Arizona A3 Trophy Hunts. AZGFD requests civil suspension and or revocation of guide licenses.

[BBob]

I see A3 has stepped in it again and up for losing their guide licenses. ARS Code 17-362 violations. AZGFD Commission agenda shows they are looking into it. It’ll be interesting what they discuss and decide during Fridays meeting.

2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - :: Revised Statutes §17-362 Guides; appointment; licenses; duties; reports; carrying firearms

law.justia.com

 

[BBob]

So unless I missed it in the audio minutes it seems as though the commission skipped right over this during the scheduled agenda and punted. I’ll have to listen through again to see if I they actually addressed it or not.

 

[Blackcow]

I didn’t catch anything on it either.

 

[wapitibob]

"Department has requested ... civil suspension", the process has started independent of the commission according to that.

One of the commissioners mentioned item 11 would be looked at later, whenever that is.

 

[BBob]

One of the commissioners mentioned item 11 would be looked at later, whenever that is.

I speculated that something legal wise was going on in the background that delayed it this go round. Let's see if it comes back into the agenda for the next meeting.

Rumor has it it's over the helicopter thing from 2023 or thereabouts. The civil citation got booted over a technicality. If true good on the Dept for continuing to pursue it.

 

[AZ8]

I speculated that something legal wise was going on in the background that delayed it this go round. Let's see if it comes back into the agenda for the next meeting.

Rumor has it it's over the helicopter thing from 2023 or thereabouts. The civil citation got booted over a technicality. If true good on the Dept for continuing to pursue it.

The guide that was sub-contracted was the fall guy. See the meeting on April 11. Because the owners didn’t “see” the violation, they weren’t cited, even though they hired him to fly since he had connections to a pilot. I believe the Commission is working on closing that loophole.

 

[BBob]

Because the owners didn’t “see” the violation, they weren’t cited

Jay (Lopeman) was cited but the case was dismissed over the loophole you mentioned. I looked up the court case. State of Arizona vs Jay Ryan Lopeman, Payson Justice Court, Case J-0404-CM-2023000144, Citation #FGD10910 Game and Fish Title Violation 10/31/2023

Fleshing this out with the others involved:

State of Arizona vs Chad Darwin Rhoton, Payson Justice Court, Case J-0404-CM-2023000143, Citation #FGD40911 Game and Fish Title Violation 10/31/2023, 10/28/2024 Dismissal Issued/Granted with Prejudice

State of Arizona vs Daniel Paul Hiegel, Payson Justice Court, Case J-0404-CM-2023000141, Citation #FGD41707 Game and Fish Title Violation 10/31/2023, 07/08/2024 DISPOSITION SET: 44-CHARGE DISMISSED BY PROSECUTOR.

State of Arizona vs Nathan Thomas Moody, Payson Justice Court, Case J-0404-CM-2023000142, Citation #FGD41709 Game and Fish Title Violation 10/31/2023, Guilty 10/25/2024, Appeal abandoned 01/21/25

Moody's guide privileges were revoked by the commission on 12/08/2023 for a period of 2 years.

AZGFD Commission April meeting:

Nathan Thomas Moody Docket #2025-0012 Use of Aircraft to Locate Wildlife Within 48hrs Of Open Big Game Hunt

Moody flew in helicopter with an A3 guide and the pilot during an active hunt.

License to hunt, fish, trap revoked on 04/11/2025 for 5yrs.

Officer involved stated investigations are still ongoing.