Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Falcons are known for their incredible speed and agility, and usually feed on smaller birds, which they dive at and capture in mid-air. Commonly observed falcons in Arizona include the peregrine falcon, prairie falcon and American kestrel. The merlin and crested caracara are also in the falcon family. • Accipiters, such as Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks, have short rounded wings and long tails and are common forest-dwellers. They are expert at chasing small birds through trees and catching t... Full story
The Dirt Expo is going back to Westworld in Scottsdale, Ariz., Arizona's original and largest Off-Road, Sand, and UTV Expo is going BIG for its 10th Anniversary on December 7 and 8, 2024! Everything from -industry-leading vendors, legendary raffles, seminars, classes, and more will be on the agenda with so much more to be announced. 100's Of Vendors Exhibitors from across the country will be available to show the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Seminars And Classes Everything... Full story
When it comes to dove hunting in Arizona, one thing is pretty much indisputable: There's never a bad season opener. When it comes to dove hunting in Arizona, one thing is pretty much indisputable: There's never a bad season opener. All signs indicate that there will be birds aplenty when the 2024 season gets underway 30 minutes before legal sunrise Sunday, Sept. 1. This is especially true for hunters who are willing to scout in the mornings and evenings between now and the opener to locate some... Full story
PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has appointed Tom Finley as the new director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The appointment came in a unanimous 5-0 vote at the Commission's Sept. 5 meeting in Prescott. Finley will replace outgoing director Ty Gray who is retiring after 31 years with the agency, the past seven as director. Finley has been with Game and Fish for 33 years and is currently the agency's deputy director. He will assume the director position following a brief... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) recently celebrated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) decision to remove Apache trout from the federal Endangered Species List . "The recovery of Apache trout is a culmination of more than five decades of hard work and the cooperation of many partners, and it's truly an amazing conservation success story," said AZGFD Director Ty Gray. Apache trout, one of only two native trout species in Arizona, were found in streams across the White Mountai... Full story
August 6: More Opportunities The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again will be offering hunting opportunities that will provide hunters with a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Gould's turkey permit-tag, while generating revenue to support wildlife conservation efforts across the state. The draw will close at 5 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Aug. 6. Applicants who are drawn for a limited-entry permit-tag will be contacted by the department (during... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has issued a Notice of Intent to Pursue Rulemaking to begin the process to amend its Article 4 rules (live wildlife) to implement the recommendations made in the recent five-year review report. The amendments proposed in the five-year review report are intended to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department’s mission, ensure consistency with state and federal statutes, and to increase the clarity of the existing rules. Except for the a... Full story
Wildlife officers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department released to the wild a mountain lion that had wandered onto the campus of the Tucson Medical Center on Friday and became entrapped in an enclosed courtyard. The department was alerted to the presence of the subadult male mountain lion around 10:30 a.m. Friday. With the assistance of officers from the Tucson Police Department, the wildlife officers were able to successfully dart and tranquilize the mountain lion without injury around... Full story
Most of the trout in Arizona are stocked fish, which means that trout fishing is mostly a "put and take" game. The Arizona Game and Fish Department puts the trout in, and we take them out. Most of the fish that are stocked are small, what the Game and Fish calls "catchable" trout, but some of our lakes and streams have genuine trophy fish, and the Game and Fish Department usually throws in a couple of bigger fish in each stocking just to give you an incentive to fish. Don't miss the Arizona... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is urging everyone to wear a life jacket, and follow all safety regulations and laws this summer when recreating on Arizona's waterways. "A life jacket does exactly what it says - it saves your life when you need it," said Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law enforcement program coordinator. "However, it can only save your life if you're wearing one, and often it's too late to put one on once you realize you need it." According to U.S. Coast Guard... Full story
From bears to bison, from trout to turkeys, from fish to falcons, our Arizona wildlife is a plethora of precious beings who share our world. Arizona Game & Fish is a major guardian of this resource, assisted by various species-specific groups and caring individuals. The Wildlife for Tomorrow's Hall of Fame each year recognizes people and organizations who have significantly cared for the environment and those who inhabit it, our wildlife. We congratulate this year's inductees and thank them... Full story
Community Fishing Program waters teeming with scrappy fighters. It doesn't have to be Friday to enjoy a good, old-fashioned fish fry. Cole slaw. French fries. Red beans and rice. Oh, and don't forget hush puppies. All are perfect complements to a pile of fresh-caught catfish filets, fried in a savory cornmeal batter until crisp and golden-brown. Whatever your choice of side dishes, leave the main course up to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), which is now stocking Community Fishing... Full story
How fostering helps disseminate genetics in the wild population. What is the best way to infuse genetic diversity into the wild Mexican wolf population? Some argue that releasing captive-reared adult wolf pairs into the wild is the best way. But is it really? In this video, Jim deVos, Mexican wolf coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, discusses why fostering of wolf pups into wild dens is more effective than releasing captive pairs in the long run because of the geographic... Full story
Waterfowl and snipe, trapping rules also on AZGFD's website. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted the "2024-2025 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations" at www.azgfd.com/hunting/regulations. In addition, the "2024-2025 Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations" and "2024-2025 Arizona Trapping Regulations" can be found on the department's website. The dove and band-tailed pigeon regulations are produced in a downloadable format that hunters will find handy in the field.... Full story
Eight inductees to be honored Aug. 24 at the Wigwam Resort. PHOENIX - Make plans to honor your fellow conservationists at the Wildlife for Tomorrow(WFT) Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet Aug. 24 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. Eight new members will be inducted this year, a diverse group of experts and advocates who have made significant contributions to Arizona's natural heritage and have demonstrated passion and leadership in shaping the future of wildlife conservation in Arizona:... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for its 2024 Commission Awards. 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 (AZGFD). There are 13 award categories (see list below). Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. AZGFD employees are not eligible for nomination. To n... Full story
PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is beginning the rulemaking process to amend its Article 2 rules (licenses; permits; stamps; tags) to implement the recommendations made in the recent five-year review report. The amendments proposed in the five-year review report are designed to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department's mission, ensure consistency with state and federal statutes, and to increase the clarity of the existing rules. Except for the... Full story
This is the time of year when Arizona's trails and backroads can seem more like busy city streets. While the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) supports all forms of safe, responsible outdoor recreation, those who operate a variety of motorized vehicles are being urged to pump the brakes and give a much slower "traveler" the right of way. A protected species, desert tortoises are traversing the same trails and backroads - but, in typical desert tortoise fashion, they do it in low gear.... Full story
AZGFD: Leave Baby Wildlife Alone With the arrival of warmer spring weather, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again is advising the public to leave baby wildlife alone. While it might be difficult to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including newly hatched birds and baby rabbits, a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area. Sadly, once young animals have been removed from the wild, some species -like elk calves and deer fawns -...
Induction banquet is Aug. 24 at the Wigwam Resort. The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation (WFT) has selected eight individuals for induction this year into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are a diverse group of experts and advocates who have made significant contributions to Arizona's natural heritage and have demonstrated passion and leadership in shaping the future of wildlife conservation in Arizona. They are - • Thomas Slaughter • Randy Stalcup • Jim Walker • Tom Britt... Full story
We never tire of reminding boaters to wear their life jackets, ideally the entire time they are out on the water. PFDs are no longer bulky, unattractive, and ill-fitting. Now they are comfortable, come in many styles, even colors, and some of the kid's jackets are nothing short of "cute and fun to wear". If you are new to life-jacket shopping, check with the Coast Guard or its Auxiliary, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the National Safe Boating Council. Another good resource are the members... Full story
AZGFD offers essential tips for avoiding conflicts. With Arizona's hottest months right around the corner, how black bears forage for typical food sources will become more challenging. As a result, the chances of them wandering into populated areas in search of an easier meal will be on the rise. While bears are typically shy and tend to avoid humans, their excellent sense of smell can be problematic for both the animals and humans. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officials advise... Full story
Tournament angling for all species in Arizona has grown tremendously recently. Many people don't realize that the Arizona Game and Fish Department does not issue permits for fishing tournaments. Fishing tournaments are permitted by the land management agency where the tournament is being held. The department is, however, very interested in - • Building relationships with tournament organizations, promoters and anglers. • Working with permitting agencies like the national forests, Arizona Sta... Full story
Joint announcement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish The wild population of Mexican wolves saw another year of growth in 2023, according to the results of the annual survey. The 2023 population census revealed a minimum of 257 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico. This increase marks the eighth consecutive year of population growth, the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began. Six... Full story
Stockings will mark earliest Canyon, Haigler and Tonto creeks have received fish. PAYSON, Ariz. - As warmer springtime weather approaches, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will begin its annual trout stockings a bit earlier in some waters near Payson on the Mogollon Rim. Canyon, Haigler, and Tonto creeks began receiving catchable-size rainbow trout in March. This will mark the first time these waters have been stocked this early in the traditional spring and summer stocking season.... Full story
