Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 851 - 875 of 1177
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited Arizona in mid-January to announce grants to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and four other groups to restore more than 15,000 acres of grassland habitat in Arizona and to improve water conservation in the Verde River Valley. The projects receiving grants are part of the new USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Three Focus Areas The RCPP projects in Arizona announced by Secretary Vilsack will help restore habitat for fish... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently suspended the wildlife rehabilitation license and denied the wildlife holding license of Forever Wild and owner Darlene Braastad of Tucson due to substandard care and conditions of the wildlife in her possession and failure to allow full inspections of her facility, a condition of her license. Action was taken after multiple repeat violations were documented in a December 2014 inspection of Braastad’s facility. The department requested that B... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission continues to have concerns over the prospect of an executive order by President Barack Obama to proclaim 1.7 million acres of land in northern Arizona as the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument, a unilateral action that could bypass public input and participation. The commission, in 2012, voted to oppose creation of the monument, pointing out that the vast majority of the lands in question are already public lands currently managed and conserved under mu... Full story
Our last trout stocking for central and southern waters this season will take place on the week of March 2-7. Catfish stockings will resume after that during the week of March 16-21. Trout will continue to be stocked into Green Valley Lakes in Payson until early May. Friendship Park agreement finalized! The Department finalized an intergovernment agreement with City of Avondale to add Friendship Park Pond. We'll be working with the city to initiate stockings into Friendship Park pond very soon.... Full story
Feb. 14 event to include dedication of 1,000-yard rifle range to U.S. Air Force Veteran PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department, Berger Bullets and Nightforce Optics invite the public to attend a presentation to the state of Arizona of a newly constructed building and parking lot at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, located off W. Carefree Hwy., one mile west of I-17 (just west of mile marker 30). The presentation will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8:15 a.m. during the SW Nationals l... Full story
Be sure to visit the wildlife assets sale and other AZ Game and Fish booths Be sure to visit the wildlife assets sale and other AZ Game and Fish booths PHOENIX -- The 15th annual Arizona International Sportsmen's Exposition (ISE) will fill the University of Phoenix Stadium and outside areas in Glendale on Feb. 19-22 with an exceptional presence of outdoor product and service exhibitors, attractions, seminars, and the incorporation of the Arizona Boat ShowTM. Expanded show hours are 10 a.m. to 7... Full story
Salt River Project has advised it will begin releasing water from Horseshoe Lake on Tuesday, March 3. Water flow in the Verde River between Horseshoe and Bartlett may reach 3,000 cubic feet per second, and water levels in Bartlett Lake will rise quickly. Campers are advised to camp at least 20-30 feet above the shoreline.... Full story
PHOENIX -- The Arizona State Senate confirmed law enforcement veteran James S. Zieler as the newest member to serve on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "It is an honor to be selected to serve on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission," said Zieler of St. Johns. "I look forward to serving and will do my best to enhance the Department's mission toward protecting and conserving wildlife within Arizona." Zieler currently works with the Salt River Project as supply chain manager, operations and... Full story
Welcoming the wonderful outdoor activities that come with spring in the Southwest (the first day of spring is March 20) will be one of Arizona's favorite annual events: the Arizona Game & Fish Department's Outdoor Expo. Expo Objective The objective of this popular outdoor event is to inform, educate, train and introduce the public through activities, demonstrations and exhibits of hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, archery, wildlife watching, off-highway vehicle and watercraft recreation,... Full story
Tip Of The Week At Silver Creek, Cinda Howard of Fly Fish Arizona said fishing is good but has been getting tougher. Flies of choice have been bunny leeches in tan or black, Glo Bugs, San Juan worms and zebra midges. There also has been some top-water action, especially when the sun hits the water and generates midge hatches. Water temperatures are in the 40s. The Reel Deal We call them "incentive" trout for a reason: To get you out on the water and hopefully onto some big fish. The reports of... Full story
The 2015 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet has been posted online by the Arizona Game and Fish Department at www.azgfd.gov/draw. Printed copies of the booklet should be available at hunting license dealers in the next few days. Hunters may now begin applying for hunt permit-tags issued through the drawing process by submitting a paper application by mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052, or by hand delivery to any Game and Fish... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting comments on improving the hunt guidelines to continue the sustainable management of the state's game animals, while providing as much hunting recreation as possible. Comments on the existing hunt guidelines may be submitted through Feb. 15, 2015, either by e-mail to azgamebranch@azgfd.gov, or by mail to Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. "This is the public's opportunity to get... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted to give the director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department authority to finalize a cost-sharing agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to repair the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. In a 5-0 vote, the commission agreed to pay up to $389,000 to fix a broken pipeline for the hatchery. The contribution amounts to 50 percent of the cost of the project. "This is a great pre-New Year's present for the people of Mohave County and... Full story
Outgoing Governor Jan Brewer on Dec. 31 announced the appointment of James Zieler to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Zieler has been with Salt River Project since 2008, and has served as Supply Chain Manager, Operations and Maintenance Supervisor and Safety and Security Coordinator. He previously served as Chief of Police for the St. Johns Police Department (1998-2007); Narcotics Agent, Gang Enforcement Officer and Deputy Sheriff with the Apache County Sheriff's Office (1991-98); and,... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department served a Notice of Intent with the secretary of the Department of Interior and director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The action was taken in an effort to support development of an updated recovery plan for Mexican wolves that utilizes the best available science as legally required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Outdated Plan Game and Fish has requested an updated recovery plan from the Service on multiple occasions over the past... Full story
It is with regret that we announce the passing on Jan. 2 of Wendell George Swank, a former Arizona Game and Fish Department director. Mr. Swank, who worked 15 years for AZGFD and served as director from 1964-68, is perhaps best known for his role in transitioning the department to the use of a science-based wildlife management model. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he joined AZGFD as a member of the first group of college graduates hired by the department as game rangers (wildlife managers)... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a mule deer buck that occurred in late December on the Kaibab National Forest, 10 miles south of Williams in Game Management Unit 8. The deer was found off Forest Service Road 354, about one mile from the Perkinsville Highway. Officials investigating this case found the deer carcass with a bullet wound in the neck and the antlers removed. Officers have limited evidence and are requesting the public's help in solving this... Full story
Coming early in the New Year will be one of Arizona's favorite outdoor events: the Arizona Game & Fish Department's Outdoor Expo. Expo Objective The objective of this favorite outdoor event is to inform, educate, train and introduce the public through activities, demonstrations and exhibits of hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, archery, wildlife watching, off-highway vehicle and watercraft recreation, wildlife conservation, wildlife education, camping, trapping and other related outdoor... Full story
Tip Of The Week At Apache Lake, anglers have been catching a high number of largemouth bass in the 1-2-pound range on Lucky Craft rip baits. The Reel Deal Some reported hot spots have been Bartlett Lake for largemouth bass, Lake Pleasant for flathead catfish, and Kinnikinick Lake for brown and rainbow trout. Kudos to Rich Griner of Queen Creek, who caught this 26-inch, 8.6-pound rainbow trout from Canyon Creek on a worm in mid-November. Griner said his fish was caught upstream of the hatchery... Full story
Trout Are Back In Tucson Trout stocking has resumed at Lakeside Park in Tucson now that water-quality issues have been resolved. Kiwanis in Tempe was stocked on Nov. 24. Operation Game Thief callers are making a difference Following a recent stocking of trout into Silverbell Lake in Tucson, the Department received several reports of unlawful netting. An officer responded twice to separate calls, and on the second response located a person who matched the description. The officer conducted... Full story
Each year as part of its nationally-recognized and highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department asks outdoor recreationists and aircraft pilots to help protect important eagle breeding areas by honoring the closure of 23 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year to protect the state's 55 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located n... Full story
With the recent release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, interest in target archery has soared, especially among young people. To assist newcomers with getting started, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has created a new Web page, www.azgfd.gov/archery. "We have seen an incredible influx of youngsters looking into classes and researching archery," said Tanja Washburn, archery education coordinator for Game and Fish. "We felt it was important to have a resource page where people can... Full story
What do you buy for the person who seems to have it all? Give them a gift this holiday that not only provides enjoyment for them, but also benefits wildlife conservation in Arizona. This year, consider one of the many unique gift ideas the Arizona Game and Fish Department has to offer. Buyers are sure to find something for everyone with a variety of gift ideas and prices, including the following: Leftover Spring Big Game Hunt Tag If the hunters on your holiday gift list missed the recent draw... Full story
As Arizona Game and Fish public information officer Nick Walter found out, the Boulder Creek area of Canyon Lake, because of its no-wake restrictions, is an excellent spot for beginning and expert kayak anglers. Undulating water that rippled across Canyon Lake in November, gently rocking the kayak, was felt from head to hips. Paddling a new Ocean Kayak Tetra 10 Angler for the first time, and during what was this angler's first time fishing this desert dandy, made for excitement that filled the... Full story
Rehabilitating and handling golden and bald eagles is an art, an art that volunteer Jerry Ostwinkle has mastered. This weekend, Ostwinkle's eagle conservation work and efforts to educate the public about eagles was recognized by SAGE Society (Sonoran Antelope and Golden Eagle Society) with the first-ever Jerry Ostwinkle Golden Eagle Conservation Award named in his honor. SAGE Recognizes Volunteers The award was presented by SAGE Society Executive Director Bill O'Brien during the Adobe Mountain W... Full story
