Governor nominates Bob Hernbrode for the Game and Fish Commission
PHOENIX - Governor Janet Napolitano has nominated retired wildlife expert Bob Hernbrode to serve on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

The Tucson resident worked in the wildlife industry for more than 40 years and began his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the early 1960s. Hernbrode's experience includes wildlife management in Southern Arizona, prior work with the Game and Fish Department, wildlife planning in Colorado, and chief of wildlife education for the state of Colorado. Hernbrode studied wildlife management in college, earning his bachelor of science from the University of Arizona.
 
Hernbrode is a lifelong hunter and angler and is proud to have passed the tradition to his daughter. Hernbrode's appointment is for a five-year term, which was created by the term expiration of Tucson's Susan Chilton. The position requires Senate confirmation.

Increased price caps on licenses and tags sought from Legislature
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking the Arizona Legislature to approve new price caps for fishing and hunting licenses, stamps and hunt permit-tag fees.

Department officials say revenues must increase because in recent years, income has declined while expenses have risen. Like a business, the department cannot maintain its current level of service while running a deficit. Click here for more information on the proposal.

Bald eagle workshop set for Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Did you know that many bald eagles make their home in the Flagstaff area during the winter? You can learn more about these remarkable birds and probably even spot some at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Annual Bald Eagle Workshop in Flagstaff on Saturday, Feb. 26.
 
Auctioned mule deer tag draws record $134,000 bid
PHOENIX - The Mule Deer Foundation's annual convention in Reno, Nev., drew the highest amount of money ever raised by the auctioning of a coveted Arizona statewide special mule deer tag: $134,000.

All the proceeds from the special tag will go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to help fund its mule deer management and habitat enhancement efforts.

"This is a tremendous boost to the many projects we have that benefit mule deer," says Brian Wakeling, the Arizona Game and Fish Department big game supervisor. "We are pleased to partner with organizations such as the Mule Deer Foundation and fortunate to have interested sportsman's groups that help us identify projects that benefit wildlife."

The tag allows a licensed hunter to take one antlered mule deer in any legal hunting unit in Arizona from Sept. 1, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2006, making this type of tag the state's premier deer hunting permit.

Arizona is legendary for its mule deer. The Kaibab and Arizona Strip regions of the state are known for producing massive bucks that continue to break world records for antler size.
"The permit holder has a valuable opportunity to pursue a truly unique experience in deer hunting," says Wakeling.

Game and Fish Commission honors individuals and groups at awards banquet
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently honored individuals and organizations from across the state for their roles in helping with the mission to conserve, enhance, and restore Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and habitats.

The following recipients were honored during the commission's annual awards banquet on Jan. 22 in Phoenix:

Timothy Carter Jones
Timothy Carter Jones and his family were recognized with an award of excellence by the Game and Fish Commission for supporting the native Apache trout recovery effort.

Tim Carter lived his entire life in the White Mountains of Arizona. His commitment to the wildlife of the state could be seen in every facet of his life. He especially loved sport fishing. He could often be found on a stream or lake near his home. When he passed away in his early thirties, his family donated $3,000 from his estate to help Apache trout recovery efforts in eastern Arizona.

Last year's donation brought positive public attention to the Game and Fish Department's Apache trout efforts. Recognized as Arizona's state fish, the Apache trout could soon become the first native fish in the United States to come off the endangered species list.

Tim's family has seen first-hand some of the work being done to renovate and prepare streams for reintroducing Apache trout. Family members proudly tell others that the money is being spent wisely.

Tim's sister, LeiAnne, says, "Tim would be so proud that his memory lives on through this extremely worthy project. The next time you catch an Apache trout at Lee Valley Lake or Thompson Creek, think of Tim. He would like that."

Catron, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, and Sierra counties and San Carlos and White Mountain Apache tribes
Catron, Navajo, and Sierra counties in New Mexico, along with Graham and Greenlee counties in Arizona, the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the White Mountain Apache Tribe were recognized with an award of excellence for their cooperative efforts regarding native species reintroductions.

These committed partners have been working cooperatively with state and federal agencies on a project to reintroduce an endangered species in Arizona and New Mexico. Their spirit of cooperation is embodied in their efforts on behalf of local participation to adaptively manage the Mexican wolf, and to ensure that local concerns about social and economic impacts are identified and resolved.

Through diligent discussion with federal and state cooperators, these parties helped reach a formal agreement and create an adaptive management program for the reintroduction project. They attend regular management meetings and public meetings, focusing on ensuring responsibility and accountability at all levels of the project. Their insights on local issues have been invaluable to restructuring the project, and for increasing local participation.

Due to the efforts of these critical partners, the focus is now on getting the job done instead of on arguing about how to do it or who should do it. The Game and Fish Commission added that it is a pleasure to recognize both the commitment and the tireless efforts necessary to ensure the inclusion of the many and varied stakeholders in this reintroduction process.

Ted Cordery
Ted Cordery was honored by the Game and Fish Commission with an award of excellence for dedicating his career to help Arizona's wildlife. As the endangered species coordinator for the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona state office, he has played a key role in many recovery efforts.

Cordery has been a member of the Arizona Interagency Desert Tortoise Team since its creation in 1985 and has provided critical continuity to the group through many co-chair changes. He's been a leader in advocating for the Arizona Game and Fish Department's collaborative desert tortoise monitoring efforts in Arizona.

He's been an active member of the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee, and he's also been a steady source of support for the department's efforts to monitor peregrine falcons in compliance with post-delisting measures required by the Endangered Species Act.

Cordery is a key player in native fish conservation and recovery on BLM lands, and he has also helped with Gila topminnow, desert pupfish, Little Colorado River spinedace, and other conservation and recovery efforts.

Bob and Bonnie Kreycik and Clancy Laura Gansberg
Two retired veterinarians, Bob Kreycik and Clancy Gansberg, along with their wives, Bonnie and Laura, were recognized by the commission with an award of excellence for providing invaluable assistance to the Game and Fish Department in the Yuma area since 1986. As volunteers, they have provided medical treatment to more than 700 bighorn sheep and Sonoran pronghorn antelope during both transplant and research captures over the course of their long association with the department.

These operations usually include camping in remote areas under primitive conditions-sometimes for days at a time. And in addition to their time and expertise, doctors Kreycik and Gansberg have also provided their own equipment and supplies. The value of their services easily exceeds $100,000.

The Kreyciks and Gansbergs have provided everything from standard health assessments to field surgeries, amputations, and rehydration for the animals they have worked with, and the capture-related mortality rate has gone down significantly thanks to their volunteer efforts.

The success of the department's bighorn sheep and Sonoran pronghorn management programs has been greatly enhanced through the efforts of the Kreyciks and Gansbergs.

Alex Schepers
Alex Schepers of Mesa was honored by the Game and Fish Commission as one of two co-recipients of the youth environmentalist of the year award, which is presented to an individual or individuals, 18 years of age or younger, that have excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Schepers and the other co-recipient represent the future of our sportsman's heritage in Arizona. She was applauded for her commitment, leadership, and contagious enthusiasm for Arizona's wildlife resources,

Schepers loves to hunt and spend time roughing it in the outdoors with her father. And she is known to spend days tracking and calling her quarry-her joy and enthusiasm for the experience of hunting are just as important as the result.

Schepers has a real talent for big game hunting, small game and bird hunting, and especially for predator calling. She's an accomplished horsewoman and a rifle and shotgun shooter, too. She participates in year-round hunting and shooting activities, and she has even competed in the world-calling championship.

Schepers is proud to be a hunter education graduate with excellent sportsman's ethics. She loves to share her excitement about hunting with others. Alex also understands that the kill is not the most important part of hunting. She understands her quarry, understands the role each animal plays in the total outdoors scenario, and also understands the importance of using the proper equipment and having a good relationship with fellow hunters. She's also involved in a Chandler Rod and Gun Club Leadership Program, where she mentors other youth just starting out in the sport of hunting.

Schepers also teaches other young ladies that they, too, can be a girl, enjoy hunting, and be able to share it with others.

Jon Watson
Jon Watson is the other co-recipient of the youth environmentalist of the year award. He's the type of young sportsman and conservationist who will work hard to honor our wildlife heritage. Now a junior in high school, Watson has been participating in Arizona Game and Fish and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation activities since he was seven years old.

Watson has already completed a hunter education course and he loves to hunt. In fact, he has the first trophy he ever shot still hanging in his bedroom: it's from a javelina hunt back in 1999. Other harvests include two deer, an elk, and an antelope.

Watson has been attending unit watches with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Game and Fish Department for nine years. He has also helped put up fencing, worked on  water catchment projects, and participating in countless other volunteer efforts to benefit the wildlife of Arizona.

Watson is active in his community and has a 4.6 GPA in school. He has been a member of his school's wrestling team for the past two years, and is active in his church youth group. Jon is advanced beyond his years in his knowledge of wildlife and outdoor subjects that will serve him well in his future endeavors to conserve our rich wildlife heritage. More importantly, he is willing to help others in their search to understand these important principles. He is a leader amongst his peers, and a true asset to the outdoor recreation and hunting community.

Lee Allen
Lee Allen, a freelance writer in the Tucson area, reaches out to everyone in the Arizona Game and Fish Department's vast audience. Allen frequently attends Game and Fish media events, often being the first to volunteer to go. He regularly sells the resulting articles to five or six magazines, a few newspapers, and maybe radio, as well.

Allen retired from a career in radio, but has found himself writing and working even more now because he's in it for himself. Allen says he chooses only to do those things that interest him.

He's written many articles for the department's "Arizona Wildlife Views" magazine, including a recent one on Game and Fish research at Lake Pleasant. He's also written dozens of articles for the American Indian Report, Desert Leaf, Tucson Weekly, Arizona Tourist News, BASSWest USA, and other publications.

The commission praised Allen for being a dynamic, hard-working, and accurate media professional.

Outdoors Arizona
"Outdoors Arizona," hosted by Jim and Darla Solomon, was honored by the commission as the outdoor media of the year. The commission praised this dynamic pair for sharing information that promotes hunter and angler heritage. The Solomons are always digging into stories about what concerns sportsmen. They understand the big picture for our community and vocally support the Arizona Game and Fish Department and its activities.

The Solomons are always happy to emcee a banquet, share sporting news, and talk about ways to get involved in the outdoor tradition. With their annual Outdoor Recreation Expo event, they reach families and show them great outdoor ideas and clubs they might otherwise never have discovered.

"Outdoors Arizona Radio" runs statewide from 7 to 9 every Saturday morning. The Solomons also host a national radio show each Sunday morning. In addition, they're working on a new FOX news program to help recruit new sportsmen, share the positives, and talk about outdoor recreation in Arizona.

Arizona Elk Society
In June of 2001, a group of concerned sportsmen and women met to discuss the need for a resident organization to meet the growing needs of Arizona's elk herds. Today, that group is known as the Arizona Elk Society, and it's more than 1,200-members strong. For all that they do for Arizona's wildlife resources, the commission recognized the Arizona Elk Society as the Conservation Organization of the Year.

The Arizona Elk Society raises money to benefit elk and other wildlife through habitat conservation and restoration. The group wants to preserve our hunting heritage for present and future generations, and their tireless dedication to this end is truly remarkable.

In their three short years of existence, this group of hard-working individuals has successfully raised $1.2 million for Arizona's wildlife, with all of that money staying here in Arizona. They participate in many wildlife fairs, expos, unit watches, and a kids' camp, where 100 children spend two days learning about wildlife habitat and participate in outdoor activities.

The Arizona Elk Society has funded 57 wildlife projects and has spent $510,000 on project funding, with a total project value of more than $2.4 million. That's a 4-to-1 return on their investment. The group believes in and is committed to working with the department to accomplish even more in the future.

Reese V. Bostwick
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reese V. Bostwick has demonstrated tireless assistance to Arizona wildlife through a bit of a unique perspective-the criminal justice system.

Bostwick's legal expertise has provided important protection to our state's most precious wildlife resources for nearly two decades, and the Game and Fish Commission recognizes him as the Conservationist of the Year.

"Bostwick's had a keen appreciation of Arizona's wildlife resources since he began his career in the Pima County Attorney's Office in 1984. Over the years, he has learned about the practical application of search and seizure, use of search warrants, and prosecution of wildlife crimes, and has been incredibly helpful to the department and commission in these areas," says the award.

Bostwick quickly became recognized in his county as the "go to" guy for handling wildlife cases. In fact, the county attorney said that Game and Fish was as successful as they were in prosecuting cases because of Bostwick's unbridled enthusiasm and passion for wildlife. Eventually, he was hired away from the county attorney's office and became an assistant U.S. attorney in Tucson.

Bostwick continues to assist the Game and Fish Department with search-and-seizure classes in Region 5, reviews of search warrants, and recommendations for improvement to department law enforcement procedures. In 1989, he taught a seminar for lawyers on wildlife prosecutions, and in 1996, he won a Game and Fish Commission Award of Excellence for his efforts.

Randy Lamb
Randy Lamb has always been an outdoor enthusiast. He grew up hunting and fishing in Idaho and California, served a tour of duty in Vietnam, and eventually moved to Arizona. For his "tireless commitment" to the Game and Fish Commission and the department, and most importantly for Arizona's wildlife resources, Lamb was named as the Arizona Environmentalist of the Year.

Lamb has served on the Arizona Wildlife Federation's Board of Directors. He has served as a board member of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and has earned the club's lifetime membership award. He is a hunter education Instructor and a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: in fact, he helped found the Yuma chapter of the Elk Foundation. He also serves as co-chair of the Prescott Habitat Partnership Committee.

Lamb has participated in many desert bighorn sheep and mule deer water development projects, and last year, when the department asked Lamb for help in coordinating the construction of a large electric fence to reduce elk depredation in part of Camp Verde, he rounded up volunteers who contributed about 114 hours of labor to the project.

Randy Lamb's wife, Debbie, is also a big supporter of the state's wildlife, contributing many hours to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation projects.

Phillip and Lori Smith
Phillip and Lori Smith are extremely active in the Chandler Rod and Gun Club, working hard to make sure the organization's events are a big success. People at the Arizona Elk Society, the Phoenix Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Game and Fish Department's Mesa and Phoenix offices also know this hard-working couple very well.

These two never look for recognition, but they certainly deserve it. The Game and Fish Commission recognized them as the Arizona Volunteers of the Year.

Thousands of people, especially kids, benefit from Phil and Lori Smith's activities, even though they don't always realize it. The Smiths do months of preliminary shopping, gathering, organizing, and working with volunteers before an event begins. They've helped out with classes on outdoor activities, family and group camps, juniors-only dove hunts, fund-raising banquets, meetings, and other sportsman's activities.

Game and Fish employees know that if they call the Smiths to fill slots at a sportsman's program or to help round up a group of volunteers, the couple will get the job done.

Paul Humphries
Paul Humphries was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, and now owns the Cross U Ranch near Prescott. Humphries is an avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and does whatever he can to promote outdoor sports to others, and to preserve habitat.

The Game and Fish Commission recognized Humphries' efforts by awarding him the 2004 Wildlife Habitat Stewardship Award.

The Cross U is a family-owned working cattle ranch located in Game Management Units 17A and B in Yavapai County. The ranch consists of both private land and 76 sections of land leased from the U.S. Forest Service.

Humphries is committed to good stewardship of the habitat. He works with the Prescott Forest range consultant and with the area's wildlife manager. Although the land is permitted for 460 cattle, Humphries voluntarily cut his operations to less than 100 head. His range management includes a rest-rotation-grazing program.

Humphries is rebuilding corrals, refurbishing houses, replacing barns, and still finds time to look after the land. He has waterholes on his property and helped maintain them during the drought years. More than 100 rock check dams are on the ranch for erosion control and watershed enhancement. Humphries also works on fencing projects and places salt and water in locations that will attract cattle away from riparian areas.

The Cross U Ranch welcomes public access on the more than 70 square miles of forest lease land, and the ranch also has the only hunting preserve in northern Arizona. You can train bird dogs, hunt, fish, or explore on the private land, if you just let Humphries know you'll be there.

Don't miss the wildflower blooms: the show has started in the low deserts
You won't have to ask "where have all the flowers gone" this spring: the wildflower show is expected to be spectacular in Arizona. In fact, it has already started in the lower deserts around Yuma and early blooms can typically be found in places such as Queen Creek Canyon just east of Phoenix.

Lin Piest, an Arizona Game and Fish Department biologist stationed in the Yuma area, says there are a lot of sand verbena and primrose blooming in sandy areas around Yuma now.

"The best areas are on the Yuma Mesa on the south and east edges of the city, and south towards San Luis. In the foothill areas of the Gila Mountains, there is a lot of blooming brittlebush, lupine, and scorpion weed. About 10 days ago, there were poppies beginning to bloom in the Kofa Mountains," Piest says.

Randy Babb, a Game and Fish Department biologist based in the Mesa region, says the wildflower bloom in central and southeastern Arizona will likely peak in late February to early March. This green-up is key to bringing many species of wildlife into breeding condition. "Deer, bighorn sheep, and elk rely on winter annuals to put on the fat they will need to produce offspring. The annuals also provide the nutrition the young animals need for the first few months of their lives," says Babb.

The green-up also provides another species, homo sapiens, with the opportunity for some colorful adventures.  "In late February as the soil and air temperatures heat up, the winter annuals undergo an impressive growth spurt, sometimes more than doubling or even tripling their size in a matter of weeks. By early to mid-March, the Sonoran Desert will be a riot of color-every nature enthusiast's dream," says Babb in an article soon to appear in the March-April edition of "Arizona Wildlife Views" magazine, which is produced by the Game and Fish Department.

Babb says flower species that have long lain dormant will show blossoms of every conceivable color. "Plants can be found that may not have been seen for a decade. Every trip afield brings unparalleled joy brought on by the olfactory and visual delights of nature combined with unbelievable frustration at not being able to recall the names of things so seldom encountered-causing a condition known as naturalist's schizophrenia," Babb says.

The sandy country of western Arizona from Parker to Yuma will furnish excellent viewing opportunities for primrose and verbena. Wildflowers to enjoy in sand-dune country include ajo lilies and wild sunflowers, as well as the seldom seen purple dune lily and sand food.

The rocky valleys, foothills, and mountain slopes of western, central, and southern Arizona will supply an entirely different set of offerings. Babb says that wildflower watchers might encounter hordes of migrating hummingbirds careening recklessly through rocky canyons choked with scarlet-flowered justica.  "Indigo and white larkspur blooms will likely emerge just above the wash bottoms. Vast fields of butterscotch-colored poppies will cover mountain slopes and basins, punctuated by splashes of owl-clover pink and lupine blue. Two kinds of hibiscus blossom among the rocks, one with pale yellow flowers and the other with delicate purple, along with diminutive white rock daisies. With a little good fortune, a wildflower watcher might encounter stunning orange mariposa lilies or pale purple sego lilies nestled among the competition," Babb says.

Consider a visit to recently burned desert areas. "These spots can be particularly productive, as the nutrients released by the fire and lack of competition provide perfect conditions for winter annuals," says Babb.

According to Paul Wolterbeek at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Globe, people can expect to find good wildflower displays this year within an easy one-hour or less drive from Phoenix and Tucson. He says that because the arboretum collections benefit from regular irrigation and a healthy stock of both perennial and annual species, the wildflower displays can be spectacular for a wide range of flowers, such as phacelia, yellow scorpionweed, purple bladderpod, blue dicks, firecracker penstemon, lupines, poppies and globe mallow.

Wolterbek also has tips for people looking for wildflower drives. "Poppies are almost always strong near Florence Junction on Highway 60 from late February through March," he says, adding that pink and white variants of globe mallow can be seen along Highway 79 from Florence.

Another area to consider is Queen Creek Canyon, where deer vetch, penstemons and tree tobacco sometimes bloom as early as late January.

Wolterbek advises that those driving east on Highway 60 from late February through April are likely to see Mexican gold poppies, lupine and phacelia at Florence Junction, possibly near mile marker 209. Species such as fairy duster, desert marigold, globe mallow and golden brittlebrush become more prominent as the road gains elevation and as you ascent up and through Gonzales Pass (mile markers 219-218).

Driving west on Highway 60, expect to find flowering mazanita producing pink and white blossoms along the roadsides west of Miami. "As you gain elevation toward the Top-of-the-World community and then past the Oak Flat Campground, look for native manzanita chaparral mixed with fragrant Ceanothus (buck brush) and fluffy white blossoms that can resemble a mantle of snow covering the plants," says Wolterbek.

As the road descends into Queen Creek Canyon and you approach the tunnel, says Wolterbek, stay alert for bright patches of firecracker penstemon and deer vetch (yellow and red) on the north side of the road at the base of the cliffs. "Look for the waterfall just east of the Queen Creek Tunnel. Spring rains can leave that wonderful flume splashing for weeks near mile marker 229."

For the more regimented wildflower watcher, a good identification book is essential. "Be advised, however, any identification book is merely a compromise and sure to omit the one flower you simply must identify. That is why many of us become beasts of burden on our forays, toting every book that might conceivably have something we are looking for. I envy those who enjoy the show merely for the delight it brings to eye and soul," says Babb.

Arizona's three wild-hatched condor chicks doing well
PHOENIX - The only three endangered condor chicks hatched in the wilds of Arizona in more than 80 years are doing well as we enter a new year.
 
"The California condor chicks are becoming more independent," says Susan MacVean, an Arizona Game and Fish Department biologist. "In fact, one that hatched last year and just took its first flight in November is already flying more than a mile from its nest."
Just 22 California condors were left in the world in 1982, but efforts to save and breed the species have resulted in nearly 250 of the birds now living in both the wild and in captivity. Condors are periodically released in Arizona, California, and Mexico. Reintroduction began in Arizona in 1996, and 45 condors now live in the wild in our state, including the three chicks.

The two chicks that hatched last May in Arizona both began flying on their own in late November. The one at the Grand Canyon has been venturing up to a mile and a half from its nest cave. Its parents frequently visit and feed it. However, the other new chick, which hatched at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, is just now doing better, after having some health trouble.

"Biologists found the chick dehydrated and a little underweight in early January," says Kathy Sullivan, a condor biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "The bird was taken to The Phoenix Zoo, where talented staffers have successfully treated condors before. The chick underwent surgery for an obstruction in its gizzard, and a mass of sticks and hair was removed. The chick was then tagged, fitted with a transmitter to monitor its movements, and vaccinated for the West Nile Virus."

"We had some concerns about separating the chick from its parents at this early age," says Chris Parish, a biologist with The Peregrine Fund, "but the chick spent time recovering in a pen in northern Arizona, and its parents even tried to feed it through a fence. When biologists finally did reunite the chick with its parents, the cheers could probably be heard for miles. The parents fed the chick within just 20 minutes. The fledgling was released back into the wild on Jan. 20 and appears to be doing well with its parents in its nest area."

Arizona's other condor chick hatched in 2003. That chick is making its way further and further from its nest. However, it is still visited by its parents and not fully independent.

Biologists are already getting ready for this year's nesting season. They're hopeful that at least two pairs of condors that have never bred before will produce chicks.

California condors are the largest flying land bird in North America. They can weigh up to 26 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 91/2 feet. The species has been listed as endangered since 1967.

The condor reintroduction in Arizona is a joint project of many partners, including Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Peregrine Fund, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Kaibab National Forest, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.