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. Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Acceptance Advisory Team in April 2006. The approved plan requires the department to conduct a public review of the plan after the fourth year.

Arizona’s SWAP is unlike existing recovery plans and other regulatory documents in that it builds on and complements existing plans and wildlife conservation projects that are already underway. The plan outlines strategies and conservation actions aimed at promoting partnerships and coordinating efforts among all who hold a stake in conserving Arizona’s wildlife. As such, the plan addresses the full array of wildlife and habitats but focuses on identifying and managing the “wildlife and biotic communities of greatest conservation need”.

The review will focus on three main areas of the plan:

• The “Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” including the criteria used to determine their status and their spatial distributions.
• The spatial distribution of stressors to wildlife, including a vulnerability assessment for climate change.
• Delineation of landscapes of conservation concern.

The public meetings are scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Dec. 15, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive.
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, Pinetop, Arizona Game and Fish Department Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, Flagstaff, Radisson Woodlands Hotel,1175 West Route 66.
• Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway.

The public meetings will include a formal presentation followed by the opportunity to participate in working groups that will discuss the plan’s main areas listed above.

In addition, the department will post the existing document and proposed changes at www.azgfd.gov/w_c/cwcs.shtml. The Web page will have a mechanism for people to submit comments to the department.

For over a decade, a coalition of more than 3,000 conservation organizations known as “Teaming With Wildlife” has labored to keep species from becoming endangered by increasing state and federal funding for wildlife conservation. This effort culminated in 2001 when federal legislation established a new State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program. SWG funds are used to support the needs of wildlife, their habitats, and related recreational and educational activities.

In order to continue receiving SWG funds, each of the 56 U.S. states and territories was required, by Congress, to submit a SWAP for approval to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for developing the state plans and the eight required elements in each plan were established by state fish and wildlife agencies working with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Teaming With Wildlife Committee.

Arizona’s SWAP is the culmination of a two-year effort during which the department solicited input from numerous experts, resource professionals, federal and state agencies, sportsmen groups, conservation organizations, Native American tribes, recreational groups, local governments and private citizens, and integrated those ideas and concerns into a single, comprehensive vision for managing Arizona’s fish, wildlife, and wildlife habitats.

The department is encouraging all of those previous participants, as well as any other member of the public, to contribute to this review effort.

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.

The banquet recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to Arizona’s wildlife resources and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The event begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and presentation of the commission awards.

Individual tickets are $55 (tickets for award winners, spouses and immediate family are complimentary.) Tables of 10 are $500 – a discount of $50.

Organizations can purchase “award table sponsorships” for $550. These sponsorships include a table in the organization’s name, logo advertisement in the event program, recognition in the introductory PowerPoint presentation and event press release, and five banquet tickets for the organization. Other sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information or to obtain a reservation or sponsorship form, visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/commission_awards.shtml or contact Marty Fabritz at (623) 236-7281 or mfabritz@azgfd.gov.

2009 Commission Award recipients who will be formally recognized are:

• Award of Excellence – Phoenix Herpetological Society and Arizona Wildlife Federation
• Youth Environmentalist of the Year – Shelby Miller
• Outdoor Writer of the Year – Stephanie Rainey
• Media of the Year – Outdoor Wires
• Conservation Organization of the Year – Liberty Wildlife
• Conservationist of the Year – Jim Unmacht
• Natural Resource Professional of the Year – Heidi Blasius
• Volunteer of the Year – Steve Clark
• Educator of the Year – Dave Brown
• Mentor of the Year – Scott Bonar
• Advocate of the Year – Sandy Bahr
• License Dealer of the Year – Sprague’s Sports
• Wildlife Habitat Stewardship Award – Jim O’Haco

Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state’s 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular recreation sites.

“Even though the bald eagle is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, they still require the public’s help to reproduce successfully and flourish in the state,” says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. “Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. It can take only 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail.”

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. Nationally, the birds recovered enough to be removed from the list in August 2007, but they remain listed as an endangered species in Arizona.

In December, Arizona bald eagles begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. During this time, land and wildlife management agencies enact the seasonal breeding area closures. Bald eagles nest, forage and roost at the rivers and lakes that have become some of Arizona’s most popular recreation spots, and this time of year can be challenging for the birds.

However, Jacobson says, “With the public’s help and cooperation, we can all take responsibility for ensuring that Arizona bald eagles breed successfully.”

AIRSPACE ADVISORY

Statewide

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a 2,000-foot above ground level (AGL) advisory along the Salt and Verde river drainages. When traveling in these drainages or near riparian habitat statewide, aircraft should maintain a minimum of 2,000-foot AGL to ensure compliance with state and federal law.

SEASONAL CLOSURES

Alamo Lake

• A portion of upper Alamo Lake may be closed to boats from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region IV, Yuma, (928) 342-0091.

Lake Pleasant

• No vehicle, watercraft or foot entry is allowed into the Lower Agua Fria Arm from Dec. 15 to June 15. Contact Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, (928) 501-1710.

Verde River

• Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Floating through is allowed. Contact Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District, (928) 282-4119.
• Verde River near Chasm Creek is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Floating through is allowed. Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.
• Verde River upstream of the East Verde confluence is closed to vehicle and foot entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
• Verde River near Mule Shoe Bend, allows watercraft to float through, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
• Verde River below Horseshoe Dam may be closed to vehicle or foot entry on the southwest side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the southwest side of the river is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
• Verde River below Bartlett Dam is closed to foot or vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
• Verde River at the Needle Rock Recreation area is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the east side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the east side of the river is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Tonto Creek

• Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle, foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.
• Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to watercraft within 300 feet on water, from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.

Salt River

• Salt River from Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat allows watercraft to float through, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200.
• Salt River near Meddler Point is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to watercraft within 300 feet on water, from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.
• Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam is closed to vehicle or foot entry on the south side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300.

Becker Lake

• A portion of the lake may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from Feb. 1 through June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region I, Pinetop, (928) 367-4281.

Luna Lake

• Luna Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on the north side from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact Apache National Forest, Alpine Ranger District, (928) 339-4384.

Lynx Lake

• There is no vehicle or foot traffic allowed on the east side of the lake and a portion of the shoreline is closed to watercraft from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000.

Lower Lake Mary

• There is no vehicle or foot traffic allowed on a portion of the north side of the lake from Jan. 1 to Aug. 30. Contact the Coconino National Forest, Mormon Lake Ranger District, (928) 774-1147.

Greer Lakes

• A portion of the lake may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from March 1 through July 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Springerville Ranger District, (928) 333-4372.

Woods Canyon Lake

• A portion of the lake may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from April 1 through August 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa Ranger District, (928) 535-7300.

TIPS FOR VISITING EAGLE AREAS

If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency (USDA Forest Service district, etc.) or the Arizona Game and Fish Department may help you plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines, we can all help ensure that our living wildlife legacy will last for generations to come:

• Enjoy bald eagles from outside the closures, especially during critical nesting times (December to June). These areas are posted with signs and/or buoys, and most have daily nestwatch monitors. Anyone approached by a nestwatcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them (during December and January) are at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff or on the Verde River Canyon Train in Clarkdale.
• Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, you are too close and need to leave the area quickly. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.
• Pilots should maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot AGL advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat. These areas are designated on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical Map. Special brochures for pilots regarding this advisory can be obtained by calling the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s nongame branch, (623) 236-7506.
• Help from anglers is especially needed. Monofilament and tackle has killed two nestlings and has been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year we remove this potentially lethal material from nests and/or entangled nestlings. Ospreys, shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds also succumb to this litter. Do not discard any type of monofilament along rivers and lakes, but recycle it at fishing stores. Keep your monofilament fresh; do not use old brittle line. Make sure to use the correct test line for the fish you are trying to catch. Also, do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached.

You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (480) 967-7900.

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 subscription to Arizona Wildlife Views magazine.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department offers many other unique and must-have gifts for the outdoor adventurers and wildlife lovers in your life.

“This holiday season give a gift that your loved ones are sure to remember. Half the fun is knowing you’ve treated your recipients to something truly special,” says Assistant Director Ty Gray. “We’ve come up with a list of gift ideas we’re sure will wow young and old alike.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s holiday gift picks include:

• Arizona Lifetime Fishing and Hunting Licenses – As a lifetime license recipient, you are entitled to fish and hunt in Arizona for your lifetime, even if you move out of state. No longer will you worry about last-minute license purchases, expiration deadlines, license fee increases or residency requirements. Privileges are retained for life. License holders are responsible for purchasing either resident or nonresident big game tags, permits or stamps as required by law. License fees vary. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml and click on the lifetime license link.
• Super Conservation Licenses for 2010 – These super package deals combine multiple licenses, stamps and tags to create outstanding values for avid anglers and hunters. For example, the Super Conservation Combination Hunt and Fish license includes a General Fish license, Urban Fish license, trout stamp, General Hunt license, Unit 12A (North Kaibab) Habitat stamp, state waterfowl stamp, state migratory bird stamp, nonpermit-tags for archery deer, archery turkey, bear and mountain lion. The Super Conservation Combination Hunt and Fish license is available to residents only, and may be purchased for $163 at any department office. For a listing of all licenses, visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml.
• 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 Arizona Game and Fish Department, the magazine offers a variety of articles on hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and conservation in our state, as well as “Focus Wild” children’s articles. Subscriptions are $8.50 per year. Order at www.azgfd.gov/magazine.
• 2010 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. Purchase calendars for $3 at any department office or at www.azgfd.gov/magazine.
• Sponsor-a-Turtle Program – Support Arizona’s turtle conservation by sponsoring a turtle in the name of a friend or loved one. There are several suggested contribution levels that provide support for varying types of research. All sponsors will receive a Turtles Project sponsor kit, which includes a personalized sponsorship certificate and a photo of a turtle in the chosen sponsorship level. Contributors of $100 or more will receive an annual Turtles Project newsletter, and contributors of $200 or more will receive a detailed account of a specific tortoise in the department’s desert tortoise radio-telemetry project for that year. Visit www.azgfd.gov/turtles for more information.

For more information on purchasing these gifts that are sure to please, visit the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov.

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 about Arizona Wildlife.

The calendar is now on sale at all offices of the Arizona Game and Fish Department for just $3. Along with gorgeous photographs, its handy wall-hanging format features timely reminders of important dates. To order, visit any office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (visitwww.azgfd.gov/officesfor addresses), or go online towww.azgfd.gov/photocontestto print an order form you can send in at your convenience. Get yours today!

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 Basin and in Globe. Remaining open house locations and times in the various ranger districts are:

• Cave Creek Ranger District, Monday, Nov. 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Black Mountain Elementary School, 33606 N. 60^th St., Scottsdale

• Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-7:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Community Center, 47533 Highway 288, Young

• Mesa Ranger District, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7-8:30 p.m., Broadway Recreation Center, 59 E. Broadway Road, Mesa

• Payson Ranger District, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6-7:30 p.m., Julia Randall Elementary School, 601 S. Greenway Parkway, Payson

In a news release posted on the Tonto National Forest Web site, the Forest Service provides the following information:

In 2005, the Department of Agriculture enacted a new planning rule to manage motorized vehicle use on all national forests and grasslands. This rule requires the Tonto National Forest to designate those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. Designations will be made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The final rule will prohibit the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are not consistent with the designations.

Tonto National Forest officials will be presenting a proposed system of roads, trails and areas. Based on public input, the alternatives will then be proposed in a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be released to the public for comment. The final product will be a Motor Vehicle Use Map that shows which roads and trails will be open to motor vehicle use.

“Public involvement at this time is a critical component in developing a motorized travel system,” stated Delvin Lopez, Public Services Group leader for the Tonto National Forest. “By having these open houses in a variety of communities, we are hoping to get representative viewpoints and suggestions from a cross-section of forest visitors.

“The purpose of the Motor Vehicle Use Map is to comply with the requirements of the Travel Management Rule, to reduce problems caused by uncontrolled off-road travel, and to improve the current system of travel routes for public access and enjoyment,” said Lopez. “The development of a Motor Vehicle Use Map is an adaptive process in which future changes can be made in the public interest.”

For a copy of the forest travel management proposed action, visit the Tonto National Forest Web page atwww.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/travelmgt/index.shtml, or visit the Forest Supervisor’s Office at 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, or one of the forest’s district offices. For more information, contact Genevieve Johnson at (602) 225-5213.

Written comments regarding the proposed action may be submitted through December 4, 2009. Comments should be mailed to Travel Management Team Leader, Tonto National Forest, 2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85006.

For more information about the program, please visit the Tonto National Forest Web page atwww.fs.fed.us/r3/tontoor call the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200.

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 these tough economic times,” said Fisheries Chief Kirk Young. “Your family can get quality outdoor recreation and delicious trout for the table, all at half price.”

The 2009 annual state fishing license is now on sale for just $11.75 for residents and $35.13 for nonresidents, but if you plan to catch trout in state waters, don’t forget your trout stamp.

The Urban Program Fishing License is on sale for $9.25 for both residents and nonresidents alike.

“The month of November offers some of the best fishing available at Urban Program lakes,” said Eric Swanson, urban fishing program manager. “The lakes have been loaded with catfish all fall, stockings of bluegill sunfish took place in late October. and the first trout delivery begins November 16.”

This week (Wednesday, Nov. 4), the Lower Salt River near Phoenix is being stocked with feisty rainbow trout.

“This fishery is just minutes away from Tempe and Mesa and has become extremely popular with winter trout anglers. Where else can you catch trout in a scenic desert river adjacent to a major metropolitan area? The answer – only here,” Young said.

Trout are also being stocked this week at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Fain and Lynx lakes in the Prescott area, Wet Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley, plus Parker Canyon and Patagonia lakes in southern Arizona.

The following week, trout are being stocked in Saguaro Lake near Phoenix, Francis Short Pond in Flagstaff, Oak Creek, the Verde River (between Cottonwood and Camp Verde), Cluff Pond and Roper Lake near Safford, and in Rose Canyon on Mount Lemon near Tucson.

The week of Nov. 16, trout will also be stocked in Canyon Lake and Tempe Town Lake. Be sure to mark Nov. 24 on your calendar – that is the Welcome Back the Trout Celebration at Tempe Town Lake with a fishing clinic starting at 3 p.m.

“This has become an annual tradition in Arizona to kick-off the holidays,” said Young. “So come fish with us and catch some holiday cheer.”

For the weekly fishing report, and to learn more about the great fishing opportunities in Arizona visit,www.azgfd.gov/fishing.

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. It can be loads of fun. And you can connect up with others who share your same outdoor interests.

“Currently, there are 26,480 Arizonans on Facebook who have indicated they like fishing, hunting, shooting sports, boating and similar outdoor activities, so you’ll potentially have a lot of new friends out there who share your outdoor passions,” said Public Information Officer Rory Aikens, who himself is a recent Facebook convert.

The Game and Fish Department is also on another social network, Twitter. “We are using these communication outlets to provide outdoor enthusiasts with multiple ways to get timely information even while they are on the go,” Aikens said.

The department also has a robust Web presence at www.azgfd.gov and uses e-mail-based subscriptions to send news updates, fishing reports, hunter highlights and a number of other e-news products.

You can even go blogging at the Game and Fish Department, post photographs, and share such things as fishing or hunting experiences.

“These evolving social networking sites provide all of us another opportunity to get timely information, share ideas or experiences, and become involved in the outdoor world, even while sitting indoors dreaming about our next outing,” Aikens said.

The department has added a “Share or Bookmark” bar to our articles, blogs, outdoor calendar dates, and user photo sections. This makes it easier than ever to share news and photos with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, E-mail, and 150+ other bookmarking and sharing services.

A lot of waterfowl hunters have already been taking advantage of the mountain zone waterfowl opportunities. Now the season has shifted to the lower elevations as well.

Randy Babb, an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and veteran duck hunter, said waterfowl reproduction estimates for this year are good in North America, with most species showing an increase in numbers. Summer surveys this year indicated nesting was generally up.

“A common problem we experience in Arizona, despite nesting success, is warm winter weather. Often warm winters in the western states will ‘short-stop’ much of the migrating waterfowl before they make it to the southern U.S. So while states north of us (Utah, Nevada, etc.) enjoy fantastic hunting, we experience sporadic shooting at best,” Babb pointed out.

On the other hand, he said, if warm weather keeps Arizona’s high country waters open, many ducks and geese will spend the winter there rather than migrating to lower elevations.

“Simply put, many migrating waterfowl species go no farther south than they have to. If we have a warm winter, our state’s high elevations will likely offer the best hunting,” Babb said.

The early part of the season offers the best opportunities for some of the early migrants like cinnamon and blue-wing teal. November is usually when waterfowl hunting in the desert areas really picks up.

”At this time free water at northern latitudes typically becomes scarce, forcing birds southward to seek feeding and resting areas. Mornings after big winter storms and severe cold snaps are often an excellent time to check desert stock ponds for ducks,” Babb said.

Decoys will prove useful on central Arizona lakes, rivers, and ponds. “If you are decoying, you’ll want to start early. Have your decoys set and your blind built before legal shooting time comes. Once again, a little scouting will be a big help in finding a productive shooting spot,” Babb said.

Ducks tend to congregate in backwaters, slow runs on rivers, and sheltered areas on lakes such as coves and the mouths of rivers and creeks.

“With some scouting you will discover that though there may be several spots that seem to look good and are used by ducks, there is one or a few spots that they prefer. Set out your decoys and build your blind while it is still dark so you will be situated at legal shooting time,” he advises.

Typically the best shooting is in the first couple of hours of the day, so it is important to be ready by legal shooting time. “On a typical duck hunt, shooting is usually over by 10 or 11 a.m. Geese generally fly a little later than ducks, but you’ll still want to be prepared by first light,” Babb said.

Ducks will tend to move more in inclement weather, so shooting often lasts longer on these days. “Ducks have excellent eyesight and color vision, so keep this in mind when hunting them. Camouflage is recommended. It is also very important to remain motionless while birds are working the decoys or coming in,” said the veteran waterfowler.

To retrieve downed birds from stock tanks, try using a fishing rod rigged with a topwater plug. Cast over dead birds and reel them in. The same rig fitted with a diving plug will retrieve decoys in deep water by snagging the anchor line. Remember, only non-toxic or steel shot may be used for ducks and geese.

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, bighorn sheep
• Pia Wyer, great horned owl
• Ron Watkins, chub
• Ted Hendy, wild turkey
• William Wells, Eastern collared lizard

To see the winning images, pick up a 2010 Arizona Wildlife Calendar for your very own. Calendars go on sale Nov. 1 at all offices of the Arizona Game and Fish Department for just $3. Or visit www.azgfd.gov/photocontest to print an order form you can send in at your convenience. The page also offers a gorgeous slideshow of honorable mention images.

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.

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 and Nov. 14 (all 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.

Under the agreement, announced Oct. 15, the agencies will collaborate on law enforcement patrols, signage, and investigation and prosecution of crimes that occur in the Tres Rios Project Area. The agencies will also participate in coordination of clean-up efforts in the area.

The Tres Rios Project Area encompasses portions of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria rivers and includes the 200-acre Base and Meridian Wildlife Area located near Phoenix International Raceway about 15 miles west of Phoenix. The area includes unique riparian habitat but has been impacted in recent years by littering and various other illegal and inappropriate activities.

“We’re excited about this effort to enhance the Gila River corridor and its special riparian environment,” said Rod Lucas, supervisor for Game and Fish’s Mesa region, which covers much of central Arizona. “We hope our work together will make this area an enjoyable destination experience for the community, families and other visitors.”

The area also hosts the annual Tres Rios Nature Festival each March, which showcases the history and special ecology of the area. The upcoming festival will be held March 6-7, 2010 at the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area.

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