 All of us know what it feels like to deal with the frustration and disappointment of an unforeseen event. After all, life happens.
That’s why the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is introducing “PointGuard Plus,” an innovative new product that will be available just in time for hunters who will be applying for 2022 hunt permit-tags for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane. Whether an applicant purchases PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, he or she will have peace of mind in knowing they 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 (see details below). A bonus point is an accumulated credit that authorizes the department to issue an applicant additional computer-generated random numbers during a draw. An applicant accumulates a bonus point each year in which he or she submits a valid application and does not draw a hunt permit-tag. So, what are the advantages of PointGuard Plus?
And PointGuard?
So, which tier of PointGuard service is the way to go? It really comes down to how many species an applicant chooses to hunt and, if successful in the draw, their willingness to risk losing their bonus points in the event they’re unable to participate in that hunt. For example, an applicant who only applies once a year to hunt deer might choose PointGuard for $10 per species. On the other hand, if an applicant applies for multiple species in any of the fall, spring, or pronghorn and elk draws — or all three — being covered for three consecutive draw cycles from the date of purchase for $25 makes PointGuard Plus a tremendous value. In either case, PointGuard Plus and PointGuard both provide the same opportunity for an applicant to surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason and retain their coveted bonus points. Here is the process to surrender a hunt permit-tag:
A person who donates, or transfers, his or her hunt permit-tag to a qualified nonprofit organization, also can participate in tag surrender, provided the requirements listed above are fulfilled. An acceptable proof of the transfer must be provided to the department through a qualified nonprofit organization. According to rule (R12-4-118), the department has several options for the reissuance of a surrendered hunt permit-tag. The proximity to the start of a particular hunt, the type of hunt permit-tag, and demand for that hunt permit-tag will factor into how it will be reissued. For more information, call 602-942-3000. |
Tag Archives: News
Elden Lookout Road, Rocky Ridge Trail closed for construction projects
FLAGSTAFF — Approximately 5 miles of Mt Elden Road will be closed today till July 1 for construction associated with reducing sediment flooding from the Museum Fire and in order to keep the public safe during heavy construction activities.
This temporary closure prohibits motorized vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from using the Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 557) and Trail #153 (Rocky Ridge Trail) in the closed portions identified in the order and map.
Those exempt from this temporary closure include participants with the Cocodona 250 Race, which was coordinated and planned well before this closure order was developed. Safety personnel will be placed along Elden Lookout Road to help keep participants safe during the time they use the road.
Coconino National Forest and the county have contracted an alluvial fan restoration project along three tributaries that are affected by the Museum Fire. Tiffany Construction and Natural Channel Design will be performing earth moving activities with heavy machinery to increase resiliency of the tributaries.
The earth movement is a safety concern for public and will require a short-term restriction while construction activities, such as building weirs, drop structures, and elevating the road, are completed. The goal is to restore portions of the watershed for revegetation and reduce sediment transportation downstream into the City of Flagstaff.
Burned Area Emergency Response team completes Soil Burn Severity map for Tunnel Fire
FLAGSTAFF – On May 3, Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists, led by Brandon Waterman, completed their field data evaluation to produce the Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map for the approximately 19,075-acre Tunnel Fire.
The map and the data delineate unburned, low, moderate and high SBS categories. The BAER team assessing the Tunnel Fire determined that approximately 4,774 acres (24%) of the fire is unburned, approximately 12,285 acres (67%) have low SBS, approximately 1,421 acres (8%) sustained a moderate SBS and only approximately 11 acres (<1%) were identified as having high soil burn severity.
The SBS map product is an estimate of fire effects to soils, not fire effects to vegetation. SBS characterizes fire effects to the soil surface and below ground. Fire effects to vegetation would include an estimate of vegetation mortality which does not always correlate with degree of soil burn severity.
Moderate and high soil burn severity can alter or damage physical, chemical, and biological soil properties resulting in increased runoff, erosion, and negative effects to soil productivity. These soil properties include but are not limited to hydrophobicity (water repellency), soil organic matter content, soil pore space, soil cover (effective litter), and soil structure (including grade (degree of aggregation) and type (physical form).
Changes to these soil properties determine the degree of soil burn severity. Water repellency often occurs naturally in soils and it changes as a function of fire. It is frequently discussed as a post-fire effect. Fire can increase the strength and thickness—or depth—of water repellent layers in soil, considerably affecting post-fire water runoff and possibly extending time for recovery of the burned area.
The Tunnel BAER assessment team used remote sensing imagery with field-validated soils data to produce the final SBS map. The BAER team will use the SBS map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire erosion with subsequent sediment delivery, stream flows and debris flow probabilities. The map is also being shared with cooperating agencies.
The Tunnel Fire soil burn severity map can be downloaded at the “Tunnel Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8088/) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.
As a reminder, The Coconino National Forest has instituted a Forest Closure Order for the area affected by the Tunnel Fire.
Coconino NF responding to 2-acre fire 8 miles north of Sunset Crater
FLAGSTAFF – On May 2, Coconino National Forest resources are responding to the two-acre Antelope Fire, located eight miles north of Sunset Crater near Highway 89 (GPS coordinates 35°28’54.0″N 111°33’21.0″W).
The wind-driven fire was spreading at a moderate rate through grass-type fuels.
Resources at the scene included one Type 2 hand crew, four engines, one dozer, one water tender and miscellaneous overhead. An air attack resource had been ordered.
The fire was reported at 1:09 p.m. and its cause is under investigation.
No structures were threatened and smoke impact may have been noticed along Highway 89 and in the Doney Park area.
The fire was quickly contained and does not appear on the Incident Web Site.
Forest Service goes into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions May 5
Beginning Thursday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m., Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the Williams and Tusayan Districts (aka “South Zone”) of the Kaibab National Forest and the entirety of the Coconino National Forest.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.
Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation. Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time. The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions.
For information on all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions can be found at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Coconino National Forest offices open and begin firewood permit sales May 2
FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino National Forest will open its headquarters building and ranger stations to the public on Monday (May 2), which is the same day it will also begin selling firewood permits for the 2022 season.
Purchases can be made over the phone or in-person using check or credit card at the Forest Supervisor’s Office and Flagstaff Ranger Station between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Red Rock Ranger Station on weekdays (except Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m.)
- Forest Supervisor’s Office, 928-527-3600, 1824 S. Thompson St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Flagstaff Ranger Station, 928-526-0866, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
- Red Rock Ranger Station, 928-203-2900, 8375 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86351
The Mogollon Rim Ranger Station is currently not able to process permit sales at this time.
In addition to a method of payment, purchasers should be prepared to provide their name, address, phone number, type of identification and identification number, the names of any additional cutters, credit card information, the type of wood and number of cords desired.
The minimum cost for a permit is $20, with a maximum purchase of 12 cords per household. Permits allow for the cutting of down and dead wood or standing wood that meets certain criteria in specified areas. The cost for oak, aspen, juniper and maple will be $5 per cord, and the cost for pine and mixed conifer will be $2.50 per cord.
There will be many visitors and phone calls during the first couple of weeks, so please be patient and realize there is limited staffing fielding a large volume of requests. In-person purchases will be given priority over phone calls, but we will do everything we can to accommodate both as much as possible.
For those ordering over the phone, permits and associated load tags will be mailed to purchasers, along with a receipt and a firewood guide that includes cutting instructions and a map. Purchasers are required to sign and date the permit in the permittee line as soon as it is received.
Purchasing by mailed check:
If purchasing by check, send a written request by mail to any of the offices previously mentioned, to the attention of “Timber Permits.” The written request should include your name, address, phone number, type of identification and identification number, the names of any additional cutters, the type of wood and number of cords desired. Your written request must be signed and dated, as well as include your check payment for the exact amount of cords being purchased — as long as the minimum of $20 is met.
Forest roads and other precautions
Unless specified elsewhere in the permit or on its accompanying map, or identified as prohibited, motorized off-road travel is authorized to access and load firewood. The permit does not authorize motorized cross-country travel to scout for firewood, but it does authorize off-road vehicle use by the most direct route in and out of the area to accomplish firewood retrieval. Please exercise caution when driving off-road and avoid resource damage.
The Coconino National Forest now has GPS-enabled firewood maps for smartphones, tablets and Garmin GPS devices, which may be used as a supplement to the firewood guide issued with each permit.
Firewood cutters should be aware chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush, so please take care when cutting firewood. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless-steel spark arrestor screen. As the season continues, cutters need to ensure they are aware of any fire restrictions by checking local Forest Service information.
Free use firewood areas
There are currently no free-use firewood areas designated for the 2022 season, but areas may be designated at a later point. Please check with your local Forest Service office periodically for any updates.
Other permit info
Additional forest and district permit programs such as Wildings, Post, Poles or House logs and Post and Stays will also be open for sale.
Kaibab National Forest firewood permit sales begin May 2
WILLIAMS – On Monday, May 2, the Kaibab National Forest will begin selling personal-use firewood permits for the 2022 season. Permit holders will be able to collect firewood from May 2 through November 30 on the North Kaibab Ranger District and through December 31 on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts.
Permits are $20 for 10 cords of wood. Permit holders will receive maps, detailed cutting regulations, and load tags which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The load tagging system helps maintain accountability and provides data for planning future firewood programs.
The 2022 load tags are not reusable. In 2020 and 2021, the forest issued reusable load tags to continue providing access to firewood while minimizing exposure during the pandemic. This season the Kaibab NF is returning to the single-use, quarter-cord tags.
Permits will be valid for firewood collection only within the ranger district from which the permit was purchased.
Permits for the Williams and Tusayan Districts will be issued only in person.
- Williams Ranger District Office, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 928-635-5600
- Tusayan Ranger District Office, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 928-638-2443
- Forest Supervisor’s Office (Williams and Tusayan permits only), 600 S. 6th St., Williams; 928-635-8200
Until the North Kaibab Ranger District Office reopens its doors, permits for this district may only be purchased by phone and will be issued by mail. Once the office is open, permits will be issued in person.
North Kaibab Ranger District Office, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 928-660-3913
The Kaibab NF firewood permits webpage will be updated with additional details throughout the season.
Intermittent closures of State Route 89A near Pumphouse Wash bridge May 2
The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers, area residents and businesses that a 3-mile section of State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon will be intermittently closed overnight on Monday, May 2.
SR 89A will be closed intermittently to traffic through the switchback portion of the roadway between the Pumphouse Wash Bridge and Oak Creek Vista (approximately between mileposts 387 – 390).
The 15-minute, non-consecutive full closures will occur twice per hour from 9 p.m. Monday, May 2 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 3.
Drivers should be prepared to stop and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while the overnight closures are in place.
The restrictions are needed so crews can place traffic-control barriers on the roadway for the SR 89A Oak Creek Canyon Improvements project, which includes rockfall mitigation, erosion control and a bridge rehabilitation.
Please visit azdot.gov/SR89A for additional project information
Plan for 40-day closure of A-1 Mountain Road Bridge over Interstate 40 in Flagstaff scheduled for May 2 – June 10
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for an extended closure of the A-1 Mountain Road Bridge over Interstate 40 (exit 190) from midnight Monday, May 2, to 11 p.m. Friday, June 10, as work continues on the bridge replacement project.
- DETOUR TO A-1 MOUNTAIN ROAD: Drivers traveling eastbound on I-40 traffic will take Exit 191 to turn around and travel westbound on I-40 to access A-1 Mountain Road.
- DETOUR TO EASTBOUND I-40: Drivers on A-1 Mountain Road will first travel west on I-40 and exit Hughes Avenue (Exit 185- Bellemont) to turn around and proceed eastbound on I-40.
Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.
For more information, visit https://azdot.gov/i40-A1-Mountain
Nicole Branton selected as new Kaibab Forest Supervisor
WILLIAMS — Southwestern Regional Forester Michiko Martin has announced that Nicole Branton will be returning to the region as the new Forest Supervisor for the Kaibab National Forest.
Branton has led complex, partner-driven natural resource management efforts since 2013, first as the Red Rock District Ranger on the Coconino National Forest in Sedona and, beginning in 2019, as the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in western Washington. In her 25 years of public service, Branton has also worked as a resource specialist and line officer in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Illinois, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C.
Branton will take the reins from Diane Taliaferro, who began serving as Acting Forest Supervisor after Heather Provencio’s departure last fall and ended her tour in early April.
“We’re grateful for the dedication that Diane brought to her time on the Kaibab National Forest and for her continued service,” said Martin. “Nicole will bring a wealth of knowledge as she follows Diane. The Kaibab National Forest and those they serve will continue to see high quality leadership as Nicole brings her experience and local understanding to this position.”
With a strong foundation in northern Arizona and a career built around collaborative problem-solving, Branton is well positioned to lead the forest through its many crucial projects including the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project, Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project, Mangum Fire response efforts, Four Forest Restoration Initiative, and Northern AZ Grassland Restoration Project (a 2022 Joint Chiefs’ project).
“I am thrilled to be returning home to northern Arizona, and I’m honored to be selected as the Forest Supervisor for the Kaibab, a forest with a reputation for getting work done with partners and communities,” said Branton. “I have admired the Kaibab staff for a long time. I’m looking forward to working with them on the challenging yet rewarding tasks of protecting our climate-vulnerable communities through landscape scale restoration, deepening relationships with Tribes, and building socially equitable and environmentally sustainable outdoor experiences that support rural economies.”
Branton will begin her new role as Kaibab National Forest Supervisor May 8, 2022.