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Arizona Game and Fish is seeking information regarding the poaching of a bull elk northwest of Ash Fork. Officers with Game and Fish need public assistance and Operation Game Thief is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for the crime. "An officer has collected evidence at the scene, but we are looking for additional information," said Zen Mocarski, public information officer for the Game and Fish Region 3 office in Kingman. The elk was shot on... Full story
Margie Anderson is the daughter of an Ojibwa who took her camping and hunting almost as soon as she could walk. She has been an outdoor writer and photographer for 25 years and has contributed to magazines and newspapers all over the United States. She was named Outdoor Writer of the Year in 2000 and again in 2006 by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. She lives in Phoenix with her husband and a fabulous little French Brittany named Rosie. John and Margie love hiking, hunting, and fishing,... Full story
Tip Of The Week When trout are more active. it's sometimes better to use lures rather than bait, especially inline spinners such as Mepps, Rooster Tails and the like. Casting spoons, such as KastMasters, can sometimes be downright lethal. Also try rainbow-colored Rapalas. The larger, more voracious trout will often feed on the smaller ones. The Reel Deal The window of sunlight that blasts our waters is increasingly short-lived, leading to the first hints of fall fishing conditions. First,... 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
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
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 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 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
WASHINGTON, DC (9-12-2013) – A bipartisan coalition led by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) introduced legislation today that charts a new course for management of Gulf red snapper, an important commercial and recreational fishery that has been plagued by controversy Joining Miller and Richmond as original co-sponsors of the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act were Reps. Charles Boustany (R-La.); Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.); Blake Farenthold (R-Texas); Bob Latta (... 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 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...
The Governor's Office is currently accepting applications for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. Governor Jan Brewer is seeking members who are well-informed and passionate about Arizona wildlife and its long-term conservation. In accordance with Arizona law, the Game and Fish Commission is required to be politically-balanced 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
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
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
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
The Arizona State Parks Board authorized eight Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund projects totaling $778,563 at a recent 2013 Parks Board meeting. The statewide OHV Program uses funds from the state Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund and the federal Recreational Trails Program (motorized portion) to fund projects that meet the high priority needs identified in the 2010 State Trails Plan. The Arizona State Parks Board's volunteer advisory committees (Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OH... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has hosted its series of public forums to meet with constituents about developing the 2013 fall hunt recommendations for deer, bighorn sheep, turkey, javelina, buffalo, bear, mountain lion, and small game animals. The meetings were held in Yuma, Mesa, Pinetop, Flagstaff, Tucson and Kingman. Constituents interested in particular game management units within those regions had the opportunity to discuss management direction. The meetings allowed the department... Full story