oregon after you Etag the animal you still have to physically tag the animal with tape or paper. This kind of defeats the purpose of the Etag except for fact that you gave them a gps location of the kill. They claim that it’s not wrote into the program yet 😉 but will be soon.

Is there a "convenience fee" attached also?

Fugg them and their system.

.

Why is that?

I don't want them to know the GPS coordinates of where I hunt. Screw the government.

Copy. I hear you....

Do you take the GPS coordinates off the photos you post on this site so people don't know where you live?

I do remember that kerfuffle on the forum a few years ago and at that time I did. Don't know if it's still active.

Missouri has the e-tag

It's as easy as it gets.

I don't have a cell phone so will keep using the paper tag for as long as I can. This is Monatana's first year with it.

The Montana paper tags are a joke. What is stopping someone from printing out more than one copy of their license and tags?

Looking forward to ak going to an e tag system.

Same here and plenty do it. You used to have a document on special paper and now you have printer paper with a bar code go figure what they were thinking. The state claimed they would save a couple million a year.

I think it was the first year they had those stupid paper tags, I forgot and left mine on the antlers when I was boiling the skull to do a Euro mount. That tag didn't make it.

That sucks

The Oregon system gives you the option of simply picking the unit name from a scroll down chart or the “gps” method of harvest reporting. I pick Rogue Unit and don't give the gps site.

I tried to tag a turkey one evening and it wouldn’t take. I called in the morning and they tagged it for me through their system - I found out that I needed to update my app and re-sink (sp) and that fixed the problem.

On a recent fishing trip I left my phone at home!
I knew my password and was able to access my information on my friend’s phone and use it to tag my salmon.

That was a good save - may think about carrying your password in you wallet or have it in your car, pack, whatever.

Having to physically paper tag game I’ve already electronically tagged is a pita and wholly stupid in my opinion…..

You are 100% right. This is horrible. Everyone should stop applying for tags in AZ. That would be a good way to protest this and would send a clear message to AZGFD.
Power to the people.
Rex

Yes, absolutely!

Still have them up here. You can download and print them at home, cut them when you kill. Mandatory, the last, then a mandatory on-line report (mail-ins were "lost", "unreadable", etc)....within whatever time period they specify, or you are banned for permits for a year.

And yes, twice my mail-ins were "lost" (Probably a Friday night "let's round file and go have a drink" deal, IMO ), but I had "return receipt required", after the first, so I guess that makes 3. . Or it could have been USPS/ anti-hunter... (Let's round-file this Bambi-killer and go have drink".)

I'm sure they'll come up with at least one more "convenient" (for who?), addition soon. I do like the on-line stuff tho. You get an immediate receipt.

fu ck that sh it ..... go ahead bend over and spread em already !

the incompetent jokers at ADF&G don't need to know everything the second it happens with gps locations, or even 30 days later with closest drainage for location, they need to stay tf out of our lives

this is how you lose your hunting seasons, all the shyte they'll dream up to restrict more areas or turn them into draw tag areas