Category Archives: Phoenix

Arizona Game and Fish Director Larry D. Voyles to retire

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PHOENIX – Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Larry D. Voyles has announced that he will retire from the state’s wildlife agency this summer. Director Voyles, who first joined the Department as a wildlife manager in the Yuma region in 1974, will remain as Director until his replacement is named by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

In a letter to Game and Fish employees, Voyles reflected on his nine years as Director of the 600-person agency, saying “I was in the unique position of steering this mighty ship, and I did my best to encourage personal responsibility, scientific curiosity and innovation. These character traits, along with our core values of Credibility, Respect, Integrity and Passion are and always will be the foundation on which our Department is built.”

After a decade in the field as a wildlife manager, Voyles rose through the ranks serving as the Department’s first Law Enforcement Training Coordinator, then Regional Supervisor and ultimately the position of Director, which he has held since 2008. His term will be remembered for his embrace of technology to modernize the department, his national efforts to unite state conservation agencies to provide better resources for wildlife and habitat management, and his support of multiple-use public lands.

“Director Voyles is a great leader and a true conservation visionary who has guided the Department into the 21st century,” said Game and Fish Commission Chairman Pat Madden. “Larry has strengthened the Department’s traditional role as the state’s wildlife authority while encouraging innovation and collaboration between conservationists and the community. His legacy will shine brightly for years to come.”

Game and Fish Commissioner Kurt R. Davis added, “Larry Voyles and the leadership team he assembled during his tenure have successfully built our nation’s leading wildlife agency. His devotion and dedication to managing more than 800 species of wildlife in Arizona sets an example for all conservationists. Larry can retire knowing his work in Arizona, and nationally, leaves an indelible mark on wildlife conservation that has helped ensure that our state’s wildlife will flourish for another generation.”

Director Voyles was elected by his peers to the presidency of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in 2014, and has served on a variety of national boards including the Council to Advance the Hunting and Shooting Sports, the Wildlife and Hunter Heritage Conservation Council, Co-Chair of the Agency/Industry Coalition, the US Sportsman Alliance Youth Program Advisory Council, and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He sits on the Federal/State Joint Task Forces for ESA Implementation and for Federal Aid Administration.

State Route 67’s remote location is among its attractions

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PHOENIX – After being buried in snow all winter, State Route 67 running from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is scheduled to reopen Monday, May 15.

The Arizona Department of Transportation closes SR 67 when park facilities shut down for the winter––usually on December 1––and reopens it when the North Rim is ready to welcome travelers once again. The 40-plus-mile-long route runs through an area that, at 8,500 feet in elevation, sees an average of nine feet of snow each year.

During the winter months, a gate blocks access to SR 67 just south of US 89A in Jacob Lake.

The Grand Canyon National Park website at www.nps.gov/grca has information on lodging, camping and other visitor services available at the North Rim.

For the latest information about highway conditions across Arizona, please visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, call 511 or connect via Twitter (@ArizonaDOT ) or Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT).

Commission proposes to amend rules for game bird field training licenses

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend R12-4-414 to develop rule changes that result in an improved process and customer-friendly approach to administering game bird field training licenses.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking will be accepted through July 2, 2017:

  • Email: rulemaking@azgfd.gov or wzarlingo@azgfd.gov.
  • U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Wade Zarlingo, Small Game Program Manager, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
  • Telephone: Wade Zarlingo, Small Game Program Manager, 623-236-7503.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at the end of the comment period. The commission will review the final rulemaking during a special telephonic meeting at 10 a.m. July 17, 2017.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-Year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.

Monument review could help Arizona

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Opinion By Larry D. Voyles, Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department

President Trump’s Executive Order calling for a review of expansive executive land designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906 has predictably generated a volume of debate and dire predictions. Missing from the discussion is thoughtful dialogue about the critical role of multiple-use management in natural resources conservation and the sometimes dire consequences to our natural resources of removing such tools from the pallet of management actions and possibilities. This is all done in the name of “protection,” but sometimes we literally love our most special places to death.

In Arizona, when the 2011 Wallow Fire burned 538,000 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, it initially reached crown fire intensity in the “protected” Bear Wallow Wilderness Area. “Protected” is in quotes because a wilderness designation, supposedly our highest level of protection, can actually prohibit many forest health management practices that reduce wildfire risk and protect our public lands. We all knew the overgrown Bear Wallow Wilderness would burn, and burn catastrophically.

The National Forests destroyed in the Wallow Fire, like those across the country, were established in the 20th century primarily to protect watersheds, timber, wildlife, and grazing lands, allowing these natural resources to benefit American communities. Catastrophic wildfires cause erosion that can shorten the lifespan of dams, robbing us of water, the lifeblood of our cities, towns, farms and industry.

This was the reason the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department opposed the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument proposal. The President’s Order doesn’t eliminate any monuments or restrictions on the use of monument lands and waters, but the review may help highlight the stark difference between symbolic designation and real conservation.

Protected areas are an important part of our conservation landscape, but multiple-use lands are essential to our conservation future. Let’s restore balance to our conservation dialogue. A national conversation about the connections between multiple-use management and healthy forests and waters is long overdue.

Versions of this article have been published as guest columns in the Arizona Capitol Times, Arizona Daily Star and Arizona Daily Sun.

Motorcycle skills courses help new, experienced riders

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PHOENIX – Are you an experienced motorcycle rider looking to learn advanced techniques? A new rider learning the basics? Maybe you have to dust off your motorcycle before the occasional weekend ride?

If any of those situations sound familiar, consider taking a motorcycle rider course. And there’s no better time than now because May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

“Educated riders are safe riders,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Whether you’re new to riding, need a refresher or want to learn advanced techniques, a rider course can help keep you safe on the road.”

Not only will the skills and knowledge gained from a driving school keep riders safe, they can help you skip written and road tests when applying for a motorcycle license or endorsement. It’s simple: Attend an approved motorcycle training school and receive a Motorcycle Safety Foundation card from the school, and you’ll be exempt from written and road tests.

There are more than 30 approved motorcycle driving schools across the state. More information on motorcycle licenses and approved driving schools is available at azdot.gov/motorcyclelicense.

Drivers of four-wheeled vehicles can help keep motorcyclists safe by being aware that blind spots can hide motorcycles. To increase awareness, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is running a statewide campaign in May with radio and billboard advertisements featuring the message, “It came out of nowhere.” Additionally, overhead signs will display messages that encourage drivers to look twice for motorcycles.

“All motorists – drivers of vehicles and motorcycle riders – need to be aware of their surroundings on the road,” GOHS Director Alberto Gutier said. “If we look out for each other, we’ll keep each other safe and make sure everyone makes it home.”

Hundreds of permit-tags remain for 2017 “low-density” elk hunt

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PHOENIX — More than 600 hunt permit-tags are available for the 2017 minimal occurrence zone/low-density elk hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B.

These four units combined have an extremely low-density elk population – an estimated 40 to 50 total animals. The Arizona Game and Fish 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 hunt 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 an elk hunt permit-tag in the recent random draw may buy one of these hunt permit-tags. Bonus points are not affected when purchasing a hunt permit-tag through the first-come, first-served process.

As of Friday, 616 hunt permit-tags were available for purchase as follows:

By mail: Paper applications 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: Leftover hunt permit-tags will be available for purchase beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, May 1 at any of the seven department offices statewide.

The cost of a hunt permit-tag fee 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 May 1-Oct. 12, and Oct. 27-Dec. 31, 2017. A bull or cow elk may be harvested.

For more information, view the “2017 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” PDF booklet online, or call (602) 942-3000.

Struggling Small Water Systems Get Financial Boost from House Bill 2094

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials thank Governor Ducey today for signing House Bill 2094 into law, which expands grant eligibility to help small public water systems in need of water quality upgrades and infrastructure repairs. Sponsored by Representative Russell Bowers, R-25, HB 2094 makes the small water systems fund available to assist many of the 60 small water systems currently delivering water with contaminant levels exceeding federal safe drinking water standards.

Representative Bowers said today, “Unlike many state and federal environmental agencies, I am grateful to see our ADEQ become a proactive force for resolving problems, rather than heavy-handed enforcement. Providing this relief for many of our small water folks is very satisfying.”

In partnership with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, ADEQ now has authority to provide grants for small water companies to maintain healthy and reliable water for their customers.

ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore said, “ADEQ’s goal is to ensure that every water system in Arizona delivers healthy drinking water to its community. These changes to HB 2094 are an important step in meeting that goal and we look forward to putting them to effective use with the ACC and WIFA.”

Significant benefits of HB 2094 include:

  • Expands eligibility for small systems, serving 10,000 or fewer people (previously limited to 500 or fewer connections), which often are the sole water provider in a rural area and lack the customer base and revenue required for costly upgrades.
  • Allows grants to be issued directly to owners (previously only interim operators or managers), like small municipalities and some rural schools, to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades to comply with safe drinking water standards.
  • Protects the interests of Arizona’s smaller, rural communities and the State through its structure, which requires consultation between ADEQ and ACC in recommending systems to receive grant funding. In addition, ADEQ’s Director must demonstrate and certify the direct public benefit of each grant.

HB 2094 further allows ADEQ’s Director, in consultation with the ACC, to swiftly address water emergencies when necessary, outside the state procurement code.

“We have an infrastructure crisis in Arizona, especially in rural areas,” said ACC Commissioner Andy Tobin, who has been a champion in addressing water service emergencies and chairs the Commission’s Water Committee. “The customers can’t wait for long-term solutions to water problems. The signing of HB2094 is the next step in solving these problems and lets us, along with ADEQ and WIFA, act immediately.”

“Managing this program for the state allows WIFA to help even more water systems with important water projects to protect the environment and safeguard the well-being of Arizona families,” said WIFA Executive Director, Trish Incognito.

Text-donation campaign asks public to ‘Be a Hero for Wildlife’

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department took in this four-week-old otter that was found last week abandoned at the bottom of a drying Valley canal. It’s just one of the animals that AZGFD regularly works to rehabilitate. Those wanting to help fund the care it and other animals at that AZGFD Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center receive can text “CRITTER” to 41444.

PHOENIX — A three-week-old bobcat kitten snatched from the wild.

An abandoned baby otter found hungry and dehydrated in an East Valley canal. A malnourished, sickly “kidnapped” deer fawn. It’s not another day at the local zoo. It’s a typical day at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, where wildlife experts work daily to rehabilitate and save some of the state’s 800-plus native wildlife species. It’s often a thankful, albeit costly, job.

To help defray rising costs of caring for Arizona’s wildlife, AZGFD recently began its “Be a Hero for Wildlife” donation campaign to give the public an opportunity to support its efforts to treat sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife by texting CRITTER to 41444 from any smartphone.

“All this dedication and care comes at a great cost,” said Mike Demlong, who manages AZGFD’s Wildlife Center and Wildlife Education programs. “Many of the animals that come to us require extensive medical treatments, X-rays, monitoring and specialized care, and those expenses are considerable. It’s rewarding work, especially when it comes to helping some of our younger more vulnerable wildlife.”

On Friday, April 14, it was a three-week-old bobcat kitten turned in by a member of the public, who intended to raise it as pet. The individual ultimately turned it over at the urging of a family member, who saw a Valley TV news story earlier that evening of a deer fawn that was kidnapped from the wild and being raised as a pet.

In both cases, each of the animals required extensive care, attention and resources just to keep them alive. The malnourished deer fawn alone continues to require a specialized diet, vitamin supplements and injections, and daily monitoring to make it healthy enough to eventually live out its days in a zoo.

Nearly one month later, the department has spent about $4,500 and counting to rehabilitate the kidnapped deer fawn. A six-day stay for the bobcat kitten cost the department $3,000.

“Unfortunately, the department does not receive state general fund dollars. That’s what makes donations that much more important,” Demlong said.

Funding raised through the “Be a hero for Wildlife” text-campaign will be used to care for the sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated animals housed at the Wildlife Center, in addition to the many animal ambassadors – such as a great-horned owl, golden eagle, desert tortoises and prairie dogs – that are used in educational outreach statewide.

In addition to donations, the public can also help keep wildlife wild by leaving baby wildlife alone. Young wildlife is rarely abandoned so there is often little reason to “rescue it.” One or both of its parents is likely nearby searching for food and will return.

Baby birds are the most common wildlife species encountered removed from the wild by the public. Young birds that have fallen from the nest can be placed back in the nest or as close as possible. Baby birds that are partially flighted should be left alone or moved nearby out of harm’s way.

Those with questions about a specific situation should contact one of the wildlife rehabilitators listed on the department’s website at: www.azgfd.com/wildlife/urbanrehab/ or contact your local Game and Fish office.

AZGFD considers potential impacts of appellate court ruling on Mexican wolf

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is assessing potential impacts to Arizona’s endangered and threatened wildlife recovery program, following a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that lifts a preliminary injunction on releasing Mexican wolves in New Mexico.

The court decision issued Tuesday held that the State of New Mexico had not met the legal standard for a preliminary injunction because it did not demonstrate that releasing Mexican wolves without state permits will cause irreparable injury to the state. The ruling reverses a U.S. District Court decision last summer that prohibited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from importing or releasing any Mexican wolves in New Mexico without first obtaining permits from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department are evaluating the potential ramifications of the Appellate Court’s decision for Arizona’s wolf recovery program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD assistant director for Wildlife Management. “Our agency remains committed to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and our other partners to ensure Arizona has a voice in providing direction for the program, based on sound science and boots-on-the-ground research.”

The case now returns to U.S. District Court for a decision on whether New Mexico can require the USFWS to obtain state permits before releasing wolves.

There were a minimum of 113 wolves in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico in 2016, according to a recent survey by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team. The survey found that there were 63 wolves in Arizona and 50 in New Mexico.

In 2015, there were an estimated 97 wolves were counted in the wild between both states.

Paper applications for 2017 fall hunts now being accepted

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2017-18 Arizona Hunting Regulations online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The department now is accepting paper applications for 2017 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and pheasant. The online application service for the draw is expected to be available in early to mid-May.

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 department office statewide. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 13. Paper applications must be received by the department by the deadline. Postmarks do not count.

The printed 2017-18 Arizona Hunting Regulations booklets are expected to be available in the next week or two at department offices and license dealers (PDF) statewide.

In the meantime, hunters are encouraged to open 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 history and bonus points, in their personal “My AZ Outdoors” section. A portal account is a mobile-friendly, convenient way to access the online license purchase and hunt draw application systems.

Another benefit of having a portal account is the opportunity to sign up for the “I Support Wildlife” program, which helps fund wildlife conservation in Arizona. An annual membership for $25 includes access to the new “premium” version of the Recreational Access Arizona (RAA) online mapping application, the latest fish stocking reports, an “I Support Wildlife” window decal and a one-year subscription to the award-winning Arizona Wildlife Views magazine.

The premium RAA mapping application is a significant upgrade over the free version and is a tremendous tool when planning your hunt. It is designed to work on all mobile devices (with active cell service) and lets you see your current location in reference to different data layers, including Game Management Units, wildlife waters, Arizona land ownership, an ESRI USA Topographic (USGS 24k Topo) basemap and more. Even better, the premium mapping application allows you to create your own point locations and automatically save and sync that data to all of your devices.

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