Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1199
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
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
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
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
As we move further into 2025, there are so many events to enjoy. Ahead are the always popular Arizona Game & Fish Expo, the wild and wonderful Renaissance Festival, and the thrilling and colorful Dragon Boat Races. And, there's so much more as the weather reaches "perfect" levels to get outdoors. Although the Expo is next month, it's not too early to plan ahead to attend. When you are there, activities abound for all interests: from a kid's fishing pond to seminars on a plethora of wildlife spec... Full story
Note: We Found These At 'Be Outdoors Arizona'! Fall in Love with Fishing – Peoria Park Rangers February 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Kids ages 0-17 are invited to enjoy a heartwarming day of fishing at Paloma park. Whether you are a budding angler or just looking to enjoy a new activity, this event is for you! Bring your love for adventure and make some sweet memories. Gear will be provided, do not let this opportunity float away. Register at Peoriaaz.gov/recreation or at (623)773-7137 Monthly S... Full story
PHOENIX - Your next fun-filled outdoor adventure begins at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. Located at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, this popular event showcases Arizona's abundance of wildlife-related and outdoor recreation opportunities, including wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, camping, off-highway vehicle (OHV) and boating recreation, and more. Expo hours are 9... Full story
There's still time for Arizona hunters to take aim at some of the best wing-shooting opportunities the state has to offer - but the clock is ticking. Waterfowl The general waterfowl season ended Jan. 31, 2025. In response to hunter requests, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) simplified the annual "Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations" and combined the previously designated "Mountain" and "Desert" zones into one statewide zone. That pushed the general waterfowl season back to a... 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
Subscribers to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's free eNews will notice a new look to these communications. You may have already received some of the new-look eNews as part of the department's soft launch pilot program. The functionality remains the same as before, but subscribers will notice two other differences besides the look: (1) The "From" field will now read "Arizona Game and Fish Department" instead of "AZGFD," and (2) The "Subscribe" form (see button at bottom of our website) to... Full story
Summary Of Fishing Regulations Changes For 2025-26 Below is a list of changes published in the 2025 and 2026 Fishing Regulations: • The special regulations and seasons section is now organized by Arizona Game and Fish Department regions to make it easier for anglers to know which office to contact for additional information. • New regulation to create unlimited daily and possession limits for illegally introduced warmwater fish species at Becker Lake. Catch-and-release only for trout. Trout mus... 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... 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
Hunters may be randomly selected throughout the year to meet specific objectives. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking to bolster its pool of hunters who apply to be randomly selected throughout the year for specific population management hunts. Population management hunts enhance the department's ability to meet population and habitat management objectives when traditional harvest strategies are not meeting these objectives. At this time, two separate population management... Full story
NEW THIS YEAR – Conservation First USA received extra tags, enough to conduct two separate raffles. The first raffle ended in December, but wait, there's more! The second raffle campaign for ten more tags will run from January – June 2025. Until August 14, 2026 Winners of these tags will have 365 days to hunt almost anywhere in the state. The hunting season for all tags is August 15, 2025 – August 14, 2026. 100% of the proceeds from these raffle prizes will go to on-the-ground conse... Full story