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Make the introduction: Take someone small game hunting By
Doug Burt, public information officer, Do you remember when you first went hunting? I think most of us do. Do you remember who took you? Absolutely, it is a life-long lasting impression. Introducing someone new to hunting and the outdoors is a rewarding and worthwhile effort. Additionally, many recent studies show that natural outdoor activities improve health, fitness, attention span and focus, and teach a respect for natural resources and our environment. Wildlife habitat, publicly accessible open spaces, and interest in hunting continue to decline due to increased urbanization and a growing technology-dependent population. But there’s hope. At nearly 12.5 million strong nationally, hunters have the ability to control their future. If every sportsman were to introduce just one new person a year, hunters' voices will be heard into the future. Sometimes, making that introduction is as simple as asking children, family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers if they would like to tag along. Starting with the basics, just like we all did, is a great place to begin:
After covering some of the basics, the next step is to get out hunting. Small game hunting offers a superb entry-level opportunity. Equipment needs are simple, and equipment is easy to borrow or obtain. Seasons are long, bag limits are generous, and small game species make excellent table fare. Many seasoned sportsmen have cut their teeth on hunting squirrel, rabbit, dove, quail, pheasant and even ducks. There is nothing better than to see the smile on a young or new hunter's face when they hit their first game bird on the wing or carry a cleanly harvested squirrel or rabbit. It is a life-long lasting impression for them and you! For more information on programs that help introduce people to hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation, visit these Web sites:
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By Brian Wakeling, big game program supervisor, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Deer People with antlerless tags often have bigger challenges during hunts than
do bull hunters. It always seems that just before the season, you
cannot walk through the woods without stumbling over cow elk and
their young, but shortly after the season begins, they disappear
like water vapor. I've told many a hunter that it is only sporting
for the Department to inform the elk of season dates, and they seem
to take notice. In my experience, it can be productive during antlerless
hunts to work small openings in the forest during midday, especially
in later seasons, as elk seem to adjust to hunters' typical patterns
of being out early or late in the day and sleeping at midday.
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| Hunters can help monitor for chronic wasting disease By Tom Cadden, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again asking for hunter assistance this season in monitoring for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a wildlife neurological disease that is fatal to deer and elk. The disease 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 sample. You will be notified of the test results by postcard within six to eight weeks. There is no charge for the testing and notification. Currently, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk for humans. 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. 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:
Learn more about chronic wasting disease at these Web sites: |
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Been hunting? Nolan's first buck By Don Martin, outdoors writer, Kingman
In December 2006, I had the opportunity to assist a young man from Paso Robles, California on his first-ever mule deer hunt. Nolan Martinez is 15 years old and had waited for many years to go hunting in Arizona. Like many young men who are in high school, besides sports and girls, Martinez likes to hunt. His favorite hunting partner is his father, Jim. I had met Jim a number of years ago, and he explained that while he wanted his son to experience hunting out of state, he was active in sports and his availability to go hunting was limited. Jim looked over the Arizona hunt regulations and noticed that there were several deer hunts that were offered to juniors during the time that kids were out for Christmas break. So Nolan applied for one of the juniors-only deer tags that were offered in several units in Mohave County. Due to the rule that restricts nonresidents to no more than 10 percent of the tags, Martinez was unsuccessful in his quest for one of these tags for four years. In 2006 the Arizona Game and Fish Commission went to standardized seasons for juniors, and most of the juniors-only deer hunts were moved into earlier time frames. However, there was still one hunt that kids could participate in that wouldn’t require them to miss any school or sports activities. That hunt was the juniors-only muzzleloader hunt in Unit 16A (Hualapai Mountains). Nolan applied for just that hunt in 2006, and this time Lady Luck smiled. Nolan drew tag number one. I got a call from Jim in July saying that Nolan had drawn the tag, and I quickly volunteered to help out on the hunt. Also volunteering to help out on the hunt would be my good friend and hunting partner, Jay Chan. I told Jim that the best time to hunt would probably be during the time frame of Dec. 26-31. I felt that the bucks would be in rut and that most of the other kids who had drawn tags for the hunt would probably be done. Jim agreed to the hunt dates, and in the pre-dawn darkness on Dec. 26, Jay and I met the Martinez’s in Yucca for the start of the hunt. That morning we got lucky when I spotted a wide, but young 3 x 3 buck that was trailing a doe and a yearling near a desert waterhole. We were able to get to within 86 yards of the buck. Nolan had a solid shooting rest, but I told him to pass, as I wanted him to see more of the unit and hopefully more bucks. The southern end of the unit doesn’t hold a lot of deer, but with some judicious glassing they can be found. As it turned out, it was just before dark before I located a large herd that was feeding at the top of a mountain. Turned out to be about 15 deer in the group, and with them were three bucks. Two of the bucks were young, but one showed the signs of having been around for many years. His head was blocky and snow white, and his 27-inch-wide rack showed evidence of why he might have been the big buck of the mountain. Part of his main beam on the left side was broken off from fighting. As it was, he was now a 4 x 2, but plenty good for Nolan to try for. As Jim and Nolan headed up the mountain, Jay and I watched and I filmed the stalk. Though the big buck never saw the hunters, he pushed his harem of six does over the top of the mountain before Nolan could get into range. The next day we were back in the same general area when Jim spotted a doe on the skyline. On the hillside below her were a yearling and a huge 3 x 3 buck! I estimated that this buck had a rack that was 29 inches wide. His points were all tall and the rack was mahogany colored and well defined. Jim and Nolan set out to follow the buck as he slowly walked over the hill with his nose to the ground, following the obviously hot doe. Then the weather turned nasty and it started to rain, sleet and snow on the hunters. The pair never saw that buck again. Later in the day I found a buck we named the “Regression Buck.” This old timer had all of the classic signs of an old deer. He had a sway back and a big belly. His neck was swollen and his body size was absolutely huge! He sported a set of chocolate-colored antlers that had just two points on each side. Though the rack wasn’t wide, the antlers were tall and heavy. Once more, Jim and Nolan headed out. They got close, but a yearling doe that wasn’t seen by the hunters gave away their position, and the buck ran off unscathed. On day three we moved around to the east side of the Hualapais. As dawn broke, the wind was blowing hard out of the north at 20-30 miles per hour. We got lucky when I spotted a single buck walking up a long ridge. This mature 4 x 4 sported a rack that was about 26 inches wide. He had heavy, deep front forks, and curiously, he was by himself. Jim and Nolan were able to locate this buck later on in the morning, and while the young hunter got a shot, unfortunately the buck was not taken. On day four it dawned cold and clear, and the wind wasn’t blowing. A perfect day for deer hunting. A trip up a canyon produced a sighting by Jim of a wide 3 x 2 buck that again was off by himself. Jim and Nolan once more gave pursuit, but the buck gave them the slip. Later that morning they spotted a herd of deer, and with them was another wide 3 x 2 buck. They watched until the buck bedded down and slowly started to move towards him. Then a helicopter that was doing aerial deer surveys came by and spooked the herd. Talk about bad luck. Later that day, with sunset approaching, Jim spotted a large herd of deer. With them was a large, mature 4 x 4. The hunters tried to slip up on the herd, but the animals spotted the movement and ran over the ridge. A short time later the hunters got a break when they spotted several more deer, including another 4 x 4 close by in a thicket of trees. The range was just 70 yards when Nolan settled the sights of the White muzzleloader on the 3½-year-old buck. At the shot, the buck dropped in his tracks and the young man’s quest for a mule deer was over. This buck was indeed a fine representative of the species and one that we were all proud that Nolan had taken. The great outdoors in Mohave County once again produced a life-long memory for a fine young man who had worked hard to bag his first mulie buck. |
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High country gem: Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area By Tom Cadden, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department
The Arizona Game and Fish Department acquired the 1,362-acre property in 1993 when it purchased the White Mountain Hereford Ranch. The area was renamed the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area two years later. The area boasts a combination of grassland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and riparian habitat, making it home to a diversity of wildlife species. Elk are found here throughout the year, with fall and winter the best times to see them. Waterfowl are readily seen during fall and spring migration periods. The area is used by a variety of raptors, including ospreys, hawks and golden eagles, and nesting birds such as rufous and broad-tailed hummingbirds, Lewis’ and acorn woodpeckers, and mountain bluebirds. Other wildlife to look for are gray fox, striped skunks, badgers, coyotes, mule deer, Merriam's turkey, pronghorn antelope, and a variety of ground squirrels, chipmunks and bats. “Since acquiring the property, the department has steadily enhanced its habitat values and attractions for visitors,” says Bruce Sitko, information and education program manager for the Game and Fish Pinetop region. A small visitor center, a series of hiking trails complete with interpretive signage and wildlife viewing sites, and a day-use picnic area offer the public the opportunity to learn more about Arizona’s unique wildlife and their habitat needs. The public is welcome to hike, bicycle or horseback ride on the property. The four hiking trails range from easy to moderate in difficulty and take visitors to wetlands, meadows, old homesteads and scenic vistas. The longest is a 2.5-mile loop. Several wildlife viewing points are located on the trails, including one on the High Point Trail Overlook, which has a 20x spotting scope for locating wildlife in the surrounding forest and meadows. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, from mid-May until the beginning of October. Even when the visitor center is closed (as it is now), visitors can explore the grounds. Hunting is allowed on the property in season. To get to the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, take U.S. Highway 180/191 south from Eagar towards Alpine. At the signs on top of a mesa two miles from Eagar, turn off on an improved dirt road and drive five miles to the property. Park your car at one of two designated areas. For
more information, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_sipe.shtml |
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Have some small game fun this year By Rory Aikens, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department If you're getting ready to head afield, be sure to take advantage of the small game hunting opportunities that Arizona has to offer. The outlook for tree squirrels and rabbits is promising, the late dove season (opens Nov. 23) ought to be a ball, and you can add Eurasian collared doves (year-round season) to the bag. Although the overall quail outlook is "less than optimal," southeastern Arizona is looking good for Mearns', Gambel's and scaled quail. You might be able to triple-up this year. Also consider mixed bag hunts, or cast-n-blast expeditions to maximize your recreational time and dollars. For instance, if you are going after tree squirrels, take along the fishing pole for some high country trout. Or, look for pockets of quail hunting in the foothills when you fish central Arizona lakes such as Roosevelt. Once seasons are underway, try hunting desert stock tanks for quail, rabbit, dove (opens Nov. 23) and waterfowl (mountain zones opened Oct. 5 and desert zones opened Oct. 19). Read the full small game forecast report on our Web site: www.azgfd.gov/h_f/small_game.shtml Be sure to check the appropriate hunt regulations for season dates, open areas, methods of lawful take, bag and possession limits and other useful information prior to going afield. |
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Junior
hunters: Alex Martinez's first game animal
Alex was the only successful hunter in the group. He was very excited about his harvest and enjoyed helping cook and eat the rabbit. Alex developed his interest in hunting from me bringing him along on deer hunts. While out in the field, we would spend extra time watching does or coyotes to help pique his interest. He is excited about the opportunity to join us during the antlerless elk season.
I'm a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and have conducted wildlife presentations for Alex's classes throughout his school years. He has a strong academic interest in conservation biology and says he wants to be a marine biologist or herpetologist. He will certainly be part of Arizona's hunting future. |
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Snipe
hunting: It’s not just a practical joke Have you ever wondered how many beginning campers have been duped into participating in a “snipe hunt?” The ritual goes like this: The unsuspecting newbie is told about a unique bird called a snipe and is given some ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods with a bag while making strange noises or banging sticks. The practical joke leaves the recipient red-faced and his pals with a good laugh. Many Arizonans, including some hunters, might be surprised to know that snipe not only exist, but offer some enjoyable, sporty hunting opportunities.
“Snipe are one of the most overlooked game birds in the state,” says Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Mesa region. “They flush similar to quail, and their zig-zag flight patterns make for a challenging target. Snipe prefer marshy habitats along rivers and lakes and will also use flooded agricultural areas. Birds can often be spotted by the hunter prior to entering an area by glassing the water’s edge with binoculars. Babb advises hunters to check snipe habitat often, as the birds tend to suddenly appear and disappear in the feeding areas. “Snipe offer a great ‘extra’ for duck hunters,” says Babb. “After a morning duck hunt, hunters should walk the nearby marshy areas or other flooded vegetation. If you prefer to jump-shoot ducks, snipe are common visitors to stock tanks.” The season dates for common snipe this year are Oct. 5 through Jan. 13 in the mountain zone, and Oct. 19 through Jan. 27 in the desert zone. You must have a valid Arizona hunting license and an Arizona migratory bird stamp. For more information on open areas, bag limits and other regulations, check the Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations on the Department’s Web site, or pick up a copy at department offices. Snipe are classified as an upland game bird, and steel shot is not required for hunting them. back to top
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opportunities for hunters By Les Bell, volunteer coordinator, Arizona Game and Fish Department The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s volunteer program provides opportunities for volunteers to participate firsthand in managing Arizona’s wildlife resources. Our goal is to provide you with a congenial and cooperative atmosphere where you can build relationships with staff and other volunteers, as well as gain knowledge about Arizona wildlife and wildlife management. We recognize that your time is important and strive to provide rewarding and educational volunteer experiences. We’ve listed some opportunities in which you may have an interest. To learn about other opportunities or to submit information about a project that would benefit from our volunteers, check our volunteer page at www.azgfd.gov/volunteer. Volunteer shotgun instructors and range safety officers for women's shotgun shooting program Range safety officers needed at Ben Avery Shooting Facility back
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Getting
ready to head out for your fall deer or elk hunt? Here are our regional
forecasts for these species.
Although fall survey data is preliminary, many areas are reporting
good calf numbers and favorable bull-to-cow ratios. Elk habitat that
suffered from fires two to five years ago is producing good herbaceous
vegetation as a result of summer rains. In addition to recruitment,
favorable forage conditions are also good for antler development.
There have already been many reports of 400+ bulls harvested during
the 2007 archery hunts, and several impressive photographs are circulating
through e-mail. 
One of my passions is helping youngsters
as they experience the many facets of recreation in the great outdoors.
Nestled
in the shadow of Escudilla Mountain a few miles south of the eastern
Arizona town of Eagar, the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is
a special high-country destination that can be enjoyed by hunters,
anglers, wildlife watchers and others who love the outdoors.
My son Alex harvested his first game animal in February
2007 at the age of 12. He used a Henry lever-action .22-caliber rifle
to take a cottontail rabbit in the hills of the Verde Valley in central
Arizona, while accompanying me and his grandfather on a javelina
hunt. 
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Vol.
3 No. 6 October 2007
Successful
archery deer hunters All archery deer hunters are reminded that they must contact an Arizona Game and Fish Department office in person or by telephone at 1-866-903-3337 within 10 days of taking a deer unless the deer has been checked through a mandatory hunter checking station.
Please report your harvest to help us collect this important data. Hunters who fail to comply with this rule will be cited by the department. Fall waterfowl, quail seasons are underway Waterfowl - Opened Friday, Oct. 5 in the mountain zone and Friday, Oct. 19 in the desert zone. Please refer to the 2007-2008 Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations for season dates and other information. As a reminder, a federal and state duck stamp are required as well as nontoxic shot to legally harvest waterfowl. Quail and tree squirrels - Season for Gambel's and scaled quail and general tree squirrel opened Friday, Oct. 12. Mearns' quail season does not open until Nov. 23. Other huntable small game include rabbits, offering a great opportunity for a mixed bag. Other
opportunities: Camps
teach small game hunting basics to youths and novices Several camps have already been held. The next one will be a Dove/Quail/Rabbit Camp on Nov. 30-Dec. 2, at Robbins Butte Wildlife Management Area (west of the Phoenix Metro Area). The camp is sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Chandler Rod and Gun Club and is for youths age 10 and older, and adults. Youths must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $40. Registration is required. For more information or to download a registration form, visit:
NRA Foundation grants benefit young shooters Grant funds awarded earlier this year by the Arizona Friends of NRA (National Rifle Association) and the NRA Foundation are being put to good use to benefit and promote youth shooting opportunities in our state. The three grants are being used to purchase shotguns, target throwers and seven DryFire target simulators (a unique electronic indoor training system) for the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) statewide. For more information about the Arizona Game and Fish Department SCTP, visit our Web site at: For more information about NRA Foundation grants, visit Online hunter education course is popular Preliminary data shows Arizona's new online hunter education course is already popular and growing in attendees.
For more details visit: Traditional classroom courses are still offered and scheduled throughout the year in many locations around the state. This list is updated weekly, and new classes are being offered all the time. If you are planning on hunting in another state, please check with that state well in advance of your hunt to see if proof of hunter education is required. Remember our safety phrase: T.A.B. T = Treat every gun as if it were loaded. A = Always point your muzzle in a safe direction. B = Be sure of your target and what is beyond. Happy hunting and be safe! Ben Avery switches to winter hours The Ben Avery Shooting Facility Main Range, archery ranges, and the Ben Avery Clay Target Center changed to winter hours of operation for the public on Oct. 15. The new hours are:
"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: or contact (623) 582-8313. For more information on the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, visit: or contact (623) 434-8119. Hunters asked to meet wildlife conservation challenge Game
and Fish encourages participation in voluntary non-lead ammunition
program Lead poisoning has been identified as the leading cause of death in endangered condors and the main obstacle to a self-sustaining population in Arizona. Studies show that lead shot and bullet fragments found in game carcasses and gut piles are the main source of lead in condors. Since condors are group feeders, several birds can be affected by feeding off of one carcass or gut pile containing lead fragments. The Arizona Game and Fish Department, and its partners, the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, and the Arizona Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, ask hunters to continue sportsmen’s proud tradition of wildlife conservation by using non-lead ammunition in condor range.
Copper bullets offer hunters superior knock-down power, are less toxic, and do not fragment like lead ammunition. More than 90 percent of hunters agree that non-lead bullets perform as well as, or better than, lead bullets on game. The majority of hunters on the Kaibab Plateau and Arizona Strip have used non-lead ammunition to help condors since 2005, although expanded adoption of the successful effort is needed to further reduce lead exposure and mortality in the birds. The condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. The birds can weigh up to 26 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 9.5 feet. Condors were first reintroduced in Arizona in 1996, and they now number 57 in the state. Visitors at the Grand Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs may be able to observe the birds, especially during the spring and summer. For more information on non-lead ammunition and a list of the available calibers, visit our condor page at:
Read about bighorns in the next issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine Arizona’s bighorn sheep herd had dropped to just 1,000 sheep in 1950, when a group of concerned hunters and biologists stepped forward to speak on behalf of this magnificent animal. Now, after dozens of translocation projects, the herd is holding steady at just over 6,000 animals. Read the history of bighorn sheep translocations in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. Subscribe now, and you’ll also learn delicious ways to cook those “odd” cuts of meat, from the neck to the heart … and so much more. The official magazine of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is published six times a year. Subscribe for just $8.50 a year by calling: (800) 777-0015 Each
40-page issue of this award-winning magazine offers stories
about Arizona wildlife and outdoor recreation, illustrated with
gorgeous full-color photography. Call today! State Route 273 road construction could affect some hunts in Unit 1 The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Springerville District, advises hunters, anglers and other forest users to be aware of ongoing travel restrictions on Forest Road 113, also referred to as State Route 273. The stretch of road from Crescent Lake westward to the forest boundary located east of Sunrise Park on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation is currently under reconstruction. Due to construction activities, much of this stretch will be closed for the next several months. The Springerville Ranger District, in cooperation with the department, is working with the contractors to ensure safe access is provided through portions of this route to forest users. During the next few months, the portion of the road between Crescent Lake and Gabaldon Campground will be open from 6 p.m. on Thursdays until 6 a.m. on Mondays for all user access. The road section between Gabaldon Campground and Winn Campground will be opened during the same time period, Thursdays through Mondays, when weather conditions permit safe travel without concern for adverse driving conditions due to a wet road surface. Currently, wet and muddy road conditions along this section prevent safe vehicle travel by the public. In addition, the Springerville District will be providing foot and horse access into the Mt. Baldy Wilderness Area via foot-traffic-only crossings located at the intersection of Forest Service Road 112 and State Route 273 and Forest Road 87 and State Route 273. The east portion of the Mt. Baldy Wilderness Area may also be accessed from the Burro Mountain area off Forest Road 116.
Hunt of a Lifetime needs volunteers: guides, outfitters, sportsmen
Hunt of a Lifetime (HOAL), an organization that fulfills terminally ill children's dreams of going on a big game hunt, seeks assistance from guides, outfitters and sportsmen for upcoming hunts.
HOAL AZ is currently seeking caring sportsmen to donate their time, gear, food, and general hunting services to "make a difference in these youngsters' lives by making their dreams come true". Help is needed scouting hunt areas, guiding, packing, and general outdoor assistance is needed for an upcoming elk and deer hunt in Arizona.
Hunt of a Lifetime (HOAL) is a national nonprofit organization that provides hunting and fishing opportunities for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses. Since Arizona passed legislation in 2005 to make big-game permit transfers possible, the Arizona chapter (HOAL AZ) has sent 14 youngsters on 16 hunts.
When a youngster is accepted to take part, he or she receives a total hunt package including equipment, transportation (air and ground), a guide/outfitter, lodging, meat processing and delivery, as well as taxidermy and delivery of their mount at no cost. Also, one parent can accompany the young hunter.
If you are available to assist these extraordinary children on an upcoming hunt, contact Arizona Ambassador Terry Petko by phone at (602) 689-9524 or by e-mail at tpetko@hoalarizona.org. For more information, visit:
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your account: Click here to edit your account. Visit
the archives: Send us your stories and questions! We welcome mail from readers and will try to feature the following in each issue, as available: Been
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WILDLIFE'S
ANSWER TO 911
OPERATION GAME THIEF is a public awareness program that allows people to call in on a toll-free hotline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to report wildlife violations. Poaching is serious business in Arizona. There are only 156 commissioned officers in the Arizona Game and Fish Department and many of these officers only do enforcement part-time. The department relies on the honest citizens of the state to assist in the reduction of wildlife violations. Poachers are thieves and they are stealing Arizona’s most precious natural resource—its WILDLIFE! It doesn't matter if you hunt or fish in our great state, wildlife is here for ALL of us to enjoy. The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief Program is asking that you report any suspicious activity to the department. You can do this by either calling our toll-free hotline at 1-800-352-0700, or filling out as much of the information as possible (all fields are optional) on the link to the online form below. We will keep your report CONFIDENTIAL upon request, and REWARDS of $50-$1,000 may be offered in certain cases. Eligible cases will pay rewards upon the arrest of the violator. OPERATION
GAME THIEF Or report a violation online at: Thank
you hunters! When you purchase a rifle, ammunition, archery equipment and other sporting gear, you pay a federal excise tax and import duties. Since 1937, this money has been collected by the federal government and redistributed to the states using a formula based on hunting license sales and the state’s land area. In 2006, that meant more than $5.6 million for game management in Arizona. This money paid for game surveys, hunter education classes, wildlife water catchment construction and wildlife research, among other projects. Hunters like you are part of the largest and most successful wildlife conservation programs in the world… Thank you.
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