Remember, the OHV Decal you purchased is valid for one year from the date of purchase. No renewal notice will be sent to you about the expiration of your decal, so it is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is up-to-date. For example, if you purchased your OHV Decal in January of 2009, you have until Jan. 31, 2010 to purchase the renewal decal.

The OHV Decal program was started to help better manage the explosive growth of OHV use in Arizona. Revenue collected through this program is already being used toward education programs, public information products and OHV law enforcement efforts, including hiring seven new OHV law enforcement officers.  These new officers will specialize in OHV enforcement, promoting safe and responsible use. Future revenue will be used to bolster grants which fund trail restoration and clean-up projects, with the goal of sustainable OHV management and motorized access.

Law enforcement officers across the state, including those in the national forests and on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, are enforcing the requirement for the OHV Decal. Don’t let a citation be your reminder to get or renew your decal. New OHV Decal enforcement efforts are being created, and targeted multi-officer efforts will be happening around the state with little or no notice.

OHV Decals are available at any MVD office, MVD third-party service provider, or online at www.servicearizona.com.

For more information about the OHV Decal program, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

The 11 warnings were issued to OHV operators with vehicles on trailers. They were among 23 OHVs screened at the day-long checkpoint on Redington Pass Road also manned by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and Pima County Sheriff’s Office. More than 50 hunters were screened, eight of whom had taken deer.

“If the OHV operators that we warned had been driving their vehicles on the road or elsewhere, they would have been cited,” said Raul Vega, acting supervisor for the Game and Fish Department’s Region V (southeastern Arizona). “We have a zero-tolerance policy for OHVs that are not properly tagged and licensed.”

The statewide compliance rate for the Arizona OHV Decal program, which took effect Jan. 1, 2009, has only been 21 percent. All OHVs weighing 1,800 pounds or less and designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain are required by state law to display an OHV sticker and bear a license plate. Flyers about the program were distributed at the checkpoint. The following article contains additional information about the OHV Decal program.

The checkpoint was also staged because hunting seasons were ongoing in Region V for white-tailed deer, elk, dove, sandhill crane and quail.

The public is encouraged to visit www.azgfd.gov or www.servicearizona.com for more information about required hunting licenses and tags, as well as for those required for OHVs.

In the latest report from the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), only about 21 percent of all eligible OHVs and OHV owners are taking part in the new program.

“Twenty-one percent is well below the projected participation rate and is disappointing considering the value of this new program,” said Larry Voyles, director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This user play, user pay program will provide the resources needed to promote safe and responsible OHV use, ultimately providing the tools to help ensure access.”

The benefits of the OHV Decal program include information and education efforts, facility development and maintenance, maps, signage and increased enforcement.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is currently hiring seven law enforcement officers that will focus their efforts on OHV-specific issues across the state.

“Revenue from the OHV Decal program is what is allowing the department to hire these seven new OHV officers,” said Joe Sacco, Arizona Game and Fish Department OHV program coordinator. “In just about every OHV-related public meeting held over the last four years building the legislation, law enforcement was one of the areas in which the OHV community asked for increased resources to help ensure access. The OHV Decal program was created to help provide these resources. Compliance is critical for this program to be successful and for the future of OHV use in Arizona.”

Other projects that are being funded through the OHV Decal program include the new OHV Laws and Places to Ride booklet that is an ongoing joint venture between Arizona State Parks and the Game and Fish Department. A continued grant program to help clean up and restore riding areas and new informational outreach items like riding area maps will be created in the future.

The OHV Decal costs $25 and is good for one year from the date of purchase. It can be obtained at any MVD office, MVD third-party service provider, or online at www.servicearizona.com.

For more information about the OHV Decal program or OHV use in Arizona, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all OHV enthusiasts to be safe, responsible, and ethical when out on the roads and trails over the July 4^th holiday weekend. Wear your helmet, slow down, make good decisions, and don’t drink and drive. DUI laws are the same for an OHV on the back trails just as they are for your car or truck on the highway. Don’t let a fun family outing end sadly. Remember: Nature Rules! Stay on roads and trails.

The department frequently gets calls from OHV operators asking about places to ride. One popular place—the Desert Wells Multi-use Area, south of Apache Junction—isn’t necessarily new, but it has changed over the last few years. On behalf of all the partners on the Desert Wells Workgroup, a new map and brochure about the area have been created by the Arizona State Land Department and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Desert Wells is on State Trust Land that is currently being leased by several active ranches and a sand and gravel quarry. Popular with OHV users, the area is also open to non-motorized use, like horseback riding, as well as many hunting opportunities. The OHV Decal allows OHVs to cross State Land on designated trails, which are noted on the map. A valid hunting license allows for active hunting on this piece of State Land. For all other recreation, a State Land Recreation Permit is needed. You can order your Recreation Permit online at: www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/recreation_permit.htm.

Please note that cattle are almost always grazing on some part of the property, so never cut fences, and please leave gates as you find them, either open or closed. Cattle would pose hazards for vehicular traffic if they happen to get out on the highway.

The brochure is available at the State Land Department office at 1616 W. Adams in Phoenix, the Arizona State Parks office at 1300 W. Washington St. in Phoenix, the Game and Fish headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix, or at the Game and Fish Region 6 office at 7200 E. University Drive in Mesa. The brochure and map are also available in PDF form on the Game and Fish Web site at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

OHV recreation can be fun and enjoyable but needs to be done safely and within laws and regulations so as not to detract from your or others’ enjoyment of the outdoors.

The department offers these tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable operating experience.

• Those 18 and younger are required by law to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding on an OHV. For safety reasons, it is recommended that all riders wear a helmet, including operators and passengers of side-by-sides.
• Only carry the number of passengers that a vehicle is made to carry. Particularly on ATVs, proper riding techniques require operators to shift their weight and position continually. Carrying a passenger can impede proper riding technique and drastically change how the vehicle responds. Many roll-over accidents can be attributed to the improper carrying of passengers on an ATV.
• Riding areas and trail conditions can change dramatically in a very short time due to weather and other factors. Remember to assess the current conditions and be aware of possible hazards. Hazards to look out for include washouts, soil piping, obstacles, erosion, and other users.
• Always work to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat by staying on the roads and trails. If the current riding area isn’t enough of a challenge for you, don’t create your own route. Instead, try another riding area. Click here for a list of places to ride.
• “Operating while under the influence” laws are the same for OHVs as they are for any vehicle on a roadway. Never drink and drive, and always designate a driver.
• Always tell someone explicitly where you are going to be riding and when you plan to return.

Game and Fish recommends that off-highway vehicle operators take an OHV education class to become a more knowledgeable rider. The ATV Safety Institute (ASI), the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and the Arizona State Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs are all examples of organizations that currently provide safety courses and training. There are classes year-round to give you hands-on experience on your vehicle. For more information on OHV education, visit www.azgfd.gov.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is close to launching an online OHV education course. The goal of this education effort is to create informed users that make prudent decisions while riding. Increasing awareness of the importance of safe and responsible riding is a cornerstone to ensuring future access opportunities.

For more information about safe, ethical and responsible OHV use in Arizona, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

New laws went into effect Jan. 1, 2009 requiring all off-highway vehicles (OHVs) meeting certain criteria to display an OHV Decal, which costs $25 annually. At the recent International Sportsmen’s Expo, the number one question asked about that program was: “What does this money go for exactly?”

As per Arizona Revised Statute, this is what the revenue will support:

Sixty percent (60%) of these funds will go to the Arizona State Parks recreational grant program. These funds will be used to repair trails, shore up overused trails, repair damaged desert areas, and ultimately create some new dedicated riding areas in Arizona.

Thirty-five percent (35%) goes to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to hire seven new law enforcement officers specifically for OHV law enforcement. That number may seem small, but it is better than the current number (zero) of officers that are OHV specific. These dollars will also help create a new OHV education course for which judges could mandate completion, in lieu of or with a fine or community service, for those found in violation of OHV laws. Members of the public who want more education on safe, ethical and responsible OHV use could also take the course voluntarily.

Five percent (5%) of the revenue goes to the State Land Department. Since the OHV Decal allows crossing and riding on State Trust Land Trails, the State Land Department is losing revenue from the sale of State Land Recreational Permits. This allows them to recoup that revenue as well as to create new temporary use opportunities as desert converts to development. It also allows riding areas to stay open.

Since the first of January, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has seen more than 45,000 Decals sold. Game and Fish estimates there are more than 200,000 eligible OHVs in Arizona.

If your OHV meets the following criteria, you need the OHV Decal, regardless of the type of license plate on the vehicle:

1. It’s made by the manufacturer for use over unimproved terrain or off-highway
2. It weighs 1,800 pounds or less (It comes from the manufacturer that way)

If you meet those two requirements then you need to obtain and display the OHV Decal in the upper left-hand corner of your license plate. If you have a registered (street legal) vehicle after you purchase the OHV Decal, you will get free registration and pay $3 in vehicle license tax. Purchase the OHV Decal first so there is no confusion on the free registration.

To purchase an OHV Decal, go to any MVD office, third party service provider, or online at www.servicearizona.com.

For more information about the new laws and the OHV Decal program, go to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

When out in the field, remember, in Arizona it is illegal to hunt from any vehicle, and OHV rules and laws designate that 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).

We recommend that if you see anyone hunting from an ATV, call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700.

One of the main concerns associated with OHV use is the 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 them. TREAD lightly, a national coalition that promotes outdoor ethics and stewardship, has created a list of 10 tips for treading lightly while hunting. In Arizona, eight of the “TREAD lightly 10” apply to our hunters, so they allowed us to use those eight and we added two more to make it a top 10:

1. Always keep your vehicle on roads and designated OHV trails. Never make your own shortcuts, switchbacks or trails.
   
   
2. Check with local land managers regarding game retrieval regulations. Typically, you should get as close as possible to your game without driving off the road or trail, and then travel by foot to the site of your kill.
   
   
3. Flagging and marking trails is unsightly. If flagging is necessary, remove it as you leave.
   
   
4. Avoid sensitive areas. Steer clear of stream banks, lakeshores and meadows whenever possible. Remember, motorized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated as “wilderness.”
   
   
5. Carry out what you carry in. Pick up shell casings (yours and others) whenever possible. Never litter and avoid burning or burying trash.
   
   
6. If you must cross a stream while driving, do so only at approved fording points (usually where the trail crosses the water). Cross slowly at a 90-degree angle.
   
   
7. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal by burying human waste 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from trails, campsites, lakes and streams.
   
   
8. Educate yourself and be prepared. Make sure you also have the right maps, equipment and clothing to make your trip safe. 
   
   
9. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
   
   
10. 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 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 about safe, ethical and responsible OHV use during hunting season, go to our Web site at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

In the first week of sales, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has seen the sales of this newly created decal begin in a big way, with 15,000 being sold from Jan. 1 to Jan. 7.

Revenue from the sale of the OHV decals will be used by Arizona State Parks to continue their grant program for damage cleanup and trail building. The Arizona State Land Department will use funds to continue keeping lands available for public use. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will use funding from the decal program to create new OHV educational opportunities and to hire new law enforcement officers specifically for OHV law enforcement.

The cost of the OHV Decal is $25. The decal is required for all OHVs that meet the following two criteria:
1. The vehicle is made by the manufacturer primarily for use over unimproved terrain.
2. The vehicle has an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less.

The OHV Decal is available for purchase online at www.servicearizona.com or at any MVD office or MVD third-party service provider. The OHV Decal needs to be purchased now for legal OHV use in Arizona. For more information about, and requirements for, the OHV Decal, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

Take out your new 2009 calendar and mark the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AGFD) 2009 Outdoor Expo at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix. The event is free and will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The purpose of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is to provide the public with education and information through activities, demonstrations and exhibits in the areas of hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, archery, off-highway vehicle and watercraft recreation, conservation and wildlife education, camping and other outdoor recreation elements.

The Expo offers participants the opportunity to view live wildlife, try the latest in recreational supplies and equipment, and learn about boats, firearms, all terrain vehicles and more! Shooting sports activities are conducted on the range, and numerous vendors, sponsors and exhibitors are available to demonstrate and sell new products, seek public participation, and conduct informative workshops about a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

If you are looking for inexpensive recreational alternatives this year that can accommodate and entertain the entire family, learn more about the event in the upcoming weeks at www.azgfd.gov/expo.

In less than a month, new laws governing the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in Arizona will officially go into effect. ALL OHVs designed by the manufacturer for off-highway use and weighing 1,800 pounds or less will need to purchase the new OHV Decal from the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) beginning Jan. 1, 2009. The price of the OHV Decal has not yet been announced.

If your machine does not have registration or a title, then MVD suggests that you title your machine as soon as possible. You can get more information about getting your vehicle titled at www.azdot.gov/mvd (click on the “frequently asked questions” button on the left side of that page). Once you have your title you’ll be able to order your OHV Decal at www.servicearizona.com on Jan.1 and be able to avoid long lines at an MVD office in early January.

The OHV Decal is NOT registration for your vehicle! It is considered a “user play, user pay” Arizona off-highway user fee. You will receive a break on your vehicle registration once you’ve purchased the OHV Decal, if your vehicle is considered “street legal.” However, that discount will not be realized until your registration comes up for renewal after Jan. 1, 2009.

If you are from out-of-state coming into Arizona, you can still operate here as long as you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You are not a resident of Arizona.
2. You own the vehicle.
3. Your vehicle displays current registration or user indicia from your permanent state of residency.
4. The vehicle is not in Arizona for more than 30 consecutive days.

If you come to Arizona from a state that does not register or title OHVs, you would be requested to get an Arizona title and purchase the OHV decal for legal use in Arizona.

For more information about the new OHV laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

This year, make it affordable and rewarding by considering one of the many unique gift ideas the Arizona Game and Fish Department has to offer.

“If you’re looking for an outdoors-oriented gift for family and friends, we have a number of reasonably priced items that they’ll enjoy,” said Information Branch Chief Bob Miles. “Purchase of these gifts will benefit wildlife as well.”

Buyers are sure to find something for everyone with a variety of gift ideas and prices, including:

• Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide – Arizona provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the nation, with more than 900 animal species and 50 million public acres of natural land to explore. This guide takes you on a magnificent journey through 128 unique sites and the wildlife found at them, accompanied by beautiful photographs of the sites and animals. Readers will enjoy tips for wildlife watching, a tiered rating system that highlights “can’t miss” locations, site features and driving directions. The book can be purchased for $14.95 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s seven offices statewide and through the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/publications.
• Arizona Wildlife Views magazine – Published bimonthly by the Game and Fish Department, the magazine offers a variety of articles on hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and conservation in Arizona, as well as “Focus Wild” children’s articles. Subscriptions are $8.50 per year. Order at www.azgfd.gov/magazine.
• 2009 Arizona Wildlife Calendar – With spectacular photos of Arizona’s wildlife, the calendar will provide daily enjoyment, as well as note key wildlife events and approved hunting and fishing season dates. The photos this year were chosen from more than 1,200 images submitted by customers to the Game and Fish Department’s calendar contest. Calendars make perfect stocking stuffers at only $3 each. Purchase at any Game and Fish office or at www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_978.shtml.
• Fishing licenses – Get outdoors and enjoy time off at the holidays with a half-price fishing license that will last you through the end of the year. 2008 general state fishing licenses may be purchased at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office for only $11.75. Or, get a jump on the 2009 season by buying a 2009 license now. Individual licenses cost $23.50 for Arizona residents or $70.25 for nonresidents. Trout stamps are $15.75 for residents or $57.75 for nonresidents. Urban fishing licenses are $18.50 for residents and nonresidents. There are many other license products available; visit http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml.
• Discount pass at Ben Avery Shooting Facility and gift certificates at Ben Avery Clay Target Center – The Ben Avery Shooting Facility offers an 11-visit “shooter’s pass” for $70 (normal fee for an all-day visit to the range is $7, so you get one day for free). The Ben Avery Clay Target Center offers gift certificates in any amount for trap, skeet and sporting clays shooting. Remember, an excise tax on the purchase of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment helps fund federal assistance to state wildlife agencies for wildlife conservation.
• Donation to Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center – The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s rehabilitation center treats more than 1,000 sick and injured animals annually and provides wildlife education to local schools. For more information on making tax-deductible donations to support wildlife rehabilitation, visit www.azwildlifecenter.org or call (623) 587-0139.

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts should be aware that new laws affecting OHV use will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.

A link to information on the new laws, including answers to some “Frequently Asked Questions,” can be found on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

Here are some important facts you’ll need to know:

• Effective Jan. 1, 2009, you must annually purchase an off-highway vehicle decal (“OHV Decal”) for any off-highway vehicle you have that is designed by the manufacturer primarily for off-highway use AND weighs 1,800 pounds or less, in order to operate it in Arizona. This includes most all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes and some sand rails. The OHV Decal must be affixed to your OHV’s license plate.
• All OHVs must have an Arizona Certificate of Title and license plate. If the vehicle is not titled, or if you have an out-of-state title, you will need to visit an MVD office or authorized third-party provider to obtain an Arizona Certificate of Title. For more information, see the titling information in the Frequently Asked Questions at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.
  
  
• The OHV Decal can be purchased after Jan. 1, 2009 at www.servicearizona.com or by visiting Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) offices or authorized third-party providers during normal business hours. The cost of the OHV Decal is still being determined and is expected to be announced soon. Once the cost is announced, we will post it at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.
  
  
• The OHV Decal is an annual user fee that will provide funds for better OHV management and protection of natural resources while helping maintain access. It is not the same as “registration.” Registration refers to the process that is required if you want to legally ride your off-highway vehicle on improved and maintained roads and streets. For more information, see the registration information in the Frequently Asked Questions at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.
  
  
• Travel is limited to roads, trails and areas open by the land management agency for motorized vehicle use. Travel that causes damage to cultural or natural resources, or property or improvements, is prohibited.
  
  
• OHVs must have a muffler or noise dissipative device to limit sound to less than 96 decibels.
  
  
• Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to wear a properly fitted and fastened U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet when riding any OHV.

The goal of the new regulations is to provide better OHV management and protection of natural resources while maintaining access.

For more information, go to www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has a new Web page designed to inform off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts about new laws that will affect OHV use starting Jan. 1, 2009.

A Web link at www.azgfd.gov/ohv will take you to a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the new laws and the rules and regulations. Some of the provisions include:

• The requirement to purchase an annual “OHV Decal” for any OHV designed by the manufacturer primarily for off-highway use and weighing 1,800 pounds or less, in order to operate that OHV in Arizona. This generally includes all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes, and some sand rails. The OHV Decal can be purchased through the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) after Jan. 1. It is anticipated that MVD will announce the cost of the Decal soon.
  
  
• 4X4’s, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), cars, and other recreational vehicles (motor homes) are not required to purchase the OHV Decal.
  
  
• Travel is limited to roads, trails and areas that are designated open by the land management agency for motorized vehicle use.
  
  
• Travel by motorized vehicles that causes damage to wildlife habitat, riparian areas, cultural or natural resources, or property or improvements is prohibited.
  
  
• OHVs generating sound greater than 96 decibels must have a muffler or other noise dissipative device
  
  
• Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to wear a properly fitted and fastened USDOT approved helmet when riding any OHV.

The new laws were passed thanks in large part to a joint effort between Arizona sportsmen, conservation groups, off-highway vehicle (OHV) user groups, elected officials, and other members of the public. The goal of the new regulations is to provide better OHV management and protection of natural resources while maintaining access. For more information go to: www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

R12-4-1001. Minimum Standards for an Approved Educational Course
R12-4-1002. Course-approval Procedure
R12-4-1003. Fee for an Approved Course
R12-4-1004. Off-highway Vehicle Sound-level Requirements

To see the proposed rule language and other information, click here.

You may submit written comments for consideration to Rulemaking@azgfd.gov.  Please indicate Art 10 in the subject line. To be placed in the rulemaking record, comments must be received by November 2, 2008 and should adhere to the criteria outlined in R12-4-602.

For further information regarding this rulemaking, contact Joe Sacco at jsacco@azgfd.gov or (623) 236-7931, or visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/rules/rulemaking_updates.shtml.

SB 1167 will provide long-overdue resources to better manage issues created by the dramatic increase in OHV use in Arizona (347 percent in the last decade). Irresponsible riding has damaged habitat and created the potential for closures of some areas.

With the signing of SB 1167, revenue raised through an estimated $20 annual user fee on off-highway vehicles will help provide funding for additional law enforcement, trail/facility maintenance and reconstruction, rider education and information (including identification of lawful places for operators to ride), and mitigation of resource damage from OHVs.

The bill passed through the Arizona House of Representatives in April by a vote of 42-13 and the Arizona Senate last week by a vote of 16-7 with 7 absent.

The now signed OHV bill will become law on Jan. 1, 2009. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.