Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Deadline To Enter Is July 10 Raffle benefits wildlife and wildlife management in Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission annually awards the organization Special Big Game Tags, for seven of the state's big game species - bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bison and turkey. 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 enter the 17th annual Arizona Big Game Super Raffle... Full story
Here are some suggestions for kayak and canoe safety and equipment. AZGFD Paddlesports Training Course Is First The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) was recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for offering the nation's first paddle-sports class that meets the national standard for "On-Water Recreational Boating Skills – Human Propelled." AZGFD's "Paddlesports Arizona" course teaches fundamental paddlecraft skills that entry-level recreational boaters should be able... Full story
The 2022 Arizona Big Game Super Raffle is underway with more prizes and more chances to win! The Arizona Game and Fish Commission annually awards the organization Special Big Game Tags, for seven of the state's big game species - bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bison and turkey. Raffle tickets are available for $5 to $25 each, depending on the species, and ticket sales go to on-the-ground conservation. For every online order placed for the main drawing prizes (7... Full story
Thank You AZGFD For Sharing Here is a look at just a few of the wide variety in our state. How Did The Bighorn Sheep Cross The Road? The bighorn sheep population in northwest Arizona is important to outdoor enthusiasts of all types, yet highways have separated this population. As a result, wildlife-vehicle collisions, interference with access to adequate water and lack of habitat connectivity disrupt bighorn and put their population health at risk. Infrastructure Reduces Risk In a historic and i... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officers conducted off-highway vehicle (OHV) safety-enforcement patrols throughout the East Valley last month The focus was on ensuring public safety and deterring potentially hazardous or illegal operation of OHVs. Those using an OHV are reminded to use the following safety tips: • Never operate an OHV while impaired by alcohol or drugs. • Helmets are required by law for all riders under the age of 18 regardless of the off-highway vehicle type. They are... Full story
It has been decided that we will be hosting an Outdoor Expo April 2-3, 2022. Event times have changed to 9am - 4pm on Saturday and 9am - 3pm on Sunday.Due to some scheduling conflicts along with COVID precautions, the Expo will have a slightly different look and feel this year. A good majority of the event will take place on the Southside of the road (traditionally known as Area 3 - Outdoor Recreation / Shotgun Area), with the exception of Firearms Manufacturers and/or trailer space for those... Full story
Nominations Sought For Arizona Outdoor Hall Of Fame Inductees are recognized for their contributions to the state's outdoor heritage. The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation (WFT) 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 herit... Full story
Renew OHV decals, remember helmets for youths, stay on trails. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officers conducted off-highway vehicle (OHV) safety-enforcement patrols throughout the East Valley last month. The focus was on ensuring public safety and deterring potentially hazardous or illegal operation of OHVs. Those using an OHV are reminded to use the following safety tips: • Never operate an OHV while impaired by alcohol or drugs. • Helmets are required by law for all riders under the... Full story
In A Word: Huzzah! Once again (and after a covid interruption in 2021) the Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace is back. It features a 16-stage theater, an outdoor whimsical village, a 50-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, jousting tournaments, and a feast, all rolled into one nonstop, daylong adventure. This is the rowdy, raucus event that is well encapsulated in its motto: Huzzah! On a much quieter note, shhh: the eagles are breeding. These magnificent birds ask for your... 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 93 eagle breeding areas. Hope For A Productive Breeding Season To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public... Full story
The American kestrel, formerly known as the sparrow hawk, is North America's smallest and most colorful falcon. During the breeding season, kestrels need access to nesting cavities and perches found in trees and saguaros. American kestrels lack the ability to excavate their own nest cavities, so they rely on structures already built by other animals, such as woodpeckers. Although a relatively abundant species, population declines have been detected throughout much of the species range,... Full story
The western burrowing owl is one of the most interesting birds of prey in Arizona. Its species name, cunicularia, means "miner", in reference to this owl's unusual habit of spending time underground. Their use of burrows makes them susceptible to impacts from ground-disturbing activities. Burrowing owls are increasingly at risk of displacement in the greater Phoenix area due to commercial and residential development. As one of several solutions to help conserve and protect the species, the... Full story
Once endangered, bald eagles have been slowly growing their numbers around the country. Thanks to the careful work of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners on the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management committee – a coalition that includes government agencies, private organizations and Native American tribes – we've made good progress recovering bald eagle populations in Arizona. From tracking just 11 breeding pairs in 1978, we monitored an estimated 69 pairs in 2018. Even more imp... Full story
Boquillas Ranch Access Agreement Renewed For One Year - AZGFD, Navajo Nation Hope To Reach Long-Term Deal The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the Navajo Nation have renewed an access agreement that ensures continued public recreation use for one year on the Boquillas Ranch in Game Management Unit 10. The 720,000-acre ranch in northwest Arizona, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the land in Unit 10, is owned by the Navajo Nation. After more than six months of negotiations be... Full story
All Arizona Hunting, Fishing License Sales Going Online License dealers will no longer sell traditional paper licenses, but many will offer an online purchase option; customers can also buy directly online at https://license.azgfd.com/ or at AZGFD offices. In a move to further modernize its licensing system, beginning January 1, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will no longer offer traditional paper "book" licenses sold through license dealers. Dealers Vary... Full story
Hunters are reminded to help keep Arizona free of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). With big game seasons still taking place through the end of January, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to continue doing their part to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at bay. CWD is a fatal wildlife disease that affects the nervous system of deer and elk. All successful deer and elk hunters are encouraged to bring the head of their harvested animal - especially bucks and bulls - to any d... Full story
Sure, there have been birds for hunters who were willing to get out and climb the hills and canyons of southeastern Arizona when the season opened in early December for Mearns' quail. But the fact remains that it's going to take more than one summer of decent monsoon rains to give populations a desperately needed boost and improve lagging harvest rates. Mearns' Numbers Low "Montezuma (Mearns') quail numbers have been low since we've not had a really good monsoon since 2018, and they respond to... Full story
Popular calendar features 2021 wildlife photo contest winners. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has unveiled its 2022 wildlife calendar, which showcases the winning photographs from its annual contest. The winning images are featured in the full-size 2022 wildlife calendar, which is published in the November-December 2021 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. Isabel Guerra Clark's photo of desert bighorn sheep at Canyon Lake was awarded best in show and is showcased on the cover. Guerra... Full story
Four years after their habitat was nearly wiped out by the 2017 Frye Fire in the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona, an annual survey of the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel shows their numbers are holding steady compared with last year. 109+ Squirrels Now The annual survey resulted in a minimum estimate of 109 squirrels-the same number as in 2020. Last year was the first time the population had returned to the triple digits since being severely impacted by the Frye Fire. The survey... Full story
Outdoor recreationists, pilots, drone operators asked to avoid nesting areas. From Arizona Game & Fish 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 93 eagle breeding... Full story
Sandhill Cranes Return To Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area Sandhill cranes by the thousands have once again returned to their wintering grounds at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in southeastern Arizona. For the next few months, viewers can observe almost 20,000 of these fascinating birds on a live-streaming camera installed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). View the live stream here: www.azgfd.gov/sandhillcranes. A Record Number Of the 47,000-plus sandhill cranes that migrated to... Full story
Now through January 15, 2022 (Select Nights) The wonder of wandering through the Phoenix Zoo Lights is a magical part of the Christmas season. From 5:30-10:30 p.m. experience the thrill of incredible lighting throughout the part. Tickets are $20/person, $16/member, and children two and under are free. December 3 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will ...... Website
Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2022 spring draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for javelina or turkey. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags on its website at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. At press time, a total of 1,538 leftover hunt permit-tags were available for the following hunts: • 921 handgun, archery or muzzleloader (HAM) javelina • 322 archery-only javelina • 205 general javelina • 62 yout... Full story
Award recipients will be honored at annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 22. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission selected 17 recipients of the 2021 Commission Awards at its Sept. 24 meeting in Greer, Ariz. The award winners will be honored at the annual Commission Awards Banquet on Jan. 22, 2022, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. The Commission Awards recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state’s wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and t... Full story
Hunters can check their AZGFD portal account. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2022 spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison and bear, and raptor capture. AZGFD portal accounts now are the sole source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. Customers can create a free portal account (family account features are now available) at accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register. Draw results no longer will be provided through the automated phone... Full story