Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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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
With more people getting outdoors to take advantage of the state's warm spring weather, it's important to keep in mind that 13 species of rattlesnakes also call Arizona home and become active as temperatures rise. The species that are encountered most often are the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave, and black-tailed rattlesnakes. In warm desert areas, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. During the spring, it's not uncommon for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight... 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
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
Willcox Playa Wildlife Area is best known for its wintering population of sandhill cranes that annually migrate to the playa in large numbers. It's not unusual to see several thousands of the winter visitors from the viewing area at the power-plant ponds, located on the southwest side of the playa, or at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's 600-acre wildlife area on the southeast side. The cranes feed and court, but will begin their migration to their summer breeding grounds in the northern... Full story
A different type of hunt takes place for wildlife enthusiasts in the late winter and into spring - the hunt for antlers. Deer and elk shed their antlers each winter, providing an opportunity for people to search for them and further their connection with and understanding of wildlife. Elk antlers start dropping in mid-February, deer start dropping in March, and the season progresses through the end of April. Arizona doesn't regulate shed antler hunting, but if you set out in search of a set,... Full story
AZGFD ISSUES PRECAUTIONS -- With the detection of avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic and wild birds in Arizona, the Arizona Game and Fish Department urges hunters and falconers to help prevent the spread of the disease and stay safe. Visit these sites for important information: USDA-APHIS Avian influenza, CDC Avian influenza, USFWS Avian influenza.... Full story
AZGFD, Partners Secure More Than $24 Million Dollars For Conservation Restoration project will benefit critical wildlife movement corridors, winter habitat for state's wildlife. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF), the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), and the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts (AACD), is excited to announce a recent award of $24.5 million through the USDA Natural... Full story
Wildlife has been active in the mild winter climate of Arizona's lower and mid elevations, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been receiving increased reports of human-wildlife conflicts in many parts of the state. Here's some recent activity: • The Tucson area has received more than 20 wildlife feeding complaints since August - made all the more concerning in light of the fact that Pima County has seen an uptick in wildlife rabies cases this year. • Pima County is also seeing issues i... Full story
Arizona's bald eagles are back, and they will soon be preparing for the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. To assist with the state's continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state's 104 eagle breeding areas. To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public land and water areas will be... Full story
Sandhill cranes by the thousands are once again returning to their wintering grounds at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in southeastern Arizona. For the next several months, more than 20,000 of these fascinating birds, along with waterfowl and other wetland-associated species, will provide an unparalleled wildlife-viewing experience. "In my opinion, there just isn't a better wildlife-viewing opportunity in Arizona" said Jeff Meyers, wildlife viewing program manager for the Arizona Game and... Full story
VERMILLION CLIFFS, Ariz. – Partners in Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), gathered at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on Sept. 28 for the successful release of four captive-raised and endangered California condors into the wilds of far north Arizona. The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management hosted the event in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Cheers erupted from an enthusiastic crowd at the viewing s... Full story
This is the kind of story you need, When it seems like the world is spiraling out of control. Not many people get a picture of this proud bird, Snuggled up next to them! Freedom and I have been together 11 years this summer. She came in as a baby in 1998 with two broken wings. Her left wing doesn't open all the way even after surgery; It was broken in 4 places. She's my baby. When Freedom came in she could not stand and both wings were broken. She was emaciated and covered in lice. We made the d... Full story
This article was sent to us by one of our readers. This is amazing! It is no wonder there are scriptural references to the eagle. And, no wonder the bald eagle has such a significant symbolism to our country. What hope! Focus On Rebirth The eagle can live up to 70 years. But, to reach this age, an eagle has to make a hard decision. In its 40s, its long and flexible talons can no longer grab the prey that serves as its food. Its long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its old-age and heavy wings, due... Full story
Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 100 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in mid-September. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council (https://itbcbuffalonation.org/), which transported them to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota (https://www.cheyenneriversioux.com/). Since reduction efforts began in 2018, park staff have removed 306 bison from the North Rim, with 282 transferred to eight different American Indian tribes throu... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), alongside conservation leaders, Gov. Katie Hobbs, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, recently celebrated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) decision to remove Apache trout from the federal Endangered Species List . The delisting announcement was made by Secretary Haaland at a special event in Mesa in early September. "The recovery of Apache trout is a culmination of more than five decades of hard work and the cooperation of many... Full story
Arizona's deer and elk hunters are urged to attend any of the four remaining workshops about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal wildlife disease that affects the nervous system of cervid animals. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) had scheduled a total of eight workshops that began earlier this month at department headquarters and regional offices throughout the state. The remaining workshops will take place at regional offices in Pinetop (Aug. 17), Kingman (Aug. 24), Tucson... Full story
Falcons are known for their incredible speed and agility, and usually feed on smaller birds, which they dive at and capture in mid-air. Commonly observed falcons in Arizona include the peregrine falcon, prairie falcon and American kestrel. The merlin and crested caracara are also in the falcon family. • Accipiters, such as Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks, have short rounded wings and long tails and are common forest-dwellers. They are expert at chasing small birds through trees and catching t... Full story
Have you been searching for a loving and gentle feline companion? Look no further than Mr. Goldwater! This handsome fellow has been calling the Scottsdale VFW 3513 his home as part of their Alley Cats program. Born on the VFW property in late 2021, Mr. Goldwater is a true sweetheart. He thrives on affection, adores being brushed and scratched, and prefers peace over conflict with other cats. However, the scorching summer heat is too much for this gentle soul and his caregivers at VFW 3513 would... Full story
Wildlife officers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department released to the wild a mountain lion that had wandered onto the campus of the Tucson Medical Center on Friday and became entrapped in an enclosed courtyard. The department was alerted to the presence of the subadult male mountain lion around 10:30 a.m. Friday. With the assistance of officers from the Tucson Police Department, the wildlife officers were able to successfully dart and tranquilize the mountain lion without injury around... Full story
How fostering helps disseminate genetics in the wild population. What is the best way to infuse genetic diversity into the wild Mexican wolf population? Some argue that releasing captive-reared adult wolf pairs into the wild is the best way. But is it really? In this video, Jim deVos, Mexican wolf coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, discusses why fostering of wolf pups into wild dens is more effective than releasing captive pairs in the long run because of the geographic... Full story
Submissions accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 9, 2024 Do you want to see your photo on the cover of Arizona Wildlife Views? Do you have a knack for capturing great photos of wildlife? Then you won't want to miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department's 18th annual wildlife photo contest. One best in show and 11 winners will be showcased in the 2025 calendar, which is published as part of the November-December 2024 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views. The best-in-show photo is published on the cover of the... Full story
VFW 3513 Alley Cats Rescue The 'VFW Alley Cat Project' Has Brought Kitties, Vets, And Community Together Another Success Story Fearless Kitty Rescue was kind enough to help us find a home for Greystoke. Greystoke was one of those young cats who just tells you he would like a real home. In fact Greystoke found two homes. The owners of the first home did not know until Greystoke got there that the husband was allergic to cats. They reluctantly had to bring Greystoke back to Fearless Kitty. While... Full story
