Category Archives: Hunting

Local sportsmen’s groups awarded $75,000 in grants

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sports-groupsPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers.

Of 22 proposals submitted in this latest grant cycle, 16 were approved by a three-member panel that rated and scored the proposals. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process that closed July 14.

“The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is an investment in local organizations that, day in and day out, are teaching people how to be safe, ethical and responsible hunter-angler conservationists,” said Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager. “We wish we could fund them all, but the demand always exceeds our available funds.”

The department is committed to developing and retaining the next generation of hunter-angler conservationists. A growing body of science points to the need for multiple experiences, social support and the mentoring required to develop hunter-angler conservationists. The 16 projects approved meet those objectives.

Burt pointed out that these organizations represent the “boots on the ground,” or the backbone of wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in Arizona. Many are involved in the building of water catchments, making “wildlife-friendly” fence modifications, and reaching out to the public through advocacy and education.

The following projects have been awarded:

  • Anglers United Inc., “Just for Kids Fishing Festival,” awarded $4,500.
  • Arizona Deer Association, “ADA Youth Deer / Elk Hunters Camp,” awarded $5,513.
  • Arizona Elk Society, “AES Junior Elk Camp Units 6A/5B,” awarded $3,900.
  • Ben Avery Clay Busters, “Upland Bird Hunting for Women and Youth,” awarded $2,717.
  • CouesWhitetail.com, “2016 Women’s Javelina Hunting Camp,” awarded $4,300.
  • Desert Christian Archers, “Desert Christian Archers 2016 Javelina Camp,” awarded $4,700.
  • Kahuna Kids, “Mentoring Kids Fishing Derby,” awarded $2,368.
  • Mule Deer Foundation, “Mule Deer Foundation Youth Camps,” awarded $16,500.
  • Southern Arizona Quail Forever, “Southern Arizona Quail Forever Youth Quail Camp,” awarded $3,390.
  • Southwest Fur Harvesters, “SWFH November Youth Trappers Camp,” awarded $5,122.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Javelina, Small Game & Predator Camp Units 20C, 18B, and 16A,” awarded $3,900.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Deer / Javelina Camp Units 18B & 20C,” awarded $2,515.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Unit 1 Squirrel Camp,” awarded $2,000.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Wallow Fire Turkey Science and Hunting Camp Units 1 & 27,” awarded $6,575.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “2016 Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp,” awarded $2,500.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “Youth Small Game Camp,” awarded $4,500.

To learn more about the annual Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program, as well as a listing of Outdoor Skills Network recruitment and retention events, visit www.azgfd.gov/LSG.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program. The program is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, hunt permit-tags and stamps, and is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.

Hunters, please save that tracking collar

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is encouraging hunters who harvest a big game animal affixed with a GPS or VHF tracking collar to return that collar undamaged to any department office statewide.

While harvesting a collared animal is legal, Game and Fish asks hunters to refrain from cutting, damaging or otherwise destroying any portion of a collar. A collar easily can be removed from a harvested animal’s neck by loosening two nuts on the black “drop-off” box on one side of the collar. A crescent wrench, socket wrench or multi-use tool can be used to loosen only those two nuts.
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The department relies on valuable data that collars provide in making science-based decisions that determine the most effective wildlife management practices. The stored data can include an animal’s behaviors, movement patterns and frequency, individual and group dynamics, home-range size and more.

The technology is not inexpensive. A collar can range in cost up to several thousands of dollars. When factoring in additional costs of human resources, equipment and capture, the department is making a substantial investment in each collared animal. A portion of the funding comes from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, a stalwart national funding source for state conservation and recreational opportunities.

It’s also helpful for hunters to report the date and location of their harvest when returning an undamaged collar. For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Sandhill crane regulations now available online

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2016 Arizona Sandhill Crane Regulations online at https://portal.azgfd.stagingaz.gov/PortalImages/files/regs/craneregs.pdf.

The deadline for the department to receive applications for sandhill crane hunt permit-tags is Aug. 26, 2016. No applications will be accepted after this date, regardless of postmark. All applicants must use hunt permit-tag application forms.

Applications will be accepted — by mail only — at the following addresses: P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ, 85087-1052; or 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ, 85086-5000. These applications cannot be hand-delivered to any department office. All hunt permit-tags will be mailed by Sept. 23, 2016.

The hunt permit-tag fee is $43 for Arizona residents, $45 for non-residents (each successful applicant will receive three hunt permit-tags). In order to participate in the random draw, an applicant must have or apply for a valid hunting license. If an applicant is not licensed at the time of application, he or she must purchase a license by completing the license form section and include payment with the application.

The first of 10 three-day seasons begins Nov. 18, the latest starts Dec. 12. A three-day, youth-only season begins Dec. 9. The bag and possession limit is three sandhill cranes per calendar year.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Active duty military spouse now can purchase resident license

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department now offers a resident license for the taking of wildlife by the spouse of an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona.

The law becomes effective Saturday, Aug. 6.
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Licenses can be purchased at all department offices and more than 300 license dealers (PDF list) statewide, as well as online by visiting https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. If a license is purchased online, it must be printed from a home computer. The department will not mail any license purchased online.

The license also will allow the spouse of an active duty member to apply for big game hunt permit-tags as a resident. At this time, more than 300 leftover permit-tags for fall turkey in Game Management Unit 12A are available for purchase on a “first come, first served” basis at all department offices.

The current law states that a license is required by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to take, handle or possess wildlife (A.R.S. § 17-101 and A.R.S. § 17-331). A.R.S. § 17-337 allows a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty or stationed in the state to purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Dove, band-tailed pigeon regulations now online

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dovesPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2016-2017 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at https://www.azgfd.com/PortalImages/files/regs/doveregs.pdf.

The dove season begins Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 mourning and white-winged in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. Of the 45 dove possession limit, only 30 may be white-winged, of which no more than 10 may be taken in any one day. There is no bag or possession limit on the invasive Eurasian collared-dove.

The band-tailed pigeon season is Sept. 2-15. The daily bag limit is two band-tailed pigeons per day. Possession limit after opening day is six, of which no more than two may be taken in any one day.

Hunters 18 and older who want to hunt doves and band-tailed pigeons (as well as ducks, geese, coots, snipe and common moorhens) must possess a valid Arizona hunting license, as well as an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp for the 2016-17 season (the stamp is included with the youth combo hunt/fish license). Both can be purchased online at https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml, or any department office or license dealer.

Spring hunt recommendations to be available for review

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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 spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison 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 of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years.

The proposed recommendations are posted at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines. The open houses will be conducted at the following Game and Fish regional offices:

  • Tues., July 26: 4-6:30 p.m. Mesa, 7200 E. University Drive.
  • Thurs., July 27: 3-5 p.m., Kingman, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
  • Tues., Aug. 2: 3-5 p.m., Pinetop, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 6-8 p.m., Flagstaff, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Yuma, 9140 E. 28th St.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Tucson, 555 N. Greasewood Road.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its Aug. 5 meeting in Flagstaff.

To learn more about the hunt recommendations and hunt guidelines processes, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Fall hunt draw results available now for Portal account holders

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PHOENIX — Hunters who have an AZGFD Customer Portal account now can view their draw results for the 2016 deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison, fall bear and pheasant seasons. Simply log into your account, and you will be taken to your personal ‘My AZ Outdoors” page.

Portal account holders have the benefit of being able to view their draw results a day or two before the results officially are released. It’s quick, easy and free to create a Portal account. Just click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Create an Account” option, filling in the requested information.

Portal accounts are mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

Meanwhile, the department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results officially are released. All permit-tags are scheduled to be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants by Aug. 15.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

Get fall draw results sooner with AZGFD Customer Portal account

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Pronghorn_-_Buck_1_2PHOENIX — Tired of waiting for results of the 2016 fall hunt draw to find out if there’s a permit-tag with your name on it?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has the solution: Open up a Customer Portal account. It’s quick, easy, and – best of all – it’s free. As a benefit, those who have Portal accounts will be able to view their draw results a day or two before the results officially are released.

The Portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their contact information, as well as their license and draw results information and bonus points, in their personal “My AZ Outdoors” section. It’s easy. Just click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Create an Account” option, filling in the requested information.

A Portal account is mobile-friendly, which means customers can view their information on their smartphone. The Portal also serves as a convenient way to gain access to the online license purchase and hunt draw application systems.

As for the upcoming fall hunt draw, the department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results become available. All permit-tags are scheduled to be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants by Aug. 15.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona” now available online

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hunt-azPHOENIX — The 2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona,” the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s yearly compilation of big and small game hunting statistics, is now available online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata.

The free, downloadable, PDF publication includes draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife.

The 205-page publication is easy to use and includes the latest data on units/hunts with the highest hunter success rates, hunts with the best draw odds, and historical survey and hunt information that can be used to compare trends, by unit, for the major game species.

“Hunt Arizona” is a must for both novice and experienced hunters when making informed decisions regarding hunt selections.

Thursday is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds local sportsmen’s organizations that the deadline to apply for $75,000 in annual grant funding is 5 p.m. (MST) Thursday, July 14. Postmarks do not count.

The purpose of the grant program is to support organizations in providing public, hands-on, mentored projects that provide continued skill development for those who just started hunting and fishing.

The priority funding focus of this year’s grant program is on moving beginners from the recruitment stage to the retention stage of the Adoption Sequence. Projects and events that involve the pursuit or harvest of wildlife or fish with a license are being requested. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process and must be open to the public.

To apply, download an application packet from www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Completed applications should be submitted by e-mail to: dburt@azgfd.gov. Call Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager, at (623) 236-7487 to confirm receipt.

Burt said there are many organizations that do great work, but lack the funding to carry out the important work of passing down the hunting and angling heritage to the next generation of wildlife conservationists and stewards. The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is the Department’s and the Commission’s commitment to the important role they play in conservation.

“Based on the developing science and data in recruitment and retention, there is a need for programs that provide beginners with the next progressive step necessary to become self-reliant as a hunter or angler,” Burt said. “Local sportsmen’s organizations offer a perfect solution because they are part of the community and can provide the continued skills and social support that beginners need.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoors recreation participation in Arizona.

To learn more about how hunters, anglers, shooters and boaters fund wildlife conservation, visit www.azgfd.gov/h_f/federal-aid-cycle.shtml.