 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2023 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn and elk.
To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the “2023 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. The booklet can be viewed at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, February 14, 2023. In the meantime:
For more information, check out “What You Need to Know,” a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. |
Category Archives: Arizona
Coconino NF considering changes to fire restrictions
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) of the Coconino National Forest is considering fire restriction changes that would limit camping, campfires and motorized use in strategic areas of the district during certain times of the year when catastrophic wildfire risk is high.
Proposed changes to fire restrictions would increase the boundaries of the existing year-round camping and campfire ban located adjacent to the City of Flagstaff. They would also forbid the use of motorized vehicles in areas around the San Francisco Peaks, Walnut Canyon and Pumphouse Wash during Stage 2 fire restrictions. These areas have rough terrain and topography that increase wind speeds, which can limit firefighter ability to suppress wildfire starts.
The proposed changes address the immediate concern for future large human-caused wildfires and are part of a long-term risk reduction strategy focused on forest health and resiliency.
“In taking a hard look at everything the Flagstaff Ranger District could do to reduce risk from human-caused wildfire, we found it necessary to consider additional steps during the hotter and drier part of the year,” said Deputy Ranger Nick Mustoe. “Our top priority is the safety of our communities, and we’re confident that these proposed changes balance community safety with public land access.”
In addition to increasing restrictions in an attempt to lower the hazard from human-caused wildfires, the FRD continues to conduct mechanical and prescribed fire treatments adjacent to communities. These treatments aim to reduce the amount of burnable “fuels” – including pine needles, branches and trees – that would otherwise burn hotter and faster during a catastrophic and unplanned wildfire.
The areas under consideration would still be open for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use during Stage 2 fire restrictions. Summer operations at Snowbowl Arizona Resort, Nordic Center – and parking at popular trailheads suck as Humphrey’s Peak and Fatman’s Loop – would not be impacted.
Should the proposed Stage 2 fire restriction changes be adopted, they will be implemented by April.
The proposed changes were developed in partnership with key stakeholders and agencies, such as the City of Flagstaff Fire Department, Coconino County, Arizona Game and Fish and Senator Mark Kelly’s office.
The Coconino NF plans to hold community meetings and solicit public input prior to implementation. To receive future communication from the Coconino NF regarding options for public comment, please visit coconinonationalforest.us and click the “get news via email” button.
Yavapai County Sheriff warns of jewelry fraud.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation of fraudulent sales of fake gold jewelry being sold as real in the Verde Valley, and more recently, Chino Valley and Ash Fork/Seligman areas. There have been multiple reports from citizens and a local jewelry store of an unknown suspect scamming people by approaching them with a sob story about why he needs money and offering to sell his “gold jewelry” to unsuspecting victims. YCSO would like to encourage our citizens and visitors to refrain from engaging in private sales of expensive goods during random encounters with strangers. These situations often pose a significant risk of malicious schemes designed to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Don’t fall victim to this fake jewelry scheme occurring across Yavapai County.
If you have any information, please contact YCSO non-emergency line (928)771-3274 or Yavapai Silent Witness 1-800-932-3232.
CCSO Search and Rescue Conducts a Climbing Rescue Near Sedona
SEDONA – On January 8th at 1717 hours the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a climbing party of five indicating that one of the climbers, a 25-year-old female, had her right leg stuck in crack in the rock after it slipped into the crack while she was climbing up the route on Queen Victoria Spire off of Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona. The climber and her partners could not extricate her leg from the crack. She was at the beginning of the second pitch of a climb on Queen Victoria Spire which meant she was approximately 200 feet above the ground and 150 feet below the summit of the spire. Her climbing partners had tried various methods to get her unstuck but were not successful. She was reported to be in pain, but no obvious injuries were observed.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded along with the Sedona Fire District and a request was made for assistance from Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue. Due to the time of day and the operation anticipated a DPS aircraft capable of nighttime hoist capability was needed. Upon the arrival of the Air Rescue helicopter in the area a rescue plan was developed to insert a Trooper/Medic to the scene by hoist to assess the situation and make attempts to free the climber from the crack. A team of Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue technical rescue personnel with rope rescue equipment was prepared to be inserted on the top of the spire by helicopter to rig a rope rescue system to assist. A Sedona Fire District team of technical rescue personnel were staged at the base of the climb to assist if needed.
After the assessment by the Trooper/Medic on scene it was determined that additional assistance from the technical rescue personnel was needed, so four technical rescue personnel and equipment were inserted to the top of the spire by helicopter to begin setting up the system. While the system was being prepared, the efforts by the Trooper/Medic were successful in freeing the climber’s leg from the crack. The helicopter was brought back in to hoist out two climbers and the Trooper/Medic from the scene. In addition, the helicopter was used to pick up the four rescuers and the additional three climbers from the top of the spire to transport them back to the incident command post. The climbers were evaluated by paramedics from Sedona Fire District and later refused additional medical care before leaving the scene.
This mission was complicated by operating in the dark on steep and complex terrain. The interagency relationships and training between the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Sedona Fire District, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue were instrumental in the successful response and outcome of this mission.
Stolen credit cards used at Walmart on Huntington Drive
Department Report #:S22-03080
DESCRIPTION: On 09/04/2022 the above unidentified person used stolen credit cards to make purchases at the Walmart on Huntington Drive. The credit cards were stolen during vehicle burglaries in the Snowbowl area. It is believed that the above male is working with at least one other person. The suspects purchased Apple gift cards and other various household items.
If you have information about the subject above please contact Coconino County Sheriff’s Office: 928-774-4523.
Coconino County Republican Committee January Meeting
Date: January 14, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Church of the Nazarene, 3505 East Soliere Avenue, Flagstaff, Arizona
This is official notice that there will be a meeting of the Coconino County Republican Committee on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., at the Church of the Nazarene, 3505 East Soliere Ave, Flagstaff.
Our Guest Speaker will be Lori Matthews, newly elected to Flagstaff City Council.
We will continue the donation charge of $5.00. We hope to see you starting at 9:30 a.m. to register so that we can take advantage of the full two hours!
A meeting Agenda and Proxy form are attached. If you do not plan to be at the January 14th meeting, you may complete the attached proxy form and have it delivered by an eligible Republican elector. Be sure your proxy is signed either by two witnesses, or a notary attesting to the signature of the person giving the proxy.
If you have a report to be delivered at the meeting, please provide a printed copy for inclusion in the minutes of the meeting.
Pile burns continuing on Flagstaff Ranger District throughout week
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Ranger District plans to conduct pile burns in three different areas of the Coconino National Forest starting today and running through Friday.
- A1 burn project: 50-300 acres of machine piles.
- Horse Park burn project: Roughly 350 acres of machine piles.
- Dry Lake Hills burn project: Between 30 and 100 acres of both hand and machine piles will be burned as part of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP).
Smoke may be visible from Bellemont, west Flagstaff, Interstate 17, Interstate 40 and Highway 180. Smoke may settle in the Lake Mary Road corridor overnight.
There are no anticipated road or trail closures due to any of the pile burn projects. Please refrain from calling dispatch lines if you see smoke from these pile burns so lines can remain open for any emergencies.
Large piles need to be burned when conditions are wet or while snow is on the ground to allow for greater control. Fire managers make every effort to effectively plan and execute burn plans at times when weather allows for smoke impacts to be minimized and transport up and over communities.
For more information about prescribed burns, please visit our Prescribed Fires and Smoke web page or view the video Keeping Fire on the Ground.
Applicants Sought for Three School District Governing Board Vacancies in Coconino County
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointment for the following School District Governing Boards:
- Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District
- Maine Consolidated School District
- CAVIAT Williams District
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.
Applications can be downloaded at this address: http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
Completed applications may be submitted by email to mdespain@coconino.az.gov, by fax to 928-526-1469, or by mail addressed to:
Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
For all applications an original, signed document is required. The deadline to submit is January 31, 2023, by 5 p.m.
An advisory committee may be assembled consisting of district residents and a current
board member to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.
For more information, please contact Michelle Despain, program coordinator for the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office, at 928-679-8070 or email – mdespain@coconino.az.gov.
Governor Ducey nominates Jeffrey Buchanan to Arizona Game and Fish Commission
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department was informed today that Governor Doug Ducey has nominated Lieutenant General (retired) Jeffrey (“Jeff”) Buchanan to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.
LTG Buchanan earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and is passionate about wildlife and natural resources conservation. He and his wife Laura (who also has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology) are members of various conservation organizations ranging from the Arizona Elk Society to the National Wildlife Federation.
LTG Buchanan retired from a distinguished 37-year U.S. Army career in 2019, having commanded at every level from Platoon to Theater Army. His assignments included tours in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division, the 10th Mountain Division, and I Corps. He served four combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
From 2016-2019, he served as USNORTHCOM’s Joint Forces Land Component Commander and led the operational-level military response in support of FEMA for five major hurricanes (Matthew, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Florence) and in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for Southwest border security.
Upon retirement, he and his wife moved home to Patagonia, Ariz., where he consults from his home office. In addition to serving as a Senior Fellow for National Defense University, LTG Buchanan serves as a Senior Mentor for the Department of the Army. He currently serves on three not-for-profit boards.
In addition to his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology, he also earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Development from the U.S. Military Academy.
Pending confirmation by the Arizona Senate, LTG Buchanan would replace commission member Leland (“Bill) Brake, whose term is expiring.
Over-the-counter archery deer hunters reminded of harvest limits and unit closures
PHOENIX — Hunters with over-the-counter archery deer nonpermit-tags are reminded that harvest limits have been set by unit and species, and hunters are required to report their harvest. Once the harvest limit is reached for a unit and species, that unit will close to further over-the-counter, nonpermit-tag archery deer hunting for the remainder of the season. Please note that harvest limits will reset in August 2023, not January 2023.
Season and closure status can be found at https://harvest-tracking.azgfd.gov/. Hunters will be responsible for checking online or by telephone (623-236-7961) before hunting to determine if their desired unit is still open. Some units have already reached their harvest limit and are closed for the January 2023 season.
More information about over-the-counter archery deer hunting is at https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/draw/archerydeerhunting/.