Game and Fish Commission to consider new urban fishing lake at Oct. 19 and 20 meeting in Phoenix

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will consider adding Veteran’s Oasis Lake in Chandler to the list of designated urban fishing waters as well as a multitude of other action items during a two-day public meeting Oct. 19 and 20 at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Road in Phoenix.

Meetings on both days begin at 9 a.m., and the public is welcome to attend and provide input.

The commission is also scheduled to hear and possibly take action on additional items including:

To view the complete agenda for this commission meeting, visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/
meeting_agenda.shtml.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission establishes policy for the management, conservation, and harvest of wildlife. The Commission makes rules and regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources, and safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona.

Hunters can help monitor for chronic wasting disease

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again asking for hunter assistance this season in monitoring for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk but does not affect humans.

CWD has not yet been found in Arizona, but it is in three neighboring states—Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. The department needs 1,800 deer and elk heads this hunting season to test for presence of the disease.

You can assist by bringing in the head of your recently harvested deer or elk to any Game and Fish Department office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Place the head in a heavy plastic garbage bag for delivery, and keep it cool and out of the sun. If the weather is warm, it is best to either bring in the head within a day of harvest or keep it on ice in a cooler before delivery.

To better assist the surveillance efforts, you will be asked to fill out a form with your drop-off. Please include the following information: county, game management unit in which the animal was harvested, hunt and permit number, and an address and phone number where you can be reached. If this information is not provided, the department will be unable to test the head.

You will be notified of the test results by postcard within six to eight weeks. There is no charge for the testing and notification.

The department has been conducting surveillance using hunter-harvested deer and elk since 1998. Test samples from more than 8,300 animals during that time have found no evidence of CWD. Aggressive monitoring is essential to detect the disease early if it does arrive in Arizona.

The department also has had rules in place since 2002 restricting the movement of captive deer and elk into or within the state, and subjecting those animals to marking and reporting requirements.

Here are some guidelines for hunters when out in the field:

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/cwd or www.cwd-info.org/.

Quail season is here

Gather up your shotgun, lace up your hiking boots, grab a hat, and head out to your favorite hunting spot – it’s quail season.

While this year will not go on the books as a banner year, it is expected to be fair to good depending on where you choose to hunt. For more information on quail hunting and small game, visit the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/h_f/small_game.shtml.

Quail hunting is a great opportunity to take the kids out or to introduce a neighbor, friend, or co-worker to upland hunting and the Arizona outdoors. Areas good for quail hunting typically are some of the most scenic places in the state.

Hunting quail offers nearly unlimited hunting opportunity. The season is long, and all that is needed is a general hunting license and a shotgun. Quail make excellent table fare and are tremendously challenging to shoot.

Season dates:
Gambel's and scaled quail - Oct. 12, 2007 to Feb. 11, 2008
Mearns' quail - Nov. 23, 2007 to Feb. 11, 2008

Bag limits:
15 daily limit, of which only eight may be Mearns'. (Note: See page 68 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for species identification requirements when transporting or possessing harvested quail)

Hunting on national wildlife refuges that are open to quail hunting (check refuge regulations for specific rules) does require the use of non-toxic shot, no lead, due to the wetland environments - so plan accordingly.

While you're afield, don't forget that you can also hunt cottontail rabbits (year-round) and squirrel (season closes Nov. 25), making an excellent opportunity for a mixed bag and a fun-filled hunting excursion. Happy hunting, and remember to be safe.

Native fish species returned to Arizona canyons

Multi-agency teams converged in southeastern Arizona recently to carry out two reintroductions of threatened and endangered fish species. Four varieties of native fish were introduced to five new locations at the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (CMA), near Willcox, in one of the largest reintroduction efforts ever in the state.

The four native fish species – spikedace, loach minnow, Gila topminnow and desert pupfish – were transported by helicopter from their original sites in Aravaipa Canyon and Dudleyville to streams and springs in the Muleshoe CMA, which is managed jointly by The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Eight-hundred spikedace and loach minnow were captured in Aravaipa Creek, then loaded into special transport drums and flown to their new home at Muleshoe. Biologists also moved 2,000 desert pupfish and Gila topminnow from a pond in Dudleyville managed by The Nature Conservancy to their new locations.

Most native fish reintroductions typically focus on one or two species and a single location. The Muleshoe reintroduction was unprecedented in scale for Arizona based on the number of species, stocking locations and partner agencies. Numerous stockings for both Gila topminnow and desert pupfish have occurred over the years, whereas the last reintroduction efforts for loach minnow and spikedace occurred in 1968 and 1970. Neither earlier reintroduction for loach minnow or spikedace was successful.

Additional partners on the project include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Land Department and Arizona State University. The reintroduction effort entailed a three-year planning process that included assessment of appropriate species, suitability of relocation sites, coordination with local landowners and development of a follow-up monitoring plan.

“After years of planning and coordination to carry this reintroduction off, there’s a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and optimism for the success of our efforts,” said Tony Robinson, CAP projects program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “It’s no exaggeration to say that we’re really looking at one of the last chances for these fish to exist.”

As part of a second transplant effort, five fish species were translocated to Ash Creek, a tributary to the Salt River. Species included longfin dace, speckled dace, roundtail chub, desert sucker and Sonoran sucker. Fish were captured from creeks in the Salt River Drainage and then taken to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Bubbling Ponds hatchery for assessment prior to being released.

Partners included Arizona Game and Fish Department, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private landowners.

In both projects, field biologists transferred the fish into perennially flowing streams using a carefully regulated process that allows the fish to acclimate to the new waters. Relocation sites were carefully chosen for each species based on water flows, temperature, substrate type and the presence of other aquatic species to offer optimal conditions for the fish to survive in their new habitat. The introduction of non-native predatory and competitive fishes has contributed to the overall decline of the species included in the reintroduction.

Data collection will take place over the next five years to monitor the success of the reintroductions. Program modifications and additional stockings will be used to augment native fish populations and improve the likelihood of establishing self-sustaining populations of each of the species.

Time to experience autumn colors, bugling elk and jumping trout

The time is right to experience golden aspen quaking in the autumn breeze, huge bull elk bugling in the forest, and aggressive trout jumping in the cold, clear mountain lakes.

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials say this is a great time of year to visit Arizona’s high country.

Be sure to take along the fishing poles, binoculars, a thirst for adventure, and a warm jacket. You might even toss in a .22-caliber rifle or that trusty old .410 and get reacquainted with the youthful joys of tree-squirrel hunting – the season opened Oct. 12. It’s also blue grouse season.

You can discover some of the best trout fishing of the year in Arizona’s mountains and streams. This is also the leading edge of the winter trout stocking program in the mid-elevation waters (visit www.azgfd.gov for a listing of the winter trout stockings). It’s really the best of both fishing worlds.

Coincidentally, some of the most prolific high country trout lakes are also smack dab in the middle of prime elk country. This is the tail end of the elk rut, and on any given day, you can expect to hear huge bulls issuing their high-pitched challenges in the forest. You might even hear the clashing of elk horns reverberating through the woods as contentious bulls fight for the right to mate with a harem of cow elk.

The Mogollon Rim lakes near Payson offer excellent trout and elk opportunities. For lots of feisty fall trout, try Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, Bear Canyon, Chevelon Canyon, Knoll and Blue Ridge.

The White Mountains of Arizona also provide superb trout lakes and streams and terrific elk herds, but the autumn show has waned at the higher elevations and is slowly moving lower right now. A visit to the mountain hamlet of Greer is well worthwhile. Big Lake, which is Arizona’s largest mountain trout lake, offers the most trout fishing diversity; it has rainbows, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout.

The Flagstaff-Williams area is dotted with interesting trout lakes, not to mention some terrific views of the San Francisco Peaks and plenty of elk to liven up the sounds of the forest.

Another interesting place to fish right now is Oak Creek, which should be coming in to its own with fall colors.

Ben Avery to switch to winter hours Oct. 15

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility main range, archery ranges, and the Ben Avery Clay Target Center will change to winter hours of operation for the public beginning Oct. 15. The new hours will be:

“The winter hours are designed to give the recreational shooting community the most opportunity for best quality shooting times during the shorter days of the winter months,” says Ben Avery Range Manager Marty Hererra.

For more information on the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, visit www.azgfd.gov/basf or contact (623) 582-8313. For more information on the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, visit www.azgfd.gov/ctc or contact (623) 434-8119.

Arizona Wildlife Views TV show wins 2 Emmy awards

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s television show, Arizona Wildlife Views, was honored with two Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy awards for television excellence at an award ceremony on Oct. 6.

Producers Gary Schafer and Carol Lynde won the “Environmental Program” Emmy with a show that answered the age-old question: What do rattlesnakes do when no one is watching? Researchers and the production crew placed a small fiber optic camera inside several rattlesnake dens to give viewers an up-close and personal look at these mysterious creatures.

Arizona Wildlife Views also took the Emmy for “Public Affairs Segment” with a strong message story that alligators do not make good pets.  The producers followed the fate of 52 confiscated alligators from the freeways of Phoenix to the swamps of Florida.

Arizona Wildlife Views airs on local PBS stations as well as cable access stations.

The Rocky Mountain Southwest region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is comprised of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Winter rainbows are coming to Apache Lake

There is great news for anglers who enjoy adventures along the Apache Trail – rainbow trout will be regularly stocked this winter at Apache Lake, thanks to the drawdown at nearby Canyon Lake.

Starting on Sept. 29, Salt River Project began gradually lowering Canyon Lake 50 feet for scheduled maintenance work at Mormon Flat and Horse Mesa dams.

Typically, Canyon Lake is stocked each winter with trout. That is not feasible this winter due to the maintenance draw down.

“This is a real opportunity to give Apache Lake a fishing boost by shifting the winter trout stockings there from Canyon Lake,” said Jim Warnecke, a fisheries biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

As part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s extensive winter trout stocking program, Apache Lake is scheduled to be stocked with 4,000 rainbow trout starting the week of Nov. 19. Apache will be stocked each month through March. You can view the entire winter trout stocking schedule at www.azgfd.gov.

Apache Lake had been the Arizona’s premier smallmouth bass fishery prior to being impacted by golden algae the last several years.

“For some reason scientists don’t truly understand yet, golden algae is really tough on smallmouth bass. The smallmouth fishery at Apache was devastated by this invasive alga,” Warnecke said.

There are plans to start re-stocking Apache with smallmouth bass this winter, probably from smallies obtained in Texas.

“Although it will take some time for the smallmouth fishery to recover, stocking this picturesque lake with trout this winter will provide anglers another fun reason to experience an Apache Lake fishing adventure,” Warnecke said.

Recent fish surveys by Game and Fish Department biologists also show a robust population of yellow bass and a good population of largemouth bass at this classic fishery along the Salt River chain of lakes.

Warnecke pointed out that many of the lures and methods used to catch rainbow trout can also catch yellow bass as well. “Small spinners and spoons will work very well for trout and bass.”

Apache Lake is located 65 miles from downtown Phoenix along the famed Apache Trail between Canyon and Roosevelt lakes. This 17-mile long, 2,500-surface-acre reservoir is tucked between the Superstition Wilderness and the Three Bar Wildlife Area.

Women’s shotgun program begins Oct. 18

Have you ever wanted to learn the exciting shooting sports of trap, skeet or sporting clays but didn’t know where to start?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department begins its Ben Avery Desert Roses women’s shotgun program on Thursday, Oct. 18 with an introduction to sporting clays. The program is free to newcomers and includes loaner shotguns, a limited free supply of ammunition, and free instruction. Ear plugs and eye protection will be provided. Participants are advised to bring hats or visors. 

“This is a great opportunity for women to experience the fun of shotgun sports in a safe, non-intimidating environment,” says Marty Herrera, range manager for the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

The program is held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility at 4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd. in Phoenix (take I-17 to Carefree Highway and go 1/4 mile west). Check-in begins at 6 p.m. at the Activity Center, followed by an orientation from 7-8 p.m. Participants will then be shuttled a short distance to the Ben Avery Clay Target Center for target-shooting opportunities on the shooting range from 8-9:30 p.m.

Session size is limited to 30 people. Preregistration is required by calling (623) 582-8313.

The Ben Avery Desert Roses women’s shotgun program will continue the first and third Thursday of each month. Skeet shooting will be taught on Nov. 1 and trap shooting on Nov. 15, and then sporting clays, skeet and trap will be taught on a rotational basis thereafter.

Volunteers clean up Desert Wells Multi-Use Area

State of Arizona volunteer OHV Ambassadors and other community volunteers held a clean-up day at the Desert Wells Multi-Use Area near Florence Junction on Saturday, Sept. 29.

More than 60 volunteers helped move out trash (including old cars and large furniture), fixed cut and broken fences, installed new trail signage, and put in a new welcome kiosk at Access Point A along Highway 60.

Two large dumpsters of trash were removed from the area, and trail riders have already found the new signage to be helpful for staying on the original trail.

The Ambassador program was created by a partnership of several different state agencies, including the Game and Fish Department, to get more eyes and ears out on the roads and trails.

Ambassadors are volunteers who will help distribute educational information to the public while out in the field, report dangerous OHV usage to the proper authorities, and show safe and responsible OHV usage by their example.

For information about future clean-ups, OHV safety and training, go online to www.azgfd.gov/ohv and remember: Nature Rules! Stay on roads and trails.

Crayfish workshop offered for teachers

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a workshop and field trip on Saturday, Oct. 20 for educators who are interested in using crayfish for classroom study.

Crayfish are not native to Arizona, and these voracious omnivores eat native vegetation, frogs, and fish, altering the ecology of the streams they inhabit. Since 2001, it has been illegal to transport live crayfish in Arizona, making it difficult for teachers who want to study these organisms in their classrooms.

"The department issues wildlife holding permits to school districts with approved responsible use plans. This collaboration allows trained teachers to obtain and use live crayfish in the classroom," says Eric Proctor, environmental education coordinator for Game and Fish. "The crayfish workshop will educate teachers about the impacts crayfish have on our streams, and it will show the techniques biologists use to capture and identify crayfish."

Participants will receive professional development credit and a copy of the lesson plan about the crayfish problem in Arizona.

The field trip will depart from the Game and Fish Phoenix office at 2222 W. Greenway Road at 7:30 a.m. and return around 2 p.m. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. To register, teachers should e-mail their name, grade level and phone number to Sharon Voiland at svoiland@azgfd.gov.

2008 Arizona Wildlife Calendar on sale soon

With the 2008 Arizona Wildlife Calendar hanging on your wall, you’ll be ready for a wild year.

From battling bull elk to nectar-sipping hummingbirds, the calendar features winning photographs from our recent photo contest, “Wildlife Being Wild.” (Winners are also announced below and on the Game and Fish Department Web site at www.azgfd.gov/photocontest.) At just $3 per calendar, get one for yourself and stock up on gifts for friends and family, too!

Calendars may be purchased at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office starting in mid-October, or at the Wildlife Building during the Arizona State Fair (Oct. 12–Nov. 4; closed Mondays).

Photo contest winners announced

The Arizona Game and Fish Department would like to thank the 116 people who entered this year’s Calendar Photo Contest. You certainly gave us a run for our money!

With only 13 slots open, and more than 600 beautiful photographs to choose from (more than double last year’s entries), the task of selecting the best of the best called for care and dedication.

The 2008 Arizona Wildlife Calendar features winning photographs on this year’s theme: “Wildlife Being Wild.” Whether they are feeding their young, taking a nap or defending their territory, the wildlife depicted in this calendar offer a year’s worth of truly magnificent sights.

Congratulations to all our winners of the Arizona Game and Fish Department 2008 Calendar Photo Contest.

For information about next year’s contest, please check for updates at www.azgfd.gov/photocontest.

New Game and Fish headquarters to open Nov. 13

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has officially set a move date from its current Phoenix headquarters on Greenway Road to a new energy-efficient facility on the southwest corner of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility property.

The department will close its doors at the current Greenway Road facility on Friday evening, Nov. 9.  The move will occur over the weekend of Nov. 10-12, including the Veterans Day Holiday, with the new offices opening for business on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The new address will be 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. The facility will be located about 1.5 miles west of the I-17 and Carefree Highway interchange. The main phone number will remain (602) 942-3000.

All other direct phone numbers and extensions for employees and work units will change.

The new headquarters will include consolidated, modernized office space, expanded meeting facilities (including a 200-seat auditorium), a climate-controlled warehouse, laboratories, and a vehicle maintenance facility.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/
new-headquarters.shtml.