Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Even if you don't have a 4WD vehicle, you can get off the main highway and see a lot of things that you would never notice otherwise. If you take the Queen Valley turn-off and stay on 357 without turning north onto 172, you will be on a very good gravel road that makes a sort of triangle to the north before rejoining US 60. Since gravel roads slow you down, you have a chance to notice a lot more. All the bird photos were taken on 357.... Full story
Animal Planet's new documentary series 'Rugged Justice' follows Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) police as they patrol mountains, coasts and city streets, protecting natural resources and serving the people of Washington. The six-episode series premieres Sunday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. on Animal Planet. "Our participation in the series provides an opportunity for WDFW's Law Enforcement Program to promote the department and the dedicated professionals that carry out our mission... Full story
OLYMPIA - State wildlife managers are seeking public comment on the protective status for tufted puffins and Steller sea lions. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has recommended listing tufted puffins on the state's endangered species list and removing Steller sea lions from the state's threatened species list. The public has two opportunities to provide comments on WDFW's recommendations. Written comments can be submitted through Jan. 23. A public hearing also is scheduled... 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
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 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 274 animals in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona. This year's survey shows an increase of two squirrels over the 2013 estimate of 272 squirrels. "After seeing considerable population growth in 2013, the recovery team is encouraged to see those gains... Full story
If an authentic African safari sounds like the ultimate adventure, then head to Camp Verde, Ariz., for an unforgettable visit to Out of Africa Wildlife Park, located just 45 minutes north of Anthem and 30 minutes south of Sedona ,3 miles west of I-17. It's not a zoo or a circus, but rather a natural wildlife habitat where owners Dean and Prayeri Harrison have adopted a unique and respectful way of interacting with hundreds of wild-by-nature animals on a 104-acre setting replicating Africa.... 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
Arizona Game and Fish is seeking information regarding the poaching of two mule deer bucks south-east of Kingman in Game Management Unit 16A. Officers with Game and Fish need the public's help, and Operation Game Thief is offering up to a $750 reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for the crime. "At first the investigating officer thought it was a single buck, but found the second after returning to the scene the next day," said Zen Mocarski, public information... Full story
Out Africa Wildlife Park is dedicated to wildlife and the wild places that sustain all of us. As many of those wild places around the globe are diminishing, we have heeded the call of developing and maintaining this 104-acre animal sanctuary that offers a haven to those who have no home. Perpetuating this real living and breathing planet we all inhabit with all of its wildlife beauty is something we feel is worth devoting our lives to, and it starts in our own back yard. Building and... Full story
Chandler photographer Robert Rinsem's image of a handsome hooded merganser gliding across golden waters 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 700 entries on the theme "Arizona's surprising wildlife." Thirteen winning images have just been published in a full-size 2015 wildlife calendar in the November–December issue of Arizona W... Full story
More people are now on the roads at the time of day when wildlife can be difficult to see: dusk. The sun is setting and the shadows make many species of wildlife particularly difficult to spot, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is reminding motorists to use caution when on the roads as the sun begins to set. "There are more cars on the road when many wildlife are active and the shadows allow them to blend in well to the surroundings," said Zen Mocarski, public information officer for the... Full story
Arizona's endangered black-footed ferret population accomplished several steps towards recovery today with the release of 25 animals on the private Espee Ranch, a working, northern Arizona cattle ranch owned by Babbitt Ranches. Officials from a variety of partner organizations including Babbitt Ranches, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHIS Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture), Natural... Full story
Just a bit north of Springerville is an amazingly cool place that you may never even have heard of. It's the Wenima Wildlife Area and it consists of 357 acres of habitat along the Little Colorado River. We visited in late September and the days were still a bit warm, but cloud cover and rain cooled things off considerably. There are two great, easy hikes at Wenima, both of which are very kid-friendly. The day we were there, we met only one other group of hikers during the entire morning. It was... Full story
California condors will be released to the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. The public is invited to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes will be set up and project personnel will be available to answer questions. This will be the 18th annual public release of condors in Arizona since the condor recovery program began in 1996. Condors are hatched and reared in captivity at The Peregrine Fund's World Center... Full story
The Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Open House is your opportunity to learn more about wildlife native to Arizona and other education programs the Department offers. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center was founded in 1983. Although the Department manages the facility, most of the daily operations are carried out by a small group of dedicated volunteers. The primary objectives of the Wildlife Center are to - • provide immediate care for sick, injured, c... Full story
We all know Bartlett Lake for its fantastic boating, watersports, fishing, and camping. In fact, there is a story in this issue's "Land Cruising" section that highlights some of those activities - as well as the lake's beauty and hospitality. For some outdoor enthusiasts, though, the appeal of Bartlett Lake and area is the wildlife. Just recently, Margie Anderson visited the lake and sent photos of a sampling of some of the animals that call Bartlett Lake Home. PS / Watch for the opening of... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is taking public input on state status reports and listing recommendations for tufted puffins and Steller sea lions. The department is recommending listing tufted puffins on the state’s endangered species list and removing Steller sea lions from the state’s threatened species list. Public comment on the reports and listing recommendations will be accepted through Dec. 11. The tufted puffin report is available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01642/ , while the Stell... Full story
Did you know that Arizona is home to over 60 species of scorpions, including the most dangerous species in the United States, the bark scorpion? Join Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists for an easy evening hike to explore the hidden lives of nocturnal animals at the Hirsch Conservation Education Area, located at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is home to a variety of wildlife including coyotes, bobcats, mule deer, owls, mice, snakes, scorpions, and an... Full story
Whether you won or lost when you bought a lottery ticket last year, some of your money benefits Arizona's wildlife and students. [So, overall, you won!] That's because the Arizona Game and Fish Department uses some of its Heritage Fund monies that come from Arizona Lottery ticket sales to provide grants for wildlife education and research. This year, more than $410,000 is being awarded to 27 grant projects across Arizona. When combined with matching money from other sources, the projects being... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department disagrees with a recent appeal filed by environmental litigants to regulate lead ammunition on the Kaibab National Forest as the solution to lead poisoning in endangered California condors. Three groups that want the U.S. Forest Service to place a mandatory ban on hunting with lead ammunition in northern Arizona lost their original lawsuit against the Kaibab National Forest filed in 2012. Game and Fish intervened in the original lawsuit by the Sierra Club,... Full story
As temperatures climb and Arizonans head to the high country, human encounters with bears in campgrounds and communities are on the increase. Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are asking people to "Be Bear Aware." Homeowners and recreationists should take precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife. The root cause of any human-wildlife encounter is typically food. Keep a clean camp. "Don't intentionally feed wildlife - it will just get you and the wild... Full story
The Southwest Condor Workgroup - a cooperative venture between wildlife conservation and public land management agencies - optimistically reports that a California condor may have hatched in the wild in Utah for the first time since the endangered species was released in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona in 1996. Biologists are waiting to visually confirm the chick's existence before the milestone becomes official, but recent behaviors by the adult pair are encouraging. "It... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comments on draft 2015-2016 regulations for reptiles, raptors, crustaceans and mollusks, and amphibians. Public comment will be accepted through July 11. If warranted, public meetings on the proposed changes to these commission orders may be held in Phoenix, Tucson and/or Flagstaff. The proposed changes being considered for the 2015-2016 commission orders include the following: • In Commission Order 25, a reduced bag limit for the n... Full story
Southern Arizona's Monsoon Storms hit Cascabel and The Oasis...hard! Monday afternoon we experienced a storm with winds gusting to 60-80 mph and flooding rains which dropped over 4 inches in an hour. The Oasis was hard hit with flash flooding and downed trees. But the worst thing that happened was when our three-sided storage barn was literally torn apart!... 
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