Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 426 - 450 of 1079
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) prides itself on providing ample fishing opportunities for its legions of anglers and the state's growing populations of cormorants have taken notice. State Has Two Species In early 2017, AZGFD began a study of the state's two species of the bird - neotropic and double-crested cormorants - both of which are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under those protections, cormorant populations have flourished nationwide, competing... Full story
Each year as part of its highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) asks outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to help this magnificent bird in Arizona. Various land and wildlife management agencies close areas around breeding locations during the birds' breeding season to protect the state's 67 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some closure areas are located near popular... Full story
As a New Year begins, [it is interesting] to review where the Lees Ferry fishery has been in the past few years - and where it's headed. Fall 2013 Decline In the fall of 2013, there was a decline in the trout population due to much lower- than-normal water flows and warmer-than-normal water temperatures from Glen Canyon Dam. The lower water flows were part of the Experimental High Flow Event and the warmer water was a result of Lake Powell water levels' being low due to drought. This was the... Full story
For those whose garages got a little bit fuller during the holiday season with the addition of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) - or veteran riders who frequently hit Arizona's trails and dirt roads - the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages everyone to take a riding safety course. An Overview Of Basic Skills Whether riding an all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike or side-by-side, completing a safety course will ensure users have an overview of the basic skills required to safely ride in or operate... Full story
CANYON LAKE, Ariz. — Boaters and other outdoor recreationists are advised that the Palo Verde Boat Ramp at Canyon Lake will temporarily close from March 1 through March 17 for a facility improvement project. Arizona Game and Fish has been working with the Tonto National Forest to maintain the pavement in and around the ramp, and this project will involve milling, crack-sealing, seal-coating and other services as necessary. During the work, the area from the main highway down to the ramp will b... Full story
Standing at less than 11 inches tall, the American kestrel is a mighty bird of prey, yet the future of this fierce little falcon is uncertain, as populations are on the decline nationally. Locally, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is enlisting the help of landowners and citizen scientists to assist biologists as part of the American Kestrel Partnership, a program designed to collect data to be used to conserve this important species for future generations. AZGFD is participating in... Full story
Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2018 spring draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for javelina. As of the second week of December, leftover hunt permit-tags were available for general hunts that begin Feb. 23. There also were 1,432 hunt permit-tags for archery-only hunts that begin Jan. 1, 1,239 hunt permit-tags for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) hunts that get underway Feb. 9,and 99 hunt permit-tags for youth-only hunts that start Jan. 26.... Full story
Sometimes things happen when you least expect them. "I came upon this brave cactus wren taking on the cholla cactus," said Pamela Parker of Mesa, explaining how she got the winning shot of this year's wildlife photo contest. "I loved how the wren was framed by all the needles and had to take the photo." She kept a watchful eye, taking several shots and capturing the bird surrounded by the cactus. Parker used a handheld camera because she likes to be "on the same level as my subjects." She... Full story
If you gave or received an off-highway vehicle (OHV) as part of the holiday season, make sure you have the proper protective gear to get off to a safe start. Whether the ATV, dirt bike or side-by-side is for a family member, lucky friend or yourself, the Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends that you wear the following equipment when riding in an OHV: • Helmet — All OHV operators or passengers younger than 18 are required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-safety rated hel... Full story
At its regular December meeting, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission passed a motion in opposition to a proposed ballot initiative that would ban the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats and restrict management of the state's wild cats by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The proposed initiative has not yet qualified for the ballot, but the Commission regularly takes positions on federal and state legislation with potential impact on the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the... Full story
Adapted From An Article By Judy Hedding Each spring the Arizona Game and Fish Department hosts the very popular outdoor experience called the "Outdoor Expo". The largest outdoor expo in the state, this interactive experience allows people of all ages to participate in activities, see exhibits, and attend educational presentations relating to Arizona's wildlife, nature, hunting, camping, boating, recreational target shooting, archery, off-roading, and fishing. Expo Dates Saturday, March 24, from... Full story
The importance of driving-best practices are underscored by these three actions that need to be avoided as they are major contributors to accidents. Following recent fatal off-highway vehicle (OHV) accidents, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone about the importance of following best practices when driving on the state's trails and public land roads. In late September, a 58-year-old woman died in Cave Creek after being pinned underneath her utility-task vehicle (UTV). A week... Full story
After an absence of more than 70 years, the endangered Gila topminnow has reappeared in the Santa Cruz River in northwest Tucson, fish surveys conducted in November confirm. Scientists were hopeful native fish would return to the river near Tucson after the river's water quality significantly improved following upgrades to wastewater-treatment facilities releasing effluent (highly treated wastewater) into the river at Agua Nueva and Tres Rios treatment plants in 2013. The native Arizona... Full story
You can help sick or injured wildlife not only on a Giving Tuesday, but also on any day of the year. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Wildlife Center treats sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Some can be released to the wild, but those that can't require continued care, either as "wildlife ambassadors" for educational presentations at local schools and community events, or for placement in a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. The animals pictured with this story have all been rescued during the... Full story
Wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat in cold water - it could save your life, plus here are some good catching tips to snag a keeper this fall/winter. Nearly one-third of Arizona's boaters say fishing is their favorite activity to do while boating, and for many, fall is an ideal time of year to go out in search of that state record bass (or trout or catfish or ...). But, as the weather cools down, so does the water temperature. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that cold-water immersion and hy... Full story
The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Ariz. The event will honor the recipients of the 2017 Commission Awards that were selected at the Commission's Sept. 8 meeting. 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... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages more than 800 native species and the public had a chance to visit with come of them on Wildlife Day in November. This free family friendly event was designed to allow the public to meet their wildlife neighbors up close, while helping raise funds for the AZGFD Wildlife Center. "The Wildlife Center is often the first stop for many wildlife needing lifesaving care," said AZGFD Wildlife Education Program Manager Mike Demlong. "Wildlife Day helps us to...
It happens every year. As if on cue, they pick up and travel thousands of miles from places like Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, and some from as far away as Canada, Alaska and even Siberia. They are Arizona's true "snowbirds," content to spend winter days basking under mild, sunny skies before getting the itch to turn around and head back north sometime in March or early April. For the past few weeks, sandhill cranes by the thousands have been trumpeting their annual arrival in southeastern... Full story
An annual survey of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel showed a significant decline due to the effects of the lightning-caused Frye Fire in the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The annual survey, conducted jointly by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Coronado National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Center for Nature Conservation-Phoenix Zoo, and the University of Arizona, resulted in an estimate of only 35 squirrels. This is a significant decrease... Full story
Chiricahua leopard frogs received extra help getting the hop on avoiding extinction after 454 of the threatened species were recently released into restored habitat on the Clifton Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The young frogs were released under a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC) – Phoenix Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management New Mexico (BLM), U.S. Forest Se... Full story
PHOENIX - When hunting for big game, off-highway vehicles (OHVs) can be a key part of how hunters retrieve downed animals. In fact, sometimes it's the only way to retrieve a harvested elk or bison. As hunters hit the trails on OHVs like side-by-sides, it's important to buckle up if the vehicle is equipped with seatbelts. Numerous fatal accidents this year have involved utility task vehicles (UTVs) that roll over and pin the operator underneath. Wearing a seatbelt is critical because it will... Full story
Arizona hunters know that timely rainfall is the elixir that gives the state's quail populations a much-needed boost. Good winter precipitation particularly benefitted Gambel's quail, the best-known and most widespread of the state's three main species. That led to spring call counts that were almost double what they were in 2016 and higher than the average of the last 10 years (2008-2017). Throw in statewide summer rains that sustained forage and habitat conditions, and it was a good year for... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2017-18 Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations on https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. The general waterfowl season in the "Mountain Zone" (Game Management Units 1-5, 7, 9, 11M, 12A, and those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Coconino County) began Oct. 6 and runs through Jan. 14, 2018. The general waterfowl season in the "Desert Zone" (Game Management Units 10 and 12B through 46B, and those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai Coun... Full story
Evidence shows range includes southern parts of Ariz., N.M. and 90 percent in Mexico. A recent peer-reviewed scientific paper re-affirmed the historical range of the endangered Mexican wolf as being southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. To Clarify Range The paper was the featured article published in the July issue of The Journal of Wildlife Management, a leading international wildlife science journal. The authors - each reputable experts in... Full story
The public also can enter a raffle for a 2017 Polaris Ranger Crew 570-4 donated by RideNow Powersports. Each year the State Employees Charitable Campaign (SECC) gives State of Arizona employees the opportunity to voluntarily contribute monetary donations to support nonprofit agencies. The funds raised by state employees support more than 400 charities. The campaign conducts events and promotions that are usually limited to state employees, but this year there is an opportunity for the public to... Full story
