PHOENIX — Green Valley Park in Payson, Ariz., will undergo an amazing transformation on Saturday, May 9, when its sprawling grassy expanses turn into a carnival full of wildlife and fun outdoor activities. The 15th annual Payson Wildlife Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, and organizers have been working [...]

Many teams qualify to compete in the national competition in July
Intense wind, pouring rain, hail, a touch of sun and a perfect 100 score in skeet from intermediate shooter Tanner Bissell of the Ben Avery Clay Crushers, were some of the highlights from this year’s SCTP Commissioners’ Cup championships.
Another success [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s headquarters facility has been recognized as the “LEED-certified Building of the Year” by the Arizona chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association.
The 117,452-square-foot, three-building campus, which the department has occupied since November 2007, was recognized for meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental [...]

Are you interested in staying informed about proposed state and federal legislation affecting wildlife, hunting, fishing, shooting sports, off-highway vehicle recreation, boating recreation, or the activities of the Arizona Game and Fish Department?
If so, you can find legislative updates on the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/legislation.
There are links to a weekly [...]

Officials to emphasize the enjoyment of safe and responsible boating on May 16
“Go Boating Safely!” is the new theme for Colorado River’s Tri-State Boating Safety Fair. The event will take place May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Havasu City’s London Bridge Beach Park, along the Bridgewater Channel [...]

After a three-day management effort to remove non-native turtles from the pond at the entrance of the Phoenix Zoo, native turtles can spread their legs and enjoy less competition for food and habitat.
Every year, it is estimated that hundreds of unwanted pet turtles are released into the Papago Park pond by their [...]

The spring boating season is underway and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking boaters and anglers to take simple steps to avoid moving destructive quagga mussels and other invasive species from one lake to another.
“Prolific quagga mussels have invaded lakes Pleasant, Havasu, Mead and Mohave. These tiny invaders can [...]

Game and Fish asks public to leave baby wildlife alone
Although you may be tempted to pick up a baby bird or other young wild animal that appears to have been abandoned by its parents, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds people to avoid the temptation. The situation may just be [...]

The Arizona State Senateon April 16confirmed the appointment of Jack Husted as the newest member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.
Husted was appointed in early April by Governor Jan Brewer. He replaces Bill McLean, whose term on the commission expired this year.
Husted, from Springerville, has a broad background in both the [...]

PHOENIX — As part of its continued efforts to restore the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge’s (NWR) struggling desert bighorn sheep herd, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted today, at its regularly scheduled meeting, to extend through July 31 the Department’s self-imposed moratorium on lethally removing offending lions captured and collared [...]

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a case involving the unlawful killing of nearly 90 bats in an abandoned mine near the Peralta Trailhead in the Superstition Mountains.
The Mexican free-tail bats were shot and left in the mine to die sometime between April [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for the 2009-10 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations are now available for review in PDF format on the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunt_guidelines.shtml and will also be available at a series of open houses at the regional Game and Fish offices.
The 2009-10 recommendations [...]

Juniors-only spring turkey tags now offered over-the-counter
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now offering juniors-only spring turkey hunting tags over-the-counter for the 2009 season. The change to the tag allocation method is in an effort to introduce youngsters to the American hunting tradition and wildlife conservation.
In previous years, the [...]

Check off the state tax return box for the Arizona Wildlife Fund
Many of us are busy trying to finish filling out our income tax returns as deadline day approaches on April 15. But, did you know that tax deadline day also offers you an opportunity to help our state’s bald eagles, [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will consider the proposed commission orders for the 2009-10 hunting seasons for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, bear and mountain lion during the Saturday portion of the commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting on April 17-18.
The meeting will be held at the Arizona Game and [...]

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2009 Outdoor Expo drew a record 35,000 people over the March 28-29 weekend, breaking last year’s attendance of 26,000.
The event was held at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, a world-renowned five-star range that is listed as a Phoenix Point of Pride.
“We host the [...]

Ninety-two people braved the cold weather and long nights for an opportunity to call in: “we’ve got one.”
The dedicated volunteers joined Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel for five nights in the Aubrey Valley to spotlight for the elusive, nocturnal, endangered black-footed ferret.
In all, the group of participants caught 33 ferrets, 24 of which [...]