In this issue:

• Hunters: Put a little spring in your step
• Outdoor Hall of Fame inducts new members
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission to meet Sept. 5-6 in Pinetop
• Elk viewing workshop set for Flagstaff
• Introduce a youngster to dove hunting at juniors’ outings
• Where to go for hot angling action
• Boat safely on Labor Day weekend
• Come visit the Valley’s secretive residents
• Governor approves plan to combat invading species
• Your views sought on plans for new Cibola wildlife area
• Stay engaged in federal land use planning

Hunters: Put a little spring in your step
Spring hunting regulations are now posted online

Summer is ending, fall is about to begin, it’s time to put a little spring in your step – spring hunting that is.

Arizona’s spring 2009 hunt draw regulations are now available online at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw, which means you can now start applying for the spring turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear hunts.

Keep in mind that the online draw application service is NOT available; hunters must apply using paper applications that must be submitted via mail or hand delivered to the Game and Fish Department. The application forms are available at all Game and Fish offices and have been distributed to all license dealers. There is also a downloadable PDF application form available at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

You can fill out the downloadable application form using a computer and keyboard, but the application must be printed out, signed and submitted (along with the correct fees by check or money order) by mail, or by delivery to any department office. The downloadable form can also be printed and filled out using an ink pen.

The printed spring regulation booklets should be available at license dealers statewide by Sept. 15.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. MST – postmarks do not count.

You might want to practice your quick draw: apply early to take advantage of the grace period. Here’s how it works: if your application has a mistake and is received by Sept. 25, the department will attempt to call you three times in a 24-hour period and give you the opportunity to correct the mistake. After that date, mistakes can cause your application to be rejected.

A quick draw early can always beat a slow rejection later.

Remember, you must purchase a 2009 license (your 2008 license number won’t work) to enter the spring draw. Licenses available through the draw include General Hunting, Adult Combination Hunting and Fishing, and Youth Combination Hunting and Fishing. License information can be found on pages 4-5 of the spring regulations booklet. Keep in mind that there are some super license deals available and even family license packages as well.

Some changes for the 2009 spring season include:

Juniors-only spring turkey. Tags for the juniors-only spring turkey hunts are now nonpermit-tags and can be purchased over-the-counter at any department office or license dealer. If not filled during the spring hunts, these nonpermit-tags may be used during the fall if the Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorizes a juniors-only nonpermit-tag fall turkey season. By the way, don’t forget that juniors can also get fall over-the-counter turkey tags.

Archery javelina. Tags for the archery javelina hunt in Units 11M, 25M, 26M, 38M and 47M are now nonpermit-tags and can be purchased over the counter at any department office or license dealer. There are also plenty of first-come, first-served fall javelina tags remaining.

General spring bear. Tags for the general spring bear hunts in all open units (except 6B and Fort Huachuca) are now nonpermit-tags and can be purchased over-the-counter at any department office or license dealer. Tags for the archery spring bear hunts in Units 3B/3C and 33 (season dates March 20-April 30) are also nonpermit-tags and can be purchased over-the-counter at any department office or license dealer. A bear nonpermit-tag purchased in the spring and not filled is valid for any authorized fall bear nonpermit-tag season.

Hunters operating off-highway vehicles. Please be aware that new regulations affecting off-highway vehicle use will go into effect Jan. 1, 2009. See page 16 of the spring regulation booklet for more information.

The 2008-09 waterfowl and snipe regulations have also been posted to the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw (click on the link under the “downloads” column).

Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame inducts 4 new members

Four new members were inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame at the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation's annual banquet on Aug. 16.

The three individuals and one organization were honored for outstanding contributions and service that have benefited Arizona's wildlife and their habitats. This year's inductees are:

* Duane Shroufe, former director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who retired in March after a 40-year career in wildlife management.

Shroufe helped to make the Arizona Game and Fish Department the premier wildlife management agency in the country with influence on an international level.  He served on and chaired numerous boards and committees to promote wildlife and wildlife management.

Shroufe is noted for his leadership, team and partnership building, and commitment to conservation of natural resources.

* L.V. Yates, owner of the Yates Army/Navy Surplus in Phoenix, who has been passionately promoting outdoor Arizona for the last 60 years.

Yates has been active with 4-H clubs, the Governor’s Commission on the Arizona Environment, the Phoenix Mountain Preserve Council, and has won a lifetime achievement award from the Arizona Wildlife Federation. For more than 30 years, Yates hosted the “Know Your Resources” seminar series, teaching “city folk” about the wonders of Arizona’s natural resources.

* Gary Barcom, former president of Barcom’s Parts and Equipment Company, who has tirelessly served on numerous boards and committees for the betterment of youth and outdoor Arizona.

Most recently, Barcom has served as a liaison between the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and the Game and Fish Department. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Mogollon Sporting Association (a group that uniquely combines youth and wildlife as beneficiaries of their efforts). Barcom currently serves on the Heritage Public Advisory Committee providing oversight for the administration of the Arizona Heritage Fund.
 
* The Chandler Rod and Gun Club, an active organization for more than 60 years, which promotes preservation of our hunting and fishing heritage through volunteer efforts with family, youth and individual activities.

The club provides more than 25 educational opportunities throughout the year and is known across Arizona for affordable, exciting events that promote ethics, education, conservation and restoration.

During the last few years, Chandler Rod and Gun has served more than 3,000 families in helping them to better understand and enjoy the great outdoors.

The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was established in 1998 by the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have made significant and lasting contributions to benefit Arizona’s wildlife and the welfare of its natural resources.

The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona's fish and wildlife resources. The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate.

Arizona Game and Fish Commission to meet Sept. 5-6 in Pinetop

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is meeting on Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Game and Fish Pinetop regional office located at 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop.

The meeting begins with an executive session at 10 a.m. Friday morning, followed by the public meeting. Items on Friday’s agenda include:

* A briefing on the department’s 2009 fiscal year budget.
* Proposed rulemaking to establish a new Article 10, which has rules addressing off-highway vehicles in response to SB 1167 that was passed by the Arizona Legislature this past session.
* An intergovernmental agreement with the City of Coolidge regarding hunting within city limits, where deemed safe and practical.
* Nominations for the 2008 commission awards.
* An agreement with the Pima County Flood Control District for developing a biological monitoring plan in association with the Multi-Species Conservation Plan.
* A cooperative agreement with the Gila River Indian Community to allow a more coordinated working relationship for managing the community’s fish and wildlife resources.

On Saturday, the meeting begins at 8 a.m. and agenda items include an update on the department’s activities related to shooting ranges statewide, an update on current public lands issues in Arizona, and possibly purchasing property in a critical conservation area of the San Pedro River.

For a complete meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.
 

Elk viewing workshop scheduled for Flagstaff

Would you like to experience the sound of a bull elk bugling or see a cow elk keeping a watchful eye on her calf?

If so, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Mormon Lake Lodge invite you to attend an elk viewing workshop on Sept. 6. The workshop includes a presentation, a field trip to watch elk in their natural habitat, and a free barbecue sponsored by Mormon Lake Lodge.

Mormon Lake is unique as it is only one of two natural lakes found in Arizona (the other is Stoneman Lake). During the early fall, hundreds of elk can be observed at the site and along Lake Mary Road.

“This workshop will be fun for the whole family. We encourage people of all ages to come enjoy the state’s wildlife treasures,” says Arizona Game and Fish Department Public Information Officer Shelly Shepherd. “Plus, the barbecue following the field trip is a great way to end the day.” 

The workshop begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 with a presentation in the Kachina Room at Mormon Lake Lodge. Following the presentation, there is field trip to wherever the elk have been located that day. The free barbecue begins around 6 p.m. behind the lodge after participants return from the field trip.

Spotting scopes will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, snacks, and to wear appropriate clothing. 

To register for the workshop, contact the Flagstaff Game and Fish Office at (928) 774-5045 by Sept. 2.  For more information about the barbecue dinner or the lodge, call (928) 354-2227.

Introduce a youngster to dove hunting at juniors’ outings

Looking for a fun activity to unglue your son or daughter from the TV or computer?

Here are some opportunities to “step outside” with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners to teach your youngster some enjoyable outdoor skills during the early dove hunting season.

In the West Valley, the department and the Chandler Rod and Gun Club will host the annual Robbins Butte Juniors’ Dove Hunt at Robbins Butte Wildlife Area (about 40 miles west of Phoenix) on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7. The hunt is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger.

Young hunters and their mentors need to be at Robbins Butte by 4 a.m., which is when shooting stations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteer hunter education instructors will be on hand to assist. The Chandler Rod and Gun Club will provide a scrumptious pancake and sausage breakfast.

The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area is located southwest of Buckeye. Take I-10 to Highway 85, drive south on Highway 85 about eight miles, and follow the signs to the west for Robbins Butte. For more information, contact Phil Smith at (602) 290-2237.

In southwestern Arizona, the department and the Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee will hold the second annual Texas Hill Farms Junior Dove Hunt at Club Lead near Tacna (about 40 miles east of Yuma) on Saturday, Sept. 6. The hunt is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger accompanied by an Arizona-licensed adult. Registration begins at 4:30 a.m., hunting begins one-half hour before sunrise. Please pre-register by contacting Debbie at (928) 210-7304 or deltadeb@gmail.com.

In the East Valley, the department and the Chandler Rod and Gun Club are partnering to hold a Beginners’ Dove Hunt (youths and new adult hunters) near Queen Creek on Saturday, Sept. 13. Hunters should arrive by 5 a.m. Pre-registration is required; contact Dave Carson at (480) 987- 4825.

Participants for this hunt can attend a beginners’ dove hunting seminar and orientation at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Game and Fish Mesa regional office at 7200 E. University Drive.

Remember, for any of these hunts, youths ages 14-17 must have a valid hunting license, and those age 16 and older must also purchase an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp.

It’s time to get on top of the hot angling action

This is the time of year to get on top of the hot angling action in the warmwater lakes as predatory sport-fish chase bait fish at the surface.

“Right now anglers can find lots of surface action, especially what we call boiling fish, as large schools of striped bass ambush huge schools of threadfin shad, often with dramatic results,” said Rory Aikens, an ardent angler who edits the Weekly Fishing Report for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Topwater surface action is terrific right now on striped bass at lakes Pleasant, Mead, Mohave, Havasu and Powell. The surface action for largemouth bass is starting to pick up. By mid September, expect all the topwater action to reach a fun-filled crescendo.

Aikens suggests using finesse-type topwater lures called stick baits, such as Heddon’s Zara Spook, that can be worked in a walk-the-dog fashion to resemble struggling shad on the water’s surface. “Once you master the simple walk-the-dog technique, an exciting new angling experience will entice you back for more time and again.”

An easy-to-use lure to learn on is a popper. “The simple-to-use surface poppers are a hoot to work – the whole idea is to make them splash and jiggle like a wounded baitfish. Kids love them – poppers are a ball,” Aikens said.

Also, try soft plastic jerkbaits to run just below the water’s surface, and flutter-down baits such as curly tails or Senkos that resemble dying shad falling in the water column. Small spoons, such as KastMasters or Hopkins, can also work well at times. Keeping a shad-like crankbait handy also makes sense for working through boiling fish in a feeding frenzy. Aikens suggests a tight wiggling, fast-moving crankbait, especially lipless ones.

“I like to set up five or six poles with different rigs – the bass can get used to one type of presentation and quit biting as aggressively, so it helps to give them something new to play with,” Aikens said. “Also, sometimes one rig will get fouled up from repeated hits by bass, so you’ll always want to have another rig ready so you don’t miss the action.”

Aikens said anglers can find out where to fish and a little on how to fish, along with the fishing hot spots, on the department’s new Fishing Blog at www.azgfd.gov. There is even a new online interactive fishing map.

By the way, be sure you “DON’T MOVE A MUSSEL” or any other aquatic hitchhiker. “Every time you visit a lake, river or stream, carefully drain, clean and dry your boat and other fishing equipment. Please don’t give an unintentional ride to an unwanted invader,” Aikens pleaded.

http://www.azgfd.net/fish/

Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober
Don’t become a bad holiday statistic

Don’t become a bad statistic this Labor Day weekend – boat safe, boat smart and boat sober.

Here are some weekend survival tips from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

* Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes.
* Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
* Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
* Keep in mind that alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
* Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
* Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
* Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
* Look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.
* Visit www.azgfd.gov/boating to view other boating regulations, too.

Also, before you leave the lake to go home, make sure there are not unwanted hitchhikers – you don’t want to move a mussel, golden algae or other invasive species. Please drain the water from the boat, livewell and lower unit, clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material, and dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends taking a boating safety class. Statistics show knowledgeable boaters are safe boaters.  Classes can be taken online at www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed or by calling (623) 236-7235 for a class near you.

Come visit the Valley’s secretive flying residents

Did you know that bats are the slowest-reproducing mammals on earth for their size?

Or that every night bats provide free insect-control services to the Valley of the Sun?

Come learn about and even experience these amazing but misunderstood flying mammals during the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s free bat workshop Friday evening, Sept. 12 in Phoenix in the Biltmore area – you’ll even get to use special night vision and ultrasound listening equipment.

The workshop will provide you the opportunity to watch an amazing sight as thousands of Mexican free-tail bats exit their roost in the evening at Phoenix’s largest bat colony, near the renowned Biltmore area. The program begins at 6:15 p.m. with a talk by bat biologists and an opportunity to see live bats up close. Participants will then watch the mass exodus of bats using special night vision equipment while hearing the bat’s inaudible echolocation sounds thanks to special ultrasonic sound equipment. 

“Bats are plagued by a lot of inaccurate myths,” says Angela McIntire, Arizona Game and Fish Department bat management coordinator. “But, they do so many good things like helping protect agricultural crops and our backyards from being overrun by pesky insects.”

Arizona is home to 28 bat species, including two nectar-feeding bat species that pollinate plants like the saguaro and agaves.

Mexican free-tailed bats are found throughout Arizona in the summer and most migrate south in the winter. This widespread bat has a wingspan of 11 to 13 inches. It roosts in caves and tunnels, but can also be found in crevices of bridges and buildings.

Bats are most frequently observed between April and October, but many species are active year-round in the state. They are the only mammal that can truly fly and, contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some of the Valley’s more secretive residents who prefer the night life. The event is free to the public. Educators are also encouraged to attend and receive continuing education credit.

Those attending the workshop should park in the retail parking lot on the southwest corner of 40th Street and Camelback Road, walk north along 40th Street, and then proceed west on the north side of the canal until they reach the Maricopa County Flood Control District tunnel. The tunnel is approximately one-half mile from 40th Street. It will be marked with signs. The public is encouraged to arrive with ample time: The bats leave at sunset and won’t wait!

For more information about bats in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov.

Governor approves plan to combat invasive species
   
Most people know that hitchhiking is dangerous. What they may not know is that many of Arizona’s hitchhikers are nonnative invasive plants and animals that have been unintentionally brought by people over time through their travels or trades.

Certainly not all nonnative species fit this description of “invader,” but those that do can pose risks and expenses to Arizona.

To better deal with these unwanted invaders, Gov. Janet Napolitano has approved a new statewide invasive species management plan that addresses ways to prevent or manage the proliferation of invasive pests.

The plan was developed by the Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council (AISAC), a multi-partner organization created by an executive order issued by the Governor in 2007.

The council is comprised of a variety of stakeholder and agency representatives, and is supported and led by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Both agencies have a vested interest in the effect of pest invasions on Arizona’s resources and economy. For example, the Department of Agriculture has had to deal with the agricultural damage that can result from pest invasions.

“We have spent thousands of dollars in production costs and pesticide applications trying to eradicate plant pests on our crops,” said Donald Butler, the Invasive Species Council co-chair and director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. “But the importation and distribution of plants is a fact of life in our global economy. AISAC will take a proactive approach by communicating best practices on invasive species prevention.”

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials have also seen first-hand how invasive species can negatively impact aquatic and terrestrial habitats, interrupt ecosystem processes, and cause disease in animals and humans

One example is the discovery less than two years ago of the quagga mussel, a nonnative invasive species in Arizona. A small, freshwater mollusk, quagga mussels can attach themselves to any hard surface in a lake. These invasive mussels can take up residence on a boat and clog engine cooling systems, or they can clog water pipes that carry water for drinking, irrigation or the production of electricity. They may also cause damage to aquatic environments, affecting fish populations and habitat.

Less than two years ago, this aquatic nuisance was first discovered in Lake Mead and has rapidly spread. The Game and Fish Department has been actively asking that boaters “Don’t Move A Mussel.”

“It has now been found in lakes Havasu, Mohave and Pleasant,” said Larry Voyles the Invasive Species Council co-chair and director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This species was known to be a nuisance at the Great Lakes in Michigan, but has now been introduced to the western states by people who really didn’t know better, and likely purely by accident.”

“Arizona will take the steps outlined in the management plan developed by the Invasive Species Council to address invasive species education, control and restoration needs,” said Governor Napolitano. “We have our work cut out for us, but based on their management plan, I know we can be effective and productive.”

The Invasive Species Council will continue to meet quarterly, and council work groups will be helping Arizona implement the management plan’s objectives and recommending strategies to help track progress.

For more information about invasive species, or to obtain a copy of Arizona’s management plan, visit www.governor.state.az.us/AIS/.
   
   
Come discuss strategies for a new wildlife area in the Cibola Valley
Project to restore 1300-acre site back to native riparian habitat
   
This is your chance to get in on the ground floor for developing management strategies for a new wildlife area in the Cibola Valley along the Colorado River between Blythe and Yuma.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Reclamation are hosting a public open house from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge to discuss the draft cooperative management plan for restoring native riparian habitat in the newly acquired wildlife area in the Cibola Valley.

The Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is about 90 miles north of Yuma and 25 miles south of Blythe, Calif.

The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. with a brief PowerPoint of the plan, project history and management objectives. Following the presentation, representatives from both agencies will be on site to answer questions to close out the meeting.

 “This wildlife area will play a significant role in the even-larger Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program,” says Troy Smith, habitat specialist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The first week in September is a great time to share this with the public, as we typically have a lot of visitors in our region at that time.”

The Bureau of Reclamation is the implementing agency for the multi-stakeholder Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP), a 50-year effort to conserve threatened, endangered, and sensitive wildlife and habitats native to the lower Colorado River.
 
Smith adds, “Key proposed enhancements for the wildlife area are to replace existing agricultural fields with native riparian cottonwood, willow, and mesquite land cover types which would be managed as habitat for LCR MSCP-covered species and other wildlife.”

Native riparian habitats along the lower Colorado River will provide critical feeding, cover, and nesting resources for many avian species, including federally- and state-listed and sensitive species, neotropical migrants, raptors and game birds, as well as important habitat components for mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

To learn more about the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, visit www.lcrmscp.gov. A PDF map of the wildlife area can be downloaded from the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov.

Directions:
From Blythe, go approximately three miles west on I-10 to Neighbours Boulevard, exit 78. Go south on Neighbours for 12 miles to the Cibola Bridge. After crossing the bridge, continue south for 3.5 miles to the refuge headquarters. For more information call the refuge at (928) 857-3253 or visit www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/CibolaNWR.

From Yuma, go approximately 10 miles west on I-8 to Ogilby Road, exit 159. Go north on Ogilby for approximately 30 miles to route 78 and go north (right) for approximately 31 miles to 35th Ave., go east (right) follow to Neighbours Boulevard, go south to Cibola Bridge. After crossing the bridge, head south for 3.5 miles to the refuge headquarters. For more information call the refuge at (928) 857-3253 or visit www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/CibolaNWR. If you have questions, please contact Troy Smith trsmith@azgfd.gov.

Stay engaged in federal land use planning
Apache-Sitgreaves NF seeks input on forest plan; Prescott NF proposes fee increases

You have an opportunity to help develop strategic direction for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The USDA Forest Service is hosting a series of open houses from Sept. 3-11 to gather input for the revised Apache-Sitgreaves forest plan. The Forest Service is seeking input regarding the social, economic and ecological attributes toward which management of the land and resources should be directed.

For more information, including the schedule of open houses and where to submit comment, visit the Apache-Sitgreaves Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/plan-revision/documents.shtml and click on the “document/flyer’” link under the August 2008 update.

The Prescott National Forest is proposing to increase fees at campgrounds and day use sites across the forest. The increases would affect 16 day-use sites and 15 campground/groups sites, beginning in 2009. For more information and the fee proposal, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/projects/rec-fee-proposal/index.shtml.

Links to information on these and other federal land management activities can be found on the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/federal_land_management.shtml.