Commission increases budget in support of
Scholastic Clay Target Program

June 28, 2008

PHOENIX —  The Arizona Game and Fish Commission today continued its tradition of strong support for the state’s Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) by approving expanded funding, beyond its three year startup commitment, into fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Money [...]

Outdoor organizations are encouraged to post their activities
PHOENIX – Wildlife and outdoor recreation enthusiasts can now learn about upcoming fishing clinics, hunting seminars, nature talks and more by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Calendar at www.azgfd.gov/calendar.
The department posts its events and activities that are open to the public, and has added an online [...]

Shooting range expands safety requirements for users
Target shooters heading out to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility starting on July 1 will need to remember to include a couple of basic safety items in their shooting kit.
The following two policy changes will take effect at the facility’s main range:
* All firearms [...]

Come learn about magnificent bighorn sheep
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about the sure-footed bighorn sheep and view them in their native habitat during two separate two-day workshops on July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2.
The first day of each workshop involves mandatory classroom [...]

Registration opens for Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop
The last “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshop for 2008 will be held Aug. 15-17 at the cool, forested Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.
The program introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with expert instructors. Classes are held during [...]

Come learn more about some unique night flyers

Did you know that bats are the slowest reproducing mammals on earth for their size?
Did you know that every night they provide free insect-control services to the Valley?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department invites you to attend a free bat workshop on Friday, June [...]

Want to cure the triple-digit fidgets?
Trout fishing in the cool pines is a refreshing remedy
Want a cure for the triple-digit fidgets as record heat assaults the deserts? Trout fishing in the cool pines is a refreshing remedy.
“Escape the heat and yet celebrate the first days of summer with a trip to [...]

Information sought in deer poaching case near Kingman
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking information that could help lead to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the recent poaching of a mule deer near Kingman.
The incident occurred on or around May 27 southwest of Bull Mountain, just west of [...]

Commission expected to set dove, crane and band-tailed seasons
During its upcoming two-day meeting in Phoenix on June 27-28, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will set the seasons for dove, band-tailed pigeons and sandhill cranes, consider what organizations get special big game tags to auction or raffle to raise funds for [...]

Wildlife photo contest now accepting entries
Are you one of those people that love viewing wildlife and enjoy the challenge of photographing it? The Arizona Game and Fish Department invites all shutterbugs to get out, take pictures of Arizona wildlife and submit them for the third annual calendar photo contest.
Thirteen winning wildlife images [...]

Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame to induct four new members
The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame class of 2008 will include four inductees whose contributions and service have benefited Arizona’s fish and wildlife and their habitats.
The new inductees, who will be honored Aug. 16 at the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation’s Arizona Outdoor Hall [...]

New brochure helps Arizona residents coexist with black bears
Spring is blossoming around the state, and with it comes increased critter activity, especially among Arizona’s black bears. As urban areas expand and wildlife is forced to share their habitat, encounters with humans are becoming more common. The Arizona Game and Fish Department [...]

Dates announced for popular bighorn workshops
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering the public an opportunity to view the majestic bighorn sheep in their natural habitat during its annual Bighorn Sheep Workshops.
The workshop offers wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about these sure-footed animals and view them in their native habitat [...]

Truck shooting proves costly for 5 Valley men
Five young Valley men who were dove hunting last September along the outskirts of Phoenix just could not resist using their shotguns and pistols for something else – shooting up a large six-wheel drive construction truck.
That error in judgment is proving costly for these five friends [...]

Students learn about wetlands, waterfowl through national art contest
Come see the artistic expressions created by some of Arizona’s dynamic young artists, ages 6-18. Their waterfowl artwork was created for the annual Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program and will be on display at Cabela’s in Glendale this Saturday, June 7, from 8 [...]

Arizona welcomes first captive bred cactus ferruginous pygmy owls
Don’t let the big name fool you. This owl species is anything but big, but thanks to the success of a new captive breeding program in the Valley, the species is growing in number.
Four new fledgling owls were welcomed this spring from two pairs [...]

Archery and rifle target shooting leagues for all ages
Do you enjoy friendly competition?  Do you want to improve your target shooting? If yes, come out and enjoy the comfortable evenings under the lights of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering summer shooting leagues starting in [...]

Volunteers invited to annual Boquillas Ranch cleanup
Come out to help clean up some prime wildlife habitat and meet other sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. The 16th annual Boquillas Ranch cleanup event, west of Seligman in northwestern Arizona, will be held on Saturday, June 7.
The Mohave Sportsman Club sponsors this annual family event in [...]

Scheduling error favors unlicensed anglers, get 2 free fishing days
Take a friend and give fishing a try; see list of free fishing events at www.azgfd.gov/fishing
Unlicensed anglers in Arizona are getting an unexpected late spring windfall – you can fish state waters without a valid fishing license on both June 7 and [...]

Hunt application deadline is Tuesday, June 10
For all of you hunters who have not applied yet, the fall hunt-permit application deadline for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep and buffalo is Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by the Arizona Game and Fish Department by that time; postmarks [...]