AGFD News

Application deadline for fall hunts is approaching Wildlife officers assist with human and wildlife impacts as Wallow Fire grows Bring your family to the free Outdoor Festival at Mormon Lake Lead continues to hamper condor recovery in Arizona and Utah Living with bears: New wildlife feeding ordinances target attractants Enter the Big Game Super Raffle for a chance at a hunt of a lifetime Volunteers trap unwanted turtles at Phoenix Zoo Free Fishing Day events scheduled for June 4 and 11 Public input sought on Wildlife Viewing Action Plan Statewide public meetings to be held on revisions to Arizona’s hunting guidelines Register for the Burro Creek Volunteer Project June 11-12 View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public review and input on an action plan for wildlife viewing recreation in Arizona. The Wildlife Viewing Action Plan outlines objectives and strategies to help guide and implement a statewide watchable wildlife project. It identifies programs, products, and services the department is currently providing in wildlife viewing recreation, discusses opportunities and challenges for the future, and identifies new approaches that, if implemented, will help take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges. View the full article

Printed copies of Arizona’s hunting regulations available Practice safe boating and OHV operation over Memorial Day Weekend Arizona Wildlife Views TV is back on the air! New population of relict leopard frogs established near Kingman Fishing contest heats up at 5 Arizona waters Arizona Free Fishing Days are on June 4 and June 11 Bighorn sheep to take center stage at Game and Fish workshops Super hunts, super cheap – super raffle! Game and Fish initiates fire restrictions at 5 more wildlife areas May commission meeting recap First-ever high school bass tournament set for Roosevelt Nominations sought for Outdoor Hall of Fame Commission fines Arizona winter resident for killing heron Submit your entry for the Wildlife Photo Contest View the full article

A $25 raffle ticket could put an Arizona Game and Fish Commission's special big game permit for elk or bighorn in your pocket. How would you like a chance to pursue mule deer during the rut on the Kaibab for just a $20 ticket? View the full article

Apply by May 27 to take advantage of correction period. Hunters will be happy to hear that printed copies of the 2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations are now available at all Arizona Game and Fish offices and more than 300 license dealers statewide. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region III office in Kingman is serving as host to the popular Desert Bighorn Sheep Workshops. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be part of a multi-agency enforcement effort on the Colorado River system this weekend, checking for individuals operating under the influence (OUI). View the full article

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Rory's tips: The National Weather Service said we are in a "roller coaster ride" of temperatures this week and likely next week as well. As the barometer drops while low pressure is moving into the state, the fish will feed more aggressively. Sometimes during these weather events or disturbances, if there is increased wind and wave activity it will cause crayfish, insects and the like to be stirred up, causing some sport fish (especially smallmouth bass, walleye and striped bass) to feed aggressively. However, once a storm passes and the barometer rises, we typically experience those wonderful "bluebird" like conditions that are great for photographers and tough on anglers. Sometimes it will seem like the fish have lockjaw. The better fishing typically will be two days after a storm or weather event passes. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be part of a multi-agency enforcement effort on the Colorado River system this weekend, checking for individuals operating under the influence (OUI). All boaters passing through the checkpoint will be subject to a systematic safety inspection this weekend. Operators will be checked for alcohol impairment and all boats stopped will be checked for required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers. </span style="font-size: 10pt"all boaters passing through the checkpoint will be subject to a systematic safety inspection this weekend. operators will be checked for alcohol impairment and all boats stopped will be checked for required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers. > View the full article

Wildlife News bi-weekly newsletter for May 6, 2011 Sunfish caught at Lake Havasu could be world record The best option: Leave baby wildlife alone Attention wildlife photographers: Photo contest entries now being accepted 2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations available online Landmark agreement will help keep the Rio de Flag flowing Information sought regarding damage done at wildlife area Arizona Game and Fish seeks input on game management guidelines Game and Fish Commission to meet May 13 Life jackets save three lives, one drowns To have the Wildlife News e-mailed to you directly, visit www.azgfd.gov/signup and subscribe for Wildlife News and any other newsletters of interest.<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /> View the full article

Another spring catfish stocking will take place the week of May 2-7 at all Phoenix and Tucson area Urban waters. Catfish have been biting on worms, stink baits, hot dogs or shrimp fished on the bottom. As temperatures warm, the best action takes place after sunset. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department today announced that the 2011-12 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations are available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw and the application period for the draw is now open. View the full article

PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now accepting public comments for improving the hunt guidelines to continue the sustainable management of the state’s game animals, while providing as much hunting recreation as possible. Comments may be submitted through the end of May electronically to azgamebranch@azgfd.gov, or by mail to Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. View the full article

A 49-year-old man drowned last Wednesday when the boat he was on began to take on water and sank near South Cove on the Arizona side of Lake Mead. View the full article

Leftover process for few remaining elk, antelope tags opens April 25 Game and Fish to hold wildlife fairs in Payson, Bullhead City on May 7 Urban wildlife is more active this time of year; tips to avoid conflicts April commission meeting recap: Commission sets fall hunting seasons Public input sought to develop management plan for northern portion of Lake Pleasant Regional Park Reminder: Deadline to submit comment on sport fish stocking EA is May 11 Public has opportunities to provide input into federal land management planning View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has partnered with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to provide off-highway vehicle (OHV) Decal renewal notices to OHV owners in Arizona. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Kingman regional office will serve as host to the 2011 Wildlife Fair, May 7, at Mohave High School in Bullhead City. The event, free and open to the public, will run from 1-5 p.m. View the full article

For those hunters with hopes of getting one of the few remaining hunting permits for elk and pronghorn antelope, the first-come, first-served process, issued through application by U.S. mail (U.S. Postal Service) only, begins on Monday, April 25 after 8 a.m. View the full article

On the early show April 12, 2011, KNXV-15 television showed a report on the pending hearings in Congress on extended capacity magazines for handguns. They used a backdrop of our Ben Avery Shooting Facility entrance sign for their video reporter’s standup. Attached is a letter from us to Channel 15 regarding that story. View the full article

Fishing is really busting loose right now from the high pines to the lower deserts. Full moon is Sunday. We have nice warm weather shooting up into the nineties this weekend in the deserts. This should definitely be the time for the crappie to spawn. Mini-jigs and live minnows should be the trick for most. View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at the Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17). Constituents are also advised that a special commission work session has been scheduled after the conclusion of the regular commission meeting on Saturday, April 16, to discuss recreational access issues within Arizona. View the full article

Outdoor Expo draws record 37,500 attendees OHV Decal renewal notice program now underway in Arizona Preview recommendations for Arizona’s fall hunts Drawing results for elk, pronghorn hunts are available Bald eagle breeding closure areas lifted on some Arizona lakes and rivers Kids: Come hunt wild turkeys with the experts Arizona Game and Fish Commission to meet April 15-16 You can still help Arizona’s wildlife at tax time Arizona Wildlife Views magazine wants your fishing tips Reward offered in poaching case near Camp Verde Watson and Willow lakes to be dedicated as Important Bird Area View the full article

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting six informational open houses across the state to allow constituents an opportunity to preview and ask questions about the proposed fall hunt recommendations beginning April 7. Although no formal presentation will be made, a knowledgeable staff person will be available to discuss regional hunt recommendations. View the full article

The drawing results for Arizona’s 2011 elk and pronghorn antelope big game hunts are now available. The more than 120,000 eager applicants can find out if they were drawn for the limited permits by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website at www.azgfd.gov/draw or by calling (602) 942-3000 and selecting option two. View the full article