Category Archives: Amusement

Fire restrictions to be lifted tomorrow on North Kaibab Ranger District

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WILLIAMS — Due to the decreasing risk of fire danger, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will lift campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, July 27).

To date, many areas of the district have received the adequate amount of precipitation needed to warrant conditions being lifted. However, visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources.

“Although not widespread, we’ve had wetting rain events over the past week throughout portions of the Kaibab Plateau,” said North Zone Fuels Specialist Dave Robinson. “So we urge our forest visitors to remain vigilant and utilize proper campfire safety techniques and precautions – drown and stir until the campfire is cold to the touch.”

The Kaibab National Forest is committed to educating visitors about camping responsibly and being fire safe. Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes. Additional tips on camping responsibly are available at www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/responsible-recreation, which include answering nature’s call, being fire safe, avoiding interaction with wildlife, and respecting and protecting archaeological sites so that our National Forest and grasslands may be enjoyed for future generations.

Spring hunt recommendations to be available for review

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a series of six “open houses” for its constituents to review and ask questions about proposed hunt recommendations for spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison and bear.

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

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

  • Tues., July 26: 4-6:30 p.m. Mesa, 7200 E. University Drive.
  • Thurs., July 27: 3-5 p.m., Kingman, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
  • Tues., Aug. 2: 3-5 p.m., Pinetop, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 6-8 p.m., Flagstaff, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Yuma, 9140 E. 28th St.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Tucson, 555 N. Greasewood Road.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its Aug. 5 meeting in Flagstaff.

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

Sen. McCain assures sportsmen, AZGFD he’ll fight proposed Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument

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GRAND CANYON — Overlooking the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, multiple sportsmen’s groups met with Sen. John McCain to discuss their opposition to designating the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument, which would greatly impact access to hunting and fishing, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s ability to properly manage wildlife.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is opposed to a proposal that would needlessly create a national monument north of the Grand Canyon. Such a designation would limit the public’s access to more than 1.7 million acres of the Kaibab Plateau and will greatly impact local residents, sportsmen and sportswomen, and AZGFD’s mission to properly manage the state’s wildlife.

“The land is here for the people,” Mule Deer Foundation Regional Director Terry Herndon told McCain during a meeting at Grand Canyon National Park with sportsmen’s groups, community leaders and business owners. “It is absolutely critical to maintain our access for hunting and fishing, and for the Arizona Game and Fish Department to be able to continue to do their job to manage our wildlife.”

Those gathered also expressed concern the designation could impact access to water resources and could block further access to public lands, which will lead to degradation of wildlife populations and habitat on one of the most important hunting areas in the U.S.

Sen. McCain pledged to fight any designation of a Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument and vowed to ask Congress to overturn any such action, if created by President Barack Obama.

“If the president issues this executive order, I promise to make it my highest priority to have it overturned in January,” McCain said. “We must weigh the full impact and what we’re losing with this designation. This will eliminate a way of life and that isn’t fair to our residents or visitors. This will also greatly affect the heritage of our state and those who depend on multi-use areas such as this.”

Creation of the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument could well transfer jurisdiction of the area watershed to the National Park Service, which already has an $11.6 billion maintenance backlog, and will hamper forest thinning projects designed to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Family Movie Night at the Calvary Chapel

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MV5BMTA0ODM5MTM5MTleQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU4MDAwNzk1NDYx._V1_UY268_CR6,0,182,268_AL_The Cavalry Chapel at 106 S 9th Street in Williams will be hosting a family movie night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 22. The adult movie will be Woodlawn. They will also show another movie for kids. There will be popcorn, snacks and awesome time of fellowship. All are invited. You can call (928) 202-1378 for more information.

Fall hunt draw results available now for Portal account holders

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PHOENIX — Hunters who have an AZGFD Customer Portal account now can view their draw results for the 2016 deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison, fall bear and pheasant seasons. Simply log into your account, and you will be taken to your personal ‘My AZ Outdoors” page.

Portal account holders have the benefit of being able to view their draw results a day or two before the results officially are released. It’s quick, easy and free to create a Portal account. Just click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Create an Account” option, filling in the requested information.

Portal accounts are mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

Meanwhile, the department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results officially are released. All permit-tags are scheduled to be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants by Aug. 15.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

Public workshop to be held in Flagstaff for Grand Canyon National Park Airport Master Plan

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FLAGSTAFF — The master plan study process for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public information workshop July 20 in Flagstaff.

The public will be able to review data collected by the study team regarding aviation forecasts and how it relates to current airport facility capabilities. Members of the community will also be able to provide comments and input on the study.

The open house forum will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.

Airport master plans are required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The update for Grand Canyon National Park Airport will evaluate the facility’s capabilities and role, forecast future aviation demand and plan facility improvements to meet that demand over the next 20 years.

In addition to public meetings, comments and questions can be provided to the study team online at azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan, by phone at 800.574.6334 or by mail to Grand Canyon Airport Master Plan Study, c/o Coffman Associates, 4835 E. Cactus Road, Ste. 235, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

For more information on the Grand Canyon Airport and the master plan study, please visit azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan.

 

Get fall draw results sooner with AZGFD Customer Portal account

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Pronghorn_-_Buck_1_2PHOENIX — Tired of waiting for results of the 2016 fall hunt draw to find out if there’s a permit-tag with your name on it?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has the solution: Open up a Customer Portal account. It’s quick, easy, and – best of all – it’s free. As a benefit, those who have Portal accounts will be able to view their draw results a day or two before the results officially are released.

The Portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their contact information, as well as their license and draw results information and bonus points, in their personal “My AZ Outdoors” section. It’s easy. Just click on the “Sign in to Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Create an Account” option, filling in the requested information.

A Portal account is mobile-friendly, which means customers can view their information on their smartphone. The Portal also serves as a convenient way to gain access to the online license purchase and hunt draw application systems.

As for the upcoming fall hunt draw, the department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results become available. All permit-tags are scheduled to be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants by Aug. 15.

For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000.

2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona” now available online

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hunt-azPHOENIX — The 2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona,” the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s yearly compilation of big and small game hunting statistics, is now available online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata.

The free, downloadable, PDF publication includes draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife.

The 205-page publication is easy to use and includes the latest data on units/hunts with the highest hunter success rates, hunts with the best draw odds, and historical survey and hunt information that can be used to compare trends, by unit, for the major game species.

“Hunt Arizona” is a must for both novice and experienced hunters when making informed decisions regarding hunt selections.

Edward “Pat” Madden assumes role of Game and Fish Commission chairman

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edward-maddenPHOENIX — Edward “Pat” Madden of Flagstaff became the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s newest chair on July 1. He will lead the five-member commission for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Madden replaces Kurt R. Davis, who will continue to serve on the commission until his successor is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Each commissioner serves a five-year term that is staggered and customarily serves as chairman during their final year.

Madden, who joined the commission in 2013, has an extensive law enforcement background. He spent more than three decades working for the Flagstaff Police Department – beginning his career in 1966 as a patrolman and retiring as chief of police in 1999 – and also worked for the Arizona Department of Gaming before fully retiring in 2015.

Chairman Madden has been an active member of the Flagstaff community and has served on multiple boards and committees, including: Flagstaff Big Brothers; Flagstaff Route 66 Rotary Club; Northern Arizona Fallen Officers Memorial Committee; Flagstaff Leadership; and Citizens Against Substance Abuse. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his work and community service, including the Officer of the Year award from the Flagstaff Police Department, Outstanding Service Award from Big Brothers Flagstaff, and the Paul Harris Foundation Award from Rotary International.

“I look forward to my chairmanship and a continued productive working relationship between the commission, department and public to ensure that Arizona’s wildlife is protected, preserved, enhanced and managed,” said Madden.

He received his Master of Science degree in criminal justice and his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern Traffic Institute in Evanston, Ill., and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

The commission oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The commission establishes rules and regulations for the managing and conserving of wildlife and fisheries resources, and for safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle (OHV) operations for the benefit of Arizona residents.

AZGFD among agencies conducting OUI checkpoint on Colorado River

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KINGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will participate in a multi-agency enforcement patrol this weekend on the Colorado River, pursuing those who are operating their boats and other watercraft while under the influence (OUI) of drugs or alcohol.

AZGFD, together with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be on the lookout for boat and watercraft operators violating the law and who are found to be above Arizona’s OUI legal limit of a .08 blood-alcohol content.

Throughout the weekend, boaters may be required to pass through a checkpoint and be subject to a systematic safety inspection. Operators will be checked for any sign of impairment from alcohol or drugs, and to ensure the required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers, are aboard.

“Our main goal is to ensure people are enjoying our waterways safely and responsibly, and to help avert the next needless accident on the water,” said Velma Holt, west sector supervisor for the department’s regional office in Kingman. “The responsibility for boating safety among watercraft users is critically important.

“Because we share the river with California and Nevada, the area is a major draw for people traveling from across the Southwest. This time of year, our waterways are very congested, which lends itself to the potential for additional hazards.”

Boaters and watercraft users should review all regulations prior to launching. That includes having a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on board and making sure that anyone 12 and under is wearing one. Boats also must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD).

Additional multi-agency OUI checkpoints will occur on the Colorado River and its reservoirs throughout the boating season.