Category Archives: Arizona Game and Fish

Arizona Game and Fish Commission recognizes Kaibab National Forest for partnering to sustain wildlife waters

Posted on by

Michael Sedgeman and Travis Largent (both on right) accepted the Arizona Game and Fish Commission award on behalf of the Kaibab National Forest earlier this month. – Kaibab Forest photo

WILLIAMS – Earlier this month, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission recognized the Kaibab National Forest for partnering to sustain wildlife waters during recent drought conditions.

Specifically, the Kaibab National Forest was presented with a Commission Commendation of Achievement “for the continued partnership, stewardship, and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation.” The recognition resulted from the two agencies teaming together during the exceptionally dry spring and early summer months to provide viable water sources for wildlife in Game Management Units 9 and 7W, which generally fall within the Kaibab National Forest’s Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts.

“Due to the heightened fire danger and the additional fire resources we had available, we had the opportunity to provide some extra support to the Arizona Game and Fish Department,” said Jeremy Human, fire management officer for the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts. “Arizona’s wildlife is an important resource. A lot of what we do as an agency [Forest Service] is tied closely to the department’s wildlife management work, so this was an opportunity for us to be a good neighbor and do the right thing. We were able to accomplish meaningful work that made a difference when we weren’t actively engaged with responding to wildfires.”

Kaibab National Forest employees used large tenders to haul and deliver water to catchments that were identified as critical by Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife managers. All told, more than 50,000 gallons of water were made available at priority locations across the forest, and hundreds of hours of equipment and personnel time were donated.

“We have a strong and ongoing partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and this was another example of how we can work together to improve outcomes for wildlife and support the missions of each agency,” said Travis Largent, wildlife biologist with the Kaibab National Forest. “We hope to continue our mutual efforts to achieve shared goals such as improving forest health and enhancing wildlife habitat.”

Water was a particularly scarce resource earlier this year due to the ongoing drought in Arizona and the extreme lack of winter precipitation. In fact, the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts had the driest October to June period on record in the past 25 years, creating potentially deadly conditions for area wildlife.

Across the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department monitors and maintains thousands of water catchments in strategic locations. Due to the importance of these waters to diverse wildlife species and the exceptionally dry conditions prevailing in northern Arizona, the department faced the monumental task of trying to refill catchments that were quickly drying out statewide.

“They stepped in at a time when what we had in place wouldn’t have been able to cover the need,” said Nate Ragan, wildlife manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Game Management Unit 9. “They helped us when we needed it the most and got water to a lot of places that would have gone dry without them. It was a breath of fresh air to have that resource made available to us and to get the help when we most needed it.”

In addition to the Kaibab National Forest, many other partner and volunteer organizations also donated time and resources to the important work of sustaining these wildlife waters.

2018-19 dove, band-tailed pigeon regulations available online

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2018-19 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at http://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations.

The regulations have been produced in a format that hunters will find particularly handy in the field. The color brochure is easier to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance.

Hunters 18 and older must possess a valid Arizona hunting license, as well as a migratory bird stamp for the 2018-19 season — both of which can be purchased online now at https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml.

For everything else “dove,” visit www.azgfd.gov/dove.

Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) (SEE PDF) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.

Buy a combo hunt and fish license – and enjoy the “Best of Both Worlds”

Don’t just buy a hunting or a fishing license. Go online today and purchase a combo hunt and fish license that will be valid for the next 365 days — and for only $20 more (for state residents) than the price of an individual hunting or fishing license.

Fish are biting, doves are coming, so don’t miss out. It’s time to enjoy the “Best of Both Worlds.” Buy your combo hunt and fish license today. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/bestofbothworlds/.

Webcast on dedicated funding source for outreach, education and public awareness now available online

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public input on ways to establish and maintain a discretionary, dedicated funding source for outreach, education and public awareness efforts.

A webcast can be viewed at https://youtu.be/pWzMi2o8sEE. All ideas can be submitted by email through Sept. 8 at: ideas@azgfd.gov. Note: Only ideas related to the topic of establishing a funding source will be considered.

Draft alternatives, based on this public input, vetting and benchmarking, will be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission during its public meeting September 21 at the Navajo County Heber Complex, 2188 W. Country Club Drive, in Overgaard.

For more information, including frequently asked questions (FAQs), visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/dedicated-funding-source/.

Public invited to release of endangered California Condors

Posted on by

VERMILION CLIFFS – There is nothing quite as iconic in the western United States as a California Condor soaring over the red-rock-canyon landscapes of northern Arizona and southern Utah. Thanks to people working together to recover this species, condors have become a fixture in southwestern skies. On National Public Lands day this year, the public is invited to join the recovery effort by witnessing first-hand a spectacular release into the wild of several captive-bred young condors.

California Condors will be released by The Peregrine Fund atop the spectacular cliffs in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 22. The public is welcome to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes provided by partners and Swarovski Optik will be set up and project personnel will be available to answer questions.

The release coincides with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America’s public lands. National Public Lands Day involves the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies, along with state and local governments and private groups.

This will be the 23rd annual public release of condors in Arizona since the southwest condor recovery program began in 1996. Condors are produced at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, the Oregon Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park and then transported to release sites annually for release to the wild.

The historical California Condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the 1980s when the greater California Condor Recovery Program was initiated to save the species from extinction. As of July 25, 2018 there were 85 condors in the wild in the rugged canyon country of northern Arizona and southern Utah and the total world population of endangered California Condors numbers nearly 500 individuals, with more than half flying in the wilds of Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico.

The Arizona-Utah recovery effort is a cooperative program by federal, state, and private partners, including The Peregrine Fund, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Grand Canyon and Zion national parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Kaibab and Dixie national forests among many other supporting groups and individuals.

For more information about California Condors in Arizona visit http://www.peregrinefund.org/condor.

5 life jacket exchanges scheduled for August

Posted on by

PHOENIX — Nearly 850 life jackets have been exchanged so far this year, but that number will ramp up after the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) holds five more events in August. 2018 is the 10-year anniversary of the life jacket exchange program, and AZGFD is aiming to exchange a record-setting 1,700 life jackets this year.

Anyone who has an old, worn-out or improperly fitting life jacket is welcome to exchange it for a new one in the appropriate size during the events. Type I and Type II life jackets will not be accepted.

The public is invited to join AZGFD and its partner organizations at the following life jacket exchange events:

  • Bullhead City at BCFD Fire Station #2 (1230 Highway 95) on August 4 from 9 a.m. to noon
  • Lake Pleasant at the 4 Lane boat ramp and the 10 Lane boat ramp August 4 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Lake Havasu at Site Six on August 25 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Yuma at Martinez Lake on August 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

“In addition to exchanging more life jackets than ever before, this year we have been excited to hold the events in new locations throughout Arizona,” said Josh Hoffman, boating safety education coordinator for AZGFD. “This will be our first life jacket exchange in Yuma, and it’s a great opportunity to allow as many Arizonans as possible to ensure they have a new life jacket that fits properly.”

State law requires all passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a life jacket while on board and each passenger must have a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket available.

Another important aspect of safe boating is understanding the laws and regulations for cruising around Arizona’s waterways. AZGFD offers free in-person courses for both boaters and paddlers to ensure that all of Arizona’s residents have access to instruction on the basic skills required to safely and legally operate their boat.

For more information about boating in Arizona or to sign up for a free safety course, visit azgfd.gov/boating.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop set for September 7 to 9

Posted on by

PHOENIX — For women who just want to find out what the outdoors experience is all about, signing up for a Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop is a great place to start.

The Arizona Wildlife Federation, in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will conduct its next BOW workshop September 7 to 9 at Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott. The workshop introduces like-minded women (18 and older) to outdoor skills in an enjoyable, no-pressure setting with expert instructors.

In addition to being able to select from more than 30 classes, like horsemanship, geocaching, wilderness medicine, birding and hiking, participants also will have an opportunity to fulfill the field-day requirements to earn their Arizona Hunter Education certificate. The online course must be completed prior to the workshop, however, at www.hunter-ed.com/arizona. The evenings will be filled with fun and entertainment, like night hikes and guest speakers.

A pair of new classes also are being offered: a geology class titled “Name That Rock” and a class in primitive skills. Meanwhile, participants will learn how to catch crayfish, then prepare them along with other wild foods to be served at a game-tasting the first night of the workshop.

Participants will stay in rustic cabins equipped with showers and toilets. The workshop fee is $250 and includes all instruction, course materials, use of equipment, meals and lodging. For information, visit www.azwildlife.org, email awf@azwildlife.org or call (480) 644-0077.

Arizona conservationists to be honored at 2018 Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet

Posted on by

PHOENIX – The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, together with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will induct two individuals and three organizations into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 18.

The Foundation’s 21st Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet at the Embassy Suites at 5001 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.
​​​​​​​
The inductees for this year’s event include:

  • Tracy Unmacht, of New River, has dedicated her life to conserving Arizona’s wildlife for future generations through her service to multiple non-governmental organizations. She expanded from participating in the “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” camp to becoming a volunteer, organizer and fundraiser for the group. She’s also served the Arizona Antelope Foundation for 16 years as an administrator, newsletter and magazine editor, clinic organizer and webmaster.
  • Catherine Cimellaro, of Phoenix, has worked for decades to promote hunting, fishing, wildlife conservation and habitat enhancement to benefit Arizona’s wildlife. She has lent her talents to assisting multiple wildlife organizations such as the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, the Antelope Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Council, Arizona Deer Association, and Conserve and Protect Arizona. Her graphic design skills helped to produce a logo for the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle and she redesigned Arizona’s wildlife license plate, which is attached to more than 10,000 vehicles and has raised additional funding for wildlife conservation.
  • Arizona Deer Association, of Mesa, has focused on projects dedicated to improving and expanding Arizona’s mule deer and Coues’ deer populations since the group was originally founded as the Arizona Mule Deer Association in 1995. Although its name changed to the Arizona Deer Association in 2003, its dedication to fundraising to finance projects aimed at growing deer populations and encouraging the next generations of hunters continues to be the bedrock of the group’s mission.
  • Diablo Trust, of Flagstaff, encourages responsible land management practices by gathering a wide range of land managers and stakeholders that are invested in leaving a positive legacy of habitat and wildlife conservation. The trust and its stakeholders have worked to sustain open space (preventing land fragmentation), biological diversity, protect watersheds with stable living soils, restore historic grasslands, enhance wildlife corridors and achieve a community of place.
  • Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, of Scottsdale, rescues and rehabilitates injured, displaced and orphaned wildlife. Rehabilitated animals are then returned to the wild, while sanctuary is provided to animals that cannot be released. SWCC also provides educational and humane scientific research opportunities in the field of conservation medicine. Wildlife education includes advice on living with wildlife and the importance of native wildlife to healthy ecosystems.

The Hall of Fame event will include a social hour and silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony. The evening will also feature a live auction, exciting raffle prizes, and musical entertainment by the Back Porch Bandits. Suggested attire is business casual or western wear.

Individual tickets are $70. A table for 10 is $700. A table of 10 and a full-page ad in the full-color banquet brochure is $1,200. The options for ordering tickets are:

Download a ticket reservation form at www.wildlifefortomorrow.org, fill in the requested information, and either scan and e-mail to rebeccabouquot@gmail.com or mail Wildlife For Tomorrow, c/o Rebecca Bouquot, 14852 S. Luna Drive, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Call Rebecca Bouquot (Wildlife for Tomorrow board member and ticket chairwoman) at (602) 501-4788.

Purchase your tickets on the Wildlife for Tomorrow website at www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.

Wildlife for Tomorrow was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources. The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate.

The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was developed in 1998 by the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have made significant contributions to Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources and the state’s outdoor heritage.

For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.

Spring hunt recommendations available for review

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for the 2019 spring javelina, bison and bear hunts, and 2019 and 2020 spring turkey hunts are available for review at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

The hunt structures and recommendations were formulated based on the hunt guidelines approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in September 2017.

All questions or comments about a particular game management unit or hunt are welcome by emailing at AZHuntGuidelines@azgfd.gov, or by calling any of the department’s statewide regional offices and asking to speak to a game management biologist. No formal presentations are planned.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented to the Commission for its consideration during a public meeting Aug. 3 at Little America Hotel, 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, 86004.

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

Arizona Game and Fish Department proposes new fishing regulations

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is proposing fishing regulation changes and inviting the public to review and comment.

AZGFD will host and webcast a public forum on proposed fishing regulations changes 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 30 at department headquarters (Quail Room), 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix. The webcast can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/webcast.

The topic of discussion will focus exclusively on proposed fishing regulation changes by AZGFD. Recommendations can be submitted in-person at the public forum, by email to fishregscomments@azgfd.gov or by mail to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Aquatic Wildlife Branch, c/o Andy Clark, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ, 85086.

Please include your first and last name to ensure a response during the forum. AZGFD will be accepting comments through August 31.

The changes are also scheduled to be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its Sept. 21-22 meeting. The public is welcome to attend and address the commission on these proposals.

The proposed changes are:

  • Open Fish Creek in Greenlee County, and tributaries Corduroy Creek and Double Cienega Creek, to fishing.
  • Close Chase Creek (Gila County) to fishing.
  • Designate new Community Fishing Program waters/regulations: Fain Lake, Yavapai Lakes in Urban Forest Park (Prescott Valley), Mansel Carter Oasis Lake (Queen Creek), Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex Pond in Yuma.
  • Change bag limits for bass at Arivaca Lake and Pena Blanca Lake to a statewide daily bag.
  • Change bag limits at Maricopa Lake (Youngtown) to a statewide daily bag.

See the PDF of the rationale behind each regulation.

AZGFD to address water quality issues at Luna Lake​​​​​​​

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is collaborating with the White Mountain Lakes Foundation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to address chronic and long-term water-quality issues at Luna Lake near Alpine.

The ongoing project could eventually include other lakes located on the national forest: Carnero Lake, Lee Valley Lake and Crescent Lake.

– AZGF Photo

AZGFD plans to install the first aeration system at Luna Lake during the spring of 2019. If the concept and approach prove successful at Luna, funding for installation of aerators at the other three lakes will be pursued.

“Once started, installation of the aeration system at Luna should be finished in only a few months,” said Dave Weedman, AZGFD Aquatic Habitat Program Manager. “Luna Lake is the most cost-effective option because it is more easily accessible during the winter for maintenance than the other three lakes, and we have numerous partners in the area that will assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.”

Successful project implementation will require collaboration between the AZGFD and Alpine Ranger District on the environmental compliance (NEPA) for beginning construction on the infrastructure. Both agencies have committed to begin the NEPA process immediately.

AZGFD biologists are monitoring water quality at all four lakes in an attempt to identify the causes for the water quality problems. Each of these lakes has periodically suffered from winter or summer fish die-offs as a result of poor water quality, low dissolved oxygen (DO) in the winter or excessively high pH in the summer. AZGFD has already solicited plans for installation of aerators to address low oxygen during the winters, and is pursuing the needed environmental clearances to pave the way for installation and operation of the equipment.

Each of these lakes is different and will require a multi-faceted approach to address the water quality causes for the fish die-offs.

For example:

  • Crescent Lake receives an elevated level of nutrients from the watershed that contributes to excessive plant and algae growth. During the winter, as the lake ices over, transfer of oxygen from the air to the water is cut off, as is production of oxygen through photosynthesis by the plants and algae, while decomposing plant matter under the ice burns up all the oxygen, leaving none to keep fish alive. Aeration, in combination with nutrient control, may prove to resolve this issue.
  • Luna Lake suffers from a similar condition during the winter, as well as an elevated pH and low oxygen problem during the summer as excessive plant growth and blue-green algae absorb carbon dioxide, causing the pH to rise during the day. At night, when photosynthesis shuts down, the production of oxygen also shuts down. Respiration by zooplankton and decomposition by bacteria consume oxygen, causing a daily low DO condition that may stress and/or kill fish.

AZGFD thanks numerous partners for their local and vocal support: Sportsmen for Wildlife, Alpine Alliance, Trout Unlimited, Arizona Flycasters Club, The Desert Fly Casters of Chandler, White Mountain Fly Fishing Club, Friends of Luna Lake and the White Mountain Lakes Foundation.