The latest news:
- Hunting and fishing fee cap bill moving through the Senate
- Commission to meet in Tucson March 11-12
- Phoenix area anglers invited to free fishing seminar
- Eagle nest watcher program
- Recent land purchase proves cooperation is good conservation

Hunting and fishing fee cap bill moving through the Senate
Senate Bill 1365 (Cannell), a bill that would allow the department to raise certain license and tag fees over time up to a revised cap, is scheduled to be voted on by the full state Senate on March 8. If passed, the bill would move on to the House. Department 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. However, the cost of a hunting or fishing license will not automatically increase if fee caps are raised. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will still be required to hold public meetings and follow the rulemaking process in order to increase fees. The bill is supported by more than 20 sportsmen's groups. To learn more about the revised fee caps, or to add your voice in support of increased revenue to support the department's wildlife conservation activities, visit azgfd.gov.

Commission to meet in Tucson March 11-12
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission, the decision-making body that sets department policy, will meet in Tucson at 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd. on March 11-12. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Palo Verde, beginning at 8 a.m. both days. The public is welcome to attend and comment. The meeting agenda includes a number of issues for the Commission's consideration, including (among others) the fall hunt draw process, a conservation bonus point, the use of bow and arrow or crossbow as a legal method of take for channel catfish, a special big game license-tag season for elk, deer hunt management in units 12AW, 12AE, and 12B, and management of the House Rock bison herd.

Phoenix area anglers invited to free fishing seminar
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is presenting a FREE fishing seminar from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at the Mesa regional office (7200 E. University). Join biologists Jim Warnecke, Dave Weedman and Rich Wiggins as they show you how to use fishery science to put more black crappie and bass in the live well.

Demonstrations of fish cleaning and cooking will round out the afternoon for beginning as well as experienced anglers. For more information, call the Mesa regional office at (480) 981-9400 ext. 3541 or ext. 3545, or e-mail Jim Warnecke at jwarnecke@azgfd.gov or Dave Weedman at dweedman@azgfd.gov.

Eagle nest watcher program
While you are tucked comfortably in your bed at night, 18 people are sleeping in tents so they can wake up at the crack of dawn to help protect our state's bald eagles.

The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program has saved the lives of 44 eagle nestlings since it began as a weekend volunteer effort by the U.S. Forest Service and Maricopa Audubon Society in 1978. Now 19 agencies are involved with the program to monitor bald eagle breeding areas under heavy pressure from human recreational activities.

The nest watchers protect the eagles while they're nesting and raising young. They also help educate the public, so people don't disrupt the breeding process.

This year's nest watchers began their four-month tour of duty on Feb. 4. They will watch nine breeding areas, collecting data about the eagles' behavior and notifying rescuers of any life-threatening situations for the birds.

Recent land purchase proves cooperation is good conservation
Public support of the Heritage Fund, lottery dollars for conservation, recently allowed the Arizona Game and Fish Department to give $1.5 million toward purchase of the 2,628-acre Coal Mine Canyon property in southeast Arizona.

Spring-fed pools on the property are home to one of the largest remaining wild populations of the Gila topminnow, which was added to the Endangered Species List in 1967. Other species benefiting from the purchase include the lesser long-nosed bat, Mexican spotted owl and western yellow-billed cuckoo.

Arizona acquired the Coal Mine Canyon property through a cooperative effort between the landowner (First United Realty and the Hudson family), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (which gave $750,000 to protect habitat for the recovery of endangered species), The Trust for Public Land (which negotiated the ownership transfer), the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Arizona State Parks Department (which will manage the area in perpetuity as part of the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area).