Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone to be Bear Aware, following separate incidents where habituated bears became a public safety threat and needed to be humanely euthanized under department policy. In May, AZGFD wildlife managers removed a sub-adult male bear from the north Phoenix neighborhood of Anthem that had previously been relocated from Prescott. Also, officers in the White Mountains were forced to remove a habituated female bear feeding on large piles of food and water... Full story
Outdoor recreationists and other members of the public are reminded, as always, to enjoy wildlife from a distance. Rise In Rabies Cases The Arizona Department of Health Services on June 19 issued a news release advising that there has been a statewide rise in animal rabies cases and encouraging the community to follow prevention guidelines to stay safe from the disease. According to ADHS, as of May 31, 2018, there have been 77 rabid animals reported this year compared with 54 at the same time la... Full story
Very High Fire Danger At Grand Canyon National Park With fire restrictions in effect across much of northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park's neighbors Coconino County, Arizona state lands in the county, and the Kaibab National Forest, NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high. State 1 Restrictions Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) is in State 1 fire restrictions year-round, which means campfires are only allowed in the park's three... Full story
PHOENIX -- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has allocated more than $4 million to support existing work by western states and tribes to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels. Arizona has several quagga mussel-infested waterbodies and will benefit from the increased funding. The allocation is part of an initiative by Department of Interior Secretary Zinke called, "Safeguarding the West: Actions to Strengthen Federal, State, and Tribal Coordination to Address Invasive Mussels."... Full story
Bartlett Lake's double-decker pontoon boat is an important part of the annual Day on the Lake program. With Bartlett Lake Marina and Barrows Neurological Institute (plus sponsors such as Salt River Project), this adapted-watersports opportunity has offered both disabled adults and children the joys of water activities. The event is held two weekends each year, and 2018 marks the 22nd anniversary of this wonderful event. BOATING - 'Just Wear It!' Safety depends on wearing a life jacket whether... Full story
I grew up in a world without personal computers or cell phones, and since I also grew up hunting, I know how to use and read a paper map. In fact, with a topo-quadrant map and a compass, I can pinpoint my location quickly and easily. I love paper maps and I have a lot of them, but I also use GPS extensively. In fact, I use both because paper maps and GPS or electronic maps both have their strengths and weaknesses. For me, GPS will never replace a paper map. Topo Quadrant Maps I have an entire... Full story
For Immediate Release - July 10, 2018 LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. - The Rock House Recreation Area, visitor center and boat launch, managed by The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lake Havasu Field Office will not be available for public use from July 23 to August 1, 2018, in order to ensure safety during maintenance and repaving. This parking lot repair will enhance the recreational experiences at the site and improve facilities. During the construction, parking, boat launching or use of the... Full story
People who feed wild animals are creating a public safety problem in Arizona's Rim Country. Incidents of wildlife endangering people and their pets in this region have increased over the past few months, including the following: • An elk regularly fed by Pine residents reportedly charged several individuals in separate instances. One woman was forced to take refuge in a greenhouse on her property to escape. • Also in Pine, a young male elk entered a resident's yard through an open gate and beg... Full story
The cover photo from the National Safe Boating Congress (NSBC) reminds us that although boating safety is stressed during National Safe-Boating Week, May 19-May 25, it must be a priority all year 'round. All of the organizations that stress safety on the water emphasize the importance of wearing life jackets. Far too many accidents, with injuries and fatalities, have happened to even good swimmers who were not wearing pfds. Although it may be tempting to not wear a life jacket - for reasons that... Full story
A total of 437 student archers representing 30 schools from throughout Arizona, participants on the state level of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), recently competed in the 2018 state tournament and 3D shoot at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. AZGFD Coordinates NASP The Arizona Game and Fish Department coordinates NASP on the state level and hosts a half-dozen state qualifying tournaments throughout the academic year, beginning in September and ending in March.... Full story
Exploring Arizona from an off-highway vehicle (OHV) provides a great way to view the state's beautiful scenery and spend quality time with family and friends. While children may be eager to climb aboard - or parents ready to share their love of the hobby with kids - OHVs aren't toys and there are many questions to answer before allowing youngsters to take the handlebars or steering wheel. Five Different Categories For example, there are five different categories of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)... Full story
AZGFD's Operation Game Thief program says "Poachers are criminals." If you talk to any of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's wildlife managers, you're likely to hear that phrase repeated as they go about their work as part biologist, part law enforcement officer. As part of their duties, the department's 97 wildlife managers work to investigate potential poaching cases to ensure that the state's most precious natural resource - its wildlife - is effectively managed so that future... Full story
AZGFD biologist is part of study that shows some amphibian species recover from infectious disease despite a persistently pathogenic fungus. The search for answers to protect Central American frogs from extinction is also giving scientists clues on how to predict and respond to emerging diseases and epidemics in humans, plants and other wildlife. In their paper published in the magazine Science, March 30, University of Nevada, Reno's Jamie Voyles and her colleagues, including Arizona Game and... Full story
The Game and Fish Department reminds everyone to stop feeding wildlife following two javelina attacks near Sedona earlier this year. Both attacks were the result of people's feeding javelina at their homes. In late winter, Game and Fish received information that a 79-year-old woman was bitten by a javelina in a neighborhood southwest of Sedona. The attack occurred at the woman's residence, where she received severe bite wounds to her leg as she tried to stop the javelina from attacking her... Full story
Through collaborative conservation efforts, the once-dwindling endangered humpback chub has been given a fighting chance against the currents of extinction, building a wild population large enough to soon be reclassified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The success was due to the efforts and commitment of multiple agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD); Colorado Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; U.S. Fish and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking help from successful spring turkey hunters as it continues to monitor the state's wild turkey populations for an emerging disease. All hunters who harvest a turkey – including youth hunters whose seasons begin next week -- are asked to consider donating one of the bird's legs (or heart) by bringing it to any of the department's regional offices statewide. The leg should be removed at the joint above the foot (see diagram). Legs and hearts should b... Full story
We decided to take the granddaughters to Monument Valley for spring break this year. Excellent decision! John and the girls had never been there, and I hadn't been there since I was a kid, so we were all excited about going. We drove up to Flagstaff and spent the night – Em was able to stay in Trinity's apartment dorm with her – then we drove from Flagstaff to Monument Valley in the morning. It's about a three-hour drive from Flagstaff, which isn't too bad. Monument Valley actually extends ove... Full story
Arizona is known for its picturesque and rugged natural beauty. What better way to view the wilderness than to hike one of the thousands of trails throughout the state? While adventuring on foot, keep an eye out for morteros. These "bedrock mortars" are fascinating archaeological remnants from the ancient past. Visually, morteros look like simple, bowl-shaped depressions in flat slabs of rock that range from relatively shallow to 18 inches deep. Spanish Meaning: Mortar In Spanish, mortero means... Full story
PAYSON, Ariz. – On Saturday, May 12, Green Valley Park comes alive with a multitude of wildlife and outdoor fun activities for the whole family at the 24th Annual Payson Wildlife Fair. Catch a rainbow trout, cruise the lake in a canoe, or touch a live snake … there is something for everyone. People come from all over the state for this outdoor event. It’s a great day up in the cool mountain air of Payson, at a time of year when the Valley is really heating up. And it’s all free. There will be... Full story
A new lake opened in Arizona just this year – Hidden Lake near Buckeye. This is a private lake, and you pay to get in, but you pay to get into any lake, right? Hidden Lake is being managed as a trophy bass lake, and has been stocked with Florida strain bass. The Gila River feeds this lake, which used to be a gravel pit. There is an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other, but for the most part the water is kept fresh because the Gila actually flows underground here, but the gravel pit was d... Full story
Arizona Boating & Watersports - On The Cover, April 2018 Thanks to Bob Brown, Media Direction, for sharing this uplifting reminder that it is boating season again in the Southwest. The lovely boat "captain" pictured welcomes us and suggests we get on board and enjoy all that boating offers - not only to beautiful destinations but also to activities such as fishing, boat camping, various water sports, shows, and/or simply a day away from the stress of city life. Just look at the highlights on... Full story
The focus is on Grand Canyon National Park - Spring-Break Time, but much applies to all visits this season. Visitors planning to hike, camp, recreate, and take in the breathtaking views of Grand Canyon National Park during spring break should also prepare for long lines and road construction. As a result of increased spring break visitation, traffic regularly backs up at the South Rim entrance stations, with the longest wait time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots, especially near Grand... Full story
Nearly 1,100 reports came into the 24×7 program Operation Game Thief to protect the state's wildlife. "Poachers are criminals." If you talk to any of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's wildlife managers, you're likely to hear that phrase repeated as they go about their work as part biologist, part law enforcement officer. As part of their duties, the department's 97 wildlife managers work to investigate potential poaching cases to ensure that the state's most precious natural resource -... Full story
The road to the top of the Harquahala Mountains takes you to the historic Solar Observatory. We had read several accounts of the road, and many of them said that it was very rough, even dangerous. The day we went there it was neither. Yes, there are a couple of place where 4WD came in handy because of loose rock, but for the most part it was not that bad. There is one short stretch near the end that has been paved with concrete, and that part was apparently the worst place before the paving was... Full story
For the first time in more than 150 years, elk are leaving their hoofprints on West Virginia soil. Dozens of elk that were captured and quarantined in January east of Flagstaff were loaded into a livestock trailer and transported nonstop to a release site in the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in southwest West Virginia in early March. The elk were captured at the Raymond Wildlife Area through a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the West Virginia Division of Natural R... Full story
