Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The last thing Jenni Rice expected was to get a call from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Cottonwood woman had been randomly chosen to receive a $500 gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse, an incentive to use the department's online service to apply early for 2015 fall hunt permit-tags. Rice was among almost 30,000 hopeful hunters who applied online before the incentive deadline and was automatically entered into a random drawing for the gift card, donated by Wildlife for Tomorrow. The of... Full story
Arizona's mild start to the summer created perfect conditions for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to head out and view some of the state's most picturesque locations. Although "mild" is now a thing of the past, the safety reminders for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and OHV enthusiasts have no expiration date. To ensure the outings remain safe and fun adventures, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages all riders to practice proper safety techniques before taking to their favorite... Full story
The wonderful thing about living in Arizona is that we have such a range of altitudes and ecosystems. When it's too cold up north, we can mess around in the desert, and when the desert is broiling, we can either keep cool at one of the desert reservoirs or head up to higher altitudes and enjoy cooler weather. We enjoyed an unseasonably cool and wonderful May, but now that June and July are here, the summer weather has fully set in. So here are my picks of the top ten ways to enjoy the summer out... Full story
PHOENIX -- A heads up to those wanting to fish from shore at Bartlett Lake. Rattlesnake fishing pier in Rattlesnake Cove is closed after a weld broke earlier this week. The pier will remain closed to the public until necessary repairs can be determined. There is no estimate of how quickly the repairs can be completed to ensure the pier is safe to use again. The U.S. Forest Service is working on a solution and asks for your patience.... Full story
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comment on draft proposed hunt guidelines for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 hunting seasons. The guidelines were developed based on input received through written public comment and information gathered at 10 public meetings conducted statewide. The guidelines can be viewed on the department’s website at http://azgfdportal.az.gov/hunting/guidelines. Comments on the guidelines may be submitted through July 31 to AZGam... Full story
PHOENIX – As the deadline draws near to enter the 10th annual "Arizona Big Game Super Raffle," the Arizona Game and Fish Department is receiving inquiries about what the raffle is and how it works. The raffle is conducted by a nonprofit entity to raise money for wildlife conservation efforts. A volunteer board of directors, comprised of representatives from sponsoring organizations, oversees the operation of the raffle. Here's how it works: The Arizona Game and Fish Commission awards the A... Full story
AZGFD encourages off-highway vehicle operators, passengers to ride safely PHOENIX - With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, many Arizona residents and visitors are planning to hop on their off highway vehicle (OHV). Before hitting the trail, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds operators and passengers to do so safely and responsibly by following these 10 tips: Always wear a helmet. Whether riding in a side-by-side utility-type vehicle (UTV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or dirt bike, all... Full story
Largemouth bass fishing is a great bet at Bartlett Lake, and the dropshot technique using plastic worms is usually the most reliable method of catching these fish. Before heading out, see a video shot at Bartlett Lake with local semiprofessional angler Gary Senft on how to fish a dropshot rig using Bobber Stoppers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ATjA3DL4g&feature=youtu.be THE REEL DEAL Let's get right to some recommended Fourth of July weekend fishing waters, starting with the high country:... Full story
PHOENIX -- Campfire and smoking restrictions on the Tonto National Forest have been lifted, effective at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 2. The fire restrictions, which covered the entire forest, are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon season. “Although campfires and smoking will now be allowed throughout the forest, please continue to do your part to prevent wildfires,” said Acting Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Duane Tew... Full story
PHOENIX – Kurt R. Davis is the new chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Davis will lead the five-member commission for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which began July 1. Each commissioner serves a five-year term, staggered. Commissioners customarily serve as chairman during their final year. Davis replaces Robert E. Mansell, who will continue to serve on the commission until his successor is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The commission oversees the A... Full story
CHINO VALLEY, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking information about the poaching of a pregnant mule deer in Game Management Unit 19A, east of Chino Valley. Game and Fish officers are continuing to investigate the crime, and the department’s Operation Game Thief program is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. On June 29, Game and Fish received a call regarding a dead doe. On June 30, officers found where the carcass had... Full story
KINGMAN, Ariz. – The message has been clear and concise: stop feeding wildlife. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been informing people for years about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Last week, Mohave County Parks reported that two youths suffered minor injuries that likely were the result of elk seeking human food. The encounter, which took place in Hualapai Mountain Park, involved a family at a picnic table. A group of elk approached the family and encircled the table. The two y... Full story
PHOENIX - Arizona Game and Fish video producer David Majure recently received five Excellence in Craft Awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Majure was recognized for his work on the department's Arizona Wildlife Views TV show and received the following awards in the TV/Video contest categories: First Place - Hunting/Shooting Sports Category, "Kids and Wild Gobblers" First Place - Conservation Category, "Arizona's Endangered Mexican Wolf" First Place (tie) - Family... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department, together with the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, will induct four individuals and one organization into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place during the 18th annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Chaparral Suites Scottsdale, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250. The inductees for this year’s event include: Longtime U.S. Senator John McCain has worked arduously for... Full story
PHOENIX – How would you like to hunt any of Arizona's 10 big game species for 365 days almost anywhere in the state? Then enter the 10th annual “Arizona Big Game Super Raffle,” where a hunter truly can win the hunt of a lifetime. But hurry! The deadline to order raffle tickets online is 10 p.m. (MST) Sunday, July 12. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission awards the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle a total of 10 Special Big Game Tags, one for each of the state’s big game species -- bighorn sheep,... Full story
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a life jacket exchange event from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 12 at Canyon Lake. Boaters with tattered and worn ski-vest type III lifejackets can exchange them for new ones at the lake, about 15 miles northeast of Apache Junction, until noon or while supplies last. A similar life jacket exchange event will be held Sunday, July 19 at Saguaro Lake. “This is a great opportunity to keep ourselves and the people we care about safe,” said... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2015-2016 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at http://azgfdportal.devaz.gov/PortalImages/files/regs/doveregs.pdf. The dove season begins Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. Once again, the daily bag limit is 15 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged doves. Possession limit is 45 for mourning doves, 30 for white-winged doves. The late season gets u... Full story
The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), and New Mexico. Additional Project information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws... Full story
PHONIX — Experience the Arizona Game and Fish Department and help support its mission to conserve and protect our state’s wildlife, then watch the Arizona Rattlers take on the L.A. Kiss on Sunday, July 26. The Rattlers arena football team is hosting Arizona Game and Fish Night at US Airways Arena in downtown Phoenix beginning at 1:30 p.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Enjoy the live “rattler” exhibit of rattlesnakes and interact with the department’s new customer portal/website. Visitors can a... Full story
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a life jacket exchange event from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 19 at Saguaro Lake. Boaters with tattered and worn ski-vest type III life jackets can exchange them for new ones at the lake. By swapping old life jackets, AZGFD is working to ensure our boaters have a fund and safe time on the state’s waterways. “Summer time is one of the best times of the year to get outdoors and have some fun on the water,” said Josh Hoffman, Arizona... Full story
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Wildlife conservation partners of the Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup (HAHWG, pronounced "hog"), which is coordinated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, met Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, at HAHWG's bi-annual conference to discuss solutions, methods and approaches to reversing the declines in participation in hunting and fishing, as well as the primary funding sources for wildlife conservation in Arizona and most of America. The gathering at the Flagstaff N... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a series of six "open houses" for its constituents to review and ask questions about proposed hunt recommendations for webbed migratory birds, and spring hunts for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear. The department annually 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 permit-tag allocations based on the framework o... Full story
PHOENIX – The waiting game is over for hopeful hunters who applied for a 2015 fall hunt permit-tag. To view draw results for the fall deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo and pheasant seasons, visit https://az.gov/azgfd/draw/home.xhtml and click on “View Results and Bonus Points,” or call (602) 942-3000. A total of 132,587 applicants – the most since 2012 – vied for more than 49,000 permit-tags issued through the random draw. Of those individuals, a record 86 percent (114,126) applied... Full story
ONLY FIVE -- There are only five naturally occurring populations of spikedace remaining in the world (and possibly just three). So the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Monday, May 11, helped stock native spikedace into Spring Creek near Sedona. This was a project involving the AZGFD, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, not to mention local landowners, who lent their support. In the Verde drainage, AZGFD has established a spikedace population in... Full story
Maybe you're not old enough to remember Ben Avery. I grew up reading his outdoor stories in the Arizona Republic. Ben loved the outdoors and was a heck of a writer. He started writing in 1928 and continued for over 60 years. He received the highest honor that the Department of the Interior ever gives to a non-employee: The Conservation Service Award was bestowed on him in 1968 by then Interior Secretary Steward Udall. Ben Avery was the epitome of an outdoor writer, and the Game and Fish... Full story
