Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Early in January, three golden eagles took flight back into the wild after being rehabilitated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center. The eagles varied in age, but all came to the Wildlife Center in the past two months due to injuries or poor health. The rehabilitation staff provided medical treatment and strength conditioning and as a result, the eagles were ready to rejoin Arizona's wild golden eagle population. One of the eagles was found by a hunter near... Full story
Phoenix - To protect Arizona lakes, rivers and streams from the devastating effects of invasive species, Arizona Game and Fish laws require boaters and anglers to "Clean, Drain and Dry" their boats and pull the boat plug. To see a larger version of this schedule go to www.azbw.com/AZGFD_JanFeb2014_page3.pdf.... Full story
Preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Arizona waters starts with Arizona boat owners and anglers. To protect Arizona lakes, rivers and streams from the devastating effects of invasive species, Arizona Game and Fish laws require boaters and anglers to be good stewards by cleaning, draining and drying their boats and pulling the boat plug when leaving an AIS-affected lake. Failure to do so may result in a citation for the boat owner and possible fines. Clean, Drain, Dry Game... Full story
Keep in mind that here in Arizona, there is plenty of year-round fishing. Bass and other sport fish may not be as active, but they are still catchable. In many cases; it's a matter of slowing down your presentation and going to smaller baits. Some pro anglers, on the other hand, have been known to not only slow down their presentations, but also upsize their offerings to make it worthwhile for big bass to dine. The Reel Deal It's winter trout and crappie time. First, The Trout There are rainbow... Full story
Knowing more about where to look, how to look and what you are looking for in a given environment can greatly enhance your wildlife-watching experience. People often miss animals that are very near because they are not thinking about looking for wildlife. To begin to see more wildlife, you need to focus on looking for it using all of your senses. Where to Look Think like wildlife. Learning a little about what wildlife needs to survive gives clues to where you can find them. Different species... Full story
Rainbow trout stockings have started and will continue all winter long at two-week intervals at all Urban Fishing waters. Trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length, with some fish up to 16 inches. Fishing is good-to-excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or a salmon egg/marshmallow combo on the bottom. Small spinners such as Roostertails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as KastMasters and Super Dupers work well for trout. The morning bite is the best... Full story
One of the biggest changes coming to Arizona's new hunting and fishing license structure in 2014 will be the bundling of privileges for Fishing licenses and Combination Hunt/Fish licenses. More Privileges Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the new General Fishing license will include not only the privileges of the current Class A fishing license, but also privileges for trout, two-pole fishing, and Community Fishing Program waters (formerly known as Urban Fishing Program waters). The license may also... Full story
As part of a conservation program for the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted an annual squirrel survey and estimated approximately 272 animals in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona. This year's survey shows an increase of 59 squirrels over the 2012 estimate of 213 squirrels. "After coming off our lowest population count ever last year, this jump in numbers is certainly... Full story
(PHOENIX) – The Arizona Office of the Auditor General has conducted an audit of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and made its report public today on the Auditor General’s website (http://azauditor.gov/). The audit thoroughly examined the Game and Fish Department’s systems, programs, resources and personnel and provided recommendations for enhancements in three areas: internal controls, big game draw process, and information technology. “We appreciate the diligence of the Office of the Audito... Full story
Parties agree on rules for 2014 elk and pronghorn hunts on Arizona National Guard facility PHOENIX -- After working together for more than a year, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) have agreed on rules for the 2014 elk and pronghorn hunting seasons at Camp Navajo, a secure military installation west of Flagstaff operated by the Arizona Army National Guard. The agreement meets the security and operational... Full story
Forest visitors camping and actively engaging in hunting or other recreational activities on the Coconino, Kaibab or Prescott National Forests are not at risk of being cited or having their property considered abandoned after 72 hours The U.S. Forest Service has issued a clarification to address concerns that were raised in the months following an August news release. The release stated that trailers left unattended for more than 72 hours on the Coconino, Kaibab or Prescott National Forests... Full story
The States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) has presented the Arizona Game and Fish Department with their annual Outstanding Project Award for the Pena Blanca Lake Boating Access Renovation project. SOBA Outstanding Project awards were given to agencies or organizations involved in boating-access projects that are of high quality, innovative, unique and economical. The Pena Blanca Lake project, completed entirely by Arizona Game and Fish Department in coordination with the Coronado... Full story
Scottsdale photographer Ruth Jolly's image of an elegant black-necked stilt guiding a fuzzy chick along the shoreline has captured the grand prize in this year's Arizona wildlife photo contest, sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The contest, which promotes Arizona's diverse wildlife, attracted more than 300 entries from across Arizona and beyond. Winning images are published in a full-size 2014 wildlife calendar in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. T... Full story
November promises to provide excellent fishing at Urban Fishing Program lakes. The lakes have been loaded with catfish all fall with one last stocking the week of Oct. 28 – Nov. 2. Coming soon is the first trout delivery for the winter season that begins on Nov. 15. Fishing for catfish, especially cats over 4 pounds, has been excellent following the last stocking that included a huge number of incentive-size fish. Every urban lake received some of the whoppers up to 7 pounds. Excited anglers h... Full story
Now that's it's early November, we're getting some wonderful northern pike fishing in Upper Lake Mary. Lake Mary, although water levels are low, is a viable fishing option - it also has walleye, yellow perch and largemouth bass. What's more, there are no boat motor restrictions. At the Mogollon Rim lakes, skim ice began to develop on cold nights along the shoreline of the higher elevation lakes, but has been melting off by mid-day. Trout Are 'Cool' Cooler temperatures are ideal for trout, and... Full story
Draw results for Arizona's spring 2014 hunt permit-tags for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear hunts are now available online by visiting https://phx.az.gov/app/huntdraw/home.xhtml (scroll down and click on "View results and bonus points"). Were You Drawn? Applicants can also find out if they were drawn by calling (602) 942-3000 and selecting option two. Please be patient, as a large volume of calls is expected. There were 29,352 applicants for this year's spring draw. Hunt permit-tags for... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish is seeking information regarding the poaching of a bull elk northwest of Ash Fork. Officers with Game and Fish need public assistance and Operation Game Thief is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for the crime. "An officer has collected evidence at the scene, but we are looking for additional information," said Zen Mocarski, public information officer for the Game and Fish Region 3 office in Kingman. The elk was shot on... Full story
Non-lead ammunition supply issues across the nation are prompting the Arizona Game and Fish Department to remind hunters in the California condor's core range that they can still help reduce the amount of lead available to the birds by removing gut piles from the field. Hunters in Arizona's condor range who remove their gut piles (lead ammunition only) are eligible to be entered into a raffle that offers prizes including a trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad with a two-night stay at the canyon,... Full story
Join in this free, rare opportunity for the family to learn about and see live native wildlife up close. Come see a bald eagle, bobcat, ringtail, and many bird and reptile species at the free Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center's 30th anniversary open house on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10-3 p.m. daily. During this rare glimpse into the center's operations, visitors will have the opportunity to see wildlife up close, view educational displays, make wildlife-related crafts and meet... Full story
One of the biggest changes coming to Arizona's new hunting and fishing license structure in 2014 will be the bundling of privileges for Fishing licenses and Combination Hunt/Fish licenses. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the new General Fishing license will include not only the privileges of the current Class A fishing license, but also privileges for trout, two-pole fishing, and Community Fishing Program waters (formerly known as Urban Fishing Program waters). The license may also include fishing... Full story
PHOENIX -- The veterinary diagnostic laboratory recently notified the Arizona Game and Fish Department that testing supplies had been back-ordered and results were pending for Chronic Wasting Disease samples. Those test results are now becoming available and are being posted online. Results of CWD sample tests are being posted as they become available at www.azgfd.gov/cwd (click on the "Chronic Wasting Disease Test Results" link on the right side of the page). For more information about chronic... Full story
Tip Of The Week When trout are more active. it's sometimes better to use lures rather than bait, especially inline spinners such as Mepps, Rooster Tails and the like. Casting spoons, such as KastMasters, can sometimes be downright lethal. Also try rainbow-colored Rapalas. The larger, more voracious trout will often feed on the smaller ones. The Reel Deal The window of sunlight that blasts our waters is increasingly short-lived, leading to the first hints of fall fishing conditions. First,... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved 12 amendments to Commission Order 40 (fish regulations) that are expected to conserve sport fish populations and simplify and streamline regulations.The amendments will take effect Jan. 1, 2014. One amendment of particular benefit to anglers is a change in the statewide possession limit to twice the daily bag limit, applying to all statewide and special-regulation seasons. The regulation will now give the angler the ability to continue fishi... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission met Oct. 4 in a public session to receive an update on federal closures of certain lands and facilities due to the current federal government shutdown. Some of these closures restrict citizens' access to hunting and fishing recreation and negatively impact rural economies. The commission voted to authorize the department to approach federal land management agencies for the purpose of discussing the possibility of using Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Local Sportsmen's Group Grant Program awarded 17 projects totaling $75,000 for hunter recruitment efforts in the state. The purpose of the grant program is to help local sportsmen's groups fund projects that promote wildlife conservation through hunter recruitment and retention. Eligible projects often include events like mentored, hands-on hunting for youngsters and their families. Incredible Response The program received 37 applications this cycle... Full story
