Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 951 - 975 of 1079
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
The 22nd Annual Lake Havasu Boat Show, sponsored by Teague Custom Marine, is only a few days away, opening on Friday, April 19 for a three-day run at Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4 on London Bridge Road. This year’s boat show is bigger than ever with hundreds of boats ranging from everything from affordable family runabouts and pontoons to exotic high-performance sportboats and the latest in personal watercraft. For those looking forward to attending the boat show, plan on making a full d... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to remind all boaters, anglers, and personal watercraft users that this year’s boating season has arrived and to please exercise safe, responsible practices when on the water. Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and w... Full story
If you would like to learn outdoor skills such as fly-fishing, archery, wilderness medicine or paddling a canoe, you'll want to sign up for the spring Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop scheduled for April 19-21 at Friendly Pines just outside of Prescott. Space is currently available but could fill up fast. The workshop, sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is geared toward adult women and introduces them to outdoor skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with... Full story
COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has begun creating a watershed-based fisheries management plan for the Verde River and is accepting public input on the development process. The plan, when ultimately finished, will provide the department's fisheries personnel with a practical tool to help guide decisions regarding both sport fish and native fish management. "This is the first time Game and Fish will be using the Watershed-based Fish Management Process (WFMP)," said M... Full story
The draw results for Arizona’s 2013 elk and pronghorn antelope big-game hunts are available by visiting https://az.gov/app/huntdraw/home.xhtml and scrolling down to the “View results and bonus points” link. Applicants can also find out if they were drawn by calling (602) 942-3000 and selecting option two. There were more than 142,000 applicants for this year’s elk/pronghorn antelope draw for hunts or bonus points, and 26,308 tags were issued. The total number of applications, including those s... 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, download a form at www.azgfd.gov/w_c/ArizonaOutdoorHallofFame.shtml, fill it out, and return it along with all supplemental materials by April 25 to — Wildlife for T... 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
KINGMAN, Ariz. — While spring continues to maintain its erratic grip on daytime temperatures, the inevitable emergence of snakes, spiders, scorpions, and lizards remains just around the next upward swing. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is reminding the public that some simple rules can help the public avoid a potential dangerous encounter. "Probably the simplest rule is always to know where you are putting your hands and feet," said Zen Mocarski, information and education program m... Full story
