Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The way some anglers look at Arizona as a fishing destination has begun to change since April when “Flathead” Ed Wilcoxson landed the heaviest recorded fish in the state’s history. Word is getting out that The Grand Canyon State is home to many gargantuan flathead catfish. Wilcoxson — after photos of his 76.54-pound flathead catfish taken out of Bartlett Lake were shared on fishing forums and media outlets across the World Wide Web — has received phone calls from interested anglers as far away a... Full story
Hunters may now submit their online and paper applications for the 2014 spring hunt draw for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear. The deadline for all applications is Tuesday, Oct. 8, by 7 p.m. (MST). Don’t wait until the last minute, as technical issues can occur on deadline day. To apply online, go to www.azgfd.gov/draw and select the link for hunt applications. Paper applications may be hand-delivered to any of the seven department offices located statewide in Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Y... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold public meetings this week 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 and endangered species but maintaining endangered status for the Mexican wolf. The second federal rule proposes... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a pioneer in reducing the amount of lead available in the environment to wildlife species that are particularly susceptible to lead toxicity like the California condor. The department has a successful voluntary non-lead program to aid condor recovery and works extensively with a wide range of partners to monitor lead's impact on wildlife. The Department feels strongly that a voluntary lead ammunition reduction program creates more acceptance and a more... 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... Full story
The wait is over for eager hunters who applied for the upcoming season. Draw results for Arizona’s 2013 fall deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo and pheasant hunts are now available online. To view results, go to https://az.gov/app/huntdraw/home.xhtml and scroll down to the “View results and bonus points” link. Draw results are also available by phone at 602 942-3000; select option two on the automated menu. Second Chance Hunters who submitted applications for a fall hunt, but were... Full story
Make plans now to attend the 16th annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Chaparral Suites Scottsdale, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250. This year’s inductees into the Outdoor Hall of Fame include Sandra S. Froman (former president of the National Rifle Association and a former president of Wildlife for Tomorrow); William D. "Don" Martin (Kingman area wildlife outfitter and long-time conservationist and wildlife advocate); Walter Shontz (... Full story
Are you fascinated by reptiles? Do you have a yard big enough for a dog, but no time to take one for daily walks? Is someone in your family allergic to pets with fur or feathers? If so, consider adopting a desert tortoise through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Desert tortoises offer a unique alternative to more traditional family pets, and can teach many of the same life lessons to children, including responsibility, compassion and commitment. “We cannot stress enough how detrimental r... Full story
Monsoon season brings one of the southwest desert’s most iconic creatures out of their burrows and out-and-about across the state. Desert tortoises are now in their most active season and more likely to be seen by the public. The Arizona Game and Fish Department asks the public to follow these important guidelines if they encounter a desert tortoise: • Do not remove a tortoise from its habitat. Taking a wild tortoise home is illegal in Arizona. Additionally, most tortoises stay in the same sma... Full story
Many of you in the marine industry and boating world know me; my name is David Esparza, and I have been a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for 19 years and a volunteer with the Arizona Game and Fish Department as boating safety instructor for 20 years. I have now worked at West Marine in Tempe for almost three years. First, wear your life jacket when around water. Set the example for others to follow — your fellow boaters, your children or your guest upon your boat. Boating accidents can be horrible and deadly; approximately 8... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has added largemouth bass virus (LMB virus), whirling disease and all snakehead fish to the Director’s Orders aquatic invasive species (AIS) list. LMB Virus LMB virus, which primarily affects adult largemouth and smallmouth bass during the summertime, has been discovered at Lake Pleasant (Maricopa County Parks) and Bartlett, Saguaro, and Roosevelt lakes on the Tonto National Forest. All watercraft users leaving those lakes will now be required by law to c... Full story
Arizona is famous for many things, but opening day of dove season is downright legendary. Temperatures here may still be high, but there's nothing cooler for the hunting community than the first day of dove season. Sunday, Sept. 1 is the official start of dove season. Since the big day falls on a Sunday this year, be sure to get your hunting license and stamp well in advance. Before the weekend, stop in and get your license and stamp at any of the seven Game and Fish offices statewide, 8 a.m.... 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... Full story
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 and endangered species but maintaining endangered status for the Mexican wolf. The second federal rule proposes expa... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) voted unanimously on Sept. 6, 2013 to pass a resolution requesting that the Department of Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) hold at least one public meeting in Arizona as part of the scoping hearings on the expansion of Mexican wolf conservation. Currently, the Service has proposed to hold public meetings on the proposed rule to delist gray wolves and reclassify the Mexican wolf only in Washington, D.C., Sacramento,... Full story
Hunters may now submit their online and paper applications for the 2014 spring hunt draw for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear. The deadline for all applications is Tuesday, Oct. 8, by 7 p.m. (MST). Don’t wait until the last minute, as technical issues can occur on deadline day. To apply online, go to www.azgfd.gov/draw and select the link for hunt applications. Paper applications may be hand-delivered to any of the seven department offices located statewide in Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Y... Full story
Western Outdoor Times publishers note: This report by AZGFD concerns a highly controversial topic. There is much debate over this topic and other views and opinions are available from all sides. The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF) and Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and in New Mexico on the Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF). Non-tribal lands involved in... Full story
With the recent discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Powell, boaters leaving the northeastern Arizona lake will be required by law to pull their boat plug and decontaminate and dry their watercraft before leaving the vicinity of the lake to help prevent the spread of these invasive mussels. The requirements, which took effect July 1, are now the same as for other Arizona waters known to contain quagga mussels. These waters are listed in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Aquatic Invasive S... Full story
The Lake Havasu National Refuge Complex has created a safety zone that is anticipated to reduce the likelihood of boat collisions in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at the Interstate 40 Bridge on the Colorado River. The expansion of commercial development at the Topock 66 Marina is expected to greatly increase boating traffic in the area. Safety concerns had been expressed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Lake Havasu Marine Association. A No Wake Zone has been created with two boundary lines of regulatory buoys approximately 700... Full story
With catfish stockings at all Phoenix and Tucson urban waters on hold during the summer months, fishing becomes more challenging, requiring anglers to be adaptable, patient and persistent. Plenty of wily catfish still lurk the depths of the lakes, especially larger lakes of more than 4 acres. Catfishing is fair for anglers using worms, stink baits, or shrimp fished on the bottom. Catfish can be caught throughout the day, but are most active when the sun goes down. Most catfish are from 14-18 inc... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is considering changes to the fishing regulations and is continuing its series of public meetings to provide information. The remaining meetings are — . • July 19, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road. • July 19, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd. Meetings were previously held in Flagstaff, Mesa, Yuma and Tucson. In addition, the public can also submit written comme... Full story
The collaborative efforts of multiple natural resource agencies to protect Gila trout and other native fish populations after last year's devastating Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire in New Mexico were recognized with the 2012 Region 2 Recovery Champion Award. Recovery Champions are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners whose work in advancing the recovery of endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. The award was presented to the Gila trout and Chihuahua Recovery... Full story
The public still has the opportunity to provide comment on the revised draft of the hunt guidelines for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 hunting seasons. The revised draft can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines. Comment can be submitted through July 31 by e-mail to azgamebranch@azgfd.gov, or by mail to Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. The draft was developed based on prior input from the public this year and was shared with the... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will host six public open houses where constituents may review and ask questions about the 2014 spring recommendations for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear. The proposed recommendations are anticipated to be posted online on July 19 at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines. Each year, the department makes recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas, and...
Local sportsmen's groups can apply now for grant funding for programs that promote activities and events for hunter, angler, shooter and trapper recruitment and retention. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering $75,000 in grant funding this year. Applications must be received by the department by 5 p.m. (MST) on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. Examples of projects eligible for the Arizona Game and Fish Department grants include — Hands-on mentored hunting events: • Small game hunting camps - qu... Full story
