2017 pronghorn, elk hunt recommendations to be available for review

elk-hunt-reviewPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a series of six “open houses” for constituents to review and ask questions about the proposed pronghorn, elk and population management hunt recommendations.

The department annually makes hunt recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas and hunt permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be posted Monday, Nov. 21, at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines. The open houses will be conducted at the following Game and Fish regional offices:

  1. Wednesday, Nov. 23: 6-8 p.m., Flagstaff, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.
  2. Wednesday, Nov. 23: 3-5 p.m., Yuma, 9140 E. 28th St.
  3. Monday, Nov. 28: 3-5 p.m., Tucson, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
  4. Monday, Nov. 28: 3-5 p.m., Pinetop, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
  5. Tuesday, Nov. 29: 3-5 p.m., Kingman, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
  6. Wednesday, Nov. 30: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Mesa, 7200 E. University Road.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Constituents who are interested in particular game management units within those regions will be able to review the hunt recommendations and ask questions. No formal presentations are planned.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its Dec. 3 meeting at department headquarters in Phoenix. The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission.

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

Ongoing utility work on SR 260 in Camp Verde for the next five months

CAMP VERDE — In preparation for widening State Route 260 in Camp Verde between Interstate 17 and Thousand Trails Road (mileposts 209 to 218), utility work will be ongoing for the next five months. Crews are relocating utility lines to make room for the four-lane divided roadway that is set to begin construction next spring.

Utility relocation requires intermittent work along shoulders and trucks entering and exiting the roadway. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when traveling through work zones between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.

Leftover permit-tags available for 2016 sandhill crane hunts

sandhillcrane-huntPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting applications for leftover hunt permit-tags for the 2016 sandhill crane season.

A list of the 96 leftover hunt permit-tags, including 13 for youth hunters, is available online (PDF) at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw. Applications are being accepted — by mail only – on a first-come, first-served basis – at the following address: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

The hunt permit-tag fee is $43 for Arizona residents, $45 for non-residents (each successful applicant will receive three hunt permit-tags). A valid Arizona hunting license is needed to apply. If an applicant is not licensed at the time of application, he or she must purchase a license by completing the license form section and include payment with the application.

The 2016 Arizona Sandhill Crane Regulations are posted online at https://portal.azgfd.stagingaz.gov/PortalImages/files/regs/craneregs.pdf. For more information, call (602) 942-3000.