Category Archives: Recreation

Parade route for Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg requires closure of US 60 on Saturday

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WICKENBURG – Due to this weekend’s 69th annual Gold Rush Days celebration, US 60 in downtown Wickenburg (mileposts 107-110) will be closed in both directions on Saturday (February 11) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should expect delays or adjust travel plans accordingly. Traffic will be rerouted through a clearly marked detour.

Eastbound traffic on US 60 will be detoured to Vulture Mine Road to US 93 and US 93 southbound to reconnect to US 60.

Westbound traffic on US 60 will be rerouted to the US 93 bypass northbound, US 93 to Vulture Mine Road and Vulture Mine Road back to US 60.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Survey looks to measure off-highway vehicle financial impact

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PHOENIX — The popularity of off-highway vehicles (OHV) has exploded throughout the state and, Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are turning to OHV enthusiasts to help shape the future of the activity statewide.

With 365 riding days per year, scenic trails and great weather, Arizona continues to draw OHV enthusiasts from across the country to access our motorized trails. To better plan for the future of the activity statewide, Arizona State Parks and Trails partnered with Arizona State University to produce an economic impact study to measure the broad effect the activity has in our state.

“Having a better understanding of spending behaviors, travel trends and trail needs will aid State Parks and our partners to provide enhancements to the statewide trail system, programs, and information to OHV users,” said Skip Varney, State Parks State OHV Coordinator.

Over the next 12 months, the public is invited to complete a survey, either electronically at www.azstateparks.com/OHV or at various riding areas throughout the state. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete, however only completed surveys can be used in the reporting process.

“There are nearly limitless riding opportunities and Arizona offers some of the best views available,” said Nathan Gonzalez, AZGFD public information officer. “In addition to guiding future trail development, the results of this survey are vital to helping AZGFD anticipate current and future safety and education program needs. Our goal is to ensure our education methods are adequate to meet the needs of our growing OHV community.”

The economic impact study was last completed in 2002 and found that OHV recreation in Arizona had a $4.25 billion impact. In addition, the activity supported nearly 37,000 jobs, contributed to $1.1 billion in household incomes and added $187 million to annual state tax revenues.

To participate, please click here to complete the survey.

For more information on OHV riding in Arizona and to take an online safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/OHV.

BLM to host two additional public meetings on target shooting management on Sonoran Desert National Monument

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled two additional information meetings at which it seeks input on recreational target shooting management alternatives for the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The meeting dates and locations are:

  • Feb. 11: noon to 3 p.m., Copper Sky Recreation Center, 44342 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa.
  • Feb. 21: 4-7 p.m., Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N Central Ave., Phoenix.

The purpose of the meetings is to present the draft management alternatives, answer public questions, and receive public input to be considered as the planning process progresses. During the first 30 minutes of each meeting, the BLM will provide opening remarks describing the ground rules and will proceed to present the alternatives. The remaining time will be conducted in an open house format, during which staff will answer additional questions and receive input to be considered. Three meetings were previously held Jan. 19-21 in Phoenix and Casa Grande.

The 90-day comment period will close on March 15, 2017. All comments must be received prior to this date in order to be included in the final analysis.

Following the public comment period, the BLM will consider all of the input and begin work to finalize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).

Stakeholders and other members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments for the record through the BLM online land use planning tool, ePlanning. Written comments may be mailed to the BLM’s project manager, Wayne Monger, at 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, faxed to (623) 580-5623, or e-mailed to BLM_AZ_SDNMtargetshooting@BLM.gov.

SDNM RMP Planning Website: http://bit.ly/SDNMtargetshooting.

Great weather . . . great hunting!

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PHOENIX — A week’s worth of gray skies has given way to wall-to-wall sunshine. The rain puddles are long gone. The air is crisp, clean, refreshing.

While snow still might be piled high in some places around Arizona, it’s a great time – no, the perfect time – to head for the backcountry in lower elevations and take advantage of some great hunting opportunities.

But hunters need to get going. The general waterfowl season in the “Desert Zone” ends Sunday, Jan. 29. The last day to use “over the counter” archery-only nonpermit-tags for any antlered deer and spring javelina is Tuesday, Jan. 31. And the general season for Gambel’s, scaled, California and Mearns’ quail closes Feb. 12.

Don’t forget about the general spring javelina season. As of Monday, Jan. 23:

193 leftover hunt permit-tags were available for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) spring hunts that begin Feb. 10.
183 hunt permit-tags remained for general spring hunts that begin Feb. 24.

All of the leftover hunt permit-tags are available on a “first-come” basis. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted online a list of the leftover hunt permit-tags. Hunters can apply one of two ways: Fill out a paper application and bring it to any department office statewide, at which time a hunt permit-tag will be issued, or mail the completed application to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.

Arizona deer, elk clear of Chronic Wasting Disease

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has announced that Arizona continues to be clear of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk.

Department officials did not find any cases of CWD in the 750-plus deer (mule and white-tailed) and elk that were harvested by hunters and voluntarily submitted for testing in 2016. Game and Fish has been testing for the presence of the disease in Arizona since 1998. While CWD has been found in the neighboring states of Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, the disease has not been detected in Arizona.

The department is grateful for the assistance of hunters who submit deer and elk heads for testing, as well as the cooperation of local taxidermists and game processors. Heads can be brought to any Game and Fish office statewide between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information about CWD, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/research_cwd.shtml.

Online applications for 2017 pronghorn, elk hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department now is accepting online applications for 2017 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn antelope and elk.

To apply online, visit https://draw.azgfd.gov and scroll down to “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the online application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 10 of the “2017 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet (PDF). Printed booklets also are available at all Game and Fish offices and license dealers (PDF) statewide.

Paper applications can be mailed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052, or dropped off at any regional office statewide.

All applications – online or paper – must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. Postmarks do not count.

In a major change from last year, online applicants must keep their credit card payment information current. If payment is declined at the time of the draw, the application will not be drawn. The department no longer will attempt to reach applicants by telephone to obtain payment on drawn applications where credit cards have failed.

This also marks the first time pronghorn and elk hunters will be able to purchase PointGuard as part of their online application. An innovative new program, PointGuard provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. Information: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.

In the meantime, the department is encouraging all applicants to sign up for a free AZGFD Customer Portal account. 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. A portal account also provides convenient access to the online license purchase and draw application systems.

It’s easy to create an 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. A portal account is mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

Finally, did you know the department’s online services are available 24/7? >From creating that AZGFD Customer Portal account and purchasing a valid hunting license, to getting the latest wildlife news and applying online for the draw, visit www.azgfd.gov anytime for all of your outdoor needs. Save time, buy online!

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

New fishing regulations to take effect January 1

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Some new fishing regulations will take effect beginning Jan 1. Be sure to look for the full 2017-18 Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing regulations online around the first of the year. Also, the new fishing regulations booklet will be available at all AZGFD offices and license dealers in early January.

Here are the changes:

  • Reduce the daily trout bag limit to five at the Colorado River from Lake Mead to California-Nevada boundary (including Lake Mohave and Willow Beach).
  • Reduce the daily bag limits to two bass, minimum size 13 inches; and 4 catfish in any combination at Whitehorse Lake.
  • Change the season and daily bag limit from Glen Canyon Dam to the Paria Riffle to two rainbow trout; artificial fly and lure only; barbless hooks only.
  • Close the Kino Environmental Restoration Project to fishing. The Kino Environmental Restoration Project is in Tucson (Pima County).
  • Change the daily trout bag limit to two, any species combination at Frye Mesa Reservoir.
  • Allow the use of fathead minnows caught on site to be used as bait at Riggs Flat Lake.
  • Create a year-round bow-and-arrow season for catfish at Apache, Canyon and Saguaro lakes, with a special regulation daily bag limit of five catfish in any combination.
  • Catch and release regulations for largemouth bass at Pena Blanca Lake and Dankworth Pond will have sunset and will no longer be in effect. The statewide limit of six bass will apply.

For more fishing information, visit the AZGFD fishing page, or the Fish AZ blog.

If an OHV is on the holiday list, don’t forget the safety gear

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PHOENIX — Another year has passed and if a new off-highway vehicle (OHV) is in the cards this holiday season, the Arizona Game and Fish Department advises you to remember the wear the following equipment.

  1. A helmet. Whether riding in a side-by-side utility-type vehicle (UTV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or dirt bike, all riders younger than18 years old are legally required to wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet. Helmets are strongly recommended for all riders older than 18.
  2. Eye protection, such as riding goggles, is legally required for all riders if the OHV is not equipped with a windshield.
  3. Riding gloves should be worn at all times to protect your hands while riding and enhance your grip while driving.
  4. Wear proper clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, pants and over-the-ankle boots.

Register your OHV and purchase an OHV Decal. All vehicles designed primarily for travel on unimproved terrain and weighing less than 1,800 pounds are required to have a $25 OHV decal to operate on public and state lands. License plates and decals are available at any Arizona Motor Vehicle Division location or at www.servicearizona.com.

Take a safety course. Safety courses teach new and veteran riders the techniques needed to safely operate and ride an OHV, including the importance of shifting their weight, maintaining control of the machine, evasive breaking and maneuvers. For information on where to take a course or to take one online, visit www.azgfd.com/Education/OHV.

Always remember to supervise children under 16 years old and check to ensure your child is riding an age-appropriate vehicle. Machines may be too large and powerful for a child to safely operate. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s safety.

Riders should only carry the number of passengers for which the machine is designed. One of the biggest causes of OHV-related injuries is riding with more than the recommended number of passengers. Proper riding techniques require operators to shift their weight and change position to keep control of the machine. Carrying a passenger can make riding difficult and change how the vehicle responds.

For additional OHV safety information, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

New watercraft for Christmas?

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PHOENIX — Tis the season to head out on the water and if a boat, kayak or other personal watercraft is on your Christmas list this holiday season, the Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to make sure your inaugural voyage is a safe one.

Whether you’re planning to take a new watercraft out for some sightseeing or to do some fishing, all new and veteran watercraft users are encouraged to remember the following 10 tips to remain safe on the water.

Always wear a life jacket. Life jackets aren’t just a good idea, they are required by state law for anybody 12 years old and younger when the boat is underway. There must also be at least one life jacket available for everyone aboard.

Register your watercraft. Make sure the vessel’s registration is current before heading out on the water. It’s one of the most important boating requirements needed to operate a watercraft on Arizona waterways. The registration fee is determined by watercraft length and ranges from $20 to $66 for Arizona residents and $100 to $495 for non-residents. Those needing to renew their watercraft registration can do so online at www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Take a boating and watercraft safety course. Learn how to practice safe boating techniques and to respond in the event of an emergency by completing a hands-on safety course.

Learn and follow the “navigation rules of the road.” In Arizona, most citations are issued for navigation rule violations. Navigation rules and water markers such as buoys are in place to help avoid collisions on the water.

Research where you plan to take your watercraft. It’s always a great idea to learn everything you can about the waterway you’re heading off to before you get there. Call ahead and check maps to learn about underwater obstacles and shallow zones.

Make sure you have the proper supplies. Make sure there is plenty of drinking water, snacks and food aboard if the plan is to be on the water for extended periods of time. Also be sure to leave a float plan with family and friends, detailing where you’re going and when you plan to return; and to pack sunscreen, a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and cell phone or marine radio.

Do not install or use unapproved lighting. Rope lighting, “party” lighting and various other types of decorative lighting may not meet U.S. Coast Guard certification requirements and could increase the likelihood of a collision. Regardless if the lighting was installed before the vessel was purchased, decorative lighting could violate U.S. Coast Guard rules.

Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while operating a watercraft. Just as it’s illegal to operate a vehicle on the roadway under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s equally illegal to do so on the water. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents nationwide in 2014, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Cold-water immersion can be deadly so dress appropriately and if you fall overboard, climb back into or on top of the boat. If you cannot, stay near the vessel and use oars or anything floating nearby to help stay afloat.

Buy a fishing license. If fishing is even part of the day’s adventure, anyone 10 years of age and older dipping a line into the water must have a valid fishing license. General fishing licenses cost $37 for residents and $55 for non-residents per year. To purchase one and for information on various hunt and fish license combinations, visit www.azgfd.gov and click “Buy a License.”

Those needing to register their watercraft can save time by renewing online at www.azgfd.gov and clicking “Boat Renewals.” For more information on boating in Arizona, stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species (such as quagga mussels) or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Fatal off-highway vehicle accidents serve as reminders to practice OHV safety

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all off-highway vehicle (OHV) drivers and passengers to wear the proper safety gear and ride responsibly in the wake multiple separate accidents.

Since Thanksgiving, three people have died in accidents on OHVs. The first occurred in Mohave County after an ATV rolled, killing an 11-year-old female passenger and injuring the 12-year-old driver, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

The second accident claimed the life of a veteran Phoenix Fire captain who rolled the side-by-side he was driving while on an elk hunt south of the Grand Canyon, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the weekend, an 18-year-old Arizona State University student died after his ATV collided with a tree.

“It only takes a split-second for tragedy to strike,” said Josh Hurst, AZGFD Off-Highway Vehicle Program coordinator. “The last few weeks have shown us that OHV accidents can happen to anybody at any time and that is why all riders and their passengers should wear the proper safety equipment at all times. Helmets save lives.”

Riders and operators are reminded that helmets are required by law for all riders under the age of 18 regardless of the off-highway vehicle type. However, they are strongly recommended for all riders. In addition riders should remember to:

  • Wear a seat belt at all times, if equipped.
  • Only carry the number of passengers recommended by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Often many accidents are the result of too many people riding a machine that was designed for fewer passengers.
  • Wear riding goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, riding gloves and over-the-ankle boots.
  • Never ride alone.
  • Be prepared and equipped with a map, a first aid kit, whistle and have basic tools on hand.
  • Stay on designated trails.
  • Take an OHV safety education course designed to teach off-road motorists how to ride safely and responsibly.

For more information about the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s OHV program and safety course options, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.