Category Archives: Amusement

Hunters can apply for limited-entry permit-tag seasons beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Monday, August 8

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will accept applications for limited-entry permit-tag seasons beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Monday, Aug. 8.

These new big game hunting opportunities give hunters a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Gould’s turkey permit-tag, while generating revenue to help support wildlife conservation efforts across the state.

To apply, visit https://limitedhuntentry.azgfd.com/. The deadline is 4:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Friday, Aug. 12.

These opportunities should not be confused with the annual draws that are conducted by the department in February, June and October. A limited-entry permit-tag application does not preclude a hunter from applying for any other hunts throughout the year or impact bonus points. Animals harvested during limited-entry permit-tag seasons are excluded from annual bag limits.

Applicants must have a Customer ID to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard;” 2) Check your hunting or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Don’t have a Customer ID? Visit https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register to sign up for a free AZGFD portal account. For those applicants who believe they have a portal account but are unable to locate their Customer ID by using the Customer ID Retrieval Tool, call the department at 602-942-3000 to avoid creating a duplicate account.

Applicants who draw a limited-entry permit-tag will be contacted by the department during the week of Aug. 15, at which time payment will be required before the permit-tag can be mailed. It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide accurate contact information to avoid missing an opportunity to receive the permit-tag for which they were drawn.

In addition:

  • This is discretionary. The objective is to generate revenue in order to maintain current operations and limit or eliminate the need to increase license and hunt permit-tag fees.
  • The issuance of a specific number of limited-entry permit-tags will not adversely affect management objectives for a species or area. These hunts will not impact the number of permit-tags made available for the annual draws. The related harvest will have an insignificant impact on wildlife populations.
  • A valid Arizona hunting (or combination hunt and fish) license is not needed at the time of application; it is required if a customer has been drawn for a limited-entry permit-tag.
  • Applicants can select up to 12 limited-entry permit-tag hunts on one application. Multiple applications will not be accepted.
  • At the time of application, a customer shall submit the required nonrefundable application fee ($13 for Arizona residents, $15 for nonresidents) for each selected hunt number.
  • Each customer must apply individually. Applicants cannot apply as a group, unlike the annual draws.
  • If a customer enters inaccurate information during the application process, or attempts to enter the draw for a hunt more than once, all applications will be deemed invalid.
  • After an application has been saved, a customer cannot begin a new one. A customer may return to their application to make changes as long as the draw is open, however. When an application is completed and final payment is accepted, a customer can no longer make changes or apply for additional hunts.

A total of 12 limited-entry permit-tags will be available for the following hunting opportunities:

  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 1 and 27.
  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 9 and 10.
  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 21, 22 and 23.

 

  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, and 20A.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 39, 40A, 40B, 41, 42, 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B, 45A, 45B, and 45C.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 28, 31, 32, 37A, and 37B.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 20B, 20C, 21, 22, and 23.

 

  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 27 and 28.
    White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 4A, 5A, 6A, 6B, and 8.
  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 29, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, 34A, 34B, 35A, 35B, 36A, 36B, and 36C.
  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 21, 22, 23, 24A, and 24B.

 

  • Gould’s turkey (bearded): Apr. 1, 2023-May 31, 2023. Open areas: Units 29, 30A, 31, 32, 33 (north and west of Redington Road), 34A, 35A, and 35B.

The elk and deer hunts are general season hunts. Legal methods of take: any firearm, pre-charged pneumatic weapon, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

The turkey hunt is a limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot season hunt. Legal methods of take: Any shotgun shooting shot as prescribed in R12-4-318, or crossbow or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

AZGFD’s countdown to dove season

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If you’re a dove hunter who’s counting down the days (28) until the Sept. 1 opener, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be rolling out a different video each week that is sure to whet your wing-shooting appetite.

Just keep checking your email each week, and enjoy what our professionals in the audio-visual department have produced about hunting doves, Arizona-style.
This week: Yuma: A Dove Hunter’s Paradise

2022 fall hunt draw results available

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2022 fall hunts.

Customers must have an AZGFD portal account to view draw results and bonus points. Draw results no longer are made available through an automated phone system.

A free AZGFD portal account (dependent account features are available) can be created by visiting accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register. A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section.

For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at 602-942-3000 and press “7.”

By the numbers:

  • 45,666: The total number of hunt permit-tags issued.
  • 191,074: The total number of those who applied for hunts or bonus points.
  • 150,813: The total number of applications submitted.

All hunt permit-tags are expected to be mailed by Aug. 5.

Enjoy free fishing in Arizona on Saturday, June 4

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) invites anglers to fish Arizona waters for free Saturday, June 4. It’s an ideal time to take the family out for some fun and relaxing outdoor recreation.

Fishing is already a bargain.  Arizona fishing licenses start at just $37 for residents 18 and older. A combination hunt and fish license for youths (10-17) are only $5.  Arizona’s Free Fishing Day is celebrated as part of National Fishing and Boating Week. As an incentive, a fishing license is not required Saturday for persons fishing any public waters in Arizona.

“Whether you’re a seasoned angler who wants to introduce a newcomer to the sport, or someone who’s always been interested but never took that next step, this is the perfect time to get outdoors and experience what fishing in Arizona is all about,” said Julie Carter, aquatic wildlife branch chief.

While a fishing license is not needed Saturday, bag limits and other fishing regulations still apply and must be observed on Free Fishing Day. Children under 10 can fish for free all year long in Arizona, so this special fishing license exemption means that older kids and parents get a free pass for the day, as well.

Not sure how to fish and want to learn? Check out AZGFD’s learn to fish video series. Then, once you’re hooked, remember to purchase a fishing license.

The purchase of a fishing license directly contributes to state conservation programs, including fisheries management, habitat protection and fishing education. A portion of all fishing and boating supplies, as well as license and registration sales, fund the conservation and preservation of our nation’s waterways through a program called the Sport Fish Restoration Program. This means every time an angler purchases a fishing license, fishing tackle, boat supplies, or registers a boat, that person is helping to improve the natural places that he or she cherishes.

Anglers can also share their fishing success stories and photos to the AZGFD FishAZ Facebook group, as well as connect with other anglers around the state.

New opportunity to protect bonus points a real “Plus”

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All of us know what it feels like to deal with the frustration and disappointment of an unforeseen event. After all, life happens.

That’s why the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is introducing “PointGuard Plus,” an innovative new product that will be available just in time for hunters who will be applying for 2022 hunt permit-tags for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane.

Whether an applicant purchases PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, he or she will have peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated (see details below).

A bonus point is an accumulated credit that authorizes the department to issue an applicant additional computer-generated random numbers during a draw. An applicant accumulates a bonus point each year in which he or she submits a valid application and does not draw a hunt permit-tag.

So, what are the advantages of PointGuard Plus?

  • For $25, an applicant will have the opportunity to surrender a hunt permit-tag and have their bonus points reinstated for all eligible big game species for three consecutive draw cycles from the date of purchase.
  • PointGuard Plus can be purchased from the time of completing an online application,  right up to the deadline to update credit card or debit card information (prior to AZGFD  processing hunt applications). The fee is non-refundable.
  • Those who purchase PointGuard Plus will receive priority positioning for the reissuing of hunt permit-tags that are surrendered by PointGuard members and non-members alike.
  • A free AZGFD portal account is not required to purchase PointGuard Plus. A portal account is still needed for those applicants wishing to view their draw results, however.
  • PointGuard Plus is completely discretionary.

And PointGuard?

  • Like PointGuard Plus, standard PointGuard is available to all applicants when applying online for a hunt permit-tag.
  • PointGuard is $10 per species (an increase of $5), per applicant, and also can be purchased from the time of completing an online application until the deadline to update credit card or debit card information. The fee is non-refundable.
  • Only one hunt permit-tag may be surrendered, per species. If an applicant is drawn in the future for that particular species, that hunt-permit tag must be used, expending all accumulated bonus points. Only then may an applicant participate again in PointGuard (and PointGuard Plus).
  • A free AZGFD portal account is not required to purchase PointGuard. A portal account is still needed for those applicants wishing to view their draw results, however.
  • PointGuard is completely discretionary.

So, which tier of PointGuard service is the way to go? It really comes down to how many species an applicant chooses to hunt and, if successful in the draw, their willingness to risk losing their bonus points in the event they’re unable to participate in that hunt.

For example, an applicant who only applies once a year to hunt deer might choose PointGuard for $10 per species. On the other hand, if an applicant applies for multiple species in any of the fall, spring, or pronghorn and elk draws — or all three — being covered for three consecutive draw cycles from the date of purchase for $25 makes PointGuard Plus a tremendous value.

In either case, PointGuard Plus and PointGuard both provide the same opportunity for an applicant to surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason and retain their coveted bonus points.

Here is the process to surrender a hunt permit-tag:

  • A hunt permit-tag must be surrendered prior to the close of business the day before the start of that particular hunt.
  • An applicant who has purchased PointGuard Plus or PointGuard will present the original hunt permit-tag to be surrendered, along with a completed tag surrender application form, in person to any customer service representative at any of the department’s statewide office locations. The documents also can be submitted by mail. All documents must be received no later than close of business one day prior to the beginning of a hunt.
  • The hunt permit-tag being surrendered and PointGuard Plus or PointGuard purchase will be verified by the department.
  • The department will restore all accumulated bonus points for that particular species, including the bonus point the applicant would have accrued if not successful in the draw.
  • The hunt permit-tag fee is non-refundable.

A person who donates, or transfers, his or her hunt permit-tag to a qualified nonprofit organization, also can participate in tag surrender, provided the requirements listed above are fulfilled. An acceptable proof of the transfer must be provided to the department through a qualified nonprofit organization.

According to rule (R12-4-118), the department has several options for the reissuance of a  surrendered hunt permit-tag. The proximity to the start of a particular hunt, the type of hunt permit-tag, and demand for that hunt permit-tag will factor into how it will be reissued.

For more information, call 602-942-3000.
 

Restaurant: Impossible to perk up Ranch House in Ash Fork

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ASH FORK — The Food Network show Restaurant: Impossible, hosted by Chef Robert Irvine, is coming to Ash Fork to perk up the Ranch House Cafe in Ash Fork. The challenge of the reality series is to save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two-days. And the producers are asking for assistance from the community members.

The producers of the show are inviting members of the community to dine at the restaurant for lunch prior to the re-modeling at their expense. You can also join them for dinner at the Grand Re-Opening on May 4th at your expense. They cannot, unfortunately, allow diners under the age of eight-years old.

Lunch will be on Tuesday, May 3rd at 11 A.M. The Grand Re-opening dinner will be Wednesday, May 4th at 7 P.M. If you are interested in making a reservation at RANCH HOUSE for either service, please email the Restaurant: Impossible production at: reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by APRIL 28TH at 12:00pm (PST). Please use the following in your subject line: 2014 / RANCH HOUSE RESERVATIONS.

The producers have issued a “casting call” for volunteers to help Robert Irvine with remodeling the restaurant. They are looking for people with construction skills such as painting, plumbing, cleaning, decorating, upholstering, and the like. Shift 1 will work May 3rd at 1 P.M. with shift 2 working on May 4th at 10:30.

  • You must be 18 years or older
  • Everyone must sign an appearance release on site
  • This is a paid position
  • If you are selected, you will be subject to a COVID test prior to filming
  • Masks are required on set at all times
  • Please wear sneakers or boots and work clothing with no logos.

If interested, please email the Restaurant: Impossible staff at reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by APRIL 28TH, at 12:00PM (PST) with the subject line of 2014 / RANCH HOUSE Volunteer. Please include your full name, email address, cell number and any profession (plumber or painter, etc.).

AZGFD to discontinue selling Community Fishing licenses beginning January 1

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has announced it will no longer offer Community Fishing licenses for sale beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

Over roughly the last eight years, the hugely popular Community Fishing Program (CFP) has expanded from 21 waters to 49 waters, which are located in 23 communities throughout the state. All CFP waters are stocked by AZGFD with trout, catfish, or a few other species, depending on time of year.

Anglers who want to fish CFP waters in 2022 will either need to have a General Fishing license or Combination Hunt/Fish license, or purchase one once their Community Fishing license expires in 2022.

“General Fishing and Combination Hunt/Fish licenses offer greater value than the Community Fishing license alone,” said Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief Julie Carter. “Anglers not only get the increased opportunities of the expanded CFP, but also the opportunity to fish nearly 80 other public waters in Arizona that are regularly stocked by AZGFD as well as the other streams and lakes throughout the state with self-sustaining sport fish populations.”

Community Fishing licenses can still be purchased through Dec. 31, 2021 and are valid for one year from date of purchase at designated CFP waters.

Anglers who had typically purchased Community Fishing licenses have been moving over to General or Combo licenses in recent years. Since 2014, Community Fishing license sales have declined by over 80%.

Residents pay only $37 for a General Fishing license ($55 for nonresidents) as opposed to $24 for the Community Fishing license, and have fishing privileges at all public waters in Arizona, including CFP waters. Combination Hunt/Fish licenses are $57 for residents and $160 for nonresidents.

Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends and can also help reduce a family’s food costs, especially now that the prices for food and other goods have increased. A $37 fishing license that is valid for 365 days costs roughly the same as 5 pounds of store-bought catfish fillets ($7.49/lb), or 3.5 pounds of trout fillets ($10.99/lb). It could easily pay for itself with a single day of fishing.

For more information about the Community Fishing Program, visit https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/community/.

2022 spring hunt draw results now available

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2022 spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison and bear, and raptor capture.

AZGFD portal accounts now are the sole source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. Customers can create a free portal account (family account features are now available) at accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register. Draw results no longer will be provided through the automated phone system.

A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at 602-942-3000 and press “7.”

By the numbers:

  • 31,789: The total number of hunt permit-tags issued.
  • 63,918: The total number of those who applied for hunts or bonus points.
  • 45,460: The total number of applications submitted.

All hunt permit-tags are expected to be mailed by December 3.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue funding to support Arizona’s sport fish stocking program

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PHOENIX — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) as part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) of its proposal to continue to fund, in part, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) sport fish stocking program over the next 10 years.

The FONSI decision means that FWS can continue funding to support AZGFD’s hatchery operations and fish stocking activities that provide recreational opportunities for anglers.

As part of the Proposed Action, conservation measures were incorporated that will offset or reduce the effects of the stocking action to the level that is not significant to the human environment and ultimately contribute to conservation and recovery of native species. The conservation measures were developed as a coordinated effort between the FWS’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), FWS Arizona Ecological Services Office, and AZGFD.

The FONSI decision followed an EA process that analyzed two alternatives, the Proposed Action and the No Action alternative. After review of public and agency comments received on the Draft EA, WSFR and the Arizona Ecological Services Office and AZGFD revised the conservation measures to provide additional detail and clarification. The final EA reflects these modifications, provides corrections to the document where warranted, and adds clarification as requested in public and agency comments.

Under the Proposed Action, funding will support stocking of sport fish at 186 individual sites in selected rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and tanks in the state. It will also support continued operations and maintenance of five AZGFD hatcheries that rear sport fish (primarily trout) for stocking. The actions in this alternative are the most comparable to the stocking program that has been in place since 2011.

Hundreds of thousands of Arizona residents and nonresidents take advantage of the state’s recreational fishing opportunities each year. There were 6,009,716 angler use days (AUDs) of fishing in Arizona, with a total annual economic impact of $1.47 billion based on 2013 numbers (Duda 2014; Fedler 2014). The demand for angling opportunities in Arizona is anticipated to further increase given current trends and projected models of population growth, especially in close proximity to urban areas.

Under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, FWS has the authority to provide federal funding to state wildlife agencies for management and restoration of sport fish, as well as public use and benefit from those resources. Funding is provided on a match basis through the WSFR program. Sport Fish Restoration funds through that program come from a federal excise tax on certain fishing equipment and a portion of motorboat fuel tax revenues. In July 2021, Arizona received about $8 million in Sport Fish Restoration Act funds.

Public comment period extended for draft Environmental Assessment for continued fish stocking in Arizona

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PHOENIX — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) today extended the deadline for the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (dEA) of Arizona’s sport fish stocking program. The original June 11 deadline has been extended for two weeks, until June 25, 2021, to allow for more comment opportunity. The methods of providing public comments remain the same as in the original announcement and are described below.
The dEA is part of a process to continue to allow federal Sport Fish Restoration funding to support AZGFD’s long-standing program of stocking fish for public recreational opportunities, and for hatchery operations and maintenance. Each year, thousands of anglers in Arizona take advantage of the fish stocking program, which is funded in part by federal dollars from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and augmented by state dollars from fishing license sales.
Every 10 years, USFWS and AZGFD evaluate the social, economic and environmental effects of Arizona’s stocking program, and pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), prepare a dEA that analyzes possible actions or alternatives. The preferred alternative for the agencies, also known as the Proposed Action, would allow AZGFD to continue its stocking program for the next 10 years and also includes conservation measures to reduce potential impacts on federally listed or sensitive native aquatic or semi-aquatic species.
Members of the public are encouraged to review and provide comments on the dEA. Written comments can be submitted from May 11, 2021 through 5 p.m. (Arizona time) on June 25, 2021. Comments can be either:
•    Emailed to fw2fa@fws.gov, or
•    Sent by U.S. Mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attention Dave Weedman, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (must be postmarked no later than June 25, 2021).
Your written comments—including personal identifying information, such as name, address, phone number, and email address—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask that personal identifying information be withheld from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Two Facebook Live sessions with information about the dEA were held June 1 and June 2 and are available for on-demand viewing:
•    View the June 1 session – covers AZGFD northern regions (1, 2, 3).
•    View the June 2 session – covers AZGFD southern regions (4, 5, 6).