Daily Archives: July 2, 2016

Deadline near to enter Arizona Big Game Super Raffle July 8

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AZBGSR_-_LogoPHOENIX — As the deadline draws near to enter the 11th 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 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, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, bison, turkey, bear, javelina and mountain lion.

Raffle tickets then are made available for $5 to $25 each, depending on species. Raffle tickets can be ordered online (www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com), or by requesting an order form by mail (AZBGSR, P.O. Box 41355, Mesa, AZ 85274). There is no limit on how many raffle tickets can be ordered.

Every dollar raised for each species through the raffle is returned to the department and managed by the Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee (AHPC) for that particular species. With input from local habitat partners across the state and sponsoring organizations involved in the fundraising, project priorities are determined that will provide the most benefit to each species.

According to the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle website, mail orders must be received by Friday, July 8. The deadline to order raffle tickets online is 10 p.m. (MST) Sunday, July 10. Winners will be permitted to hunt for 365 days between Aug. 15, 2016 and Aug. 14, 2017, in most game management units statewide.

The names of the winners will be drawn at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21, during the Sportsmen’s Open Forum at department headquarters (Quail Room), 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix. The drawing will be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast. Winners do not need to be present. Winners will be contacted by phone.

For more information, visit www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.

July 7 is deadline to update credit card information for online fall draw

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds hunters who applied online for 2016 fall hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (MST) July 7 is the deadline to update their credit card or debit card account information.

Online applicants are responsible for keeping their account information current. If a credit card or debit card is invalid for any reason at the time when the computerized draw is performed, an online application could be rejected.

Online applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card, a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number should visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/paymentUpdate/index. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an online application has been submitted.

If payment has been declined, the department will make three attempts within two business days to contact the payee and/or “Applicant A” on the online application. That individual then will be afforded a means of providing alternative payment within a specified timeframe. If payment has not been received by the end of that specified timeframe, applicants will be rejected. No exceptions will be made for online applicants who do not respond to the department’s attempts to contact them.

Applicants also can purchase “PointGuard,” as part of their online application, through 11:59 p.m. (MST) July 7. The innovative new program provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. Information: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.

The department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results of the 2016 fall hunt draw become available. All permit-tags will be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants will be mailed by Aug. 15. Information: (602) 942-3000.

Two university students rescued from Mount Wilson

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit coordinated the rescue of two hikers stranded on Wilson Mountain on Friday morning 7/1/16.

Around 7:15 PM on Thursday 6/30/16 the regional 911 Center in Flagstaff received a call from two hikers who had become stranded by cliffs on the south face of Wilson Mountain north of the city of Sedona. The hikers had started their hike around 2:00 PM and got off trail around 4:00 PM. They continued to hike up the mountain until they became stuck on rock cliffs.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Sheriff’s Search and Rescue crews. Two search crews hiked trails up to the area, but were unable to reach the hikers due to the cliffs and nightfall. Searchers had contact with the subject and were able to establish the hikers were alright and had the hikers shelter in place until morning.

At daylight, a Coconino County Search and Rescue Technical team along with a Sedona Fire Technical team responded to the area. The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter from Tucson was responding to the area, but was cancelled when the Flagstaff Helicopter became available.

The Flagstaff Ranger helicopter located the stranded hikers from the air and and maneuvered a one skid landing on the cliff. The helicopter medic was able to scramble up to the hikers and walk them back down to the helicopter. They were flown off the mountain to Slide Rock State Park. Both hikers were examined by Sedona Fire medics and released with no injuries.

The hikers were both in their early 20’s and students of Arizona State University (ASU) and Mesa Community College.

Skeletal Remains Located North of Jacob Lake

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FREDONIA — Around 10:00 AM 7/1/2016 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising that a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ.

A local rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area and are currently processing the scene. Deputies did locate a handgun under the remains. Deputies and detectives are checking missing person cases and attempting to identify the remains.