News
SWF Volunteer Take Seniors Fishing!
YVRGC/SWF Volunteers Take Young At Heart Seniors Out For A Morning Of Fishing!
Yuma Student Anglers State Tournament Held in Yuma!
Yuma Student Anglers host the 2021 Arizona High School Bass Fishing Finals!
Wildlife for the 21st Century Report
Wildlife for the 21st Century
Volume VI
The American Wildlife Conservation Partners present recommendations for the next White House Administration and the next two Congresses.
Forest Service Takes Steps to Reduce Wildfire Caused by Recreational Shooting in Arid Areas
May 5, 2020 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, Southwestern Region is enacting a recreational Shooting restriction of the Coronado, Prescott, Tonto National Forests to reduce wildfires and to protect the health and safety of employees and communities.
Review and Comment on Proposed Hunt Plan
Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge is proposing to allow hunting in the open area of the refuge that is approximately 810 acres, and includes all refuge lands north of Leslie Canyon Road.
Review and Comment on Proposed Hunt Plan
The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge has prepared an updated Hunt Plan, Compatibility Determination, and Environmental Assessment which proposes opening additional predator and fur-bearer species to hunting to better align with Arizona Game and Fish regulations.
Arizona boaters: prepare to clean, drain and dry
PHOENIX —The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds boaters to “clean, drain and dry” – and especially decontaminate — their watercraft and equipment before exiting listed waters containing aquatic invasive species (AIS).
This reminder is particularly important for out-of-town visitors who moor their boats at AIS-affected waters and are preparing to head out of state.
Rule prohibiting organized predator hunting contests is in effect
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds constituents that a new rule prohibiting organized hunting contests for predatory and fur-bearing animals became effective Nov. 3. The rule does not apply to lawful hunting of predatory and fur-bearing animals (which is a valuable wildlife management tool) outside of contests as defined by the rule, nor does it apply to events such as fishing tournaments.
Increasing Fish and Wildlife Agency Relevancy and Funding
An Oregon Case Study
Broad social and demographic changes are affecting many aspects of American society, and fish and wildlife management is no exception. Changing wildlife values among Americans, increased technology use, decreased connection to nature, trends of declining hunting participation overall, and declining fishing participation in numerous states are some of the more immediate changes impacting state fish and wildlife agencies. These challenges have inspired agencies to broaden their programs and to seek alternative sources of funding. While hunting and fishing license dollars, in conjunction with excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, have historically made up the primary means of financial support for most agencies, the conservation and management efforts of agencies benefit all citizens, not just hunters and anglers. Agencies are not only looking to emphasize how their efforts are relevant to the public at-large, but also how they can expand their programs to connect all citizens to wildlife and conservation. As a result, there is a growing interest in measuring the attitudes of the general population, including non-hunters and non-anglers, with regard to their awareness and understanding of the work of their state fish and wildlife agency and its value to their daily lives.
Gearing up for a hunt? Don’t forget the non-lead ammo
Hunters asked to continue voluntary lead-reduction efforts this fall
PHOENIX — Arizona hunters have proven their long-held commitment to wildlife conservation by voluntarily working to reduce the amount of lead exposure to endangered California condors, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is encouraging all hunters to join the effort this fall.
Hunters drawn for hunts in Game Management Units 12 and 13 (north Kaibab National Forest and Arizona Strip) are eligible to participate in the department’s non-lead ammunition program and are encouraged to pick up their free ammunition early, while supplies last. Information about the program was mailed to those who drew hunt tags for the selected units.
Since 2008, 88 percent of hunters in Arizona’s condor range have voluntarily used non-lead ammunition during their hunts or, if they used lead ammunition, removed the gut piles from the field. AZGFD reminds hunters that if they have trouble finding non-lead ammunition, they can still support condor recovery by removing gut piles from the field that were shot with lead ammunition.
