Tag Archives: Phoenix

AZGFD seizes deer, bobcat and javelina, advises public to leave baby wildlife alone

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TUSCON – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has seized a deer, bobcat and javelina since June 2 that were illegally taken captive while young by Tucson area residents and reared as pets.

The mule deer buck was taken to the AZGFD Wildlife Center in Phoenix for treatment, and then will go to Bearizona in Williams. The bobcat was placed at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and the javelina moved to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale.

Taking captive and holding young wildlife is illegal take of wildlife, and illegal possession of restricted wildlife, in addition to being a public safety hazard. Circumstances warranted issuing only warnings in these cases.

“In the majority of cases, it is best to leave all baby wildlife alone. People’s desire to help seemingly abandoned animals can have unintended negative consequences,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson. “Although it seems humane to ’help’ or ’rescue’ baby animals perceived to be in need, wildlife reared in captivity by humans — without the benefit of learning from their parents — have a greatly reduced chance of survival if they are released back into the wild.”

In most instances, baby mammals should be left in place, untouched, unless obviously injured. Although they may appear orphaned, baby mammals are typically left alone by their mother for long periods of time while she forages for food and water.

Baby mammals that are immobile and at immediate risk of injury can be moved, if necessary, to a safe location nearby that provides appropriate cover. The mother will likely find the relocated baby by smell or hearing and continue to provide care, provided that people and pets stay away.

If a well-meaning person separates a baby mammal from its mother, it may result in euthanizing the animal unless a zoo or shelter can take it. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer further complicates the issue, as a possessed fawn is suspect because Game and Fish cannot verify that the animal is not from a state where the disease occurs.

CWD, similar to Mad Cow Disease, is a fatal neurological condition. There have been no cases in Arizona, but there have been in nearby states. For more information, the public can visit http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_injured_sick.shtml for more tips and a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Arizona.

Bighorn sheep tours return to Canyon Lake on July 1, 2

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MESA – — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering two unique opportunities to view one of Arizona’s most iconic arid land animals, the desert bighorn sheep, in an intimate, small-group setting July 1 and 2 on Canyon Lake.

Participants ages 10 and older will board department work boats to explore the canyons and bluffs of this scenic lake in search of these spectacular animals. Biologists aboard each of the boats will share and interpret bighorn conservation, behavior and biology during the trip. Due to limited space on the boat, attendance is restricted to 22 people per tour.

Register for a the bighorn sheep workshop

“Mating season will be underway and there is a good chance of seeing rams fighting or chasing ewes, which makes it an excellent opportunity to view, photograph and enjoy bighorns in their natural environment,” said Randy Babb, AZGFD watchable wildlife program manager. “Because sheep stay close to the water during June and July, participants may also watch young lambs cavorting around their mothers, displaying their masterful agility in precarious locations.”

Game Management Units 22 and 24B are home to some of the largest bighorn rams found anywhere in North America. Canyon Lake forms the border between these two administrative areas and animals from both areas congregate near the lake’s shore at this time of year.

In addition to bighorn sheep, bald eagles, herons, and a variety of waterfowl are often seen. The area is also home to a myriad of other wildlife including deer, mountain lions, javelina and numerous small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

The tour departs the Palo Verde Recreation Area at 7 a.m. and participants will need an $8 Tonto Pass for each vehicle parked at the lake. Tonto Passes are available at a variety of convenience markets and sporting goods stores around the Phoenix Metro area or from the Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District Office at 5140 E. Ingram Street in Mesa.

Each boat will have an ice chest for the participants to use. It is recommended that participants bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and wear a long-sleeve shirt and long pants to prevent sunburn as the boats do not have canopies.

The cost is $75 per person and participants can pay online via credit card or by check or money order. For more information or to register, contact Joe Yarchin 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (623) 236-7589 or jyarchin@azgfd.gov.

For additional information, contact Randy Babb at the department’s Mesa regional office at (480) 466-1334 or rbabb@azgfd.gov.

Reminder: nominations sought for Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame

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PHOENIX — The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage.

To submit a nomination, download and complete the form (DOC format), and return it along with all supplemental materials by Saturday, June 17, to:

Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation
c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn: Kent Komadina
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix AZ 85086

Nominations also may be submitted by e-mail to Kent Komadina at Kkomadina@azgfd.gov.

For more information, call 623-236-7288.

This year’s inductees will be honored Saturday, Aug. 19, at the annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort (formerly Chaparral Suites), 5001 N. Scottsdale Road.

Past Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees have been individuals with backgrounds in wildlife volunteerism, corporate leadership, politics, wildlife and the media, including Ben Avery, Barry Goldwater, Morris K. Udall, John McCain, Bill Quimby and Tom Woods, as well as groups and organizations such as Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Volunteers, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, Arizona Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Audubon Arizona, Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project.

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.

For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.

AZGFD to host webinar on draft proposed hunt guidelines

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PHOENIX — In an ongoing effort to better serve its constituents, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will host a webinar on draft proposed hunt guidelines for the 2018-19 through 2022-23 hunting seasons.

Those who access the webinar from 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 5 will be able to send questions, comments or concerns about the draft proposed hunt guidelines to Amber Munig, big game management supervisor, who will open the online discussion with a short presentation. Other department personnel also will be available during the webinar to address input as it relates to specific game management units (GMUs) or regions.

How to register for “AZ Hunt Guidelines Review”:

Those who register for the webinar will receive an e-mail confirmation, which will include details on how to join the webinar. The e-mail address and personal information provided will be used by the webinar organizer to communicate about this event. For more information, contact Munig at amunig@azgfd.gov.

At the same time as the webinar, AZGFD will be hosting a series of statewide public meetings where constituents can view the webinar and provide feedback to department personnel. Those locations include:

  • AZGFD (Region III): 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman
  • AZGFD (Region IV): 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma
  • AZGFD (Region V): 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson
  • AZGFD (Region VI): 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa

Two additional meetings where constituents can view a PowerPoint presentation (no webinar), as well as provide input to department personnel, include:

  • 6-8 p.m. June 5: Eagar Town Council Chambers, 22 W. 2nd St., Eagar
  • 6-8 p.m. June 7: Payson Public Library (in the Rumsey Park Complex), 328 N. McLane Road, Payson

The draft proposed hunt guidelines provide the biological and social parameters used by wildlife biologists to formulate annual hunt recommendations (season structures, season lengths, season dates, permits allocated, etc.). These recommendations result in the annual hunts in which licensed hunters may participate.

While hunting opportunity is important, wildlife is held in the public trust; therefore, using science-based principles to shape the guidelines process remains paramount to ensure healthy, sustainable and diverse wildlife populations in perpetuity.

The draft proposed hunt guidelines were developed based on public input received earlier this year and can be viewed at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Guidelines/. The department still is seeking feedback on how to best meet the demands of the hunting public, while finding ways to develop new opportunities that help pass along our hunting heritage to future generations.

Route 66 license plate named tops in the nation

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PHOENIX – “Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona… Kingman…” Arizona figures prominently in the lyrics to the iconic pop song celebrating the highway known as the “Mother Road.” Now Arizona gets even more attention because the new Route 66 specialty license plate has been named the Best New License Plate in the U.S.

The honor, which will be formally recognized at a 1:30 p.m. ceremony Thursday, May 25, at the northwest corner of Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, comes from the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA).

ALPCA has given the award since 1970. ALPCA members worldwide vote based on the overall attractiveness of the plate design and its legibility as a tool for public safety and law enforcement. This is the third time for Arizona to win this award. The general issue plate introduced in 1996 and the Centennial plate introduced in 2011 also received Best Plate Awards.

ALPCA’s President Cyndi McCabe stated, “I’m delighted to announce that the state of Arizona is this year’s recipient of ALPCA’s Best Plate Award for their historic Route 66 specialty license plate. The plate’s visually appealing retro design particularly resonated with our members for its tribute to the legendary Mother Road.”

The Route 66 plate was introduced in late 2016 and has been a strong seller among specialty plates. As of the end of April, more than 3,000 had been sold, and more than $51,000 had been raised to support preservation efforts for the highway that crosses iconic northern Arizona landscapes and historic communities.

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said, “Route 66 carried more than cars, it carried peoples’ lives and millions of their stories. Even though its use as a major highway ended long ago, its ability to be an inspiration endures. We’re honored to be part of the effort to preserve this historic roadway by offering this award-winning plate.”

June 2017 Operator Certification & Capacity Development Training & Events

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Navigating Water Infrastructure Funding Programs Workshop for Small Water Systems
Thursday, June 1, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. MST
Industrial Commission of Arizona
800 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
AGENDA & REGISTRATION >

ADEQ Free Training: Essentials of Surface Water Treatment   
Thursday – Friday, June 1 – 2
Quartzsite Community Center
295 Chandler Street
Quartzsite, AZ 85346
AGENDA & REGISTRATION >

ADEQ Free Training: Essentials of Surface Water Treatment
Monday – Tuesday, June 5 – 6
Arizona Game & Fish
3500 S. Lake Mary Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86005
AGENDA & REGISTRATION >

ADEQ Free Operator Training
Wednesday, June 7, 8 a.m. – 4:50 p.m. MST
ADEQ Phoenix Office — Room 3175 A/B
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
AGENDA & REGISTRATION >

Introduction to Cyber Security: Workshop and Response Exercises
Thursday, June 8, 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. MST
City of Glendale
7070 W. Northern Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85303
Contact: Erin Cabral at 508-833-6600 or ecabral@horsleywitten.com
AGENDA & REGISTRATION >

PDHs
Current certified operators earn professional development hours (PDHs) at training events. View all ADEQ training opportunities at azdeq.gov/OperatorCertification.

Register Today — limited seating!

Questions?
Contact 602-771-4511 or 602-771-4695
Email >

ADEQ fish advisory for Largemouth Bass

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), has issued a fish consumption advisory for largemouth bass caught from Willow Springs Lake in Coconino County that recommends healthy consumption amounts. This advisory is based on recent analysis of Willow Springs Lake largemouth bass fish tissue sample data that showed elevated levels of mercury.

ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of largemouth bass to 2.5 ounces (uncooked weight) per week and children 12 years of age and younger limit consumption to two ounces per month (uncooked weight).

Willow Springs Lake is home to a variety of fish and during the spring and summer, the AGFD stocks the lake with rainbow trout that can be eaten in unlimited amounts.

Fishing, bird watching, swimming and other recreational activities at Willow Springs Lake are not affected by this advisory and are encouraged for enjoying the great outdoors. Generally, any contaminant levels found in water are several folds lower than in fish tissue.

Fish are an excellent source of protein and can be an important part of a healthy, diverse diet as they are low in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends people eat at least two fish or seafood meals every week. The public health recommendations in this advisory are based on frequent and long-term consumption of fish, not infrequent or occasional fish meals.

RESOURCES:

Click to learn more about ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisories
Click to view the ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisory Fact Sheet (PDF)

ADEQ welcomes comments on the proposed infrastructure SIP revision for the PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards

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PHOENIX – The Air Quality Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) welcomes comments on the proposed infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The SIP revision demonstrates that the State of Arizona has the necessary resources to implement, maintain, and enforce the PM10 air quality standards.

View Public Notice/Related Documents >

Public Comment Period:
May 22, 2017 to June 21, 2017

Public Hearing:
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
1110 W. Washington St., Rm. 3100B
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email: Send Email >
Fax: 602-771-2299
Mail: (Must be postmarked by June 21, 2017)

ADEQ
Catherine Lucke-McDowell
Air Quality Division, Air Quality Improvement Planning Section
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ  85007

A quarter-million extra fish being stocked into Arizona waters through June

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PHOENIX – A quarter-million more fish. With lakes around the state extra full after a wet spring, the Arizona Game and Fish Department needed extra fish. And it got them.

During the past week––in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend—AZGFD has been stocking an additional 20,000 trout and catfish into waters statewide. Through June, we’ll have stocked a quarter-million more rainbow trout, catfish, bass and sunfish statewide. After heavy rains and runoff this spring, many fisheries are replenished and ready for angling action.

Most catfish are going into Community Fishing Program waters. Give Mr. Whiskers a try.

Or plan a trip to where the extra trout have been going: Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes on the Mogollon Rim (both have tiger trout), Kaibab Lake near Williams and Ashurst Lake southeast of Flagstaff.

Also, during the week of May 22, scenic Lynx and Goldwater lakes in Prescott will get extra trout.

Northern Arizona anglers in particular will enjoy many benefits of this surplus:

  • On Wednesday, May 17, the first stocking of bonus rainbow trout, purchased from Crowthers Freshwater Trout in Colorado, were stocked into Ashurst Lake. Anglers fishing at Ashurst Lake that day started catching fish as soon as the stocking ended using small spinners such as roostertails and small spoons.
  • Knoll Lake had its first stocking of the year last week and will get more rainbow trout this week.
  • Catfish are also being stocked into City Reservoir near Williams, and on Wednesday, May 17 were stocked into Frances Short Pond. Chunks of hot dogs make great catfish bait.

Plan a trip now. Need a license? A General Fishing License is $37 for residents and $55 for nonresidents, Combo Hunt and Fish Licenses are $57 and Youth Combo Hunt and Fish Licenses are $5. All are good for 365 days from the date of purchase. Save time and buy online, 24/7.

Sunset Point rest area will be open, but without services, May 24

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Restroom and vending services at the Sunset Point rest area on Interstate 17 will be closed on Wednesday, May 24, so Arizona Department of Transportation crews can make needed electrical upgrades.

The rest area, located about 50 miles north of Phoenix, will remain open for drivers who want to stretch their legs, check mobile devices or exercise their pets, but there will be no vending or restroom services from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Work is scheduled to continue on Thursday, May 25, but services are expected to be available. Drivers should watch for ADOT personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.