Category Archives: Arizona Game and Fish

AZGFD plans OUI patrol at Lake Havasu, lakes statewide this weekend

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op-dry-waterLAKE HAVASU, Ariz. — With the recreational boating season in full swing, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will conduct a multi-agency sobriety checkpoint at Lake Havasu and area lakes as part of a statewide crackdown on those boating under the influence.

The checkpoint and patrols are being done to ensure boat operators are sober and to act as a reminder that operating a watercraft under the influence (OUI) is the most common contributing factor to injuries and fatalities on the nation’s waterways.

“Arizona’s waters can be fun for the whole family, but only if it’s done safely and responsibly,” said AZGFD Boating Law Administrator Tim Baumgarten. “Using alcohol or drugs can impair a boater’s judgement, vision and reaction time, and can increase a person’s willingness to take unnecessary risks. An impaired operator is 10 times more likely to be involved in a collision than someone who is sober.”

The effort is part of Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign being done in partnership with AZGFD, Arizona law enforcement agencies, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. The operation runs Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26.

As part of the national campaign, boaters and watercraft users on Lake Havasu and other Arizona lakes will be subject to systematic safety inspections. Operators will also be screened for alcohol and/or drug impairment and to ensure that proper safety equipment, such as life jackets, throwable rescue devices and working fire extinguishers, are on board.

“Our goal is to promote safe and enjoyable boating on our waterways. By doing so, we hope to prevent the next tragic alcohol-related incident on the water,” Baumgarten added. “If you plan to drink on the water, please designate a sober operator.”

The patrols at Lake Havasu are part of a statewide effort among law enforcement agencies to increase public safety by targeting impaired operators. While on the water, boaters should also keep in mind:

  1. State law requires all passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a life jacket while onboard and that each passenger must have a properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Drowning is the most common cause of death in boating incidents, always wear your life jacket.
  2. Anyone being towed by a boat or on a personal watercraft, such as a Sea Doo or Jet Ski, must wear a life jacket.
  3. Know the “Rules of the Road,” navigation rules identify who has the right of way and determine the required direction of travel.
  4. Never allow passengers to board or swim while the engine(s) are running. A boat’s propeller can still be spinning while the motor is in neutral.
  5. Before starting the boat’s engine, walk to the stern to make sure no one is near the propeller.
  6. Take extra precautions around other boats towing skiers and/or tubers.
  7. Never reverse a boat to pick up someone out of the water.
  8. Paddle boards, kayaks and canoes are each considered watercraft and operators are required to have a wearable PFD on board while on the water. Furthermore, these watercraft must also follow the same laws pertaining to all motorized boats and watercraft.

It’s also recommended that all boat operators and passengers complete a boating safety course. For a list of courses hosted around the state, please visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Learn more about AZGFD’s wildlife conservation activities

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Game_Trails_Spr16_thumbThe Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Management Division produces periodic newsletters with overviews of AZGFD conservation projects and activities. One of the newsletters is “Game Trails,” and the latest edition can be viewed here.

Topics in this edition include management of the bison herd at the Raymond Wildlife Area, disease monitoring of bighorn sheep in the Black Mountains, safe capture and handling methods in the Sonoran pronghorn recovery project, and the upgrade of a water catchment providing water for wildlife on the Arizona Strip. 

We invite you to check out the other newsletters from our Wildlife Management Division at https://www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/WildlifeNewsletters.

There are many other ways to connect with the Arizona Game and Fish Department:

We invite you to utilize all of them to find out more about AZGFD’s activities, projects and programs; read compelling stories about wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation; view outstanding videos and still photography; and learn about upcoming events.

AZGFD supportive of Grand Canyon report listing bison as native wildlife

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Buffalo/BisonThe Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) supports the findings of a National Park Service report that considers a herd of 600 bison on the Grand Canyon National Park as native wildlife.

The report involved a collaborative review of National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and AZGFD laws and policies to help guide Grand Canyon park officials in future bison management planning. A key finding of the scientifically reviewed report is that the bison living in northern Arizona are native wildlife within the long-term continental home range of the American bison.

“The Department is pleased with the conclusions in the report,” said Craig McMullen, supervisor for the department’s regional office in Flagstaff. “The bison are a valuable native component of the experience for visitors to the Kaibab Plateau, but there are too many right now. The ultimate goal is to manage this important bison population at appropriate levels for the enjoyment, appreciation and use by the public.”

The report also concluded that:

(1) Existing law and policies allow Grand Canyon National Park officials to include the presence of bison in long term management plans.
(2) Public lands on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and the Kaibab National Forest are suitable for cooperative bison management with agencies such as AZGFD.
(3) The bison population must be reduced by several hundred animals to mitigate the ongoing damage to habitat, as well as to cultural and archaeological sites within the Grand Canyon.

The report comes as Congressional lawmakers consider a pair of bi-partisan bills that direct the U.S. Department of Interior and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to coordinate on a plan that allows the state’s sportsmen with valid, state-issued hunting licenses to assist in managing the bison population.

(SEE S.782, John McCain & H.R. 1443, Paul Gosar. The National Bison Legacy Act, H.R. 2908 became law on May 9 making the Bison the nation mammal of the United States.)

The bills are supported by the Commission and were introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake; and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Gosar. The House bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, Kyrsten Sinema, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert and Trent Franks.

Download a copy of the full report

Arizona Game and Fish to consider proposed fishing regulation changes

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Fishing_Lees_Ferry_webPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is proposing changes to Commission Order 40 (fishing regulations) to be considered by the Game and Fish Commission at its August meeting in Pinetop.

The department encourages the public to review the proposed changes (PDF: Click Here) and email comments to: fishregscomments@azgfd.gov.

The public also can provide comments at one of the following public meetings at which AZGFD will present the proposed changes:

  • Tucson: Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Tucson Regional Office, 555 N. Greasewood Rd.
  • Flagstaff: Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m., Flagstaff Regional Office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Rd.
  • Yuma: Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m. American Legion, 2575 S. Virginia Dr.
  • Phoenix: Tuesday, July 12, AZGFD headquarters, Quail Room, 6 p.m., 5000 West Carefree Highway
  • Mesa: Monday, July 13, 6 p.m., Mesa Regional Office, 7200 E. University.
  • Pinetop: Wednesday, July 20, 7 p.m., Timber Mesa Fire Station No. 13, 2922 W. White Mountain Blvd, Lakeside.

Governor Ducey proclaims June 20 American Eagle Day

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eagle-03PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey has proclaimed June 20 American Eagle Day in Arizona, part of a national effort to recognize the United States’ symbol of freedom and power, the bald eagle. Since its inception in 1995, 47 states have signed proclamations to celebrate the day.

More than 230 years after the newly-formed United States of America adopted the bald eagle over the wild turkey as its national symbol, the bald eagle is once again thriving nationally.

The bald eagle population numbered an estimated 250,000 birds when Europeans first settled the continent. However, populations began to decline in the 1800s when the birds were shot for feathers and trophies; their habitat was reduced to build houses and farms; and, their food sources were used to support the booming European settlements. In the 1900s, the species was affected by the use of DDT, and populations declined further.

“Arizona implements a nationally-recognized bald eagle management program that has successfully taken the state from only 11 breeding pairs when the species was federally listed as endangered in 1978 to 65 pairs today,” said Edward “Pat” Madden, incoming chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “The bald eagle’s success is entirely due to the long-term commitments made by the 26 partners of the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC), a group that includes the Game and Fish Department, federal, state, Native American, and private organizations.”

Although the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list nationally in 2007, the population in Arizona still requires management due to its small size and isolated nature. Management efforts include closing high-use recreation areas during bald eagle breeding season; the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program that monitors nests near high recreational use areas; banding and visual identification to monitor the health of the population; nest survey flights; a monofilament (fishing line) recovery program to remove fishing line from the shores of Arizona’s waterways to keep eagles from being entangled; and, a winter population count.

Also found in Arizona, golden eagles are large, impressive raptors, but little historic information existed about their population and habits in Arizona. Growing conservation concerns have increased the demand for a better understanding of the current status of the species and its conservation needs. Game and Fish kicked off a multi-year population assessment in 2011 and has identified more than 250 breeding areas through helicopter surveys. In addition, the Southwestern Golden Eagle Management Committee was created to provide management support for the species.

Game and Fish’s eagle management efforts are supported in part by the Heritage Fund, an initiative passed by voters more than 20 years ago to provide for wildlife education and conservation through Arizona lottery ticket sales.

Arizona Antelope Foundation seeks volunteers for project June 25-26

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Pronghorn_-_Buck_1_2GREER — The Arizona Antelope Foundation is seeking volunteers for a fence modification project June 25-26 near Greer, adjacent to River Reservoir in the White Mountains.

This area has been identified as a pronghorn migration route between higher elevation summer and lower elevation winter ranges. The project activity includes removing about 1.5 miles of existing four-strand fencing and modifying about 0.3 miles of fencing by removing the bottom strand of barbed wire and replacing it with a single strand of smooth wire 16 inches above the ground.

The project begins at 7 a.m. both days. The Arizona Antelope Foundation will provide dinners Friday and Saturday nights, as well as continental breakfasts with coffee and juice Saturday and Sunday mornings. Volunteers are asked to provide their own lunches to eat in the field. Volunteers also should bring work gloves, snacks, water and personal gear.

Sign up by Friday, June 17, by e-mailing info@azantelope.org. For more information, contact Glen Dickens at (520) 247-4907. For a printer-friendly map to the campsite, visit www.azantelope.org.

Summer Wildlife Series moves from terrestrial to aquatic

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Roundtail_ChubKINGMAN — The Summer Wildlife Series, presented by the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s regional office in Kingman, has remained on solid ground – until now.

After kicking off the ninth season of its popular program last month with a presentation on the desert tortoise, department personnel will shift from land to water and conduct a one-hour lecture on native Colorado River fishes, beginning at 6 p.m. June 16 at the Kingman Mohave County Library, 3269 N. Burbank St., in Kingman.

The event is free, although seating capacity is limited to 52 on a first-come, first-served basis.

David Partridge, aquatic wildlife specialist, will discuss different species of native fish, provide biological information, explain which fish can be caught by anglers, and the importance of reintroductions and protections. Partridge also will provide tips on where species that qualify as sport fish can be caught, as well as the best types of bait.

Some of the fish to be discussed will include roundtail chub (photo), various species of suckers and dace, and the relationship between many fish species. Matt Chmiel, the region’s aquatic program manager, said most Arizona residents know little about the state’s native fish.

“This presentation will provide people of all ages with an opportunity to come and learn about these species of fish that have learned over years how to survive in the harsh Arizona environment,” Chmiel said.

The series continues with mountain lions (July 8) and Habitat and Wildlife (July 29). For more information, call (928) 692-7700.

Game and Fish biologists offer small-group bighorn sheep viewing experience June 18 and 19

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BHS_drinking_at_river_webThe Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering two unique opportunities to view one of Arizona’s most iconic arid land animals, the desert bighorn sheep, in an intimate, small-group setting on Canyon Lake. The three-hour morning boat tours will take place on June 18 and 19.

Participants will board department work boats to explore the canyons and bluffs of this scenic lake in search of these spectacular animals. Biologists aboard each of the boats will share and interpret bighorn behavior and biology during the trip. Due to limited space on the boat, attendance is restricted to 22 people per tour.

“Arizona’s hotter months provide the best opportunities for seeing sheep up close,” says Joe Yarchin, Game and Fish’s watchable wildlife program coordinator. “Sheep stay close to the water during June and July, and since the mating season is still under way, we occasionally see rams fighting or chasing ewes. But, the thing I enjoy most is watching lambs born earlier in the year cavorting around near their mothers; their agility is a marvel.”

Game Management Units 22 and 24B are home to some of the largest bighorn rams found anywhere in North America. Canyon Lake forms the border between these two administrative areas, and animals from both areas congregate near the lake’s shore at this time of year. This is an excellent opportunity to view, photograph, and enjoy bighorn sheep in their native environment.

The tour will leave Palo Verde Recreation Area at 7 a.m., heading up lake towards the dam to look for sheep. In addition to bighorn sheep, bald eagles, herons, and a variety of waterfowl are often seen. The area is also home to a myriad of other wildlife including deer, mountain lions, javelina and numerous small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Parking for the event will be at Acacia Recreation, a short 5-minute walk to the west. Participants will need a $6 Tonto Pass for each vehicle they park at the lake. Tonto Passes are available at a variety of convenience markets and sporting goods stores around the Phoenix Metro area or from the Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District Office at 5140 E. Ingram Street in Mesa.

“It’ll be warm out on the lake,” warns Yarchin. “People should dress comfortably and appropriately for a summer’s morning outdoors, including bringing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, water and snacks, and don’t forget your camera and binoculars.”

Each boat will have an ice chest for the participants to use.

The cost is $75 per person, payable by check or money order only. For more information or to register, contact Joe Yarchin at (623) 236-7589 or jyarchin@azgfd.gov from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional information, contact Randy Babb at the department’s Mesa regional office at (480) 466-1334 or rbabb@azgfd.gov.

Lake Powell boat, watercraft users swap old life jackets for new

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Lake Powell in Page, Arizona. --- AZGF photo

Lake Powell in Page, Arizona. — AZGF photo

PAGE — The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, will hold a life jacket exchange event at Lake Powell on Saturday, June 11.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell, where the public can swap their old, less-effective life jackets for new ones (while supplies last).

In addition to the life jackets, the public can also receive free vessel safety checks, boating safety literature and items for the kids, such as safety whistles, coloring books and t-shirts. The life jackets and giveaway items are provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

On average, the typical life jacket in Arizona should be replaced every three to five years because the sun and heat greatly reduce its buoyancy.

The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. The program is funded through a U.S. Coast Guard grant to purchase new jackets in a variety of sizes.

All boats in Arizona must have a life jacket aboard for every passenger and those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times, under state law.

Also during Saturday’s event, the public can visit and walk through the Coast Guard’s RB-S 25-foot vessel, which is used to patrol Lake Powell.

Comments sought on reptile, raptor, amphibian and mollusk regulations

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comments on draft 2017-2018 regulations for reptiles, raptors, crustaceans and mollusks, and amphibians.

Public comment will be accepted from now through July 5, 2016. If warranted, public meetings on the proposed changes to these commission orders may be held in Phoenix, Tucson and/or Flagstaff.

The proposed changes being considered for the 2017-2018 commission orders include:

  • In Commission Order 25, an increase in the number of peregrine falcon permits available to nonresident falconers from one to two based upon 2015 post-delisting monitoring results.
  • In Commission Order 42, prohibiting applesnails (genus Pomacea) for intentional transport and closing the seasons on the following species: Pinaleno talussnail (Sonorella grahamensis), mimic talussnail (S. imitator), Clark Peak talussnail (S. christenseni), Pinaleno moutainsnail (Oreohelix grahamensis), shortneck snaggletooth (Gastrocopta dalliana), and cross snaggletooth (G. quadrigens).
  • In Commission Order 43, the addition of banded watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) to the list of invasive species for which the bag limit would be unlimited dead and open the entire range of shovel-nosed snakes (Chionactis occipitalis) with a bag and possession limit of four per year or in possession, live or dead.

The draft commission orders can be viewed at the links below: