Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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BOATING SEASON BEGINS - SAFETY STRESSED FOR ALL WATERCRAFT Whether you're on the water in a cabin cruiser, a luxury yacht, a houseboat, a fishing boat, a kayak, a canoe, or on a paddleboard, safety should and must be your prime concern. We've all heard it many times, "Just wear it", but don't let that advice become just a cliché for you. Here's why:U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities, and that... Full story
PHOENIX, AZ – Today, I stepped into a world I never knew existed, right here in the heart of Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Outdoor Expo, held at the sprawling Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, promised a hands-on celebration of wildlife, conservation, and outdoor fun, and it delivered in ways I couldn't have imagined. As a first-time visitor on this sunny weekend in March, I found myself wide-eyed and eager, plunged into an event that felt like a gateway to A... Full story
A safe day on the water starts with life jackets and sober boating. What's better than a day out on the water? Whether you're interested in taking up watersports, fishing or leisurely cruises around Arizona's lakes, boating is a great family friendly activity. While it may sound like an intimidating hobby to start, there are many resources to welcome beginners in a safe, responsible way. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offers free monthly boating safety education courses in Phoenix... Full story
With the arrival of warmer spring weather, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again is advising the public to leave baby wildlife alone. While it might be difficult to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including newly hatched birds and baby rabbits, a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area. Sadly, once young animals have been removed from the wild, some species -like elk calves and deer fawns - may have to be euthanized because... Full story
________________________________________ 'Buy Often, Win Big' Program Offers Incentives Conservation First USA is not only offering $10 raffle tickets for a chance to hunt big game in Arizona, but the group also is entering you into monthly drawings to win BONUS PRIZES. Yes, you read that right! One person will win April's bonus prize: a $500 gift card to SCHEELS. Do not miss this opportunity. Visit https://conservationfirstusa.org/product/arizona-special-big-game-tags to buy your raffle... Full story
Once again, hunters have stepped up in a big way in their financial support of wildlife conservation efforts across the state. The newly named "Copper State Draw" (formerly the "limited-entry permit-tag draw") offered hunters a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn permit-tag, while generating revenue that will bolster a variety of conservation programs funded through the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The monitoring and maintenance of wildlife... Full story
What: Join us to build and place mossback safe haven fish habitat structures into Peña Blanca Lake on Saturday, May 10, 2025. We will meet at the boat ramp at 8:30 a.m. and will work until all the habitat is in place, or about 4 p.m. Why: This habitat project will add some much-needed structure to Pena Blanca Lake. Diverse bottom structure is a key component of a thriving warm water fishery. This structure will have numerous benefits for fish species in the lake, helping to improve sizes of... Full story
Please Note - Articles and information will be added throughout the month. We welcome readers input on each article. Thank you. - Publisher The Three Servicemen statue and flagstaff were added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1984. The statue depicts three American servicemen and the things they carried. Sculptor Frederick Hart's goal was to create a moving evocation of the experience and service of the Vietnam veteran. As Hart described the sculpture, "The contrast between the innocence of... Full story
9 Pronghorn, Elk Hunt Draw Results Applicants should check their AZGFD portal account . The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2025 pronghorn and elk hunts. A customer's AZGFD portal account is the only source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. A free portal account can be created at accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register (account features for minor dependents are available). A portal account allows customers to create a secure account... Full story
If you found yourself tag less after the 2025 pronghorn and elk draw, have we got a deal for you! Conservation First USA is holding its Big Game Super Raffle where tickets to hunt pronghorn and elk for 365 days are only $10 per species. The best part: There is no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase. Buy tickets today! Ten lucky individuals will win one of 10 special big-game tags (elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bison, turkey, javelina, bear and mountain... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) wildlife officers never know what they'll face from one day to the next. Several weeks ago, the department's radio dispatch center received a call about a deer fawn in Chloride, Ariz., that was covered in cholla cactus. They relayed the information to AZGFD wildlife officer Troy Moody in Kingman, who contacted the reporting party and was told the fawn typically came onto the person's property around 2:30 p.m. each afternoon. Officer Moody arrived to find... Full story
The recent discovery of invasive golden mussels (Limnopernafortunei) in the California Delta region serves as a reminder to boaters and anglers to please do your part to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Arizona's waters. Golden mussels have similar impacts as quagga mussels, but can survive in locations that typically quagga mussels cannot. Boaters and anglers are strongly encouraged to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft before launching in ANY Arizona waterbody.... Full story
Trout Unlimited are hosting Salt River Saturday River Cleanups every other Saturday. This is a great event if you are looking to help promote conservation and keep our waterways clean. After a few hours of picking up trash, you can relax and wind down with some fishing on the Salt. This is a great opportunity if you are new to fly fishing, as there will be tons of experienced fly anglers who are willing to help. For more information, check out the FishAZ Network at the link below. The FishAZ... Full story
AZGFD Issues Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking To Amend Article 2 Rules See link below for rationale on proposed repeal of R12-4-216 (Crossbow Permit). The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend its Article 2 rules, addressing licenses, permits, stamps, and tags, to enact amendments developed during the preceding Five-year Review Report. The proposed amendments are designed to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department’s mission, ensure consistency with state and f... Full story
The wild population of Mexican wolves saw another year of growth in 2024, according to the results of the annual census. The 2024 population survey revealed a minimum of 286 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico. This increase marks the ninth consecutive year of population growth, the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began. The 2024 minimum count represents an 11% increase from the minimum of 257 wolves counted in 2023. Survey results show the population is... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has partnered with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) to host virtual wildlife lectures. • Wild About Arizona: Deep Dive into the Natural History of Wolves and Coyotes — 6:30 p.m. April 24 (AZGFD). Description: Learn about the highly adaptable coyote, an extraordinarily intelligent and opportunistic species. That will be followed by a deeper look into the history of Arizona’s wolves. Find out what caused them to become extinct and h... Full story
On Monday, March 3, 2025, it was announced that the latest (end-of-year 2024) population census of Mexican wolves had increased for the ninth straight year, to a record 286 wolves in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. To get a glimpse of the numerous activities that take place during the wolf count, including counting techniques, affixing radio collars, processing/health check, and release, see this video by David Majure of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s video production section: h... Full story
Payson Wildlife Fair this Saturday, May 3 Free outdoor fun (including fishing - no license needed!) for all from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Valley Park PAYSON, Ariz. - Whether it's catching a rainbow trout, taking aim with a bow and arrow, or getting up close and personal with live critters, the family-friendly Payson Wildlife Fair will offer a variety of outdoor fun Saturday, May 3, at Green Valley Park.... 
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Please Note - Articles and information will be added throughout the month. We welcome readers input on each article. Thank you. - Publisher It's All About Fish As the weather warms, a young man's (and woman's) fancy turns to thoughts of - fish. And, although there are many fantastic angling destinations in Arizona, Margie Anderson says to keep in mind the community waters that make fishing possible in waters near you. For some, this is the first opportunity to enjoy casting a line and a good... Full story
Our community lakes are such great places to fish – the Game and Fish stocks them with a variety of fish at different times of year, including trout, catfish, and bluegill. Some of the lakes have bass in them, too! You've probably got an urban lake close by – there are over 50! - and sitting on the bank with a line in the water is one of the best ways to spend a day that I know of. We've been taking our granddaughters to urban lakes since they were very small, and they not only love to fish, but... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) 2025 Outdoor Expo will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, 2025. The event will take place at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. What to expect • Wildlife exhibits: See wildlife mounts, taxidermy, and artwork • Fishing: Try fishing in family-friendly tanks • Firearms: Try out firearms in a safe environment • Animal ambassadors: Meet the AZGFD's animal ambassadors, including a female great horned owl and a female rosy b... Full story
Help Stop The Spread Of Harmful Invasive Species 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, fish, 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) is participating in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Feb. 24-28. The nationwide event... Full story
Nominations Open ForArizona Outdoor Hall Of Fame Deadline to submit nominations is April 7. Wildlife for Tomorrow is now accepting nominations for the 27th annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. Established in 1998 through a partnership between Wildlife for Tomorrow and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame honors individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to wildlife conservation, natural resource preservation, and... Full story
Inconsistent, thin ice is not safe; high-country anglers need to be aware. High country temperatures have been up and down this winter. Before taking that first step on an ice-covered lake to do some fishing, or to simply enjoy the winter weather in Arizona's high country, take a step back and consider if the conditions are safe. First Ice, Last Ice The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), along with the Coconino and Kaibab national forests, are urging outdoor recreationists to be aware... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has partnered with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) to host virtual wildlife lectures. Coming up: • Wild About Arizona: Learn the Truth About Rattlesnakes (Beyond the Bad Rap) - 6:30 p.m. March 20 (AZGFD). Description: Snakes have received a lot of bad press over the centuries, and most of that criticism - and even fear - has been directed at rattlesnakes more than any other species. Truth: Snakes serve an important ecological n... Full story
