Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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This months beautiful cover comes to us from Boat US. The article, 'Backbone' Of America's Boating Safety, Angling Conservation Reauthorized, reminds us that boating season is coming and safety, as always, must be forefront in our minds. As we begin a New Year, we once again want to thank all of our advertisers, readers, contributors, staff, family and friends for their support over the past ten (going on eleven) years. BOATING - Life-Jacket Exchange A Success AZGFD swapped approximately 800... Full story
As many of Arizona's hunters trek into area forests to fill their freezer with meat for the year, waterfowl hunters too are heading outdoors to hop aboard their watercraft for their piece of the action. A Family Tradition "Hunting is woven into the fabric of Arizona and for many, it's a family tradition carried on for generations," said Josh Hoffman, Arizona Game and Fish Boating Safety Education program coordinator. "Hunters already know that firearm safety is paramount every time they go out,... Full story
Ending nearly a 10-year decline, watercraft registrations in Arizona rebounded this year, bringing more people to the state's waterways and likely contributing to an increase in watercraft-related accidents. Two Increases To date this year, there were 127,796 watercraft registered in Arizona, which is a 2.7-percent increase from the 124,425 registered in the state in 2014. With the increase in registrations, law enforcement officers statewide recorded a 13-percent jump in watercraft-related... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. Most Effective Way "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against... Full story
The annual Winter HAHWG meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 30. It will be a one-day meeting format as last year, here at the Game and Fish office, at the Archery Center at the north end of the BASF property — outdoors. We will once again have a big cowboy breakfast before the meeting, as well as a hot lunch. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the meals, please let me know. Friday night overnight dispersed camping is available and we will have a small social and campfire that night. RSVP and a... Full story
It is the role of the Arizona Game and Fish Department to conserve, protect and manage more than 800 wildlife species within the state's boundaries – more than any non-coastal state in our nation. To fulfill that promise, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department must stand as a barrier against all threats to our wildlife. It's a heavy responsibility carried out by all who serve at the Department, and it's why we are pressuring the federal government to provide the U.S. Bureau of L... Full story
Recently a story surfaced in the local news that the Department had lifted all fishing regulations at Tempe Town Lake and that anglers were free to take whatever they wanted. We want to ensure anglers have facts: • First, the Department has agreed to cease all fish stockings in Tempe Town Lake until the project has been completed, and the lake has been refilled. • Second, the Department has not lifted all fishing regulations for Tempe Town Lake, but we are evaluating options that could inc... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, as part of its regular five-year review rulemaking process, has updated its Article 4 (Live Wildlife) rules. The new provisions became effective Dec. 5. The updated rules were recently approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. The new provisions include some notable changes including the following: • Removal of hedgehogs from the restricted live wildlife list to allow them as pets, • Prohibitions on possession of any non-human primate speci... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
Another year has passed and either you or someone you know somehow landed on Santa's "nice list" and may have received a new off-highway vehicle (OHV) during the holidays. But before jumping behind the steering wheel or handlebars to hit the trail, here's some equipment you'll need. A helmet - Whether riding in a side-by-side utility-type vehicle (UTV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or dirt bike, all riders younger than18 years old are legally required to wear a Department of Tra... Full story
To increase customer service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages off-highway vehicle (OHV) owners to sign up to receive their yearly OHV decal-renewal reminder through e-mail. The decal program began in 2009 and requires all OHVs, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and dirt bikes, to have a sticker if the vehicle is designed primarily for travel on unimproved roadways or trails. The sticker, which is placed on the upper left-hand corner of the license plate, is... Full story
The State Parks in Arizona are offering guided hikes for New Years Day as part of a program called 1st Day Hikes. Guided hikes are great, even if you are an experienced hiker, because the guides will have lots of information about the area that you might not have known. The State Parks are great places to visit at any time, and the opportunity for a free guided hike is a bonus. Generally, the weather is cool on New Years Day, but at higher altitudes, you should add layers. Also, bring your own w... Full story
When: January 16, 2016 Time: 7:30 AM Where: Far East Valley, on Hewitt Station Road, about 1.5 miles off Queen Valley Road Details: Coffee, donuts and lunch will be served to volunteers. Volunteers please bring: buckets, gloves, rakes, water and sunscreens. OHV Vehicles will be useful, please remember a helmet Questions? Visit www.footprintsmatter.org or call 480-983-2171 More details here ________________________________________ Arizona Outdoor Expo--April 2-3 Join Tread Lightly! and the... Full story
PHOENIX - Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Eric Slocum Sparks to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Mr. Sparks is an attorney practicing in Tucson since 1987, specializing in debtor bankruptcy law and business reorganizations. Before opening his own firm in 1990, Mr. Sparks served as general counsel to several corporations, such as the Wilson Companies, GHR Energy Corporation, Bayou Asphalt Corp., and corporate counsel to Tenneco Inc. in Houston. Additionally, Mr. Sparks has served as an... Full story
PHOENIX – The Southwestern Single-Shot Rifle Schützenfest begins today, Friday, Nov. 27, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The 41st annual competition, featuring only single-shot rifles (no bolt actions), will take place on the Benchrest Range. The range opens at 7 a.m. each day, with firing commencing as soon as possible. Firing will cease at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The course of fire consists of shots being fired from bo... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has removed a fee charged for watercraft owners to renew their boat or watercraft registrations online. Removal of the $2.50 Internet transaction fee charged on all watercraft registrations renewed online was done to encourage the state's watercraft users to renew their vessels' registrations on a computer, tablet or smartphone. "In a recent survey, we asked watercraft owners why they may not be using the Internet service to renew their watercraft... Full story
Antelope Poached Near Flagstaff The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating an out-of-season poaching of a buck antelope, which took place at the beginning of November in Game Management Unit 7 West northwest of Flagstaff. Game and Fish officers received information that a burgundy-red four-door Jeep Wrangler was seen leaving the area following a single shot from a high-caliber rifle and evidence at the scene indicates there may be another vehicle involved. The buck was found near... Full story
The producers of Arizona Wildlife Views, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's television show, took home eight regional Emmy Awards in four different categories from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) this fall. The award recipients and categories were as follow: Environment – Program/Special Arizona Wildlife Views 2015 – Show #1 (https://youtu.be/v9BIvPCAppc). Producers: Carol Lynde, David Majure, Ben Avechuco. Segments in this... Full story
Once a year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department opens its Wildlife Center to the public. This year, the free, family friendly event welcomed visitors in late November to get a glimpse into the center's operations, see wildlife up close, view educational displays, make wildlife-related crafts and meet wildlife experts. More than 30 years ago, Arizona Game and Fish opened the first state-run wildlife rehabilitation and education center in the nation. Since then, the center has provided wildlife... Full story
Tucson photographer Rhonda Spencer didn't know she was making a winning image when she took a photo of two lowland leopard frogs. Spencer, who enjoys photographing all wildlife, just thinks these frogs are "amazing." The judges who selected her image for the top prize in this year's wildlife photo contest thought it was amazing, too. Jeff Kida, photo editor of Arizona Highways magazine, said, "At first glance, the composition appears clean and simple: a frog and its refection, with a background... Full story
Tip Of The Week Silver Creek near Show Low is a spring creek that comes out of the ground at a constant temperature and does not freeze in the winter. Catch-and-release fishing for big rainbow trout with artificial lure and flies, with single barbless hooks, will continue through the winter. The Reel Deal Fishing, hunting, football, campfires, and possible "cast-n-blast" adventures (it's quail season!) - this is our cool wave of fall perfection. It also signals the return of trout to our... Full story
One question inevitably befalls most of Arizona's off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts at one time or another: Where can I and/or my family ride safely? Rather than running the risk of heading down an uncharted and potentially dangerous trail, consider joining an OHV riding club. "OHV clubs are one of the best ways riders can meet new people while learning how to ride safely and responsibly," said Matt Eberhart, Arizona Game and Fish Department OHV Safety Education coordinator. "Members can... Full story
PHOENIX – The wait is over for hopeful hunters who applied for a 2016 spring hunt permit-tag. To view the draw results for the spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear hunting seasons, visit https://az.gov/azgfd/draw/home.xhtml and click on "View Results and Bonus Points." Nearly 39,000 applicants vied for more than 25,000 total hunt permit-tags issued through the random draw. The Arizona Game and Fish Department rectified technical issues involving a small percentage of applications. As always,... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against drowning," said... Full story
