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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
General Hunting, resident: $37 Non-resident: not available see combination Combination Hunt and fish, resident: $57 Non-resident: $160 Youth combination hunt and fish (ages 10-17), resident: $5 Non-resident: $5 Short-term combination license, resident: $15/day, Non-resident: $20/day There are also fees for permit-tags and nonpermit-tags. See the 2020-2021 Hunting Regulations at www.azgfd.com for details. Report Vandalism: 1-800-VANDALS Report poachers: Operation Game Thief 800-352-0700 rewards... 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
"I was thirsty and you gave me drink" (Matthew 25:35). The Arizona Game & Fish Department, along with several wildlife organizations, has trucked and airlifted over 250,000 gallons of water to volunteer-built catchments throughout the state this year. And, because of the exceptionally long, hot summer of 2020, these life-sustaining efforts have continued past their usual August finish. Water, the essence of life, is just as vital for Arizona wildlife as it is for us, and creatures large and... Full story
Arizona has almost 114 million square miles of harsh deserts, rugged canyons, sweeping plateaus and thick forests that are spread across some 15 counties. That's a lot of territory to cover for the 97 wildlife managers, or game wardens, of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). It's a monumental task, done daily by dedicated people who are charged with being part officer, part biologist, part educator, and all-the-time conduit to the public. Most Precious Resource With the start of... Full story
Public can help by texting "SENDWATER" to 41444. Water is the essence of life, and it's just as precious for Arizona's wildlife. For that reason, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has trucked and airlifted about 250,000 gallons of life-sustaining water to catchments throughout the state since January. Trail cameras document the results of this critical work, with footage of elk, deer, bighorn sheep and other species leaning over for a refreshing drink at one of 3,000 catchments... Full story
In September, in cooperation with the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Kaibab National Forest, and Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service (NPS) staff successfully relocated 57 bison from the North Rim. All bison were transferred to theInterTribal Buffalo Council, who successfully transported them to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (Kans.), Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (S. Dak.), Santee Sioux Tribe (Nebr.), and Modoc Nation (Okla.). Eleven additional bison were outfitted with... Full story
The Arizona Deer Association (ADA) has undertaken efforts to educate the deer/elk hunting populations in Arizona in recognizing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) changes in mule, whitetail deer and elk physiology, neurological symptoms and behavior. As part of the ADA efforts to partner with the AZGFD and other Wildlife Conservation Organizations (WCO) on the CWD education and containment, a letter of support, August 13th, 2020, has been sent to the AZ Game and Fish Department (AZDGF) in support of...
Hunters asked to continue voluntary lead-reduction efforts this fall. Arizona hunters have proven their long-held commitment to wildlife conservation by voluntarily working to reduce the amount of lead exposure to endangered California condors, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is encouraging all hunters to join the effort this fall. Hunters drawn for hunts in Game Management Units 12 and 13 (north Kaibab National Forest and Arizona Strip) are eligible to participate in the depart... Full story
Arizona's Hunting and Angling Heritage Work Group (HAHWG) and Payson's Jim Strogen were among the conservationists recently honored at theWestern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) virtual awards ceremony. "The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department congratulate these conservation advocates on this well-deserved honor," said Commission Chair Kurt Davis. "Arizona's WAFWA award recipients are valuable partners in AZGFD's mission to conserve and protect the state's 800+... Full story
The crime was committed in Game Management Unit 39. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about the recent poaching of a mule deer doe in Game Management Unit 39 in the Buckeye Hills south of Buckeye. The doe was pregnant with two fawns. The deer and fawn carcasses were discarded along a dirt road that connects Gillespie Dam to Robbins Butte Game Road in the southwestern portion of the Buckeye Hills, south of the Powers Butte Wildlife Area. It is believed the... Full story
The goal is to reduce Mexican wolf depredations on livestock. The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made a contribution of $35,000 to support the Range Rider Program managed by the Interagency Field Team (IFT) of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Project. Created in 1993, the ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for the 2020 Commission Awards. The deadline for submission is Sept. 4, 2020. The purpose of these awards is to 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. Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not... Full story
4-21 Fees: General Hunting, resident: $37 Non-resident: not available see combination Combination Hunt and fish, resident: $57 Non-resident: $160 Youth combination hunt and fish (ages 10-17), resident: $5 Non-resident: $5 Short-term combination license, resident: $15/day, Non-resident: $20/day There are also fees for permit-tags and non-permit-tags. See the 2020-2021 Hunting Regulations at www.azgfd.com for details. Be sure to check the hunting regulations carefully before you hunt. Many of... Full story
If you're planning to head outdoors for the holiday weekend, check out these tips from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Whether you're new to outdoor recreation or looking for a quick refresher, these tips will help you enjoy your time outside safely and responsibly. Always Have A Plan Check the status of the area you want to visit, including the traffic conditions for your trip, before heading out. Have an alternative in mind in case conditions or crowding become an issue. Think...
4-21 Dove, Band-Tailed Pigeon Regulations Available Online The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2020-21 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations. The regulations have been produced in a downloadable format that hunters will find handy in the field. The color brochure is easy to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance. All... Full story
The chattery, fuzzy, winged creatures of the night are once again the stars of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's (AZGFD) live-streaming wildlife cameras. AZGFD installed the bat roost camera in 2018, giving wildlife enthusiasts throughout the world the chance to watch migratory Yuma myotis bats and other bat species while they roost at the Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area near Safford, in southeastern Arizona. "Bats are truly amazing animals," said Jeff Meyers, watchable wildlife program manager.... Full story
Much-needed rain brings out desert wildlife in Arizona. Animals may wander in search of mates, moisture and, if necessary, to escape flooding. Desert tortoises are one of several amazing species that can be encountered during Arizona's monsoon. Important Guidelines The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) urges the public to follow these important guidelines when coming across a desert tortoise: • Keep wild tortoises wild: Do not remove a tortoise from the wild. Taking a wild tortoise h... Full story
A record 20 captive-born pups are cross-fostered into wild packs. The Mexican wolf recovery effort recently got a genetic boost when biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), with extensive logistical support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), worked together to cross-foster 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities across the U.S. into litters of wild... Full story
Ben Avery Shooting Facility (BASF) customers should expect some operational changes when they visit one of the nation's largest publicly operated shooting facilities. It re-opened on May 13. To ensure public health and safety protocols are observed, and to maximize opportunities for all recreational shooters, only online reservations will be accepted. BASF customers can reserve shooting times on the rifle and pistol ranges, as well as the Clay Target Center (CTC), by visiting... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to leave baby wildlife alone. As temperatures rise and days grow longer, newborns of many species of wildlife are beginning to explore the world around them. AZGFD encourages people to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including baby birds and young rabbits, as a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area. Unnecessary 'Rescue' “Picking up or ‘rescuing’ baby wildlife is often unnecessary... Full story
Some people mistakenly believe that when their exotic pets get too difficult to manage, it is okay to release them into the wild. But that is exactly the wrong thing to do. See this video. Introduced pets — even goldfish — can have devastating effects on native wildlife and ecosystems. In our aquatic ecosystems, they can outcompete sportfish and natives for food and space, prey on native species, and have unforeseeable effects on the food web. Even aquarium pets, once established, can eas... Full story
Each boater and angler can play a part in stopping their spread. 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, 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) has recently participated in National Invasive Species Awareness Week. The... Full story
The deadline to submit nominations is May 12. The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year's candidates for induction 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. For two decades the Foundation has honored those individuals and organizations who... Full story