Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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People who live in or visit Arizona can expect to see many species of wildlife. More and more often though, wild animals are venturing into areas where people live. Sometimes the wildlife becomes a problem, either by hammering on the side of the house, digging a den under the front porch, or eating all of your brand new landscaping plants. You can usually enjoy wildlife watching from a distance, but sometimes wildlife encounters involve conflict. Preventing Problems Preventing problems with... Full story
Channel catfish are being stocked by the thousands of pounds through the fall. Time to pick a lethal bait. These all have a strong scent of some sort, some are even tasty to humans - and all have a long record of catching catfish in Arizona's community waters. Here, then, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department's top-5 best baits to catch these channel catfish: 5. Marshmallows Mallows. Mmm, marshmallows. Can you blame catfish for wanting to chomp one of these sweet, beautiful, poofy globs?... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has transferred two bear cubs to Out of Africa Wildlife Park following an incident that resulted in an adult female bear's being killed. On an early September Sunday, Game and Fish received a call that an adult bear, unprovoked, charged an archery deer hunter from a distance of about 20 feet. The hunter shot the bear with a handgun at close range in self-defense. Department officers responded to the area where they discovered the bear's two cubs that were... Full story
Arizona's bald eagles continue to impress biologists with their upward growth trends and year-after-year breeding records. Key productivity records that were broken in 2016 include number of: breeding areas, occupied breeding areas, eggs laid, active breeding areas, successful breeding attempts and young hatched. All of these measures are important indicators of the species' health. The most notable: a record minimum of 93 bald eagle eggs were laid by a record 65 pairs of adult eagles with 78...
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers to assist with spotlighting efforts to help document the population of endangered black-footed ferrets in Aubrey Valley near Seligman. As part of the recovery effort, the department has scheduled one more fall spotlighting project - Oct. 13-17. The spotlighting method involves using high-powered lights to locate and identify black-footed ferrets. Their eyeshine is reflected by the spotlight and helps surveyors with identifying and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department now is accepting online applications for 2017 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear. To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov and scroll down to "Apply for a Draw." The deadline by which the department must receive all applications - online or paper - is 11:59 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. Postmarks do not count. Paper applications can be mailed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.:... Full story
PHOENIX - There's no better way for women 9 and older to learn about firearm safety and receive hands-on instruction shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays than signing up for the Desert Roses women's shotgun program at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. For $10, a shooter – whether new to the shotgun shooting sports or just needing a refresher – can sign up for three sessions, beginning Thursday (Oct. 6). The fee includes use of a loaner shotgun, ammunition, eye and ear protection, targets and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen's organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers. Of 22 proposals submitted in this latest grant cycle, 16 were approved by a three-member panel that rated and scored the proposals. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process that closed July 14. "The Local Sportsmen's Group grant program is an investment in local... Full story
Congratulations to the recent inductees to the Outdoor Hall of Fame by Wildlife for Tomorrow, including some folks we know from Hunting And Angling Heritage Workshop Group (HAHWG) and other ventures. It’s great to see you recognized, and thank you for all you do. http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/Conservationists-inducted-into-Arizona-Outdoor-Hall-of-Fame.shtml Richard Sprague, owner Sprague’s Sports in Yuma Jim Unmacht, president of the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation htt... Full story
Tip Of The Week For our desert lakes, predatory fish activity will be building toward a fall-time frenzy. Bass in particular will feed heavily to prepare for winter conditions. For anglers, that means now is the best time to hook into actively feeding bass. The Reel Deal The first hints of fall means fishing is about to bust loose. Nights are getting noticeably cooler, putting bass in the mood to chase reaction baits and trigger some of the best high-country trout fishing of the year. Remember:... Full story
A professional committee of fisheries scientists has determined that three species of chub found throughout the lower Colorado River basin - roundtail chub, headwater chub, and Gila chub - will now be recognized as one species, referred to as roundtail chub. The decision last week by the American Fisheries Society and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Joint Committee on the Names of Fishes resolves a long-term disparity among scientists, as these chub populations are... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds residents and visitors looking to head outdoors on their off-highway vehicle (OHV) to do so safely and responsibly. What can you do to make the outdoors safer and more enjoyable for everyone? Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 AZGFD officers issued 404 citations and issued 283 warnings statewide for multiple offences, including failing to have a current OHV decal sticker, allowing children under the age of 18 to ride without a helmet and made... Full story
YUMA, Ariz. - On Saturday, September 3, the 1st Annual World Championship Dove Cook-Off will take place at Yuma Civic Center. Coinciding with the opening week of the early dove hunt season (Sept. 1-15), the Cook-Off will pit chefs of all skill levels in a competition to see who can create the best dove dish within the allotted time. "This will be an exciting event," says Richard Sprague, owner of Sprague's Sports in Yuma. "Yuma is the premier dove hunting destination, so having a culinary... Full story
Within the past several weeks, well-intentioned people have delivered several deer fawns to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offices believing that the animals were abandoned by their parents. While the department understands the public's desire to help, in reality they're often taking a newborn or juvenile animal from its parents, who likely "parked" the baby in one location while they foraged for food and water for long periods of time. If the fawn appears alert and healthy, it is... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and Liberty Wildlife released four orphaned baby great horned owls Aug. 3. The owls were rescued after their mother was shot in March by a homeowner in Tolleson. The owlets were raised with the aid of a foster female great horned owl at Liberty Wildlife with the goal of preparing them for releasing. The owls were released at Robbins Butte Wildlife Area, a remote area about seven miles southwest of Buckeye.... Full story
HONORED -- Arizona Game and Fish video producer David Majure recently received three Excellence in Craft Awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). Majure was recognized for his work on the department's Arizona Wildlife Views TV show.... Full story
Here is a counter-intuitive truth: Small pistols are more difficult to handle, require a better (stronger) grip, and have a lot more recoil (kick) than larger pistols. Many smaller people make the mistake of thinking that since their hands are small, a smaller pistol is ideal.In many cases, the opposite is true. The same goes for buying that first pistol for your child - just because she has smaller hands doesn't mean you should buy her a small pistol. Single-Stack Semis My granddaughters both... Full story
Summer in the Southwest means fun on the water for many Arizona families, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages everyone heading to area lakes to ensure they are wearing a life jacket while on the water. "Putting on a life jacket is the first and often easiest step anyone can take to keep themselves safe when on the water," said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boating Safety Education coordinator. "There are comfortable options for all activities and all weather conditions. Set an example... Full story
When was the last time you visited your favorite fishing spot? Or felt the thrill of that first catch? However long it may be, it's never too late to reclaim the excitement of the great outdoors. Renew your sense of adventure with an Arizona fishing license - because a few minutes online are worth countless memories outside!... Full story
Tip Of The Week For those athletic anglers looking for lots of exercise, good fishing, and no crowds, try Chevelon Lake. This steep-sided canyon lake is not shore-angler friendly, so float tubes, canoes or kayaks are almost a must. The hike-in is knee-challenging on the way down and the long hike back up the steep trail will take your breath away in more ways than one. For aging anglers who are out of shape, avoid this lake; it's a cardiac special. New fishing regulations on Chevelon Creek... Full story
Edward "Pat" Madden of Flagstaff has become the Arizona Game and Fish Commission's newest chair.. He will lead the five-member commission for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Madden replaces Kurt R. Davis, who will continue to serve on the commission until his successor is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Each commissioner serves a five-year term that is staggered and customarily serves as chairman during their final year. Madden, who joined the commission in 2013, has an... Full story
Hunters who have an AZGFD Customer Portal account now can view their draw results for the 2016 deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison, fall bear and pheasant seasons. Simply log into your account, and you will be taken to your personal 'My AZ Outdoors" page. Portal account holders have the benefit of being able to view their draw results a day or two before the results officially are released. It's quick, easy and free to create a Portal account. Just click on the "Sign in t... Full story
The 2016 edition of "Hunt Arizona," the Arizona Game and Fish Department's yearly compilation of big and small game hunting statistics, is now available online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata. The free, downloadable, PDF publication includes draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife. The 205-page publication is easy to use and includes the latest data on... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2016-2017 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at https://www.azgfd.com/PortalImages/files/regs/doveregs.pdf. The dove season begins Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 mourning and white-winged in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in... Full story
While my focus and much of Hunting And Angling Heritage Workshop Group’s (HAHWG’s) effort is on recruitment and retention. There are other groups fighting the good fight at a higher level. I got an email from Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation’s President Jim Unmacht (they also do the license plate grant program many of us have used) that listed the concerns, threats and challenges for sportsmen on a landscape scale. And, I said to him, some of us work with kids, others work with legis... Full story
