Public meeting dates set for seven locations
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a series of public meetings and accept public comment as part of an effort to update and revise Arizona’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).
This document, previously known as the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, was accepted by the U.S. [...]

The “user play/user pay” program known as the OHV Decal program went into effect Jan. 1, 2009. The program requires the annual purchase of an OHV Decal for any off-highway vehicle that is designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and weighs 1,800 pounds or less.
Remember, the OHV [...]

Arizona Game and Fish Department officers participated in a joint law enforcement checkpoint on Nov. 29 in the Rincon Mountains that screened 163 vehicles, issuing one citation for failure to tag a harvested deer and warning 11 off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators for not displaying required OHV stickers.
The 11 warnings were issued [...]

Don’t forget to make your reservation for the annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 2532 W. Peoria Ave. in Phoenix.
The banquet recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to Arizona’s wildlife resources and the mission of the Arizona Game and [...]

It’s time again for Arizona’s bald eagles to begin their breeding activities, and outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect important breeding areas by honoring the closure of 20 areas across the state.
Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to [...]

This holiday season treat your family and friends to those special outdoor recreation-related items they might not purchase for themselves.
Does mom or dad love to fish Arizona’s many lakes and streams? Purchase a lifetime or super conservation license.
Does grandma love to read? Give her a gift that lasts all year with a [...]

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Departments Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center will hold a free open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see eagles, hawks, reptiles and other animals, view educational displays, and meet wildlife experts.
The Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center [...]

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 [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the USDA Forest Service announced on Oct. 26 the results of the fall 2009 Mount Graham red squirrel survey. Biologists estimate that a range of 250 (plus or minus 11) Mount Graham red squirrels currently occupy the Pinaleño Mountain range, also known as Mount Graham. These results are [...]

The talented winners of this year’s photo contest have left their mark on the 2010 Arizona Wildlife Calendar. From the cover image — an iconic photograph of a long-nosed leopard lizard in a slot canyon — to the 12 monthly winners inside, this beautiful calendar will make 2010 a memorable year for everyone who cares [...]

The Tonto National Forest is hosting a series of travel management planning open houses during the month of November to give the public an opportunity to share ideas about the forest’s system of roads, trails, and/or areas, review the proposed system, and submit comments about the proposal.
Two open houses have already been held in Tonto [...]

The stars have aligned – rainbow trout are coming to a galaxy of waters close to home for millions of people, plus 2009 fishing licenses for state waters or the urban program lakes are now on sale for half price, say Arizona Game and Fish Department officials.
“It doesn’t get much better than this, especially during [...]

Airlifts fish up Mount Graham canyon for creek stocking

The Arizona Game and Fish Department took its first step toward recovering Gila trout and establishing a Gila trout fishery in southern Arizona on Wednesday, Nov. 4 when it began stocking Frye Creek on Mount Graham in the Pinaleño Mountains.
The fish were trucked in from the [...]

Connect with others who share your outdoor interests
Do you want the latest news, updates, videos and photographs from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and even get the opportunity to chat with others who share your interests?
Then become a “fan” of the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/azgafd. It’s interesting. [...]

Dig out the deeks and limber up those duck calls – the desert zone waterfowl hunting takes flight on Oct. 23 and closes on Jan. 31, but the best hunting may still be in the high country.
A lot of waterfowl hunters have already been taking advantage of the mountain zone waterfowl [...]

Wildlife calendars go on sale Nov. 1
It’s official! The winners of this year’s Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife calendar photo contest are:
Grand Prize Winner:

Ted Hendy, long-nosed leopard lizard

Monthly Winners:

Ann Beisser, javelina
Bob McBride, Northern cardinal
Bruce Taubert, regal horned lizard
Bryan Hughes, Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
Cathy Illg, Harris’ antelope squirrel
Shirley Ramaley, cactus wren
J.P. Bruce, redhead
Michael Burm, [...]

Arizona Game and Fish offers fun shoots
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 [...]

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 [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Goodyear and Avondale Police Departments are instituting a collaborative protocol for enforcement of state and local laws to better protect the Tres Rios Project Area in the southwest Valley.
Under the agreement, announced Oct. 15, the agencies will collaborate on law enforcement patrols, signage, [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is reinforcing earlier efforts to get all OHV owners in the state to take part in the new OHV Decal program that went into effect Jan. 1, 2009. As the department has been promoting for the last year, all Arizona OHVs that are primarily designed by [...]