COLCORD RIDGE, Mogollon Rim – The mountains, mentors, wildlife officers, volunteer instructors, gobblers, guides and even the wind had a lot to teach 180 or so camo-clad youngsters during the opening weekend of the spring turkey season.

With a lot of able assistance from sportsmen’s organizations, the Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted two youth turkey hunting camps, one along the Mogollon Rim and the other in the White Mountains. Kids and parents flocked to both.

It was a momentous weekend of learning in the pine-scented woods with shotguns in hand at first light or during the afternoon in-camp workshops while gripping steaming mugs of hot chocolate or frosty cold sodas.

Even though youngsters and turkey hunting have long been mainstays on the hunting learning curve for generations, there is something new this year putting big smiles on the faces of kids and parents – this is first spring hunt ever with over-the-counter youth turkey tags available.

In past years, youth and adults had to enter the big game drawing for the available tags. Now any youth betwee n the age of 10 and 17 can get a turkey tag over-the-counter that is good for both the spring and fall hunts, although only one turkey can be harvested each year by an individual.

One smiling dad, Mark Arnold of Phoenix, said it is tremendous to have over-the-counter tags for kids, especially since they can use the tags again this fall if they don’t harvest a bird this spring. “It really gives them something to look forward too even if they don’t get one now.”

Arnold and plenty of other dads pointed out that it isn’t always about harvesting a turkey, but learning and even sharing experiences in the wild with family and friends.

Dylan Stewart, age 15, from Yuma said it was pretty exciting when a bearded gobbler came running up at full speed as they were setting up their decoy. “It took one look at us and took off flying. That was our only chance that day.”

Not getting that gobbler didn’t affect the excitement in his voice or the gleam in his eyes while relating the tale of the one that flew away.

For twenty-year-old Jason Arnold, it was an opportunity to put his turkey-calling skills to use to try and call in a gobbler for his younger brother. For the Arnolds, and most others as well, hunting is a cooperative family endeavor. But youth hunts are even more special – it’s family mentoring time.

Plenty of other youngsters had even more to cluck about. With a note of confident pride in his voice, 13-year-old Nick McMullen related the tale of how he harvested his gobbler, which he pointed out was his third one in four years.

“My dad pre-scouted and knew where the roost was, but on opening morning, it was so windy that we couldn’t even find them,” Nick said.

But the next day dawned on a near-perfect day in the woods with no wind. “We set up the blind and started calling across the drainage from the roost. We could see one large gobbler strutting around, and finally it flew 300 yards across the drainage straight to us in just a few seconds. I shot it seven yards away,” Nick said excitedly.

Nick quickly added that the gobbler had a seven-inch beard.

What a tale. By the way, Nick is the son of Wildlife Manager Craig McMullen, who helped coordinate the youth camp on the Rim. “Every kid seemed to have an exciting tale to tell. This is what it’s all about, why we do what we do,” the veteran wildlife officer said.

Michael Godwin, the Game and Fish wildlife manager supervisor who helped organize the youth camp for Game Management Units 1 and 27, said it was a huge success. “Every kid and parent I talked to had great things to say about the camp and all of the people that were there to help.”

Godwin added that all the parents were very complimentary of the Game and Fish Department establishing over-the-counter junior turkey tags.

Sitting side by side in a turkey blind is a perfect mentoring situation for youngsters.

Both Godwin and McMullen pointed out that lots of organizations stepped forward to help with the camps, and for working with the parents and kids in the field as well.

Groups involved included the Arizona Deer Association, the Arizona Elk Society, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Chandler Rod and Gun Club, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Outdoor Experience 4 All.

The universal opinion of everyone involved from kids and dads to wildlife managers and sportsmen was – “Let’s do this again!”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now offering a new “Apprentice Hunting License,” at no charge, to encourage existing hunters to become mentors and introduce a friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker to the traditions and importance of hunting.

The Apprentice License allows an already licensed hunter to take a beginner on an actual hunt—without the beginner having to buy a hunting license. The Apprentice License is free for residents and nonresidents and is valid for two consecutive days for the take of small game, fur-bearing, predatory and nongame mammals, nongame birds, and upland game birds. (To take migratory birds or waterfowl, the appropriate stamps are required at normal costs). The license is not valid for the take of big game.

Many people express an interest in hunting but are deterred either because of not knowing how to get started or the initial expense. The Apprentice Hunting License removes the initial cost barrier of having to buy a license (which costs between $26.50 and $151.25, depending on age and residency), so that newcomers can “try before they buy.”

“This will allow a seasoned hunter to take someone new under their wing and teach them the basics about hunting, firearm safety, and wildlife conservation without cost prohibitive burdens,” said Bill McLean, a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “There are many states with this type of license, and it has become a model for removing barriers in the national effort to increase hunter participation.”

The Apprentice Hunting License is only available at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices. The mentor must be a bona fide resident of Arizona, at least 18 years old, and possess a valid hunting license, and is limited to two Apprentice Hunting Licenses per calendar year. The license must be made out to the name of the apprentice, with the mentor’s name associated with the license. The apprentice can only receive one license per calendar year. The mentor is required to be with the apprentice at all times while in the field, providing instruction and supervision on safe and ethical hunting.

“This is a great opportunity to help preserve and expand Arizona’s hunting heritage and wildlife management through the next generation,” said Craig McMullen, Hunter Heritage Work Group team leader for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Not only will this allow someone new to experience the thrill of the hunt, this also allows mentors to teach others about wildlife conservation and the important role that hunters, as conservationists, play in the management of all wildlife.”

“Outside of getting new hunters in the field, safety is our number one concern. Hunting in Arizona is very safe, and we have one of the lowest accident rates in the United States,” said Dave Williams, hunter education coordinator of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “A good mentor will instill the basics of wearing hunter orange and how to safely handle a firearm through T.A.B.+1: Treat every firearm as if it were loaded; Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; Be sure of your target and beyond; and keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. Nearly every hunting-related accident can be avoided by following these simple principles.”

However, with the added flexibility comes added responsibility. Mentors need to set a good example to these impressionable newcomers. Mentors should consider the following guidelines:

• Focus on the experience, not the harvest

• Obey all laws

• Keep your apprentice’s physical limits in mind

• Be informative

• Teach field dressing and cooking

• Take pictures

• Plan a follow-up outing

It’s never too late for seasoned hunters to introducing someone new to hunting. Cottontail rabbit and jackrabbit seasons run all year long and the both make excellent quarry (as well as, great table fare) for new hunters. A 2009 hunting license is required for the mentor.

Visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department self-paced online hunter education course to learn more about hunting safely, hunting ethically, the history of hunting, wildlife management success stories, firearm safety, and more at: www.hunter-ed.com/az.

Please take advantage of this new license by introducing someone new to hunting. By doing so, you are giving the gift of passing along the American Hunting Heritage.

For more details about small game hunting, visit:

www.azgfd.gov/h_f/small_game.shtml

*7/9/09 added clarification to mentor requirements, for for details visit: http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml.

I never thought I would have so much fun and instantly get hooked on dove hunting. I was fortunate enough to get out four times during the early dove season. For me, it wasn’t how many doves I was able to harvest, it was the outdoor experience.

We saw tarantulas, bats, nighthawks, a Cooper’s hawk (which tried to steal one of our doves), dragonflies and a beautiful buck.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous on the first day, wanting to make sure that I knew what to do, when to do it and how to do it safely. I asked a lot of questions, and fortunately I had a seasoned hunting mentor to guide me through the process. The only experience I had to compare it to was clay target shooting, and this was totally different.

My first hunt was in the afternoon on a tank in the north zone. We didn’t have a lot of doves coming in, but the experience was still extremely memorable. I was a bit hesitant to take my first shot, but once I felt more comfortable it was a blast! I was so proud of my first harvest, not only a great feeling of accomplishment, but a sense of pride that I could take the meat home and prepare it for dinner.

If I wasn’t invited to go on my first hunt, I would have never known how exciting and enjoyable it could be. I have always wanted to learn to hunt but was a little apprehensive to jump in and go on my own without a bit of mentoring. This experience has opened the door to an array of outdoor experiences that I never knew I would be so excited about. For my next step, I am putting in for my first javelina hunt!

So here is my challenge to you: Ask your friend or your neighbor or niece if they might be interested in joining you for the late season dove hunt. You never know who might be waiting to learn and just needs someone to guide them through their first hunt.

Kellie oversees the department’s Environmental Education Program. She continually works to incorporate the message of wildlife conservation into classroom curriculum and education programs. As a wildlife biologist by trade, Kellie spent many years in the field, served as a wildland firefighter, and was a high school science teacher. She grew up in northern California.

Are you interested in hunting, but don’t know how to get started?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is continuing to provide new outlets for beginners interested to find their way into the field.

During this hunting season the department is hosting a number of introductory programs, including mentor-assisted hunting camps, informative hunting clinics, and general outdoor recreation programs:

Hunting Clinic Seminars

Waterfowl Hunting 101: Learn the basics of waterfowl hunting and identification in Arizona. Friday, Nov. 7 from 6-8 p.m. Free, no registration required.

Small Game Hunting Clinic: Learn about hunting quail, rabbit, squirrel, dove and more. Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 7-9 p.m. Free, no registration required.

Wildlife Speaker Series

Turkey Talk: Learn all about wild turkeys in Arizona. This is a great event for the public and for homeschool teachers. The first hour is informative with fun activities, followed by an educational session. The event qualifies for two hours of professional development credit. Thursday, Nov. 6 from 6-8 p.m. Free, click here to register online.

Chiricahua Leopard Frogs: Learn all about this rare and threatened frog. This is a great event for the public and for homeschool teachers. The first hour is informative with fun activities, followed by an educational session. The event qualifies for two hours of professional development credit. Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m. Free, click here to register online.

*Unless otherwise noted, all speaker events are at the Game & Fish headquarters at: 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (1.25 miles west of I-17).

Hands-on Mentored Hunting Camps

Small Game Camp (Region 3): Learn to handle firearms safely, go hunting for quail and rabbit and enjoy your harvest. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 15-16, near Wickenburg. This free event requires a $20 refundable deposit per person or $30 per family. Signup deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 31, call (928) 692-7700.

Dove Hunt (Region 6): Learn about dove hunting and firearm safety. Event date to be announced soon. Location is just west of Mesa.

Juniors-only Dove Hunt (Region 4): Learn about dove hunting, firearm safety and the Quigley Wildlife Area. Dec. 6, near Yuma. Free, to register, contact Debbie, (928) 210-7304, deltadeb@gmail.com.

Small Game Camp (Region 5/6): Learn about hunting dove, rabbit, quail and camping out. Dec. 13-14, between Florence and Tucson. Registration information coming soon.

Juniors-only Duck Hunt (Region 4): Learn about duck hunting from experienced waterfowlers at one of the best wetland areas in the state. Dec. 12-13, Cibola NWR near Blythe, CA.

Small Game Camp (Region 4): Learn about hunting dove, rabbit and quail at the Texas Hill Farms annual event. Jan. 17-18, near Yuma.

For a list of frequently asked questions about small game camps, visit
www.azgfd.gov/h_f/sgc_faq.shtml

Time constraints and a reliance on technology have impacted all aspects of society, and the educational arena is no exception. Internet-based education programs, including hunter education, have evolved to better accommodate students’ schedules and learning needs in today’s fast-paced world.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department introduced its online hunter education program one year ago to provide a convenient option for students unable to take the traditional classroom program.

Since its introduction last August, 940 students have successfully completed the self-paced study portion of the online course. However, to become fully certified, students must also successfully pass a mandatory “hands-on field day” within 90 days of completing the online course work. To date, 532 people have done so and have become fully certified. That number is expected to increase as temperatures cool for the outdoor field days.

Due to the success of the program, starting Sept. 20 there will be an online field day offered the third Saturday of each month at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in the conservation education building.

There are many good reasons to take hunter safety, including:

For more details visit:
www.hunter-ed.com/az

Remember our safety phrase:
T.A.B. + 1

T = Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
A = Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.
B = Be sure of your target and what is beyond.
+1 = Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Happy hunting and be safe!

By Rory Aikens, public information officer,

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona’s hunters do not share a uniform view of what hunting opportunity should be.

An online survey and a telephone survey of recent hunt applicants conducted for the Arizona Game and Fish Department by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Virginia, last year showed that the majority of this state’s hunters just want to get a hunt-permit tag, especially for elk, and the quality of the animal is not a major concern.

But another segment of the hunting public is very interested in managing for conservative, quality hunts.

The challenge facing the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department is to achieve that delicate balancing act and provide opportunities to meet the desires and needs of all hunters. It’s not an easy balancing act, but it does require quality information to achieve with any degree of success.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission invited the director of Responsive Management, Mark Damian Duda, to meet with them in a work session during its summer meeting in Flagstaff to discuss the survey, its methodology, its validity, and its applicability to wildlife management in the state.

Duda told the commission that Responsive Management has conducted hundreds of such surveys in 30 or 40 states during the past 20 years. “We have no dog in this fight. We just use scientifically sound methods to gather information.”

If the Arizona survey had shown anything different than all the other surveys across the United States, Duda said, there might be some reason to question the validity. It did not. “The surveys show the same pattern here in Arizona that we are seeing across the country.”

Duda said he understands the dilemma facing the Game and Fish Commission in Arizona. “Bottom line, you are confronted with how to please two divergent publics or markets. It’s not an easy decision facing you.”

Duda said there is one public of avid, knowledgeable hunters who care deeply about the state’s wildlife, and who are tremendous supporters of the department and its mission, and who can wield a lot of power in the process. “They are at the higher end of the hunting spectrum. They want trophy animals. They are the well-informed and influential minority.”

Then there are the average hunters who are the silent majority. “The surveys show that most hunters just want the opportunity to hunt. Harvesting a quality animal is not at the top of their list.,” Duda said. “I am not making any value judgments. That’s just what they do and what they want. This is really not an issue of surveys, but what different markets want.”

For us as researchers, Duda said, it is a relatively easy process to get the answers. “For you as decision makers, it is a difficult process. I can’t tell you what decisions to make, only what the valid surveys show in the marketplace. Our role is to simply gather the information.”

Duda explained that in conducting the surveys, his company used the multiple satisfaction approach where the respondents make choices or rate what is most important to them.

The respondents are simply provided a list, and they choose from that list on what is most important to them. Most Arizona hunters overwhelmingly chose the opportunity to go hunting as most important, and rated harvesting a quality animal quite a ways down the list.

Duda said there are some who will not like a survey just because its results are contrary to deeply held belief systems, such as a survey Responsive Management did in Maryland, where 75 percent of the residents said they support hunting. “There was only one question on the survey that an animal protection group liked.”

“We’ve seen it time and again. These questions that support our views are valid and those questions that don’t support our beliefs are not valid,” Duda said.

All surveys are designed to do is reflect the varying opinions in the marketplace. “One of my professors said that science seeks questions, policy demands answers. Seeking the questions was the easy part of this. You face the tougher task,” Duda told the commission.

The future of hunting:

Recruitment and retention efforts are crucial

By Rory Aikens, public information officer,
Arizona Game and Fish Department

The concerted effort to increase hunter recruitment and retention in Arizona didn’t happen overnight, but it did have a major point of genesis.

The management shift in Arizona to create more hunting opportunities and to remove existing barriers to participation ties back to a report from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in 2004, outlining efforts by state wildlife agencies to increase public participation in hunting and shooting sports.

Projections of declining hunters and shooters are disturbing, because these people provide the social, financial and political support for wildlife management in North America.

Arizona Game and Fish Department leaders saw the handwriting on the wall. The legacy of hunting and shooting sports, and the cornerstone of wildlife management, could be lost to future generations if steps weren’t taken.

In September 2004, department leaders decided to create a cross-functional department Hunter Retention and Recruitment Team (HRR Team) that was told to scour the nation, find all the best ideas and practices, then to think innovatively and come up with a game plan for increasing hunter and shooting retention and recruitment here in Arizona.

The HRR Team employed a variety of tools and methods to identify relevant issues and generate concepts that would address the primary objectives it was tasked to address. It took months of hard work, discussion and information synthesis.

The final team report encompassed 178 pages, but the team came up with the following 12 recommendations as the base steps needed:

1. Construct a comprehensive property management plan for the wildlife area complex that includes Robbins Butte, Powers Butte and the Arlington Wildlife Management Area that promotes small game opportunity and provides a venue for hunter recruitment and retention activities.
   
2. Develop a short-term hunting lease program through Landowners Relations designed to obtain access to provide lands for small game hunting opportunities.
   
3. Implement enhancements to the department’s hunter education program that promote course convenience and flexibility to customers and that further institute adaptive management evaluation-management practices.
   
4. Charter a team to identify improvements in the delivery of hunting information through the annual regulations booklet in a manner that encourages and facilitates use and understanding, especially by new, inexperienced hunters.
   
5. Evaluate existing big game draw and hunt structures to maximize hunting opportunity on a sustainable basis.
   
6. Institute special licenses that promote participation of new hunters through family-friend social structures that serve to reinforce and support hunting activities.
   
7. Incorporate enhancements to the department’s Web page that promote and support hunter recruitment-retention programs and activities.
   
8. Create a new hunter recruitment and retention coordinator position in the Information and Education Division to launch and coordinate hunter recruitment-retention programs, activities and promotions.
   
9. Establish a full-time shooting range development coordinator position in the Information and Education Division to promote convenient public access to shooting sports and shooting ranges.
   
10. Launch coordinated department-wide public information and outreach efforts that promote hunting and otherwise reinforce hunter recruitment-retention efforts.
    
11. Update the department’s strategic planning documents to proactively address urban encroachment as it relates to maintain small game hunting opportunities in proximity to urban areas, which advance hunter recruitment and retention efforts.
    
12. Conduct periodic reviews of important hunt draw and license sales data and trends and apply adaptive management practices to department hunt recruitment-retention programs as needed.

These recommendations were embraced by department management and adopted by the commission. Since that time, those 12 recommendations have spawned a host of activities, actions, and changes, especially when it comes to traditional hunt structures.

By Dave Higgins, president, Cochise Bird Dog Club

For the second consecutive year, the Sierra Vista-based Cochise Bird Dog Club partnered with the Huachuca Hot Shots team from Arizona’s Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) to conduct a youth quail hunt on the Empire Ranch, near Sonoita, on April 22.

The event gave the SCTP youths a chance to hone their shotgun-shooting skills under actual hunting conditions in the field, while observing and learning about top-notch bird dog work. Ten youths and five hunting dogs participated.

More than 45 bobwhite quail were released for the hunt. The outing was enhanced this year with the release of five ringneck rooster pheasants donated by local hobby breeders Mike Skiles and Erick Haldorson of Sierra Vista. The birds were released under the authority of a permit issued by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The SCTP youths were divided into teams of two and paired with a member of the Cochise Bird Dog Club and their dogs for a 30-minute hunt. The dogs found and pointed the birds, and the young hunters flushed them, allowing the youths to observe the skills and safety practices associated with using a bird dog while hunting.

The manner and safety practices exhibited by these young people were an excellent testament to their instructional shooting program at the Ft. Huachuca Sportsman’s Center. Several of the hunt guides commented that the youngsters were “darned good shooters” and would be great additions during quail season.

As an interesting side note, Christin Crounse and her brother Lamar became the proud owners of a 12-week-old pointer pup at the hunt’s conclusion. They are now officially part of the bird dog community. Christin was designated the “Annie Oakley” of last year’s hunt.

The SCTP program is a youth development program that teaches trap, skeet and sporting clays to youths from 5th grade through high school. It is administered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department through volunteer coaches and various clubs throughout the state. The Huachuca Hot Shots completed their second year of state competition this year.

The Cochise Bird Dog Club plans to invite additional SCTP shooters to next year’s event. The experience provides the young shooters with a natural extension of their practical learning in the SCTP program. These youngsters represent potential future dog owners, and the education will help them understand the responsibilities associated with raising, owning and training a bird dog.

The club is able to donate efforts and funds toward this special project due, in part, to the support received during its annual fall shotgun raffle project. For more information about the Cochise Bird Dog Club, contact President Dave Higgins at (520) 378-4114 or visit cochisebirddogclub.netkennel.com. For more information about the Huachuca Hot Shots SCTP team, contact Rene Dube at (520) 378-6864.

By Ian Satter, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

A popular spring pastime for many is hunting for shed deer and elk antlers, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking shed hunters using off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to act responsibly and not harm the delicate wildlife habitats or wildlife.

“Responsible OHV use lies in the operator’s knowledge of the terrain, trail conditions, which trails are open to OHVs and wildlife that inhabit that area,” said Arizona Game and Fish Department Assistant Director of Field Operations Mike Senn. “Traveling off of roads and trails, especially during the spring, can cause serious damage to delicate wildlife habitat areas that can take many years to recover.”

Riding off of designated roads and trails can cause significant erosion by creating ruts, which heavy rains and melting snow can expand into deep gullies, destroying critical habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

Riding cross-country may also displace deer and elk from their habitat. This can cause them to avoid important foraging areas and deplete critical energy reserves while wandering outside of their normal, preferred ranges, especially for pregnant females. These effects are intensified by winter conditions like colder temperatures, the presence of snow, and the limited availability of food, which combine to make survival generally more difficult than during much of the rest of the year.

Below are a few suggestions for shed hunters to keep in mind when using an OHV:

• Stay on marked trails and roads, away from water sources and meadows.
• Avoid wet soil or climbing steep slopes.
• Do not harass or pursue wildlife.
• Avoid areas posted for wildlife and natural area protection.
• Know the terrain before you ride.
• Know the weather forecast and conditions.
• Make sure the OHV is in top mechanical condition.
• Wear protective clothing, as well as a helmet, goggles or face shield to prevent injury from branches and twigs, stones, ice and other debris.

“Wildlife habitat can be protected, and most mishaps can be avoided if OHV users stay on marked roads and trails, stay away from wet or unfamiliar ground and operate in daylight when visibility is good,” Senn said.

For more information on responsible off-highway vehicle use, log onto the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/ohv.

Most of us who love the outdoors are taught at a young age that you should respect the land on which you hunt, fish and recreate. Sportsmen are typically conscientious about protecting our resources by not littering and by keeping a clean camp.

A small number of individuals, unfortunately, do litter. Some are egregious offenders, others are just momentarily careless. Either way, hunters who litter should be aware that a littering conviction could cost you the ability to legally hunt or fish for a long time.

“Arizona law makes littering while hunting or angling a class 2 misdemeanor,” says Pat Barber, law enforcement branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Littering while hunting or fishing are revocable violations, so a conviction could cost you your license privileges for up to five years.”

In fact, two individuals recently had their hunting and fishing privileges revoked for five years after a hearing at the February meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in Yuma. Their abandoned campsite in the White Mountains last August was documented to have had a noticeable amount of trash strewn about.

“I periodically hear stories from ranchers and hunters about the messes being left behind in the field,” says Arizona Game and Fish Commissioner William McLean. “Sometimes it’s hunters who are responsible, sometimes it’s others. Unfortunately, hunters are often unfairly blamed for acts of littering and vandalism that are committed by other outdoor recreationists.”

Regardless of who is doing it, it’s the kind of practice that has to stop, says McLean. “It’s bad for the land, bad for wildlife, and could ultimately cost us access from private landowners who are generous enough to allow outdoor recreationists to use their land.”

Don’t take a chance on losing your hunting and fishing enjoyment. Leave your camp area clean. Pick up shell casings and associated debris. Pack out everything you brought in.

By not littering, you’ll help keep wildlife habitat in good shape, help ensure continued hunting access from private landowners, and help keep your hunting privileges intact.

By Tom Cadden, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Outdoor enthusiasts: You won’t want to miss the FREE Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo on March 31 and April 1 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

Want to try your hand at target archery? Learn firearm safety and test your skill at target shooting on the shooting range? Participate in activities on our hunter education field course? View live wildlife and learn about wildlife conservation?

You can do all this and more at this year’s Expo. You’ll have a chance to visit with more than 100 exhibitors–sportsmen’s/conservation groups, shooting organizations, OHV groups, government agencies, and vendors of outdoor products and services–involved in every aspect of outdoor recreation. The family friendly event offers hands-on opportunities, demonstrations and exhibits on a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting, archery, fishing, recreational target shooting, off-highway vehicle recreation, boating recreation, camping, wildlife conservation and more.

Here are some of the activities you can experience:

• Try out the latest firearms, in a safe, supervised environment on the shooting range, from manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, Sturm, Ruger & Co., and Glock.

• Learn and develop your skills at international-style target archery.

• View horse and hunting dog demonstrations and attend workshops on hunting with bird dogs.

• See live wildlife such as birds and reptiles, and attend wildlife workshops by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

• Learn about map reading, GPS and orienteering.

• View off-highway vehicle demonstrations, take a test drive in our OHV area, and find out about OHV recreation opportunities.

• Learn fishing techniques at our fishing workshops and test your skill on our fishing simulator.

• Try out specialty shooting disciplines, such as cowboy action, rifle and pistol silhouette, black powder and other disciplines, at venues hosted by local shooting organizations.

• Attend the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Commissioner’s Cup sporting clays state championships, the Arizona Archery in Schools (AAIS) state championships, and Arizona State University collegiate archery competitions.

• Learn about Dutch oven cooking.

• Attend workshops on predator calling, falconry, and how to improve your draw odds.

• Become educated on watercraft recreation opportunities and boating safety.

• Test your rock-climbing skills on a climbing wall.

• Have your child audition to be a “guest host for a day” for a future episode of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Emmy Award-winning Arizona Wildlife Views television show (limited to children ages 7-18).

• Visit with representatives from more than 100 exhibitors.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 1. Admission and parking are free. Free trolley transportation within the 1,690-acre Ben Avery complex will enable you to explore all of the action. To get to the Expo, take I-17 to Carefree Highway (exit 223) and go west 1/2 mile on Carefree Highway to the entrance at Long Shot Lane. For more information and to see a list of exhibitors, visit azgfd.gov/expo.

By Tom Cadden, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Outdoor enthusiasts: Mark your calendars! You won’t want to miss this year’s Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo, being held Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix.

Formerly known as the Shooting Showcase, this year’s event is expanding to include a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, archery, off-highway vehicle recreation, boating safety, camping, live wildlife exhibits and more.

You can attend educational workshops, view demonstrations, and visit with sportsmen’s/conservation groups and commercial vendors in our exhibitors’ tent.

You’ll still have the same opportunity to experience hands-on recreational shooting on the range as in past years, including the chance to try out various specialty shooting disciplines (cowboy action, black powder, rifle and pistol silhouette, and more) hosted by local shooting organizations.

The Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clays State Championships will be held at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center on Saturday. The Archery in the Schools  Program State Championships will be held at the Ben Avery archery ranges.

Vendors and sportsmen’s/conservation groups interested in exhibiting at the Outdoor Expo can obtain more information by clicking here or by calling Tristanna Bickford at (623) 236-7241.

The Outdoor Expo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Trolley transportation is provided throughout the 1,690-acre complex for all activities. The Expo entrance at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located off Carefree Highway, on Long Shot Lane, about 1/2 mile west of I-17. For more information, visit azgfd.gov/expo or call (623) 236-7241.

With the advantages that off-highway vehicles (OHVs), specifically all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), provide during hunting season, more and more people have been using them in recent years. Because ATVs are easier than walking, can access terrain that most vehicles can’t, and can assist in the retrieval of game, they can be highly useful to hunters across Arizona.

It’s important to remember to ride responsibly any time of the year, but particularly during hunting season. Below are a few pieces of information that will prove helpful this season.

Rules and Regulations

In Arizona, it is illegal to hunt from any vehicle. OHV rules and laws designate:

• No one may use a motor vehicle to assist in the taking of wildlife (except as permitted under the Challenged Hunter Access Mobility Permit, A.R.S. 17-301B).
• An off-highway vehicle may only be used as a means of travel and NOT as a hunting aid.
• Cross-country travel is not allowed in most areas, unless you are picking up legally taken big game. (Some areas do not allow even that.)

If you see anyone hunting from an ATV, call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700.

Impact on Habitat

One of the key concerns regarding OHV use is the potential impact to wildlife habitat. Most OHV users are responsible riders who recognize the impacts their activity can cause, and they voluntarily take steps to reduce those impacts. Unfortunately, a few individuals improperly use OHVs by creating new roads and trails in areas that were previously roadless. In fact, some current roads and trails in inappropriate locations were created by OHVs driving off-road. This practice creates a track that others will follow, starting an illegal user-created road or motorized trail. Some user-created trails access the same location that an existing, legal road does. This can lead to the displacement and disruption of game and the destruction of natural resources, such as vegetation and soils.

Disadvantages to OHVs?

While OHV use is on the rise, there are also disadvantages to using these vehicles in relation to hunting. The noise and smell of an ATV can alert game animals, causing them to avoid the area. Many species of wildlife have negative (flight or fight) reactions to approaching noises, including OHVs. Also, other hunters in the area that do not use OHVs might be resentful of game being scared away by motorized vehicles.

Here are some guidelines to minimize OHV impact on wildlife habitat and ensure a good relationship with fellow hunters:

• Make yourself aware of vehicle regulations for the area in which you are hunting.
• Stay on existing roads and trails. You can minimize impacts on wildlife by staying on designated roads and trails or in special use areas. Wildlife will avoid or adapt to trail corridors.
• Have respect for other users. Slow down or stop your ATV when you approach riders on horseback, so you don’t spook the animals.
• Limit your use of ATVs in wet areas or during wet conditions. Turning a meadow into a mud bog reduces forage, resulting in higher mortality for wildlife.
• If your OHV does not fit on the trail, don’t widen single-track trails by forcing your vehicle down the trail.

Additional Equipment and Safety

When heading out to hunt this season, prepare your ATV with the following: (1) a winch that can pull between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds; (2) a cargo box or bag that attaches to the front or rear racks to protect your gear from harsh weather conditions; (3) a game cart to haul game back to base camp; and, (4) a gun scabbard to secure your gun safely and securely as you travel to and from your hunting destination.

When carrying a rifle or shotgun on an ATV, it should be unloaded and firmly attached to the vehicle. It is unsafe to carry a rifle or shotgun mounted on the handlebars, because a rifle mounted on the handlebars might be longer than the width of an ATV and stick out over the sides. This increases the chance of having the rifle hit something, such as a tree, causing the driver to lose control.

For more information on OHV rules and regulations, safety and OHV areas, visit azgfd.gov.

In 1999, the Arizona Game and Fish Department began offering supplemental one-day classes to hunters who have already taken a basic hunter education class in another state. Participants are required to show that completion of their basic course occurred in 1980 or later. 1980 is the same year that Arizona looks back to for hunter education bonus point credit for completion of the course.

The class is designed to cover Arizona-specific issues and not to replace or duplicate previous studies. Subjects include habitat concerns, Arizona wildlife identification, venomous bites and stings (and first aid for them), game laws and hunting rules, how the draws work, and similar subjects.

As required in Arizona, students must be at least 10 years old to graduate from the class. This is an advanced-level class that tests an individual’s knowledge. Anyone who would like to participate in one of these classes needs to contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department Education Branch at (623) 236-7235 and provide the necessary documents.

For a testimonial about the supplemental hunter education classes, below is a letter from Steve Osminski of Michigan.

Bill,

I took one of your all-day supplemental hunter education classes a couple of years ago. It was great information, and I’m sure the permanent bonus point I earned helped get me my archery elk tag this year. Here is a picture of my do-it-yourself bull. I took him on my eighth day hunting. The shot was less than 10 feet and he went 120 yards and fell in my sight. I wanted to thank the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the great work it does in managing the animals. I appreciate the opportunity to hunt in your great state.

Thanks again,

Steve Osminski