Arizona Christmas Tree Tags
© Judy Hedding
The rules have changed dramatically in 2008. It used to be that people filed an application and a fee with the Forest Service, which then held a drawing to determine who got to go to one of our national forests and cut down a Christmas tree. No more. Now, tags for Christmas tree cutting will be sold at a local sporting goods store, and it's first come, first served. That means no lottery system. If all the tags sell out on the first day, then you're out of luck. Now that's not likely to happen, but it does make me wonder if simplifying the process will add a whole new set of wrinkles. I assume that they will be tracking names of purchasers and requiring ID at the stores, since only one tag per family is allowed. How are they defining family? Is it really one tag per address? I'm not sure. I also assume that the tags are not transferable, or else we'll start to see Arizona National Forest Christmas Tree Tags on being sold in a secondary market for sale to the highest bidder! Yes, I'm a cynic. There are too many people out there trying to make a quick buck.
If you go and buy a tag this year, let me know how it went. Tags go on sale Friday, October 10, 2008. Check here for the store locations, fees, tags per forest and other guidelines.
Comments
this would have been my 27th of 28 year
that i would have turned my application in for a chance thru the tree lottery to receive a tree permit. the only year i missed i was selected a tree permit in
a burned out section one year north of flagstaff and could make it to another cutting area as suggested. my family totally enjoys when we are selected and make it a family outing or group outing to go an select our arizona christmas tree for the year. i was involved in the mail mix-up that happened last year to those who got selected to cut out of the sitgraves area. we did receive our permit to cut just a day before out normal planned outing to cut. i know the drawing for those who got their applications in on time was on the 9th of october. i am hoping they still have permits that werent drawn either the sitgraves area or the prescott area. this is usually my only venture into our lovely forest during the year. i would have been 1 day last on the post-mark due date so i didnt even try to submit for a permit. i am hoping permits are still available so i can plan a drive to the downtown tonto national forest main office in phoenix in order to purchase a left over permit.
i hope everyone had a lovely week and
wishing each and all a happy holidays to
come