Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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PHOENIX -- To protect large fish that are targeted by tournament anglers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has requested that the USDA Forest Service temporarily suspend angler tournaments from Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes until environmental conditions improve. Golden alga blooms have developed over large portions of Saguaro and Apache Lakes. Golden alga produces a toxin (prymnesin) that affects any organism with gills. Currently, the primary species that is being affected is threadfin... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Larry D. Voyles has announced that he will retire from the state's wildlife agency this summer. Director Voyles, who first joined the Department as a wildlife manager in the Yuma region in 1974, will remain as Director until his replacement is named by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Reflections On Nine Years In a letter to Game and Fish employees, Voyles reflected on his nine years as Director of the 600-person agency, saying "I was in the unique... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, together with boating professionals and enthusiasts nationwide, demonstrated the importance of remaining safe on the water by participating in Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day on May 19. The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) serves as a fun, educational element ahead of National Safe Boating Week, which ran this year from May 20 to May 26. The event helps to raise awareness of different life jacket types, while demonstrating... Full story
To protect large fish that are targeted by tournament anglers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has requested that the USDA Forest Service temporarily suspend angler tournaments from Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes until environmental conditions improve. Golden Alga Blooms Golden alga blooms have developed over large portions of Saguaro and Apache Lakes. Golden alga produces a toxin (prymnesin) that affects any organism with gills. Currently, the primary species that is being affected is... Full story
The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage. To Submit A Nomination To submit a nomination, download and complete the form, and return it along with all supplemental materials by Satur... Full story
After a wet winter and mild spring, Arizona has seen an increase in many wildlife populations. As summer approaches and dry conditions return statewide, several animals are instinctively moving closer to easy sources of food and water - wherever humans can be found. This has led to increased reports of bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and other wildlife in populated areas across the state, where lawns are watered, swimming pools are full, garbage cans are overflowing and dishes of pet foo... Full story
Tours will be on July 1 and 2 and will include Friday's history lesson and Saturday's morning viewing cruise MESA, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering two unique opportunities to view one of Arizona’s most iconic arid land animals, the desert bighorn sheep, in an intimate, small-group setting July 1 and 2 on Canyon Lake. Participants ages 10 and older will board department work boats to explore the canyons and bluffs of this scenic lake in search of these spectacular ani... Full story
There's no better way to beat the Arizona summer heat than spending time on or in the cool waters of Roosevelt Lake. Cruising on a pontoon or house boar, jet skiing, speed boating, kayaking, sailing, fishing, swimming – it's all great lake fun. What makes the fun even better? Knowing everyone is being safe while on the water. Knowledge of boating safety is essential for any boat owner or water sports enthusiast. Luckily, the information isn't hard to find. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (A... Full story
The official start of the boating season is nearly upon us and many Arizonans are getting ready to pull their favorite watercraft out from storage in preparation for more fun on the water. To ensure the season is hiccup-free, the Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends that all watercraft owners thoroughly inspect their vessel to help prevent problems that could keep them off the water. To ensure you encounter only smooth sailing, watercraft owners should conduct the following inspections:... Full story
Following the recent interception and impoundment (out of state) of multiple quagga mussel-fouled watercraft that had been in Lake Powell or Lake Havasu for extended periods, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds boaters to "clean, drain and dry" - and especially decontaminate - their watercraft and equipment before exiting waters designated as having aquatic invasive species. Five vessels from Arizona waters have been impounded during the past month - three in Idaho and two in Colorado.... Full story
Arizona's rising temperatures are signaling that the summer heat isn't far off and some residents are already eyeing area lakes, looking to hit the water. With that in mind, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds watercraft users that while temperatures may be warm, water temperatures remain between the 50s and 60s at many of Arizona's boating havens. "Undoubtedly, we have seen phenomenally beautiful weather lately, but that hasn't done much to warm up our lakes," said AZGFD Boating... Full story
A three-week-old bobcat kitten snatched from the wild. An abandoned baby otter found hungry and dehydrated in an East Valley canal.And a malnourished, sickly "kidnapped" deer fawn. It's not another day at the local zoo. It's a typical day at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, where wildlife experts work daily to rehabilitate and save some of the state's 800-plus native wildlife species. It's often a thankful, albeit costly, job. To help defray rising costs of... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved several boating and watercraft regulation changes aimed at increasing customer service and public safety on Arizona's waterways. The commission approved the changes at its April 7 meeting, amending the state's Article 5 rules, which outline boating and water sports regulations and fees. The proposed changes will now be considered by the Governor's Regulatory Review Council on June 6 and, if approved, will become effective Aug. 5. The... Full story
They are man-made homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into the Central Arizona reservoirs took place on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt Lake with Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists dropping Fishiding HighRise structures made of environmentally safe PVC to the bottom of Roosevelt Lake. These recycled items, 8 feet tall and excellent habitat for... Full story
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved several boating and watercraft Regulation changes aimed at increasing customer service and public safety on Arizona’s waterways. The commission approved the changes at its April 7 meeting, amending the state’s Article 5 rules, which outline boating and water sports regulations and fees. The proposed changes will now be considered by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council on June 6 and, if approved, will become effective Aug. 5.... Full story
PHOENIX - The world-class Ben Avery Shooting Facility will be the place to be Wednesday, April 19, a day when recreational shooters can join together to symbolize the first shot fired in 1775 to mark the beginning of the American Revolution, while enjoying a fun shooting event. It will be 242 years to the day when the Shot Heard 'Round the World was fired in the pre-dawn light in Lexington, Mass., between the colonial militia and British army, regarded as the start of the American Revolutionary... Full story
A giant fish tail, dark and maybe two feet in length, curled beneath the surface of the water. Carson Pete, shore-fishing about 50 yards away, hiked to where he spotted the tail Sunday at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff. He happened to have brought a heavy spinning rod with 50-pound braided line, a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a 7/0 Gamakatsu circle hook. Just before the sun crawled beneath a horizon of pine trees, Pete grabbed a few frozen anchovies he'd dipped in a homemade fish... Full story
"So big, you might not be able to see it all in just one-day," commented Lake Havasu Boat Show producer, Bob Brown. "The growth of this boat show has been astounding. We'll be 130 exhibitors and vendors strong when the Boat Show opens on Friday, April 7 at Lake Havasu State Park. "This will be the first time we'll be using both special event areas at the Park, Windsor lots 3 & 4 plus the new launch ramp and courtesy docks for in-water demos during the show. I'd suggest visitors arrive early and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) will enhance its efforts to target removal of impaired watercraft and off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators from Arizona's recreation areas through a partnership with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. AGFD was awarded nearly $46,000 in grant funding for officers to target DUI/OUI offenders on the state's waterways and those riding OHVs. In addition to funding overtime for increased DUI/OUI patrols, officers will also target helmet, seat belt and... Full story
The success of Mexican wolf recovery across Arizona and New Mexico hinges more immediately on maintaining social tolerance than on genetic diversity, according to a recently published peer-reviewed study. The study was published in Biological Conservation, a leading international conservation science journal. In it, the authors, which include Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists, conclude that maximizing genetic diversity in Mexican wolf recovery must be strategically balanced against imp... Full story
Motorized access to the upper arm of the Agua Fria River at Lake Pleasant will again be available thanks to a special development project of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Boating Access Program. Through the cooperative efforts of the Department, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department (MCPRD) http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/ and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, this unique boating and fishing opportunity will be available each Friday through Sunday throughout the spring.... Full story
PHOENIX — Arizona’s rising temperatures are signaling that the summer heat isn’t far off and some residents are already eyeing area lakes, looking to hit the water. With that in mind, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds watercraft users that while temperatures may be warm, water temperatures remain between the 50s and 60s at many of Arizona’s boating havens. “Undoubtedly, we have seen phenomenally beautiful weather lately, but that hasn’t done much to warm up our lakes,” said AZGFD Bo... Full story
In first phase of long-term project on Tonto National Forest lakes, AZGFD biologists sink fish habitat structures. PHOENIX – They are manmade homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into the central Arizona reservoirs took place on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt Lake with Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists dropping Fishiding HighRise structures made o... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo dates are set for Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Admission and parking are free! Once again, there will be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages. Check out the huge family fishing tanks. See all sorts of live wildlife. Learn target archery and try other shooting sports in a safe, supervised, controlled environment on the range. Get a feel for specialty shooting disciplines like clay target,... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comments on multiple proposed boating and water sports rule changes. In mid-January, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved a draft notice of proposed rulemaking, amending Article 5, which outlines boating and water sports regulations and fees. The deadline to submit comments on the proposed rule changes is Sunday, March 5. The following are among the proposed changes: Requiring a signature be notarized/witnessed when the... Full story