Category Archives: Recreation

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).

Arizona’s deer, elk clear of Chronic Wasting Disease

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

Department officials did not find any cases of CWD in the 1,589 deer (mule and white-tailed) and elk that were sampled in 2020 — the most in more than a decade. AZGFD collected 519 samples from animals that were harvested and voluntarily submitted by hunters, and another 1,070 samples through partnerships with game processors and taxidermists.

AZGFD 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. CWD has not been documented to cause disease in people.

The department is grateful for the assistance of hunters who submit deer and elk heads for testing, as well as the cooperation of game processors and taxidermists. For more information about CWD, visit the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website at http://cwd-info.org/. Also, check out a video that addresses 14 of the most commonly asked questions about CWD. The questions were submitted by hunters from across the nation, and the answers were provided by top CWD experts and researchers. The video was produced by the National Deer Alliance.

Invasive zebra mussels found in “moss ball” aquarium product sold at aquarium and pet supply stores

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), along with wildlife agencies across the country, are urging pet stores and aquarium owners to take action now to contain any “moss ball” plants designed for aquariums after invasive zebra mussels were found on these products in Arizona as well as other states. This is a national invasive species emergency and evolving situation.

Arizona officials were alerted about this situation after reports from the state of Washington indicated zebra mussels were discovered attached to a moss ball plant at a local Petco store. The moss balls are a species of algae that form green balls up to a few inches in diameter and are sold as an aquarium plant under names such as “Beta Buddy Marimo Balls,” “Mini Marimo Moss Balls,” and “Marimo Moss Ball Plant.” They may be sold separately or provided with the sale of Betta fish. These moss balls are believed to have been imported from the Ukraine, where the zebra mussels are a native species, and distributed across the U.S.

The concern is the zebra mussels that have been distributed with the moss balls can be easily overlooked. The larval life stage of the mussels (veligers) are microscopic. The water the moss balls are in can contain viable veligers and adult mussels, which if released into Arizona’s waters can have devastating consequences.

“Zebra mussels can pose a significant risk to Arizona’s waters, so we urge anyone who may have recently purchased these products to follow disposal directions and most importantly, not to release the plants, mussels, or contaminated water into any drain or water source including streams, canals, ponds, and lakes” said Julie Carter, AZGFD Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief.

Guidelines for Consumers – DESTROY, DISPOSE, DRAIN
The Arizona Game and Fish Department urges anyone that purchased the moss balls from any retailer to Destroy! Don’t Dump!

DESTROY in one of three ways:

  1. Freeze – Place the moss ball into a sealable plastic bag and freeze for at least 24 hours.
  2. Boil – Place the moss ball in boiling water for at least 1 full minute.
  3. Bleach or Vinegar – Submerge the moss ball in chlorine bleach or undiluted white vinegar for 20 minutes.

DISPOSE of the moss ball and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag in the trash. If vinegar, boiling water, or bleach was used, the liquid can be disposed of down a household drain—never down a storm drain, where it could enter and damage local waterways. Do not dispose of the moss balls in drains, waterways, or gardens.

DRAIN and clean the aquarium.

Collect any fish or other living organisms and place them in another container, with water from a separate, uncontaminated water source. Sterilize the contaminated aquarium water by adding ¼ teaspoon bleach for each gallon of water. Let the water sit for 10 minutes and then dispose of the sterilized water down a household drain.

Clean the aquarium and accessories using one of the following methods, ensuring that the disposal method you choose is in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations:
1. Hot Water Method:
– Use water that is 140 degrees F to flush and coat the tank and all accessory surfaces for at least one minute, OR
2. Disinfection Method:
– Submerge the moss ball in 1 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water for 10 minutes or undiluted white vinegar for 20 minutes.
– Soak the aquarium, substrate, rocks, décor, and filter media in the bleach water solution for 10 minutes.
– Rinse off all items prior to setting up the aquarium.
– Dispose of the previously used filter media and replace with new media.
– Use a dechlorinating product to neutralize any residual chlorine prior to reintroducing aquatic life.

It is recommended that you do another water change within a week and continue to monitor the tank for any unusual or unexpected aquatic life.

For more detailed instructions, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

Guidelines for Pet Industry

Pet stores are urged to remove the product and any aquaria that have come into contact with the moss balls and quarantine them until further notice. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is working closely with other state agencies to remove the product from shelves until the best course of action can be taken. Guidance for the pet industry is in development and will be released soon.

What Risk Do Zebra Mussels Pose?

Zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mollusks. They are small, but very destructive. Although they have not yet been detected in Arizona waters, they are similar to invasive quagga mussels, which were first detected in Arizona in 2007. Both can quickly become established in a waterbody and cause millions of dollars in damage to boats and water intake pipes while creating significant ecological harm to native mussels, fishes, and other aquatic wildlife. As such, the help of the public is needed to maximize efforts to prevent the introduction and establishment of these destructive mussels in our state.

“Currently, there is not a known established population of zebra mussels in Arizona waters, and the public’s cooperation is necessary to keep it that way. These steps will help prevent invasive species from spreading and ensure we protect Arizona’s waters for ourselves and future generations ,” said Kate Dukette, AZGFD Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is working together with other state and federal agricultural and wildlife agencies to address this development. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more information on invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species, visit www.azgfd.gov/AIS.

February 25 is last day to update credit card information for elk, pronghorn draw

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds hunters who applied for 2021 elk and pronghorn hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, Feb. 25, is the deadline to update credit card or debit card account information.
The same deadline applies for purchasing PointGuard, which ensures that if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. The cost is $5 for each species.
Applicants are encouraged to keep their credit card and debit card account information current. If payment is declined at the time of the draw, the application will not be drawn. The department no longer calls applicants to obtain payment on drawn applications where credit cards or debit cards have failed. Also, if a credit card or debit card has been used to pay for more than one application, the applicant is responsible for notifying their financial institution that multiple charges could be simultaneously processed from AZGFD.
No action is needed if the credit card or debit card used at the time of application is still in good standing. Otherwise, applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card, a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number should visit draw.azgfd.gov/. Scroll down the page, select “Update Credit Card” and follow the prompts. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an online application has been submitted.
Meanwhile, applicants can purchase PointGuard through 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, Feb. 25. While a free AZGFD portal account is not needed to purchase PointGuard, draw results will be posted to portal accounts. It’s quick and easy to create a portal account — just visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and complete the required fields.
AZGFD will post an announcement on its website and social media channels when draw results are available. All hunt permit-tags will be mailed by April 2.  

AZGFD accepting applications for 2021 pronghorn, elk hunts

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2021 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn and elk.

To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the “2021 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed booklets soon will be available at all license dealers statewide.

The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

All applicants are encouraged to purchase PointGuard, which allows hunters to surrender their hunt permit-tag(s) for any reason without losing their bonus points. An applicant does not need an AZGFD portal account to apply for the draw or to purchase PointGuard. Information: www.azgfd.gov/pointguard.

NOTE: As a result of the high volume of draw applications received by the department, the ability for customers to view data in their personal portal accounts — such as bonus points, license purchases and submitted applications — may be slightly delayed. AZGFD is aware of this inconvenience and is working toward a solution. The continued support and patience of all customers is appreciated at this time.

Kaibab Forest Service selling Christmas tree permits

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is selling Christmas tree permits through Recreation.gov. Permit holders will be allowed to cut November 16 through December 24.

A total of 2,500 permits will be available for purchase through the Recreation.gov webpage for Kaibab NF Christmas Trees, which also lists details about designated cutting areas, maps, dates, and sizes of trees that may be cut. Five hundred permits will be designated for cutting areas on the Tusayan Ranger District, while the North Kaibab and Williams ranger districts will each have 1,000 permits available.

Permits are limited to one per household and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Each permit costs $15.00 per tree. Permits designated for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts will be good for one tree each. For the North Kaibab Ranger District, up to 5 trees may be purchased on a single permit. A processing fee will be applied to each transaction.

When purchasing an online permit, it is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing. Visitors will also need to set up or login to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.

Fourth-grade students can get a free Christmas Tree through the Every Kid Outdoors Program by entering their pass ID on Recreation.gov. For additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass, visit www.everykidoutdoors.gov.

Commission supports expanded hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges

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AZGFD website details amended state regulations on four refuges

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved amendments in support of new federal guidelines that expand hunting opportunities on four national wildlife refuges in southern Arizona.

The amendments, unanimously passed by the Commission during a public meeting Sept. 25 in Greer, broaden opportunities to hunt several species of small game, migratory birds and predators/furbearers for the 2020-2021 seasons at the following wildlife refuges: Cabeza Prieta, Cibola, Buenos Aires and Leslie Canyon.

For complete details about the amended Arizona hunting regulations, visit:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently expanded hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges for the 2020-2021 seasons. Hunting opportunities are authorized and provided on USFWS-managed lands in accordance with federal, state and tribal (where applicable) regulations and seasons.

AZGFD creates web page to bring outdoor enthusiasts latest updates

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is committed to staying connected with its customers and providing exceptional service, while protecting everyone’s health and safety.

Get the latest information about changes to processes and procedures, and review frequently asked questions, by visiting the department’s new web page: www.azgfd.com/agency/covid-19-related-updates/.

In the meantime, all seven department offices statewide are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). Customers also can call the department’s main number at (602) 942-3000, or email customerservice@azgfd.gov.

Customers are reminded they can conduct most department business online by visiting www.azgfd.gov.

Leftover elk permit-tags remain only for “low density” hunt

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s random draw for 2020 elk hunts has been over for weeks, and all leftover permit-tags are gone — with one exception.

More than 600 hunt permit-tags remain available for the minimal occurrence zone/low-density hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B. There are two ways that hunters can purchase these leftovers on a first-come, first-served basis:

By mail: The preferred method would be to mail a paper application addressed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Note: There is no “mini” draw. Allow 10 to 15 days to receive a permit-tag by mail.
In person: Applications will be accepted in person beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, at any of the department’s regional offices.

Before mailing that application, or venturing out to a department office, hunters are reminded that these four units combined have an extremely low-density elk population of less than 50 animals. The department is specifically managing these units for wildlife values other than elk, and an established population is not desirable. The intent of this particular hunt (Hunt No. 3799) is to eliminate this elk population.

Those who purchase one of these permit-tags should be aware that because of extremely low densities, hunt success likely will be less than 5 percent. Only those who did not receive a permit-tag in the random draw may buy one of these permit-tags. Bonus points are not affected when purchasing a permit-tag through the first-come, first-served process.

The cost of a permit-tag is $48, which includes a $13 non-refundable application fee. A non-resident hunt permit-tag is $50, which includes a $15 non-refundable application fee. The hunt dates are April 15-Oct. 8, and Oct. 23-Dec. 31, 2020. A bull or cow elk may be harvested.

Leftover hunt permit-tags available for 2020 elk hunts

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PHOENIX — Arizona hunters still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for select 2020 elk hunts.

There are 824 leftover hunt permit-tags — 677 for the minimal occurrence zone/low density (general) hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B. All remaining hunt permit-tags will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis as follows:

By mail: Paper applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, March 23, and must be addressed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Note: There is no “mini” draw. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.
In person: If any leftover hunt permit-tags remain, they will be available for purchase beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, at any of the department’s regional offices statewide.

For a list of leftover hunt permit-tags, visit www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/.

Some of the leftover hunt permit-tags are for Hopi hunt open areas and are available to everyone, both tribal members and non-tribal members, through the first-come, first-served process.

A number of leftover hunt permit-tags remain for military hunts at Camp Navajo, for those who qualify. For more information, visit dema.az.gov/army-national-guard/camp-navajo/garrison-operations/camp-navajo-hunting-information.

For more information, including license and hunt permit-tag requirements, view the “2020 Pronghorn, Elk and Raptor Capture Hunt Draw Information” booklet online, or call (602) 942-3000.