Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo will be held on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, 2014, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The free event offers loads of activities, presentations and exhibits for everyone ranging from novices to seasoned outdoor recreationists. Activities and attractions include the following: • Live wildlife exhibits (hawks, reptiles, small mammals, more), • Take the kids to two huge catch-and-release fishing tanks; • Learn target arche... Full story
Keep in mind that here in Arizona, there is plenty of year-round fishing. Bass and other sport fish may not be as active, but they are still catchable. In many cases; it's a matter of slowing down your presentation and going to smaller baits. Some pro anglers, on the other hand, have been known to not only slow down their presentations, but also upsize their offerings to make it worthwhile for big bass to dine. The Reel Deal It's winter trout and crappie time. First, The Trout There are rainbow... Full story
Rainbow trout stockings have started and will continue all winter long at two-week intervals at all Urban Fishing waters. Trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length, with some fish up to 16 inches. Fishing is good-to-excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or a salmon egg/marshmallow combo on the bottom. Small spinners such as Roostertails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as KastMasters and Super Dupers work well for trout. The morning bite is the best... Full story
As part of a conservation program for the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted an annual squirrel survey and estimated approximately 272 animals in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona. This year's survey shows an increase of 59 squirrels over the 2012 estimate of 213 squirrels. "After coming off our lowest population count ever last year, this jump in numbers is certainly... Full story
(PHOENIX) – The Arizona Office of the Auditor General has conducted an audit of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and made its report public today on the Auditor General’s website (http://azauditor.gov/). The audit thoroughly examined the Game and Fish Department’s systems, programs, resources and personnel and provided recommendations for enhancements in three areas: internal controls, big game draw process, and information technology. “We appreciate the diligence of the Office of the Audito... Full story
Parties agree on rules for 2014 elk and pronghorn hunts on Arizona National Guard facility PHOENIX -- After working together for more than a year, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) have agreed on rules for the 2014 elk and pronghorn hunting seasons at Camp Navajo, a secure military installation west of Flagstaff operated by the Arizona Army National Guard. The agreement meets the security and operational... Full story
Forest visitors camping and actively engaging in hunting or other recreational activities on the Coconino, Kaibab or Prescott National Forests are not at risk of being cited or having their property considered abandoned after 72 hours The U.S. Forest Service has issued a clarification to address concerns that were raised in the months following an August news release. The release stated that trailers left unattended for more than 72 hours on the Coconino, Kaibab or Prescott National Forests... Full story
The States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) has presented the Arizona Game and Fish Department with their annual Outstanding Project Award for the Pena Blanca Lake Boating Access Renovation project. SOBA Outstanding Project awards were given to agencies or organizations involved in boating-access projects that are of high quality, innovative, unique and economical. The Pena Blanca Lake project, completed entirely by Arizona Game and Fish Department in coordination with the Coronado... Full story
Scottsdale photographer Ruth Jolly's image of an elegant black-necked stilt guiding a fuzzy chick along the shoreline has captured the grand prize in this year's Arizona wildlife photo contest, sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The contest, which promotes Arizona's diverse wildlife, attracted more than 300 entries from across Arizona and beyond. Winning images are published in a full-size 2014 wildlife calendar in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. T... Full story
Draw results for Arizona's spring 2014 hunt permit-tags for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear hunts are now available online by visiting https://phx.az.gov/app/huntdraw/home.xhtml (scroll down and click on "View results and bonus points"). Were You Drawn? Applicants can also find out if they were drawn by calling (602) 942-3000 and selecting option two. Please be patient, as a large volume of calls is expected. There were 29,352 applicants for this year's spring draw. Hunt permit-tags for... Full story
Non-lead ammunition supply issues across the nation are prompting the Arizona Game and Fish Department to remind hunters in the California condor's core range that they can still help reduce the amount of lead available to the birds by removing gut piles from the field. Hunters in Arizona's condor range who remove their gut piles (lead ammunition only) are eligible to be entered into a raffle that offers prizes including a trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad with a two-night stay at the canyon,... Full story
Join in this free, rare opportunity for the family to learn about and see live native wildlife up close. Come see a bald eagle, bobcat, ringtail, and many bird and reptile species at the free Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center's 30th anniversary open house on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10-3 p.m. daily. During this rare glimpse into the center's operations, visitors will have the opportunity to see wildlife up close, view educational displays, make wildlife-related crafts and meet... Full story
PHOENIX -- The veterinary diagnostic laboratory recently notified the Arizona Game and Fish Department that testing supplies had been back-ordered and results were pending for Chronic Wasting Disease samples. Those test results are now becoming available and are being posted online. Results of CWD sample tests are being posted as they become available at www.azgfd.gov/cwd (click on the "Chronic Wasting Disease Test Results" link on the right side of the page). For more information about chronic... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved 12 amendments to Commission Order 40 (fish regulations) that are expected to conserve sport fish populations and simplify and streamline regulations.The amendments will take effect Jan. 1, 2014. One amendment of particular benefit to anglers is a change in the statewide possession limit to twice the daily bag limit, applying to all statewide and special-regulation seasons. The regulation will now give the angler the ability to continue fishi... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission met Oct. 4 in a public session to receive an update on federal closures of certain lands and facilities due to the current federal government shutdown. Some of these closures restrict citizens' access to hunting and fishing recreation and negatively impact rural economies. The commission voted to authorize the department to approach federal land management agencies for the purpose of discussing the possibility of using Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
As we go to press, the U.S. government is shut down, and many federally run resources are not available during this time. We certainly hope that when you receive this issue, the federal government will have resolved the current shutdown, but at this date, we have no way of knowing when that will be. WOT/AZBW expresses its gratitude to local agencies such as the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Arizona State Parks, Maricopa County Parks, as well as other county parks and individuals who care... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Local Sportsmen's Group Grant Program awarded 17 projects totaling $75,000 for hunter recruitment efforts in the state. The purpose of the grant program is to help local sportsmen's groups fund projects that promote wildlife conservation through hunter recruitment and retention. Eligible projects often include events like mentored, hands-on hunting for youngsters and their families. Incredible Response The program received 37 applications this cycle... Full story
All lakes were stocked again with channel catfish the week of Sept. 30 – Oct. 5. Fishing for catfish is good to excellent now that the fall stockings have resumed. The Sept. 19 stocking was loaded with incentive-size catfish in the 3-8 pound range. Mornings and evenings are the best times because catfish prefer to feed under dim or dark conditions. Top baits for catfish have been stink baits, shrimp and worms fished on the bottom in the deeper lake sections. Use smaller sinkers and 8-pound t... Full story
Many hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists have been wondering how the current federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, will impact their upcoming outings. Despite closures by federal land management agencies of their administrative offices and some controlled access points and facilities, there are numerous opportunities available to Arizonans for outdoor recreation. Please keep in mind that, with regard to federal lands, official information on closures is the responsibilit... Full story
KINGMAN, Ariz. — Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Luke Apfel, wildlife manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 3 office in Kingman, is well aware of this statistic and has been active in many of the regional Operating Under the Influence checkpoints. For his efforts in removing impaired operators from the waterways, Apfel was recently awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) OUI Officer of the Yea... Full story
Steve Sams, a long-time hunter-education instructor, conservation volunteer and current president of the Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, has been named 2013 Conservation Hero of the Year by Field and Stream magazine. Sams, a resident of Prescott Valley, Ariz., was one of six finalists for this prestigious national award, which he accepted at the annual Heroes of Conservation Gala in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19. Fieldandstream.com noted that Sams has dedicated his life... Full story
PHOENIX -- Scottsdale photographer Ruth Jolly's image of an elegant black-necked stilt guiding a fuzzy chick along the shoreline has captured the grand prize in this year's Arizona wildlife photo contest, sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The contest, which promotes Arizona's diverse wildlife, attracted more than 300 entries from across Arizona and beyond. Winning images are published in a full-size 2014 wildlife calendar in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views... Full story
Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Hunter Education class in Payson. The two-day class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, at the Payson American Legion, 709 AZ-260, just east of the Giant Gas Station. Field day will be held on Sunday at the Jim Jones Shooting Range. To register, email jtnash@npgcable.com or call (928) 478-2014. Registration will be available at the door on November 16. Fall hunter edu... Full story
What do you have when you combine a 300-foot zip line, rapelling, a kid’s fishing tank, live creatures, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, camping, live music, food, many booths and exhibits, educational clinics, sporting equipment displays, and an entire area of Arizona Game & Fish Department displays and exhibits — all in the scenic setting of the Granite Dells of Prescott? You have the Prescott’s Great Outdoors – Outdoor Recreation Festival and Expo to be held October... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold informational meetings on federal proposals regarding Mexican wolves. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold public meetings this month in Payson, Tucson and Pinetop to share information with constituents on two proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules dealing with Mexican wolf conservation, and how the public can provide comments to the Service. The first federal rule proposes delisting the gray wolf from the federal list of threatened... Full story
