Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Arizona's public lands are one of state's greatest attractions. A question that comes up from time to time, particularly during hunting seasons, is who has the right-of-way when recreating outdoors on Arizona's 50 million acres of public land? It's a one-word answer: Everybody. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds all outdoor user groups that the state's vast and treasured public lands sustain multiple uses for enjoyment by hunters, hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, wildlife... Full story
Giving For A Lifetime Lifetime Or Pioneer Licenses May Be The Perfect Gift What Is Arizona’s Lifetime License Program? Arizona’s lifetime general hunting and fishing license program is a unique opportunity for resident sportsmen and sportswomen to participate in the long-term funding of Arizona’s Wildlife Conservation programs. The dollars derived from the sale of these special licenses will be deposited into the established Arizona Wildlife Endowment Fund from which only the interest accrued wi... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (AZGFD) and the National Park Service (NPS) have entered into an agreement to reduce the number of bison present on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In a concerted effort to disrupt the "refuge effect" that allows the bison herd to grow where there is no pressure on them, the agreement includes a number of tools for herd reduction, including live capture and translocations, hazing and lethal removal by skilled volunteers. Given the current... Full story
Back-to-back wet winters have bolstered Gambel's population. Arizona quail hunters will be glad to know - in fact, they should be thrilled - that the 2020-21 season is shaping up to be average. That's right, average. And that's tremendous news heading into the season for Gambel's, scaled and California quail. Greatest Season In Years "Taking everything into account, this will be a great season compared to what we have experienced in the last 15 or more years," said Johnathan O'Dell, small game b... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission announced 16 recipients of the 2020 Commission Awards at its Sept. 25 meeting in Greer, Ariz. The awards recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This year's recipients are the following: • Award of Excellence -- Charlie Kelly • Youth Conservationist of the Year -- Jagrav Patel • Media of the Year -- Priscilla Torre... Full story
Applications Accepted "Over The Counter" Beginning 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 PHOENIX - Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2021 spring draw still have an opportunity to purchase a leftover permit-tag and start planning that javelina hunt. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted a list of leftover permit-tags on its website at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. As of today (Nov. 20), 708 permit-tags were available for the following hunts: 361 handgun, archery or muzzleloader (HAM)... Full story
Arizona has almost 114 million square miles of harsh deserts, rugged canyons, sweeping plateaus and thick forests that are spread across some 15 counties. That's a lot of territory to cover for the 97 wildlife managers, or game wardens, of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). It's a monumental task, done daily by dedicated people who are charged with being part officer, part biologist, part educator, and all-the-time conduit to the public. Most Precious Resource With the start of... Full story
Public can help by texting "SENDWATER" to 41444. Water is the essence of life, and it's just as precious for Arizona's wildlife. For that reason, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has trucked and airlifted about 250,000 gallons of life-sustaining water to catchments throughout the state since January. Trail cameras document the results of this critical work, with footage of elk, deer, bighorn sheep and other species leaning over for a refreshing drink at one of 3,000 catchments... Full story
Hunters asked to continue voluntary lead-reduction efforts this fall. Arizona hunters have proven their long-held commitment to wildlife conservation by voluntarily working to reduce the amount of lead exposure to endangered California condors, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is encouraging all hunters to join the effort this fall. Hunters drawn for hunts in Game Management Units 12 and 13 (north Kaibab National Forest and Arizona Strip) are eligible to participate in the depart... Full story
Arizona's Hunting and Angling Heritage Work Group (HAHWG) and Payson's Jim Strogen were among the conservationists recently honored at theWestern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) virtual awards ceremony. "The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department congratulate these conservation advocates on this well-deserved honor," said Commission Chair Kurt Davis. "Arizona's WAFWA award recipients are valuable partners in AZGFD's mission to conserve and protect the state's 800+... Full story
The crime was committed in Game Management Unit 39. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about the recent poaching of a mule deer doe in Game Management Unit 39 in the Buckeye Hills south of Buckeye. The doe was pregnant with two fawns. The deer and fawn carcasses were discarded along a dirt road that connects Gillespie Dam to Robbins Butte Game Road in the southwestern portion of the Buckeye Hills, south of the Powers Butte Wildlife Area. It is believed the... Full story
The goal is to reduce Mexican wolf depredations on livestock. The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made a contribution of $35,000 to support the Range Rider Program managed by the Interagency Field Team (IFT) of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Project. Created in 1993, the ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for the 2020 Commission Awards. The deadline for submission is Sept. 4, 2020. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not... Full story
4-21 Fees: General Hunting, resident: $37 Non-resident: not available see combination Combination Hunt and fish, resident: $57 Non-resident: $160 Youth combination hunt and fish (ages 10-17), resident: $5 Non-resident: $5 Short-term combination license, resident: $15/day, Non-resident: $20/day There are also fees for permit-tags and non-permit-tags. See the 2020-2021 Hunting Regulations at www.azgfd.com for details. Be sure to check the hunting regulations carefully before you hunt. Many of... Full story
4-21 Dove, Band-Tailed Pigeon Regulations Available Online The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2020-21 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations. The regulations have been produced in a downloadable format that hunters will find handy in the field. The color brochure is easy to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance. All... Full story
The chattery, fuzzy, winged creatures of the night are once again the stars of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) live-streaming wildlife cameras. AZGFD installed the bat roost camera in 2018, giving wildlife enthusiasts throughout the world the chance to watch migratory Yuma myotis bats and other bat species while they roost at the Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area near Safford, in southeastern Arizona. "Bats are truly amazing animals," said Jeff Meyers, watchable wildlife program manager.... Full story
If tags are left over, first come applications accepted by mail on or after 8:00 a.m. July 20, 2020. Available at Game and Fish offices after 8:00 am July 27, 2020 except crane and raptor. ARIZONA BIG GAME SUPER RAFFLE: If you win, you can hunt AZ big game species for 365 days. Get raffle tickets for elk, antelope, Coues, mule deer, black bear, desert bighorn sheep, buffalo, mountain lion, javelina, turkey. Go to www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.Mail Order Entries must be received by July 10,... Full story
Much-needed rain brings out desert wildlife in Arizona. Animals may wander in search of mates, moisture and, if necessary, to escape flooding. Desert tortoises are one of several amazing species that can be encountered during Arizona's monsoon. Important Guidelines The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) urges the public to follow these important guidelines when coming across a desert tortoise: • Keep wild tortoises wild: Do not remove a tortoise from the wild. Taking a wild tortoise h... Full story
A record 20 captive-born pups are cross-fostered into wild packs. The Mexican wolf recovery effort recently got a genetic boost when biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), with extensive logistical support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), worked together to cross-foster 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities across the U.S. into litters of wild... Full story
Ben Avery Shooting Facility (BASF) customers should expect some operational changes when they visit one of the nation's largest publicly operated shooting facilities. It re-opened on May 13. To ensure public health and safety protocols are observed, and to maximize opportunities for all recreational shooters, only online reservations will be accepted. BASF customers can reserve shooting times on the rifle and pistol ranges, as well as the Clay Target Center (CTC), by visiting... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to leave baby wildlife alone. As temperatures rise and days grow longer, newborns of many species of wildlife are beginning to explore the world around them. AZGFD encourages people to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including baby birds and young rabbits, as a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area. Unnecessary 'Rescue' “Picking up or ‘rescuing’ baby wildlife is often unnecessary... Full story
Some people mistakenly believe that when their exotic pets get too difficult to manage, it is okay to release them into the wild. But that is exactly the wrong thing to do. See this video. Introduced pets — even goldfish — can have devastating effects on native wildlife and ecosystems. In our aquatic ecosystems, they can outcompete sportfish and natives for food and space, prey on native species, and have unforeseeable effects on the food web. Even aquarium pets, once established, can eas... Full story
Each boater and angler can play a part in stopping their spread. Did you know that invasive quagga mussels cause millions of dollars in damage to boat motors, docks and water intake systems? Or that unwanted turtles, tortoises, and other pets illegally released into the wild can hurt our native species by introducing disease or outcompeting them for habitat and food? The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has recently participated in National Invasive Species Awareness Week. The... Full story
So far, 39 bites have been recorded statewide in 2020. As Arizonans get out to experience the trails and outdoors, it is important to remember that Arizona is home to 13 species of rattlesnake. The ones encountered most often are the Western diamondback, Mojave, black-tailed and sidewinder. Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said: "Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and we can all celebrate that amazing... Full story
It has long been speculated that bald eagles could utilize saguaro cacti as nesting sites. Now the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has documented proof. During recent eagle survey flights conducted by the department, officials were delighted to discover a pair of bald eagles with eaglets nesting in the arms of a large saguaro near a central Arizona reservoir. According to Kenneth "Tuk" Jacobson, AZGFD's raptor management coordinator, biologists searched historical records in the 1970s... Full story
