Eastern Arizona Counties Organization contributes $25,000 to Range Rider Program

PINETOP – The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made a contribution of $25,000 to support the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Range Rider Program that is directed by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team.

Created in 1993, ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest and watershed restoration, travel management and public land access, threatened and endangered species management, rural economic development, and recreation issues.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its conservation partners are grateful to the ECO for their support of the Range Rider Program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD Mexican wolf coordinator. “One of the key activities the department is engaged in is reducing depredations on livestock in the wolf recovery area. Based on the number of documented depredations since 2019 when the program was initiated, we have seen a decline in depredations which is attributed to the Range Rider Program.”

A range rider is a person who spends time in areas where wolves and cattle are in proximity and chases wolves from the area. It is a way of proactively deterring conflict between wolves and livestock. The range rider will work in much of eastern Arizona and will be directed to areas where high levels of depredations are occurring.

“ECO is pleased to provide this funding to AZGFD,” said Jason Whiting, ECO chair. “Depredations peaked in 2019 when the Range Rider Program was initiated by the department and other cooperators. It is important to note that funding for the Range Rider Program comes from modest county budgets, but the ECO believes that putting what we can into on-the-ground wolf-depredation avoidance is vital to reaching a balance between the ESA goal of recovery and the costs to Arizona ranchers.”

Richard Lunt, ECO vice chair, has been actively involved in wolf depredation prevention management. “Even with an increasing Mexican wolf population since 2019, documented depredations have declined by nearly 40 head of livestock. This represents money well spent by ECO to help promote balance between livestock production and wolf recovery,” he said.

Clay Crowder, the department’s assistant director for wildlife management added, “As the wolf population continues to grow, reducing conflict over depredations is essential and something that the IFT works on daily. This financial assistance from ECO will be put directly on the ground.”

Eastern Arizona Counties Organization contributes $35,000 to Range Rider Program to reduce Mexican wolf depredations on livestock

AZGF Photo

PINETOP — The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made a contribution of $35,000 to support the Range Rider Program managed by the Interagency Field Team (IFT) of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Project.

Created in 1993, the ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest and watershed restoration, travel management and public land access, threatened and endangered species management, rural economic development, and recreation issues.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its conservation partners are grateful to the ECO for their support of the Range Rider Program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD assistant director for wildlife management. “One of the key activities the department is engaged in is reducing depredations on livestock in the wolf recovery area. This monetary contribution will go a long way toward increasing staff availability to livestock producers and the IFT to haze wolves from areas with active depredation activities.”

A range rider is a person who spends time in areas where wolves and cattle are in proximity and chases wolves from the area. It is a way of proactively deterring conflict between wolves and livestock. The range rider will work in much of eastern Arizona and will be directed to areas where high levels of depredations are occurring.

“ECO is pleased to provide this funding to AZGFD and the IFT,” said Jason Whiting, ECO chair. “Over the past two years, the number of depredations has increased as the wolf population increased, and this is impacting the region’s ranchers. Wolf depredations usually peak in early summer and continue into the fall, so this funding for the Range Rider Program will be put on the ground now.”

Richard Lunt, ECO vice chair, has been actively involved in wolf depredation prevention management. “Finding tools to reduce wolf impacts is important, and I am hopeful that the Range Rider Program proves to be a mechanism that works for a wolf recovery strategy that is compatible with livestock stability,” he said.

AZGFD’s deVos notes that Mexican wolf recovery has seen growth over the last decade, with the 2019 wolf count being 163, nearly a 24% increase from the prior year.

“As the wolf population continues to grow, reducing conflict over depredations is essential and something that the IFT works on daily,” he said. “This financial assistance from ECO will be put directly on the ground.”

16th Annual High Country Hummingbird Festival at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area

PINETOP – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting its 16th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, July 27 at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar. The free, family-friendly festival will include:

  • Hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory
    Plant displays to attract hummingbirds
  • Live wildlife from the department’s Wildlife Center
  • Take a photo with a live bird at the critter photo booth
  • Activities designed for children
  • Informational talks about hummingbirds and bird calls of the White Mountains
  • A class on photographing hummingbirds by AZGFD wildlife photographer George Andrejko
  • Booths from local, outdoor oriented organizations

The event starts at 8 a.m. and ends at noon.

The Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

Come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors with the potential of some summer rain. Parking will be extremely limited if the area receives rain. Attendees are encouraged to check the weather forecast for the day of the event.

The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce will provide breakfast items and lunch concessions for purchase.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

For more information, visit azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/events/hummingbird-festival/ or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at (928) 532-3680. The most current information and event schedule can be found on the AZGFD Pinetop Regional Facebook page at facebook.com/AZGFDPinetop/

Rattlesnake Fire closures impact turkey hunts south of Alpine

PINETOP — On April 26, the U.S. Forest Service announced new closures due to the Rattlesnake Fire burning south of Alpine, which will affect access for turkey hunters heading to Game Management Unit (GMU) 27.

Forest Road 26 is open to vehicles, but the area south of the roadway is closed from FS Road 26 to FS Road 587. Additionally, trailhead closures are in place between FS Roads 26 and 54 east of Highway 191. The Black River south of Buffalo Crossing is also included in this closure.

See the map and closure order for more details (Facebook).

Areas in Unit 27 outside of the expanded Rattlesnake Fire closure area on the Alpine Ranger District that turkey hunters should consider during the closure include:

FS Road 281 all the way down into Blue River.
FS Road 403 just west of Alpine.
The middle mountain area along FS Roads 37 and 405.
The Indian Peak area along FS Roads 58 and 59, just south of Alpine.
FS Road 276 west of Alpine, down into the East Fork of Black River.
FS Road 567 east to Blue River.
FS Road 184 east off of Highway 191.

For updates on the Rattlesnake Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.

Mexican wolf population survey flight operations begin January 22

PINETOP — Residents of Alpine, Arizona, Reserve, NM and surrounding areas may notice a low-flying helicopter in the region between January 22 and February 3, as biologists conduct their annual Mexican wolf population survey and capture.

The flights are part of the Mexican wolf Reintroduction Project, a multi-agency cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Service Inspection Service – Wildlife Services and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

The aerial operation is scheduled to run January 22 to February 3, weather permitting. Survey flights will occur on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation; the Apache-Sitgreaves, Gila and Cibola National Forests in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico; and possibly some locations immediately outside forest boundaries.

“Data collected during this annual survey and capture operation is critical to help us to determine and evaluate the overall population status of Mexican wolves,” said Paul Greer, AZGFD Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team leader. “The survey helps to chart progress in documenting the Mexican wolf population in the Southwest, and it helps us know how these animals are using local habitat.”

As part of the operation, biologists will attempt to capture selected wolves born in 2017 that have not yet been fitted with a radio telemetry collar, in addition to those with collars that need a battery replacement or any wolf appearing to be sick or injured. Wolves are captured after being darted with an anesthetizing drug from a helicopter containing trained personnel.

After being immobilized, the wolf is then brought by air to a staging area for processing and any necessary veterinary care. The wolf is then returned to the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) and released on public land.

The field team is contacting private landowners to gain permission to property to capture a wolf, if necessary, and will be coordinating with land management agencies and county sheriff offices on survey operation details.

There were a minimum of 113 wolves in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico at the end of 2016, according to a survey by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team. The survey found that there were 63 wolves in Arizona and 50 in New Mexico.

The 2016 total represented a more than doubling of the population since 2009.
Results of the survey will be made available to the public in March. For more information on the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/.

Two mule deer does poached near Nelson Reservoir

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of two mule deer does.

On Saturday morning, December 23, 2017, the does were illegally killed on Forest Road 8058, west of Highway 191 and south of Nelson Reservoir. One doe was taken from the field and the other was mostly left to waste.

Investigators are seeking information about a maroon or red truck with a silver or gray stripe along the lower frame of the truck, which is believed to be associated with this crime.

“We need assistance from the public to find the individuals responsible,” said AZGFD law specialist Nancy Huser. “This is the action of a criminal, who stole wildlife assets and resources from the people of Arizona and must be brought to justice.”

There was a lawful, open cow elk hunt going on at the time of the poaching. Investigators hope hunters and recreationists who were in the area may have valuable information about the crime.

Anyone with information about this case can call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt and refer to case #17-004986.

Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 in this case. An additional $500 reward is being offered by the Mule Deer Foundation upon arrest and conviction of the poachers. All caller identities will remain confidential upon request.

Information sought about cow elk poached in Alpine Valley closure area

PINETOP, Arizona — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about a cow elk poached near Alpine in the early morning on Thursday, October 26. The elk was shot in the Alpine Valley closure, south of Luna Lake. There was a legal hunt for cow elk open during this time.

AZGFD officers believe that other hunters in the area may have seen the violation occur.

“Anyone who saw or heard anything that might be related to this unlawful act should call in,” said Officer Aaron Hartzell, an AZGFD field supervisor. “This isn’t the action of a sportsman; it’s a criminal act of stealing wildlife resources from the people of Arizona.”

The department’s Operation Game Thief program encourages anyone with information about such cases or the illegal take of wildlife in Arizona to call its 24/7 hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt.

Anyone reporting information about this case can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $500. Reward funding comes from donations, court fines and civil restitution by violators who commit wildlife crimes.

Anyone with information about the elk poaching should refer to case #17-4152.

Three bull elk poached near Joseph City

operation_game_thief_footerPINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible for the illegal killing of a three bull elk on the morning of November 7. The bull elk were killed in an agriculture field located south of I-40 off Hunt Road. This is just east of Joseph City.

All three bull elk were untouched and were left to waste.

“The poacher left these animals to waste, and we need assistance from the public to find the individual(s) responsible. This is a senseless act and not the actions of a hunter,” said Officer Ken Clay, an AZGFD wildlife manager. “What makes this act so appalling is this particular area is open to elk hunting year round to anyone who purchases a non-permit elk tag over the counter at one of our offices.”

Anyone with information about this case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/thief and refer to case #16-003848. Callers who have information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) will be eligible for a $2,500.00 reward in this case. All calls may remain confidential upon request.

Tiger trout to be stocked in Rim Lakes for Memorial Day weekend

PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be stocking a hybrid trout new to Arizona, in two Arizona Rim Country lakes this week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Willow Springs Lake and Woods Canyon Lake will each be stocked with catchable size (8-10 inch) tiger trout the week of May 23.

The tiger trout is a brown-brook trout hybrid. As a result of this hybridization, the tiger trout will be sterile, or unable to reproduce. As tiger trout grow, their worm-like pattern becomes more distinct.

Last summer, the AZGFD obtained around 18,000 tiger trout fingerlings (3-6 inches) from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The trout were raised at the Tonto Creek Hatchery near Payson until they grew to a catchable (at least 8 inch) size.

In addition to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lake being stocked with tiger trout, Becker Lake and Carnero Lake were stocked with tiger trout earlier in May. In all of these lakes, tiger trout are being stocked in addition to rainbow trout.

At Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake, the standard bag limit of six trout in any combination applies.

At Becker Lake and Carnero Lake, special regulations apply. Becker Lake is catch-and-release only, artificial fly and lure only, and a single barbless hook. At Carnero Lake, there is a two trout daily bag limit, in any combination, and only artificial fly and lure only can be used.

“People typically fly fish for tiger trout,” said Mike Lopez, AZGFD aquatics program manager. “They’re probably more like a brown trout, so lures and flies should work well, because they actively look for prey.”

Lopez also suggests that fishing in the early morning or late in the day will be the most successful because the tiger trout will be most active at those times.

These four lakes were chosen because they are currently managed for rainbow trout sport fishing. Adding tiger trout to the lakes will add diversity and expanded opportunities to the Arizona fishing experience. Because the tiger trout are sterile, the fish won’t establish downstream and potentially impact native fish.

See more information about fishing in Arizona.