Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle is back again and offering unique monthly prize packs! The Arizona Game and Fish Commission annually awards the organization a total of 10 Special Big Game Tags, one for each of the state's big game species - bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bison, turkey, bear, javelina and mountain lion. Raffle tickets are available for $5 to $25 each, depending on the species, and ticket sales go to on-the-ground conservation. The deadline to... Full story
More than 100 captive desert tortoises need forever homes . For some, a dog or cat will do just fine. But for others who are considering adopting something truly unique to Arizona, say hello to your next family member: a Sonoran desert tortoise. "Many people don't even consider opening up their homes to desert tortoises, but they make fantastic and personable pets," said Tegan Wolf, desert tortoise adoption program coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). "It's rewarding to... Full story
Deadline to submit nominations is April 30. The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year's inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona's wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state's outdoor heritage. Nominations will be accepted through April 30, 2021. To submit a nomination, download a form,... Full story
The wild population of Mexican wolves in the United States saw its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2020. According to the recent count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased by 14% since last year, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 186 animals. From November 2020 through January 2021, the Interagency Field Team (IFT) conducted ground counts in Arizona and New Mexico that concluded with aerial counts of Mexican wolves in January and February.... Full story
A reward for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for the poaching of several mule deer in October near Congress, Ariz., has been increased up to $10,000. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), through its Operation Game Thief program, has increased its reward up to $3,000. In addition, several sportsmen's organizations and private companies are offering rewards up to the following amounts: Willmeng Construction ($3,000), Arizona Deer Association ($1,500), Mule... Full story
Pet stores urged to remove aquarium product from shelves; consumers should follow disposal guidelines. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), along with wildlife agencies across the country, are urging pet stores and aquarium owners to take action now to contain any "moss ball" plants designed for aquariums after invasive zebra mussels were found on these products in Arizona as well as other states. This is a national invasive species emergency and evolving situation. Washington Alerts... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet that is traditionally held in January has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 12, 2021. The banquet will be held at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Grande Ballroom, 11111 N. 7th St. in Phoenix. More information will be posted and distributed as it becomes available. Recipients of the 2020 Commission Awards who will be honored at this event are - Award of Excellence – Charlie Kelly Youth Conservationist of the Year – Jagrav Patel Med... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) Operation Game Thief program is offering a reward of up to $1,500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the illegal killing of several mule deer near Congress, Ariz. With the generosity of several sportsmen's groups, including the Arizona Mule Deer Organization, Christian Hunters of America and the Arizona Mule Deer Foundation, these organizations are offering an additional combined reward of up to $2,000 for... Full story
Commission Proposes To Amend Rules To Regulate The Use Of Trail Cameras Public comment period runs through February 1. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend rules within Article 3, Taking and Handling of Wildlife, to regulate the use of trail cameras for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife. Public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be submitted through Feb. 1, 2021, via either: • Email: rulemaking@azgfd.gov • U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Dep... Full story
Governor Ducey Nominates Clay Hernandez To Arizona Game & Fish Commission News Release From The Office Of Governor Doug Ducey Governor Doug Ducey has announced the nomination of Clay Hernandez, a Tucson attorney and avid outdoorsman, to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "Clay's dedication to wildlife conservation and to his community make him a great fit for the Game and Fish Commission," said Gov. Ducey. "I look forward to his service on the commission and know that he will serve Arizona... Full story
Arizona Game And Fish News 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. Circle Sunday, Feb. 7, on the calendar. That's when the season ends for the state's three main species - Gambel's, scaled and Mearns'. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns' quail. The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate, of which no more... Full story
Record number of cross-fostered pups captured and collared by field team. The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) has successfully captured and radio-collared seven of this year's cross-fostered pups, documenting record success for the program. Last spring, members of the IFT and the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan cross-fostered a total of 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities into litters of wild wolf packs. As part of ongoing efforts to record survival of cross-fos... Full story
Outdoor recreationists, pilots, drone operators asked to avoid nesting areas. Arizona’s bald eagles are 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 92 eagle breeding areas. To protect breeding attempts, some porti... Full story
AZGFD’s Canyon Creek Hatchery will provide some trout for the department's Community Fishing Program waters this winter. The current drought conditions have caused reduced spring water flows at the hatchery, making it difficult to maintain the quality water flow needed to support the large number of fish in its raceways. Utilizing some of the fish for winter stockings in community waters will reduce numbers of trout at the hatchery and help ensure the fish there have adequate water to grow a... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is getting ready to roll out a new and exciting way to keep people connected with the state's diverse wildlife. In addition to partnering with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center and Boyce Thompson Arboretum on a virtual speaker wildlife series during the pandemic, the department's Watchable Wildlife Program will be adding mostly critter-based lectures twice each month beginning Jan. 7. The 90-minute lectures will be hosted by AZGFD biologists... 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 92 eagle breeding areas. To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission, through its authority to regulate the take, handling, and possession of wildlife, approved the Notice of Final Rulemaking regarding rules for possessing live wildlife at a public meeting Dec. 4. This important update to the Commission's rules will help to protect Arizona's native wildlife and enhance public safety. This body of regulations is critical to the protection of Arizona's diverse native wildlife species from population level threats, such as the re... Full story
A great gift idea, the popular calendar features 2021 wildlife photo contest winners. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has unveiled its 2021 wildlife calendar, which features eye-catching images of Arizona's incredible wildlife. Taken by Arizonans from around the state, the calendar features more than a dozen beautiful and fascinating wild critters. A record number of photographs - more than 1,500 - were submitted to this year's wildlife photo contest. The winning images are... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board has forwarded the names of three candidates to Gov. Doug Ducey for his consideration in making his 2021 appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Daniel W. Caputo of Flagstaff, Clay Hernandez of Tucson, and Kate Scott of Elgin were interviewed by the board at its public meeting on Nov. 10 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters in Phoenix. They had been selected for interview from an initial slate of... Full story
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
