• Correction period for elk, antelope hunt applications ends Jan. 25
• Outdoor Expo is scheduled for March 29-30
• Snowpack and runoff provide an optimistic fishing outlook
• Meet the Arizona Game and Fish Commission this Saturday  
• Hunter assistance still needed in specific units for CWD monitoring
• Funds available to law enforcement agencies for watercraft safety
• Family and Super Conservation licenses offer big savings on outdoor fun
• There’s still time to quail hunt; Mearns’ still best choice
• Arizona Wildlife Views hits the airways this Sunday
• Leftover javelina hunting tags still available
• Make plans to attend the International Sportsmen’s Exposition

Correction period for elk, antelope hunt applications ends Jan. 25

Elk and antelope hunters: Don’t let an unintentional error on your hunt application cause it to be rejected.

If the Arizona Game and Fish Department receives your application by Jan. 25, the department will make three attempts within a 24-hour period to notify you by telephone of any errors, provided a phone number is listed on the application. This allows an application to be corrected, rather than being rejected from the draw process.
   
Sportsmen and women are reminded that the final deadline to submit paper applications for this year’s antelope and elk hunts is 7 p.m. (MST) on Feb. 12. Applications must be received by mail or hand delivered to department offices by the deadline; postmarks don’t count. There is no online application process.
   
The 2008 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet is available at all Game and Fish offices and online at www.azgfd.gov/draw. License dealers should have copies in the next 7-10 days.
   
Wildlife conservation and management of game animals by the Arizona Game and Fish Department is made possible by funding generated from the sale of hunting licenses, hunt permit-tags, and matching funds from federal excise taxes hunters pay on guns, ammunition and related equipment.

Outdoor Expo is scheduled for March 29-30

Mark your calendars: The Arizona Game and Fish Department's FREE Outdoor Expo will be held March 29-30 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

More than 17,000 people came last year to view live wildlife, take their kids to the family fishing tank, learn target archery, try out target shooting on the range, test-drive an ATV, and visit with more than 100 exhibitors.

The event offers hands-on activities, workshops and exhibits for everyone ranging from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts to newcomers interested in learning about outdoor recreation opportunities in Arizona. 

The Outdoor Expo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. Admission and parking are free. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located off Carefree Highway, 1/4 mile west of I-17. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Snowpack and runoff provide an optimistic fishing outlook

Put new line on your fishing reels – this is shaping up to be one of our better fishing seasons in the past 15 years, said Arizona Game and Fish Department officials.

Here’s why.

Storms in early December saturated the soil, especially in central Arizona. Those storms also resulted in much-needed snowpack in the high country and unexpected winter runoff into the desert reservoir systems.

That set the stage for the early January storms, which dumped more snow and rain into the watersheds. The runoff was terrific.  The Salt and Verde Rivers surged to spring-like levels and provided significant amounts of water into the reservoir systems.

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Salt River is now at 106 percent of average (61 percent of capacity) and the Verde River system is 116 percent of average.

According to the NRCS SNOTEL report, the Upper Salt River Basin is currently 140 percent of normal snowpack; the San Francisco Basin is 144 percent of normal snowpack; and the Upper Gila River Basin is 141 percent of normal snowpack.

As of January 15, Bartlett was 94 percent full, Horseshoe was 35 percent full, and Roosevelt was 61 percent full. It is likely that based on existing snowpack, Roosevelt will rise to around 78-80 percent of capacity during the runoff this spring.

The Agua Fria River also provided Lake Pleasant a nice nutrient shot-in-the-arm. Pleasant has been providing anglers lots of action on striped bass all winter long. The recent runoff should enhance the white bass at that fishery as well.

Alamo Lake also received some nice runoff, although it was not as dramatic as the Salt and Verde watersheds.

The timing is near perfect. Here’s why.

In 2005, the state experienced a record runoff year that resulted in a tremendous sport-fish spawn, especially at places like Roosevelt, Bartlett, Pleasant and Alamo. Those sport-fish that spawned in 2005 are now three years old.

Fisheries Chief Kirk Young said that a three-year-old bass should be between15-17 inches (2-3 pounds or more). “Those big bass are not only exciting to catch, they are prime reproducers as well. We are expecting a terrific spawn this year at our top-of-the-line reservoirs like Roosevelt and Bartlett.”

Alamo Lake also received some moderate inflows this month.

Getting excited?

Then there is the high country. Good snowpack means lots of runoff into the high country lakes. Some of the more ephemeral waters that don’t always hold water, such as Lower Lake Mary, should catch some water this year.

“With any luck, we might be able to stock Lower Lake Mary with trout this year. It’s something to watch for,” said Young.

Also, there is a good outlook for Lee Valley, Crescent and Carnero as well as the Williams area lakes.  Make your plans now to escape the heat and recharge at one of the north country lakes this spring and summer.

Be sure to check out the latest information on our weekly fishing report at www.azgfd.gov/fishing.

Meet the Arizona Game and Fish Commission this Saturday

Members of the public can meet and ask questions of Arizona Game and Fish commissioners at the annual Meet the Commission meeting on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2532 W. Peoria Ave., in Phoenix.

The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. with the chairman's welcome, director's presentation, and 2007 Year in Review video presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with the commissioners.
   
For a complete agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

Hunter assistance still needed in specific units for CWD monitoring

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for assistance from archery hunters in game management units 37A, 37B and 38M to assist the department’s monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The department is still trying to obtain the desired number of samples from these units for testing. Hunters who harvest a deer from these units are asked to contact the department’s Tucson office (520-628-5376) or Mesa office (480-981-9400 or Phoenix headquarters (602-942-3000) to arrange to bring the deer head to the office so a lymph node can be extracted. If you can’t bring the head by the office, please contact us anyway to see if we can make other arrangements.

CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to deer and elk. It has not yet been detected in Arizona, but it has been found in three neighboring states—Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. The department has tested more than 8,300 deer and elk in Arizona since beginning its monitoring program in 1998. Currently, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk for humans.

To learn more about CWD, visit www.azgfd.gov/cwd.

Funds available to law enforcement agencies for watercraft safety

Arizona law enforcement agencies that conduct watercraft enforcement activities can now apply for funds under the Operating Under the Influence (OUI) Enforcement and Boating Safety grants programs.

Arizona Game and Fish now administers two grant programs that will allow other agencies that have jurisdiction on Arizona’s waterways the opportunity to apply for funds to increase enforcement efforts and reduce accident rates during the busy boating season.

“The new OUI Enforcement Grant Program encourages safe and responsible boating and focuses on reducing alcohol-related boat accidents,” says Joe Sacco, law enforcement program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. ”However, discouraging and removing intoxicated boat operators on Arizona’s rivers and lakes can be challenging.”

The OUI Enforcement Grant Program is geared toward promoting OUI detection, prevention and education, allows for the purchase of enforcement equipment, and can be used toward officer salaries for OUI related projects. The total available funds for the OUI Grant Program this fiscal year (2008-09) is $250,000.

But OUI is not the only contributing factor to the state’s high boating accident rates. For example, operator inexperience is also a major contributor to accidents on Arizona’s waterways.

“Through outreach and education, the Boating Safety Grant Program will help agencies communicate to the public the many boating safety messages, such as wearing a life jacket,” Sacco added.

Projects through the Boating Safety Grant Program can include boating education school components, boating safety marketing, equipment and life jacket support, outreach materials and enhancing existing boating safety programs. The total available funds for the Boating Safety Grant program this fiscal year (2008-09) is $450,000.

Arizona Game and Fish encourages agencies to take advantage of the opportunity and apply. The application deadline for both programs is March 31, 2008. Application packets can be downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/boating. For additional information, call officer Kevin Bergersen at (623) 236-7383.

Family and Super Conservation licenses offer big savings on outdoor fun

Do you have hunting or fishing vacation plans for the family? Are you an avid outdoorsman who likes a variety of hunting and fishing activities? If so, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Family Licenses and Super Conservation Licenses offer a chance to save on your license purchases.

For example, the Family Combo Hunt and Fish License (Class K) for a resident family of four (including two children under age 18) costs $137.20, a savings of $24 over the price of the licenses if purchased separately. That’s less than 10 cents a day for each family member during the course of a year, and it allows small game hunting throughout the year (as seasons permit) and fishing in state waters except Urban Fishing Program waters. Family fishing licenses and family hunting licenses are available as well.

If you’re an active hunter and angler, might want to consider one of our Super Conservation Licenses. For example, the Super Combination Hunt and Fish License (Class N) costs $163 and includes a general fishing license, trout stamp, urban fishing license, general hunting license, Kaibab deer stamp, a state waterfowl stamp (the federal stamp must be purchased separately), and the state migratory bird stamp. It also includes over-the-counter archery deer, archery turkey, fall bear and mountain lion non-permit tags. This passport to hunting in Arizona will save you $50 over the separate cost of these licenses and stamps.

These unique licenses are available only to Arizona residents and can currently only be purchased at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices. For more details on hunting and fishing licenses visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml.

There’s still time to quail hunt; Mearns’ still best choice

Wing shooters, there are only a few more weeks left until the quail season ends on Feb. 11. If you haven’t been out yet in 2008, now is a great time to take to the field. The cooler weather makes for comfortable hunting conditions for both man and pup.

Mearns’ season continues to go on record as a banner year. These amazingly tight-holding birds are best hunted with a hunting dog, preferably a pointing breed. However, if you hunt areas with fresh diggings (grass and root areas where the quail use their feet to dig up food), a patient and methodical hunter without a dog can certainly bag a few of these trophy birds. Primarily located in southern Arizona, Mearns’ country is well worth the drive with its rolling scrub-oak covered grasslands against a backdrop of majestic mountain peaks.

Scaled quail are also found in the southeastern part of Arizona. Typically found in lower elevations than the Mearns’ quail, these birds are mostly in the open desert grasslands. Known as runners and tough to locate, they are well worth the pursuit due to their striking chest feathers that resemble scales in beautiful shades of blues, grays, and light browns with black feather tip accents.

While the reports for Gambel’s quail have been poor this season, small 2-3 bird coveys group up and create larger family coveys during the winter, offering a greater chance at finding sizeable populations. On cold days, look to find birds in the mid-elevations on southern facing slopes that catch the first morning light for warmth. Then focus your efforts on hunting areas that provide good ground cover, food and shelter. Standing water at this time of the year is not a priority for these educated birds of last year.

Regardless of what quail species you choose to hunt, don’t forget that rabbit season is still open. Cottontail rabbits offer a great addition for a mixed bag in your harvest and on your grill. Rabbits are plentiful this season and can be quite challenging on the run.

For more reading on quail identification, habits and hunting visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting.

Arizona Wildlife Views hits the airways this Sunday

The Emmy-award-winning Arizona Wildlife Views TV show will return to Phoenix television with 13 new episodes beginning on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008.  The program will be in the 4:30 p.m. slot on KAET Channel 8, which is the PBS station in Phoenix.

Arizona Wildlife Views is a show produced by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to help teach Arizonans about the outdoors around them as well as to inform about practices and techniques used to conserve outdoor Arizona for years to come.  The first episode will include segments about pronghorn antelope relocation, young California condors’ first flights, and bighorn sheep releases.

For more information about the Arizona Wildlife Views TV show or to learn more about upcoming segments, visit www.azgfd.gov/TV.

Leftover javelina hunting tags still available

Although quail season ends on Feb. 11, the month of February offers hunters a chance at another elusive desert game animal – the collared peccary, otherwise know as javelina.

A 2008 general hunting license and hunt permit-tag are required to pursue these interesting creatures. Hunt permit-tags are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For just $61 (resident), you can take to the field for one of the most exciting hunts in the southwest.

Javelina hunting is an excellent introduction to big game hunting. Javelinas, also nicknamed “desert ghosts,” have relatively poor eyesight, but a very keen sense of smell. Their real talent is the ability to disappear into the desert landscape - making them fun and challenging to pursue.

The best way to locate them is to sit across from a southern-facing slope in good habitat. Use binoculars (on a tripod if you can) to comb over the mountainside for “moving rocks.”

There are a number of legal methods for harvesting a javelina depending on the hunt permit-tag obtained, including rifle, handgun, archery and muzzleloader. Hunting dates start as early as Feb. 8 for the HAM (handgun, archery and muzzleloader) hunt, and Feb. 22 kicks off the general season.

First-come, first-serve tags are available by mail only. A 2008 hunting license is required in order to apply for a tag. Licenses can be purchased prior to applying from an Arizona Game and Fish Department office or license dealer, or you can apply for one by mail in conjunction with your tag application. Make sure all required information, as well as additional payment fees, are correct and enclosed.

Fill out a standard hunt permit-tag application and mail it to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, P.O. Box 52002, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2002. For a list of leftover available javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.

To learn more about javelina and to watch an online video, visit  www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_javelina.shtml.

Make plans to attend the International Sportsmen’s Exposition
Visit the Game and Fish Department booths March 7-9

Don't miss the 8th annual International Sportsmen's Expo on March 7-9 (Friday through Sunday) at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Visitors to ISE will enjoy the largest gathering all year of outdoor products and services. An estimated 400 exhibitors from around Arizona and the world will take part in the three-day expo. There are also multiple seminar stages, contests, and a large youth outdoor sports fair. More than 20,000 outdoor-sports enthusiasts are expected to attend the show.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will once again have a significant presence this year and will operate the kids fishing pond, as well as live wildlife, an archery area, and much, much more.

ISE show hours are Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $12. Children 12 years and under receive free admission. Parking is free. Get your tickets online now! All tickets are valid for one-day admission.

For more information, visit www.sportsexpos.com.