Apply now for 2024 spring hunts

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2024 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for spring turkey, javelina, bison, and raptor capture.

To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for Big Game Draw.” The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the “2024 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear and Raptor Capture Hunt Draw Information” booklet. The booklet is posted online at www.azgfd.com/hunting/regulations/. Printed versions soon will be available at all license dealers statewide (call in advance for availability).

In the meantime:

  • Check your AZGFD portal account. Visit www.azgfd.gov, then click on “Account Login” at the bottom of the homepage. Take this time to review personal data, including  application history and total bonus points (bonus, loyalty, hunter education). Also, be sure to verify your mailing address to ensure proper delivery of hunt permit-tags (if successful). If something seems amiss, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Open an AZGFD portal account. Visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and fill in the required information. The department encourages all customers to have an AZGFD portal account; that’s the only place where draw results will be posted. Dependent account features are available with a portal account, so everyone — including youth — can view their draw results online as soon as they are available.
  • Applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license (or combination hunt and fish license) to apply for a hunt permit-tag. A license must be valid on the last day of the application period (October 3). Licenses can be purchased online, or at any AZGFD office statewide. AZGFD provides a list of license dealers statewide that offer online licenses for purchase. When purchasing an Arizona hunting (or combination hunt and fish) license online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. Don’t throw it away! That license number will be required as part of the draw application process.
  • Know your Customer ID. This is a must to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard; 2) Check your hunting or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting customerlookup.azgfd.com/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Download “Arizona E-Tag.” Download this mobile app from either the Apple or Google Play stores, and opt-in to receive an electronic hunt permit-tag in your AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected through the draw). Be sure to update to the most recent version of the app, which is compatible with both Apple and android products. The Arizona E-Tag app provides real-time delivery of licenses and big game tags purchased or drawn after the app has been downloaded. The app also provides the ability to electronically tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/etag.
  • Plan to purchase a PointGuard product. Choosing PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, ensures that applicants can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. A portal account is no longer required to purchase a PointGuard product.
  • Sign up to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message. As part of the application process, a customer can now enter his or her phone number (ghost number format) to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message on their mobile device.
  • When’s the draw? AZGFD will post an announcement on its website and social media channels when the 2024 spring draw opens. The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Dove season outlook: Birds should be plentiful

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When it comes to dove hunting in Arizona, one thing is pretty much indisputable: There’s never a bad season opener.

All signs indicate that there will be birds aplenty when the 2023 season gets underway next Friday, Sept. 1. This is especially true for hunters who are willing to scout in the mornings and evenings between now and the opener to locate some good hunting spots.

Once again, the greatest number of doves — and dove hunters — will be concentrated in the state’s agricultural areas, particularly those that produce small-grain crops like wheat, barley, oats and sorghum. That includes locations like Yuma, one of the premier destinations in the U.S., as well as Buckeye, Eloy, Florence, Gila Bend, Toltec and others. Note: All National Park Service parks and monuments are closed to hunting unless specifically opened in Commission Order.

The 15-day “early” season gets underway 30 minutes before legal sunrise Sept. 1. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and white-winged doves, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 mourning and white-winged in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. Of the 45-dove possession limit, only 30 may be white-winged, of which no more than 10 may be taken in any one day. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit on the invasive Eurasian collared-dove. A fully feathered wing must be left attached to each dove for identification purposes until a hunter reaches his or her permanent residence or where the game meat will be consumed.

All hunters 18 and older must possess a valid Arizona hunting license, as well as a migratory bird stamp — both of which can be purchased online at www.azgfd.com/license/. A youth combination hunt/fish license (for youth hunters 10 to 17) is only $5 and includes a migratory bird stamp.

All dove hunters should review the “2023-2024 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations,” which are posted at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. The regulations have been produced in a format that hunters will find particularly handy in the field. The color brochure is easy to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance.

Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds consist of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.

If you’re a dove hunter who’s counting the days (9) until the Sept. 1 opener, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is rolling out a different video each week that’s sure to whet your wing-shooting appetite.

Just keep checking your email each week, and enjoy what our talented folks in the audio-visual department have produced about hunting doves, Arizona-style.

This week: Yuma Desert Doves Women Hunt

And, for those who might have missed it . . .

Aug. 17: Healey Family Opening Day Dove Hunt

Aug. 10: Yuma: A Dove Hunter’s Paradise

Kane Fire at 100% containment

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FREDONIA — The Kane Fire will go to 100% containment today as crews continue suppression repair and rehabilitation work around the perimeter of the burned area. Management of the fire will transition from the local Type 3 organization to a smaller Type 4 managed by the Forest. Crews will continue to patrol and respond to any new starts as thunderstorms continue to move through the area.

Fire crews were able to quickly establish a perimeter on the Kane Fire with the assistance of the onset of the monsoonal weather pattern. Daytime cloud cover, higher humidity, and precipitation all moderated fire behavior, allowing crews to protect valuable cultural resources ahead of and in the vicinity of the fire. Although more rain is in the forecast through the weekend and into next week, smoke may still be visible from the Kane Fire area as pinyon pine and juniper stumps smolder.

This will be the last update on the Kane Fire.

CCSO Deputies Investigate Unfounded Bomb Threat to Cromer School

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Flagstaff – On August 17, 2023 at approximately 9:00 PM CCSO received a tip that a subject had threatened to “set a bomb off at their daughter’s school.” After further investigation, it was determined this was Cromer School in the Doney Park area north of Flagstaff.

CCSO, in conjunction with the Flagstaff Unified School District, worked through the night and were ultimately able to determine this threat to be unfounded. Deputies and school officials immediately responded to and cleared the school of any suspicious objects or devices. Deputies were able to contact the subjects named in the threat and determine that the threat was baseless.

After assessing the information garnered from the investigation, FUSD determined it was safe to continue with a normal school day. Deputies will remain in the area of Cromer School, but at this point in time there is no information indicating there is any danger stemming from this threat.

CCSO Detectives continue to investigate the tip and its origins. We are unable to release any additional information at this time. If anyone has information regarding this case or any other investigation, they are urged to contact CCSO at 928-774-4523 or Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Coming Soon

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FLAGSTAFF — The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Labor Day Weekend, September 1 – 4, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds. The County Fair supports the longstanding tradition of agricultural skills in the community. Every year, thousands of people from all over Arizona and beyond visit the County Fair to enjoy the talented exhibitors, diverse entertainment, food, rides, and fun.

The Coconino County Fair entertainment lineup is especially diverse this year, with Indigenous, Latin, and Asian artists, as well as local bands, dancers, country, bluegrass, cover bands, tribute acts, magic, comedy, and more. New artists this year include Dan Meyer -Sword Swallower, The Perceptives Hypnotist Show, and Rollo the Biggest Kid In the World, a comedy stilt act. Familiar fun, like Shawn Eric Magic Fun Show, A Girl and Her Balloons, Flagstaff Dancin’ Grannies, the Flagstaff Community Band, and The Dune Sea Garrison Star Wars Characters will be returning, as well as the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s Mini-Renaissance faire.

Main Stage Headliners:

Thunder and Lightnin’, Friday 8:00 p.m.
Jerrod Niemann, Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Selena Forever Tribute, Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Hot Red Chili Peppers, Monday 2:00 p.m.

Visitors can also see the talented work of community members in the exhibit buildings. Longtime Fort Tuthill County Park partners will be open for visitors at the Fort Tuthill Military Museum, Flagstaff Model Railroad Club, and Flagstaff Gems and Minerals. The Northern Arizona Antique Tractor and Engine Association will also be displaying machines from agricultural history. Visitors can also enjoy new contests and competitions on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, pictures with Coco the Cow, carnival rides, food, and more.

For a full schedule of events, contests, and entertainment, as well as to purchase tickets and parking passes, visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com. Save time and space by choosing to carpool, bike, or use the free Fair shuttle, for ease of access through the crowds. Visitors are encouraged to use the new recycling bins for bottles and cans, to help keep the Coconino County Fair clean and fun for everyone.

Board of Supervisors Adopts Final Tax Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously approved and adopted the tax rate schedule for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) and Tax Year 2023 for all special taxing jurisdictions for which Coconino County has authority to collect taxes. Arizona Revised Statues mandate that an ordinance levying taxes for FY 24 be adopted no later than the third Monday in August 2023, and with this administrative action the Board has concluded the 2023-24 budget process.

Special taxing jurisdictions, often referred to as special districts, are created to fill a need and to enable the provision of services in an area that might otherwise be limited from receiving those services for various reasons, including size, location, financial limitations or unavailability of other government support. The formation of a special taxing district creates a funding stream to pay for the desired or necessary services by placing the responsibility on those who benefit from that service.

Within Coconino County, special tax districts include the Flood Control District, Coconino Community College, ten public school districts, 17 fire department districts, and special districts such as the Williams Hospital District and the Forest Lakes Domestic Water District. The County also acts as the taxing authority in the cities of Flagstaff and Williams.

“This tax rate adoption is the culmination of extensive work by our County Finance Director, the County Treasurer, Assessor, our Superintendent of Schools, and last but not least our County Attorney’s Office,” said Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “It is a lot of work, but necessary in order to meet the important priorities of our communities.”

The FY 24 budget, which took effect on July 1 of this year, sustains the County’s approach to 10-year budget planning and continues the County’s low property tax rate, one of the lowest in the state, maintaining service levels to the community while also considering the impact to the taxpayer.

Drake land grab grows

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PARKS — An email from Steve Dudley of Williams reports Drake Cement, a foreign owned company, has now claimed an additional 1416 acres of Kaibab National Forest land for yet another Pozzolan open pit site.

These most recent claims are called the Spring Valley claims and are located in Parks immediately behind Spring Valley Cabin, west of Spring Valley Road. Any development of this site into an open pit mine will result in loss of some very beautiful habitat and result in an immense increase of mining truck traffic down Spring Valley Road, through Parks.

Mr. Dudley wrote in the email, “If you have any concerns about this potential future development and you live in and around Parks, now is the time to say something. Once the trucks start rolling, it will be far too late.”

The Williams Grand Canyon Newspaper is developing an article on this recent development and would like to hear from and interview interested parties from Parks regarding their feelings about this.

According to Wikipedia, “The general definition of a pozzolan embraces a large number of materials which vary widely in terms of origin, composition and properties. Both natural and artificial (man-made) materials show pozzolanic activity and are used as supplementary cementitious materials. Artificial pozzolans can be produced deliberately, for instance by thermal activation of kaolin-clays to obtain metakaolin, or can be obtained as waste or by-products from high-temperature process such as fly ashes from coal-fired electricity production. The most commonly used pozzolans today are industrial by-products such as fly ash, silica fume from silicon smelting, highly reactive metakaolin, and burned organic matter residues rich in silica such as rice husk ash. Their use has been firmly established and regulated in many countries.”

He wrote, “Please feel free to share and alert the citizens of Parks to this. We need to hear from you! If you live in the Parks area and would like your voice heard please contact the Williams Newspaper at (928) 635-4426; (928) 699-8874 or write whowell@williamsnews.com.”

August 20 is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for $75,000 in annual grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, mentored projects that are focused on the progressive development of new hunters and anglers.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program places a high priority on projects that involve the pursuit or harvest of fish or wildlife with a valid license (and any necessary hunt permit-tag) and are geared toward participants who have the appropriate experience and skill levels relevant to a particular project.

Grants will be awarded through a competitive online application process. Information, instructions, and a link to the online application are available at www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Sunday, August 20.

“This grant program continues to provide much-needed funding for Arizona’s conservation organizations, which are the backbone of wildlife conservation and the teachers of the next generation of hunters and anglers,” said Doug Burt, AZGFD’s recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) manager. “We appreciate these valued organizations for their hosting of hands-on, mentored events and projects for folks who want to learn, but maybe don’t know where to get started.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona.

20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival set for July 29

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File photo from Williams, Arizona where we have a hummingbird festival virtually every day.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is hosting its 20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on July 29 at the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar.

The free, family-friendly festival will include:

  • Hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory.
  • Plant displays to attract hummingbirds.
  • Live wildlife from the R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch.
  • Live bird display from AZGFD.
  • Take a photo with a live critter at the critter photo booth.
  • Activities for children/U.S. Forest Service will conduct its Junior Ranger Program.
  • Informational talks about hummingbirds and bird calls of the White Mountains.
  • Booths from local, outdoor-oriented organizations.

The event runs from 8 a.m. until noon.

The Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

Come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors with the potential of some summer rain. Parking can become extremely limited if the area receives rain.  Rain or shine, carpooling is encouraged. Attendees are encouraged to check the weather forecast for the day of the event.

The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce has coordinated with several vendors to provide snacks, water, soft drinks, and lunch for purchase. This is a cash-only event, so come prepared and support the Chamber.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

For more information, visit  azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/events/hummingbird-festival/ or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at 928-532-3680. The most current information and event schedule can be found on AZGFD’s Pinetop Regional Facebook page at facebook.com/AZGFDPinetop/.

Cathedral Rock Trailhead closed Wednesday

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SEDONA – The Cathedral Rock Trailhead on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will be closed to the public on Wednesday (July 19) due to the City of Sedona conducting work along Back O’ Beyond Road and the necessity to close the road which accesses the trailhead.The trail itself is open for hiking, but the public will need to access Cathedral Rock Trail through alternate trailheads, such as Baldwin Trail Trailhead or Little Horse Trailhead. The city’s work consists of installing a new concrete box culvert system at the low-water crossing along Back O’ Beyond Road.