calendar of events

SQUIRRELS:
My preseason scouting run in June proved to show a mix of good and bad.

Mogollon Rim
The Mogollon Rim had a deeper than normal snow pack which lasted longer than normal. This led to losses in the Abert’s populations where they are typically plentiful. There are pockets that fared better than others, but expect below average numbers.

Red squirrels on the other hand, held over quite well. Populations appear to be average to slightly above normal.

Arizona Gray numbers below the Rim look to be on par with last year. You can expect an average season this year.

White Mountains
While I thought I might expect to see below average numbers for Abert’s, I was surprised to see a good number in the areas I visited. You should be able to get a limit in a day of working mature stands of Ponderosa, but expect an average season overall.

Red squirrels are in good shape here too. Looks like a slightly above average year.

Sky Islands
Abert’s numbers appear pretty much the same as in previous years with little change. With longer seasons in the Catalinas and the Pineleños, this is a good year for squirrels here.
Arizona Grays still remain in low numbers like the previous years. Expect a slightly below average season.

RABBITS:

Cottontails
As with all small game, you can expect cycles of boom and bust, but right now it seems rabbits are in-between cycles. While no areas of the state appear to abundant populations, there are also no areas where you can’t find at least a few rabbits. But cottontails respond to local rain as well, so in some areas that received good monsoons, high numbers of bunnies are out there. It is safe to say this year looks about average.

Jackrabbits
It looks like we are coming out of the really high year we experienced last year. Like cottontails, no one area stands out as overly or under abundant. Expect about normal opportunities as they present themselves.

QUAIL:
With quail in general this year, it will be a tough season. All are experiencing below average seasons.

Gambel’s
Unlike the two previous years where we lost a number of chicks to the cold fronts with cold rains around Memorial Day, this turned out to be an odd year. Instead of a synchronized timing for quail to start laying eggs, they seemed to stagger it out across the entire breeding season. There wasn’t one week that didn’t go by where I didn’t see a brood of newly hatched chicks.
Nevertheless, good numbers of birds can be found in some areas. Expect this year to look like the past few with an average season in desert areas. Higher grassland bird numbers are likely to be low. I have seen pretty good numbers of Gambel’s quail on the bajada regions of the desert north of Phoenix, and the check station in Tonto Basin (northeast of Roosevelt Lake) was pretty good on opening day.

Scaled
For the past several years, environmental conditions here in Arizona have not favored this species at all. Pockets of limited numbers still remain in what is now considered the fringe of their range. Their core area in southeastern Arizona still holds birds, but it is more likely you will see more Gambel’s than Scaled. You can consider this a below average year as well.

Mearns’
This year is a poor year for Mearn’s quail. You can expect low numbers of birds and lots of space between coveys. You’ll work a lot harder this year for every bird you get in this below average season.

For a listing of season dates, there is a quick reference on the right side of this page labeled “WHEN CAN I GO? 2010-11 Small Game Hunting Season Dates.”

WHERE and WHEN:

For the detailed hunting season information, bag limits, open areas and other pertinent information, refer to the appropriate regulations noted:

* Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations (quail, rabbit, grouse, chukar, squirrel, others)
* Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations (dove, band-tailed pigeon)
* Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations (ducks, geese, snipe)

The Thanksgiving Day poaching is under investigation by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The deer was shot in the front left shoulder and left to waste in the desert. The subjects also left beer cans and trash behind.

This was a closed season poaching which occurred near a popular hunting area known as “Radium Hot Springs” located just east of Wellton. This incident occurred at night or in the early morning on or near Nov. 25 and 26.

“The doe was shot with a small caliber rifle and just left to waste,” according to Richard Myers, law enforcement specialist for Game and Fish. “Poachers are not hunters, and those who commit these acts not only steal from the resource, they steal from the residents of Arizona.”

Anyone with information which leads to an arrest in this case can get a cash reward of up to $1,000 by calling the Operation Game Thief hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700. Caller identities may remain confidential upon request. You can also report online at www.azgfd.gov/thief.

Free Indoor Air Gun & Archery Clinic Dates in December

• Wednesday, December 2, 2009
• Thursday, December 3, 2009
  6:00PM – 8:00PM
• Friday, December 4, 2009
  9:00AM – 11:00AM
• Saturday, December 19, 2009
  ARCHERY 8:00AM – 12:00PM
  AIR GUN 1:00PM – 5:00PM

Starting January 2, 2010 monthly clinics will be held on the first Saturday of each month with Archery from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and Air Gun from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

Leftover permits will also be available for purchase at all department offices after 8 a.m. (MST) beginning Monday, December 7, 2009. Find out more and get the list of leftover tags at http://www.azgfd.gov/draw

LONG-TERM STAYS NOW AVAILABLE TO THE SHOOTING PUBLIC

Make your Reservation Online …or contact our Main Range Office at (623) 582.8313

**The monthly purchase of a BASF Main-Range (MR) 10-Day Shooting Pass for $70.00 is also required
(Allows 11-Daily Range Entry Fees = $77.00 VALUE at any BASF public firearm or archery range)

NEW BASF MAIN-RANGE SHOOTING OPPORTUNITIES:

• Your stay includes an introduction to the shooting sports of Archery or Air Gun in our newly renovated Indoor Range Facility – NEW SHOOTERS WELCOME!!

• Free Monthly Shooting Clinics Offered – Both Archery and Air Rifle & Pistol Shooting – Loaner Equipment Available for those attending the clinic and to use afterwards

• AZ Game and Fish Department OUTDOOR EXPO – Experience the Weekend March 27-28, 2010

NOTE: Weekly and Monthly Campground rates are offered year-round except during the following Major Events hosted at the BASF facility. During these events, Campsites must be vacated but displaced campers can be accommodated in other Dry-site camp locations throughout the facility. Shooters Campground Sites for these special events are booked 18-24 months in advance and take priority.

Major Events scheduled during 2010 are:

• National Muzzleloaders Association Match February 10 -15
• Winter Range – Cowboy Action Shooters Event February 20 – March 2
• CMP/Creedmoor National High Power Match  October 16 – 24

Make your Reservation Online …or contact our Main Range Office at (623) 582.8313

Step off the range and into the field and expand your archery skills in judging distances, terrain, and identifying the target zone on a variety of life-sized 3-D targets in a natural desert setting.

All ages and skill levels are welcome, so bring the entire family out to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix to enjoy some cool fresh air and the Sonoran landscape. The 20-target course will add a new dimension to your archery skills.

“The course uses life-like animal targets (elk, turkey, bear, deer, etc.) set in the desert landscape and it makes for a fun and challenging shoot,” said Mike Raum, bowhunter education coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish. “On 3-D courses the distances are not marked. Targets could be on a hill or in a valley, and the scoring area varies on each target, much different from the target range. It’s a lot of fun.”

There are three shoots available this fall. No registration is required and the cost is minimal. For participants 17 and younger the course fee is only $3. The cost is $12 (includes $7 range fee) for shooters 18 and older. The scheduled shoots are:

• Saturday, Oct. 31, open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14, open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec 19, open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Additionally, the course is open to all Arizona Archery in the Schools shooters as part of the 3-D Regional Shoot. For Archery in the Schools 3-D information, please contact Tanja Washburn at (623) 236-7233 or twashburn@azgfd.gov

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located on the northwest corner of I-17 and Carefree Highway. Archers can enter the range at Archery Drive, which is the first light on Carefree Highway about 1.25 miles west of I-17. For a facility brochure and site map, visit www.azgfd.gov/basf.

To learn more about the outdoor programs like watchable wildlife, environmental education, fishing, shooting sports, hunting and others offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov/getoutside.

Looking for a great activity the whole family can learn and enjoy?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a Family Archery Program at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix beginning Oct. 12. This introductory program is designed to give families a hands-on experience to learn more about archery and possibly start a new family tradition.

The program focuses on three specific archery disciplines: target, field, and 3D archery. Each participant is taught range rules, bow and arrow safety and handling, correct form and stance, and scoring for the different discipline venues.

The three-session program will be held:

• Oct. 31
• Nov. 7
• Nov. 14

Aall Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The first session is mandatory and pre-registration is required. Participants must be 8 years of age or older.

The cost for the entire program is $40 for individuals, $45 for teams (at least one child and one adult), and $50 for families (at least one child and two adults). Equipment will be provided, however archers may bring their own equipment.

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located along Carefree Highway just west of the I-17 in Phoenix.

To pre-register for this event, please contact Brett Moser at (623) 582-8313 or e-mail bmoser@azgfd.gov.

Recreational shooters are reminded that the Ben Avery Shooting Facility is operating on winter business hours as of Oct. 15.

In addition, shooters arriving near closing time are required to check-in 30 minutes before closing time to allow shooters and archers ample range time. Arriving with less than 30 minutes could leave customers in the middle of a cease-fire offering little to no opportunity to shoot.

Ben Avery Shooting Facility winter business hours are:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday – CLOSED
• Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. last check-in time)
• Thursday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. last check-in time)
• Friday – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2:30 p.m. last check-in time)
• Saturday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. last check-in time)
• Sunday – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2:30 p.m. last check-in time)

Winter hours are in effect until May 14, 2010.

To learn more about the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, shooting programs offered, upcoming events and location, visit www.azgfd.gov/basf.

My son, Rick II. struck out on his first two junior elk hunts, but each time learned some valuable lessons and came back wanting more. We were excited when he was drawn again this year for Unit 6A. We put in with our good friends and neighbors, the Smiths, so our hunting party consisted of Parker 13 and Kaler 12 (the Smith kids), Rick 14 and the dads (Brian Smith and me) as chief cooks, bottle washers and guides (probably in that order).

Brian and I put in some long hours on two consecutive weekends scouting before the hunt. The sign looked pretty good in the area, so we felt fairly confident someone would get a shot. Opening morning turned out to be unproductive, so to keep the kids’ spirits up, we went squirrel hunting midday. That was a good decision, because they harvested and had a great time doing it. The opportunity to shoot something small also gave young Kaler a needed confidence boost.

Friday evening, Parker, Kaler and Brian sat on a water tank. At about 5:30 P.M. several cow elk came in and Kaler dropped one at the water’s edge! The kids were naturally excited, but Brian held them quiet and had them wait. Sure enough, not five minutes later another cow walked in and Parker dropped it with a double-lung shot, right next to his sister’s elk! We had no luck at the tank we chose, so Rick and I helped the Smith’s load and transport their two elks to the processor.

We had no luck again on Saturday morning or afternoon, and by then I was starting to get worried that Rick might get his “third strike” on this hunt. Even though it seemed unlikely, we hoped maybe the elk hadn’t been spooked at the “Smith’s tank,” and so we finally decided to sit there. For good luck, the Smiths joined us in the homemade blind Brian had built. Like clockwork, a little before 5:30 P.M. two cows silently walked in. They were wary, and before Rick could take aim, they bolted and ran. That was a big disappointment, thinking it might have been our only chance. But, about 20 minutes later, Rick spotted a small herd of cows, feeding about 100 yards off. They milled around for a while, and then low and behold, they starting coming in single file! Rick waited until he had a good-sized cow broadside at 30 yards, and then took the shot. Bingo! Three-for-three, and for Rick, the third time was a charm after all!

PHOENIX — Arizona deer and elk hunters: The Arizona Game and Fish Department is requesting your assistance to monitor for the wildlife disease called chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is fatal to deer and elk, however, there is no evidence that it poses a risk to humans.

CWD has not yet been found in Arizona through regular annual testing since 1998. However, it is present in the neighboring states of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.

“Thanks to the participation by hunters and taxidermists last season, we were able to nearly double our surveillance and collection of samples in areas of concern near neighboring states that have detected CWD,” said Clint Luedtke, wildlife disease biologist. “Continued assistance from elk and deer hunters in Game Management Unit 12B (which borders Utah) as well as GMUs 1 and 27 (which border New Mexico), are crucial in assuring CWD is not in Arizona in these potential corridors.”

For Kaibab and strip hunters, the Jacob Lake check station will open for collecting samples from Oct. 30 – Nov. 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the following exceptions: On Nov. 9 and 30, the station will close early at noon, and on Nov. 10-12 the station is closed.

In addition, from Nov. 6-8, department biologists will be working in the field in Unit 27. They will be seeking successful hunters to provide samples for the CWD monitoring effort.

However, all hunters can assist the monitoring effort by bringing in the head of their recently harvested deer or elk to any Game and Fish Department office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Place the head in a heavy plastic garbage bag for delivery, and keep it cool and out of the sun. If the weather is warm, it is best to either bring in the head within a day of harvest or keep it on ice in a cooler before delivery.

To better assist the surveillance efforts, people will be asked to fill out a form with their drop-off. Please include the following information: county, game management unit in which the animal was harvested, hunt and permit number, and a contact address and phone number. If this information is not provided, the department will be unable to test the head.

Test results will be sent by postcard within six to eight weeks. There is no charge for the testing and notification.

Here are some guidelines for hunters when out in the field:

• Don’t harvest any animal that appears to be sick or behaves oddly. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 1-800-352-0700 if you see an animal that is very thin, has a rough coat, drooping ears and is unafraid of humans.
• When field-dressing game, wear rubber gloves and minimize the use of a bone saw to cut through the brain or spinal cord (backbone). Bone out the meat. Minimize contact with and do not consume brain or spinal cord tissues, eyes, spleen, or lymph nodes.
• Always wash hands thoroughly after dressing and processing game meat.
• If you hunt in another state, don’t bring back the brain, intact skull or spinal column. It’s OK to bring back hides and skull plates that have been cleaned of all tissue and washed in bleach. Taxidermied heads, sawed-off antlers and ivory teeth are also OK to bring home.
• If you intend to hunt out of state, contact the wildlife agency in the area you intend to hunt. Several states have regulations on carcass movement.

The non-hunting public can also help prevent the potential spread of CWD. If you come across any deer fawn or elk calf in the wild, it should be left alone. Don’t assume it has been abandoned by the parent; in all likelihood, it hasn’t. Bing a “good Samaritan” and bringing these wild animals into captivity poses a risk to the state’s wildlife resources.

CWD is a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is fatal to cervids, which include deer, elk and moose. Clinical symptoms include loss of body weight or emaciation, excessive salivation, increased drinking and urination, stumbling, trembling, and behavioral changes such as listlessness, lowering of the head, and repetitive walking in set patterns.

No evidence has been found to indicate that CWD affects humans, according to both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

The department also has had rules in place since 2002 restricting the movement of captive deer and elk into or within the state, and subjecting those animals to marking and reporting requirements.

For more information about chronic wasting disease, visit www.azgfd.gov/cwd or www.cwd-info.org.

With deadline approaching, be certain your application is submitted on time by dropping it off to the nearest department office, along with one (or more) of your used outdoor-related magazines to any department office.

In an effort to bring the great outdoors and hunting heritage to U.S. military personnel overseas serving our country, the department has teamed up with the nonprofit organization, Outdoor Experience 4 All, by providing magazine collection points at all department offices through the spring draw deadline. Outdoor Experience 4 All has arranged to have all the donated magazines packed up and sent overseas to the troops while they are away. To learn more about the magazine drive, contact www.outdoorexperienceforall.org.

There are Arizona Game and Fish locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Flagstaff, Pinetop, Kingman, Tucson and Yuma. For addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.

For more information about hunting and the big game draw process, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 by 7 p.m. (MST) is the latest that the Arizona Game and Fish department will accept applications for the random drawing process for spring bear, turkey, javelina and buffalo.

Applications may be hand delivered to any of the seven department offices around the state, or sent by U.S. mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, PO Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052. Postmarks don’t count and there is no online application process available.

The 2010 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Buffalo and Bear hunt draw information booklet and application forms are available at more than 300 license dealers statewide, at Game and Fish offices, or by downloading from www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Note: a previous news release incorrectly noted “all spring bear hunts are issued over-the-counter.” This is incorrect, some general hunts and archery-only spring bear hunts are allocated through the spring big game draw process and require an application submitted by the deadline.

The overall outlook for small game this year is ‘good’ — not great and not bad – but good. And, that’s good, because in Arizona we are blessed with an incredible array of wildlife species to hunt in the fall. Even if one species isn’t flourishing, there are others that offer challenging pursuit.

Squirrel and rabbit hunting offer the brightest lights in the forecast, with Gambel’s quail coming up a little short this year. With that said, dedicated and resourceful quail hunters will still find some areas where populations are doing well by keying in on seasonal rainfall information and be able to have productive hunts. Scaled quail should be fair to average, which is enough to make the trip south worthwhile.

Mearns’ quail this year won’t measure up to the back-to-back “very good” seasons we had. However, the rolling grasslands and drainages in southern Arizona should still offer some decent hunting for one of the most unique quail species. One thing for certain, a trip down south offers a mixed bag of opportunities for dove, rabbit, and possibly another species of quail – maybe all three.

Another potentially bright light is waterfowl season, which starts Oct. 9 (mountain zone). Duck numbers are up in the Pacific Flyway, and Utah has reported a strong local population. If an early cold winter hits the northern states, Arizona could see plenty of migrating ducks in our waters.

As the season progresses, late season dove opens on Nov. 20 and it should not disappoint. As the desert begins to green up from the fall moisture, desert water tanks should become productive hunting spots.

For hunting tips, seasonal outlooks, hunting dates and more, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/huntingand choose “small game outlook.”

Happy hunting, and be safe.

Cooler temperatures signals that fall is finally here, and Friday, Oct. 2 marks the opening day for quail (Gambel’s and scaled) and tree squirrel hunting.

To add to the fun, rabbit season for cottontails and jackrabbits is open all year round.

All of these species offer affordable, healthy outdoor recreation, exciting hunting pursuits, and dandy table-fare.

Equipment needed to hunt this quarry is minimal, requiring a general hunting license, a shotgun (.410- to 12-gauge), plenty of No. 7 ½ or 6’s upland shot shells, and a good pair of boots. Young hunters 13 and under (when accompanied by a licensed adult) do not need a hunting license.

Each species is a challenging quarry and hunting them will take you to just about anywhere you would like to go in Arizona – a great excuse for exploring and enjoying the outdoors.

Quail and rabbit can be hunted in the open spaces of the lower desert up to the rolling hills of scrub oaks and manzanita bush of the mid-level desert. Squirrel hunting is your passport to the towering ponderosa pine forests of the mountain region, during a time when leaves are changing and the air is crisp.

For hunting tips, seasonal outlooks, hunting dates and more, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/huntingand choose “small game outlook.”

Deer hunters: Increase your odds for success
Game and Fish hunting clinic open to the public and webcast online

User submitted photo to the AZGFD photo gallery at www.azgfd.net/photos.

PHOENIX — Hunters preparing for deer season this fall are encouraged to attend or go online to enjoy a free deer-hunting clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the clinic will inform and educate young and first-time hunters about the characteristics of deer, their habits and behaviors. The clinic will also offer tips and techniques for hunting these incredible animals in different habitats and weather conditions. Audience participation is encouraged, and questions from both the attending audience and those submitted by e-mail (webcast@azgfd.gov) from online viewers will be addressed.

The event will be held at the department’s Phoenix office at 5000 W. Carefree Highway. To accommodate all interested hunters and constituents, the event will be webcast live on the Internet by visiting www.azgfd.gov/webcast.

“It’s important to us to provide young and first-time hunters with the basic knowledge and skills to make their pursuit for deer a positive and rewarding experience,” said Brian Wakeling, chief of game management. “For many new hunters that ‘positive experience’ doesn’t always equate to harvesting an animal. It’s the pursuit that is exciting, and this clinic will provide them with the knowledge to help avoid some of the pitfalls that could distract from the hunt itself – like planning for weather, knowing one’s physical capabilities, not getting lost, and others.”

To learn more about hunting in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.