Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 951 - 975 of 1087
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again offering a unique opportunity for people to learn more about Arizona's colorful forest hummingbirds at the 10th annual High Country Hummers Festival on Saturday, July 27, at the department's Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area located near Eagar in eastern Arizona. Sheri Williamson, one of the nation's foremost experts on hummingbirds, will lead a capture and bird-banding event with the assistance of a group of volunteers. The event is free and open... Full story
One of only two species of parrots historically found in the United States, the thick-billed parrot, will benefit from a recovery plan coauthored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The plan aims to grow the bird’s numbers by focusing recovery on protecting, managing and restoring mature and old-growth conifer forests in Mexico. The plan was published today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and represents the first time that the U.S. has adopted another country’s endangered sp... Full story
If you're looking for a great opportunity to get outdoors and help enhance wildlife habitat, join us on Saturday, Aug. 17, for a special volunteer project north of Flagstaff. The Arizona Antelope Foundation (AAF), in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will be working in the Sacred Mountain and Wupatki area of the Coconino National Forest and on an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) right-of-way adjacent to Highway 89. Volunteers will remove old right-of-way fencing... Full story
PHOENIX -- Whether you won or lost when you bought a lottery ticket last year, some of your money is going to benefit something you would approve of… helping Arizona’s schools and universities. That’s because the bulk of this year’s grants from the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund are going to education and research. Heritage Fund money comes from Arizona Lottery ticket sales. This year, Game and Fish is using Heritage funds to award more than $335,000 to 32 grant projects across A... Full story
SELIGMAN, Ariz. -- The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department are advising hunters, particularly Unit 10 hunt permit-tag holders, of some decisions made by the Big Boquillas Ranch regarding access to the ranch for the upcoming 2013 fall hunting season. These changes include implementation by the ranch operator of new "Ranch Rules" that charge a $60 recreational impact fee for most adults and govern allowable hunter activities. The Department has been working diligently to maintain hunting access to private lands on the Big Boquillas Ra... 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
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Dolly Steamboat and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, is hosting a public workshop to see and learn about desert bighorn sheep, one of Arizona’s most fascinating large mammals. This special event includes two parts. The first is an evening classroom session where participants can learn about bighorn sheep, their natural history, management and historical significance from biologist Bruce Sitko, a long-time student of b... Full story
Young wildlife can be encountered throughout the spring and the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds the public that wildlife, like humans, will take steps to protect their young. For wildlife, leaving young behind is generally a protective slight-of-hand trick by animals as a response to a potential threat. These animals have not been abandoned and should not be whisked away by well-intentioned individuals. Such an action can have dire consequences for wildlife and your wallet. “The i... Full story
Anglers are invited to take advantage of unlimited bag and possession limits for trout at C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge Reservoir) until April 1, 2014. Because the Salt River Project is pumping water from C.C. Cragin until Nov. 1, there is a potential fish kill due to the lower water levels. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved a new regulation to give the public an opportunity to fish for these trout as the water is drawn during the summer and trout become more vulnerable to being... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public input in the development of new hunting and fishing license structure and fees, as authorized by the recent passage of Senate Bill 1223. For information on the new concept licenses go to www.azgfd.gov/licensesimplification. This site also includes Web casts of the Phoenix public meeting, a PDF copy of the PowerPoint presentation and handout, and information on how to provide comment and input. It’s important to keep in mind that the l... Full story
At the recent annual meeting of the Western States’ Boating Administrator Association in Flagstaff, Ariz., the Lake Havasu Marine Association (LHMA) was the honored recipient of the Hollister Award that recognizes outstanding service in the field of boating safety by individuals or groups (public or private). “Clearly the LHMA has made a positive impact to recreational boating safety in the Lake Havasu area and they are to be commended,” said State Boating Law Administrator for the Arizo... Full story
You might have seen the “Don’t Move a Mussel” signs that have been at some statewide lakes. Now the Arizona Game & Fish Aquatic Invasive Species Program will be providing quagga mussel educational opportunities at Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake and Lake Havasu throughout the summer. In an effort to reduce the spread and introduction of this serious invasive species, the outreach efforts will encourage boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats. Remaining Sessions Following is a rundown of remai... Full story
June 21, 2013 Governor Jan. Brewer on June 19 signed House Bill 2551 (off-highway vehicles; use; authority; enforcement). The bill clarifies state authority in how it will enforce federal Travel Management Rules regarding off-highway vehicle use on U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted in March to support HB 2551, but made its support contingent on adoption of amended language that would address the commission’s concerns about u... Full story
Phase two of public input process begins; comments accepted through July 20, webcast to be conducted on June 25 The Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved a draft hunting and fishing license structure and license/tag fees at its June 15 meeting in Payson, Ariz. The proposal will now be taken to the public for a 30-day comment period from June 20 to July 20, 2013. A webcast on the draft structure and fees will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25. The webcast can be viewed at www.azgfd.g... Full story
Hunters and other members of the public are advised that amendments to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission's Article 3 rules (governing the taking and handling of wildlife) will take effect July 1, 2013. The amendments address such topics as using bait to take game, importation of cervid carcasses into Arizona, use of pneumatic weapons for hunting, and other topics. These amendments were developed during the rules review process that included a public comment period, and they incorporate recently passed legislation. The Commission's Notice of... 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... Full story
Governor Jan Brewer on May 7 signed into law Senate Bill 1223, a bill that allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to set future hunting and fishing license structure and fees directly through a streamlined, customer-focused process. The bill, which is supported by 24 sportsmen's organizations, gives the Game and Fish Department the ability to operate more like a business and react to changing market conditions and customer needs in a timely manner. It previously passed the Arizona House, 43-10, on April 15 and the Arizona Senate, 26-2, on... Full story
RECORD! -- Eddie “Flathead Ed” Wilcoxson was asleep on the fold-out cot of his 24-foot pontoon boat on April 12, when what would become a state record flathead catfish began taking drag at Bartlett Lake. About 35 minutes later, at 2:37 a.m., Wilcoxson, 56, boated what Arizona Game and Fish Department officials verified is a 76.52-pound flathead catfish. It measured 53.5 inches in total length with a 34.75-inch girth.It also became the heaviest recorded fish of any species in state history, top... Full story
Clean! Drain! Dry! The early spring discovery of 14 adult quagga mussels at Lake Powell is a crucial reminder to boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats after every use to help prevent the spread of these destructive invasive species. According to a National Park Service (NPS) mussel monitoring update, the NPS identified 14 adult quagga mussels attached to moored vessels and dock structures at the Wahweap Marina in Lake Powell. None of the adult mussels were close enough together to mate... Full story
For over 30 years, the Lake Havasu Marine Association has been active in the Lake Havasu area fulfilling their Vision to provide a safe, clean lake and river environment by enhancing the public's boating experience. The Association membership is comprised of local boating industry businesses, tourism businesses and representatives of local governments. Affiliations include the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona State Parks, Mohave County Sheriff's Office, Lake Havasu Police Department,... Full story
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low, Ariz., will hold summer interpretive programs May 25 through August 31. These summer interpretive programs will include nature walks, programs about wildland firefighting and lecture programs ranging from the Old West to animal conservation. These programs are coordinated and presented by the US Forest Service in conjunction with Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game & Fish Department, Show Low Historical Society, and many others. Most programs take... Full story
It’s getting nicer outside every day and boating season is upon us. 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. One of the first things that I wanted to talk to you about is National Safe Boating Week, May 1... Full story
Following a bobcat attack on a young woman in a neighborhood behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Show Low, Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are advising area residents to be alert for any wild animal or pet that appears to behave oddly, indicating the potential presence of rabies. A Navajo County deputy sheriff responded to the attack call Sunday evening, April 28. At the same time, another deputy sheriff nearby observed a bobcat behaving in an aggressive, abnormal m... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners are lifting some of the closures at lakes and rivers statewide that are put into place annually to help bald eagles during the breeding season. The closures at the following four sites have been removed, effective immediately, because the bald eagles in these areas failed to produce young and will not breed this late in the spring: Lake Pleasant, Verde River near Chasm Creek, Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake, Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76... Full story
It’s that time of the year when Arizonans flock to their favorite outdoor places, and the continued warm, windy and dry conditions mean that fire and smoking restrictions will be in place throughout the state by the Memorial Day weekend. Public land managers are urging the public to be careful with fires and to know if the area they plan to visit is under fire restrictions. Know before you go! During these times of warmer weather and high winds, and before the start of the monsoons and lightning, most wildfires are human caused. Public land m... Full story
