Category Archives: Arizona Game and Fish

Volunteers needed for Table Mesa Recreation Area cleanup

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Tread_Lightly__-_Image_1PHOENIX — “Tread Lightly!,” which promotes responsible recreation through stewardship, communication and education, has scheduled a cleanup Sunday at the popular Table Mesa Recreation Area north of Phoenix.

Partner organizations include the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Volunteers – including recreational shooters, off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, hikers and others who champion responsible recreation – are needed for the four-hour event, which begins at 8 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water, work gloves, hat, sunscreen, trash pinchers and buckets. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended.

Sign up at https://treadlightly.wufoo.com/forms/z1sc8qkl0o4q2oj/. For more information, contact Dianne Olson at (800) 966-9900, Ext. 13, or e-mail: Dianne@treadlightly.org.

Table Mesa Recreation Area is located at Interstate 17 and Table Mesa Road. Proceed west on Table Mesa Road, then north on the frontage road. Follow signs posted at the end of the pavement. Volunteers will be on-site to provide more information and directions. To view a map, visit http://tinyurl.com/jyj6kby.

Reminder: Wildlife assets to be sold at AZGFD’s Outdoor Expo

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Assets_-_2PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s annual sale of wildlife assets will take place April 2-3 at the 2016 Outdoor Expo at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, a change in venue from the International Sportsmen’s Expo (ISE) set for March 10-13 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.  

The Wildlife Assets Program enables the public to legally purchase antlers, head mounts, hides and other wildlife parts that have been seized during law enforcement investigations, obtained from animals killed in vehicle collisions or acquired through donations.

All assets will be sold through a silent auction. Proceeds will be used to support the department’s law enforcement program through the purchase of equipment (evidence collection kits, digital cameras, audio recorders, metal detectors, decoys and night vision equipment) and specialized training (interview and interrogation classes, wildlife forensic classes, crime scene investigation training) that assist officers in more effectively performing their duties.  

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/assets, or call (623) 236-7303.

Even $1 at tax time helps Arizona’s wildlife

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az-game1Did you know that your state taxes do not support the conservation of Arizona’s wildlife, but your donations do? Taxpayers can help the state’s wildlife at tax time by “making a mark” on their state income tax form.

The Arizona Wildlife Fund is a voluntary program that allows Arizona taxpayers to make a donation specifically to help imperiled and endangered wildlife, including majestic bald eagles, black-footed ferrets, California condors, Apache trout, Mexican wolves and desert tortoises, among other non-game species.

“Since Game and Fish does not receive any general fund dollars, the Arizona Wildlife Fund provides important support for managing and conserving some of the state’s most iconic native species,” says Josh Avey, terrestrial wildlife branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The fund goes only to non-game species that are not hunted or fished, and the cumulative effect of even a dollar can have a tremendous impact on conserving one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures – its wildlife.”

Since Arizona started the program more than 25 years ago, taxpayers have donated more than $5 million to the conservation of non-game wildlife.

For the 2014 tax year, the average donation was nearly $26. The Arizona Wildlife Fund box can be found on line “64” of the state’s long income tax form, or line “33” of the short tax form.

To learn more about the conservation and reintroduction efforts the fund supports, visit www.azgfd.gov/nongame.

Arizona Game and Fish, City of Tempe work together to keep Town Lake fish healthy

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TTLpicWebTEMPE — The City of Tempe and Arizona Game and Fish Department have cooperated on a management plan to help fish in Tempe Town Lake during the final phase of construction of the new dam.

“Our natural environment is extremely important to Tempe. We are grateful to have the expertise of Arizona Game and Fish and our longtime water quality expert, Aquatic Consulting, as we undertake the final phase of our dam construction,” said Tempe Public Works Director Don Bessler. 

Arizona Game and Fish and the City of Tempe are working together to save as many fish as possible while the previous dam system is being removed. Tempe has to move the water out of Town Lake into an SRP canal system, leaving the lake without water for approximately three to five weeks.

The cooperative effort started several months ago and includes:

  • Not stocking fish as normal in fall 2015 in order to lower the number of fish that would need assistance.
  • Removing the limit on the number of fish that people could catch at Town Lake.
  • Moving a representative portion of some fish into protected areas of the lake that will retain water.
  • Using fish-friendly pumps that allow the fish to move into the SRP canal system along with the water.
  • Monitoring pockets of water within the lake that contain fish, since fish can survive in small space for such short amounts of time.



This planning has reduced the number of fish that need assistance. Several thousand people live and work around Tempe Town Lake and millions come to visit each year. It is the intent of both Arizona Game and Fish and the City of Tempe to minimize the impact of this project for these people.

“Some people have asked why we can’t move fish into other bodies of water, such as nearby Canyon Lake. We can’t do this because of the possible transfer of fish-related bacteria and diseases,” said Scott Gurtin, AZGFD Community Fishing Program manager. “This plan represents the best and safest way to conserve fish and keep our waters healthy.”

New fish will enter Town Lake when the lake is refilled. The water will come from the Central Arizona Project canal system, which has many varieties of fish. Insect-eating fish will also be stocked at that time. Arizona Game and Fish will restock Town Lake with other varieties at the appropriate times.

Town Lake is expected to be completely full and operational by approximately April 30. The new dam system is expected to last more than 50 years. Read more.

Game and Fish Commission to meet March 4 in Sierra Vista

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Sierra Vista — The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be March 4 at the Sierra Vista City Hall Council Chambers at 1011 N. Coronado Dr. in Sierra Vista. The meeting begins at 8 a.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in person, view it live via video stream at any Game and Fish regional office (Friday only), or view it over the web at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. Members of the public who wish to speak to the Commission may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) in person at the meeting or from any regional Game and Fish office. The ability to speak to the Commission is not available for those viewing the webcast online.
 
Items on the agenda include:

  • An update on a potential reduced fishing license fees promotion as a means of marketing Arizona fishing and expanding the department’s customer base.
  • A briefing on current state and federal legislation related to the department’s mission.
  • A request to make Patterson Ponds in St. Johns a community fishing water.
  • A presentation on the department’s borderlands and international wildlife conservation efforts.
  • Several requests to reinstate bonus points.
  • Appointment of commissioners to standing committees.
  • Hearings on license revocations for violations of Game and Fish codes, and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife (time certain at 2 p.m.).

On Saturday, the commission will take a field trip to view one of Arizona’s premier state parks, Kartchner Caverns State Park.

To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission notice/agenda” link.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is the policy-setting board overseeing the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is composed of five members (serving staggered five-year terms) appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county. No more than three may be from the same political party. Since its inception in 1929, this organizational structure has served as a buffer for the best interests of science-driven wildlife conservation during eight decades of back-and-forth political change.

For more information on the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

ADEQ Issues Three New Fish Consumption Advisories

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800-adeq-fish-1The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), has issued three new advisories that recommend fish consumption amounts to protect public health. These advisories are based on recent analysis of data from fish tissue samples taken from these lakes, which showed these fish have elevated levels of mercury.

ADEQ encourages residents and visitors to Arizona to continue to enjoy the wide variety of recreational activities at each of these lakes, such as fishing, bird watching, and swimming, which are not affected by this advisory.

Fish can be an important part of a healthy, diverse diet because they are an excellent source of protein and low in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends eating two fish or seafood meals weekly as part of a healthy diet.

Any potential health risks from eating fish on ADEQ’s advisory list are based on long-term consumption, not eating fish occasionally.

RESOURCES:

ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisory Fact Sheet:

https://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fca.pdf

Arizona Game and Fish Department – Arizona Fish Consumption Advisory List:

https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/fishconsumption/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration Guidance regarding Mercury and Fish Consumption:

http://www.fda.gov/food/foodborneillnesscontaminants/metals/ucm393070.htm 

ADEQ Awards $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to Arizona Game and Fish Department

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ADEQ logo resizedPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to improve water quality in the San Pedro River, Little Colorado River and Oak Creek. AZGFD will provide more than $274,000 in matching funds.

ADEQ’s first formal agreement committing funds from both partnering agencies to specific projects in shared priority areas will also further the goals of multiple state and federal initiatives. Eligible projects will protect and restore water quality, grass and rangeland health and wildlife habitats in priority areas identified by ADEQ and AZGFD in the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Conservation Partnership Program and National Water Quality Initiative.

“We think this will be a great framework for broadening our audience and customer base, and also for potentially implementing projects at low or no cost to landowners beyond maintenance requirements,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore.

Leveraging resources across state and federal partners will result in the reduction of impairment-causing pollutants, improvement of grassland habitat for wildlife, improved grazing practices.

Baggiore added, “Teaming up with AZGFD’s Landowner Relations Program, which has a longstanding, strong local presence and ties to rural water management areas, will strengthen ADEQ’s ability to partner with rural landowners in identifying priority on-the-ground projects.”

“Many of ADEQ’ water quality improvement goals dovetail nicely with grassland, rangeland and habitat improvement goals we share with ranchers and other partnering agencies,” said Wade Zarlingo, AZGFD Landowner Relations Program Coordinator.

ADEQ will evaluate the effectiveness of these projects for improving water quality. Matching funds for projects will be provided by a combination of AZGFD state funding, landowner contributions, in-kind services, and Arizona Department of Agriculture Livestock Crop Conservation Grant Program.

Trinity Tactical offers rifle course

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firearms-trainingPHOENIX — Trinity Tactical Applications is hosting a Tactical Carbine Fundamentals firearm course on November 11 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. The course will be held at the Game and Fish Ben Avery Shooting Facility located at 4044 W. Black Canyon Boulevard.

The $80 course requires no prerequisite training, but does, of course, require your own ammunition and weapon.

According to the flier:

This course will improve your proficiency utilizing your rifle in practical applications; whether it be on duty, in the general public, or defending your home. We will cover shooting fundamentals, threat engagement, firing from realistic positions one can expect to encounter, reloading, clearing malfunctions, and engaging while moving, along with other real-world considerations. Taught by certified rifle instructors with real world experience employing a carbine in hostile environments, this course will expose students to the realities of utilizing a rifle in a variety of situations.

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ADEQ Lifts Fish Consumption Advisory for Gila River and Tributaries

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announced today that it has lifted the consumption advisory for fish caught in the Gila River and its tributaries within and downstream of the Phoenix metropolitan area – this includes 100 miles of streams and 286 acres of lakes. Fish caught from these waters are no longer unsafe to eat due to banned pesticides (DDT, chlordane or toxaphene).

“This is the first time ADEQ has lifted a fish consumption advisory,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore. “Fish tested by ADEQ and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show that banned pesticides no longer pose a health risk in the Gila River and its tributaries.”

Lifting this advisory, which has been in place for 24 years, is credited to the cessation of the use of the pesticides in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Detailed information about the delisting of the Gila River and its tributaries can be found at:

Click to access delisting_hassayampa.pdf

ADEQ and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tested 67 fish tissue samples from eight different fish species in the Gila River and several of its tributaries west of Phoenix during 2011 and 2012. Fish tissue data demonstrated banned pesticide levels (DDT, toxaphene and chlordane) dropped from more than 160 times higher than threshold levels designed to protect human health in the 1990’s, to 16 times lower than these thresholds in 2011 and 2012.

On March 10, 2015, ADEQ requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remove the Gila River and its tributaries from Arizona’s Impaired Waters List, which EPA approved August 7, 2015. Each water body removed from the list also had a fish consumption advisory in effect. ADEQ has lifted the fish consumption advisory for the following waterbodies:
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Resources

ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisory Fact Sheet (PDF):
https://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fca.pdf

ADEQ Water Quality Division Monitoring and Assessment:
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/index.html

Arizona Game and Fish Department – Arizona Fish Consumption Advisory List: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fish_consumption.shtml

Two youths suffer minor injuries from elk encounter

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Elk_-_Trash_Lid_-_Large_1KINGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been informing people for years about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Last week, Mohave County Parks reported that two youths suffered minor injuries that likely were the result of elk seeking human food.

The encounter, which took place in Hualapai Mountain Park, involved a family at a picnic table. A group of elk approached the family and encircled the table. The two youths, a boy and girl, were injured by the hooves. The girl suffered a bloody nose and minor injuries to the forehead and lower leg, while the boy suffered a bump to the forehead.

“They were not feeding the animals, but this encounter was clearly the result of past behaviors of the public.”” said Zen Mocarski, information and education program manager for the department’s regional office in Kingman.

“The family tried to keep the table between themselves and the elk, but the elk continued to move around the family,” said Brandon Oktay, park superintendent. “The park is a place to visit and enjoy, and I’m disappointed this family had to experience something like this. Those children were frightened, but the parents declined medical assistance and the injuries appear to be minor, which is the good news.”

“While I’m sure the children were scared, this could have turned out worse,” Mocarski said. “Elk are large, wild animals, but some people continue to treat them like pets. It is a bit disheartening to hear about the circumstances surrounding this encounter, because Game and Fish has been warning the public of the dangers of feeding wild animals for many years.”

Mocarski said feeding issues in the community near the park have been severe despite warnings. In 2007, two elk needed to have trash can lids removed from their necks, which prompted the park to replace the type of lids on the cans and posted signs not to feed wildlife.

In 2005, two deer in two days were killed by a lion in driveways within the community, which prompted Game and Fish to post warning signs. There’s also the possibility of disease transmission when wildlife exist in unnaturally high densities in such a small area. Some diseases, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, are transmitted through saliva, so feeding from the same food source can decimate herds.

In 1995, two dozen deer, apparently starving, were killed at the Grand Canyon. Following a necropsy, it was found the deer had lost their ability to digest vegetation due to being hooked on junk food. Mocarski said the common link is humans feeding wildlife.

“The message is stop feeding wildlife,” Mocarski said. “Wild animals are supposed to disperse and forage, but some people mistakenly believe the animals need assistance. Feeding wildlife is not an act of selflessness, it’s a selfish act that has now resulted in two children getting injured. This has to stop.”

There is a statewide ordinance against feeding wildlife, but it only applies to counties with populations of 280,000 or more, including Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. The best practice for those wishing to see or help wildlife is to plant native vegetation.

“The bottom line is that things like chips or pretzels, which are not particularly good for humans, are certainly not good for wildlife,” Mocarski said. “Neither are the hay bales visible throughout the community. Allow these animals to forage naturally. They should have a natural fear of humans, not expect a handout.”