• Don’t miss the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo this weekend
• Arizona wildlife guide at a special price — this weekend only!
• Don’t move a mussel – now it’s the law
• Open houses scheduled for 2010 fall hunt recommendations
• How old was that animal? Booklet has the answers
• Fishing is busting loose – it’s time to get out
• Get the ‘Arizona Fishin’ Holes’ booklet for this fishing season
• Taxpayers can help conserve Arizona’s wildlife
• Registration now open for Becoming an Outdoors Woman program
• Access limitations imposed at Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
• Popular amphibian and reptile field guide reprinted
• Wildlife Conservation license plate available

Don’t miss the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo this weekend

Give your family and friends a treat - bring them to the state’s largest hands-on outdoor exposition this weekend. The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo will be held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, located on Carefree Highway about ½ mile west of I-17. Admission and parking are free.

There’s a full day’s worth of activities for people of all ages. You can:

* Take an archery class
* Have your kids catch a fish at the huge kids fishing tank
* See live wildlife displays
* Try out different firearms or learn specialty shooting disciplines on the range
* Attend an outdoor workshop
* Navigate a hunter education course
* Watch exciting cowboy mounted shooting competition
* See off-highway vehicle demonstrations and exhibits
* Learn about boating recreation and safety
* View hunting/retrieving dog demonstrations
* Visit with more than 100 outdoor organizations, agencies and vendors.

A full schedule of activities, workshops and a map of the Expo grounds can be found on the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 28. Although admission and parking are free, you may want to bring a little cash for the food and beverage vendors or for the nominal ammunition fee if you want to try out firearms on the range.

The Gold Sponsor for this year’s Outdoor Expo is the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter. Silver Sponsors are Weatherby Foundation International, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, White Flyer Targets, Winchester Ammunition, and Diamond Ridge Development Corporation (Diamond Ridge partner contributors include Eagle Plumbing Services, Kat CSI Construction Services, Sunshine Painting, and Valleywide Plumbing).

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is operated on a “user pay, user benefit” business model. The Outdoor Expo promotes wildlife-related and other outdoor activities to current and future customers who support the department’s mission and funding through their engagement in those activities. The department receives no Arizona tax dollars, and no tax dollars are used in conducting the expo.


Arizona wildlife guide at a special price — this weekend only during the Expo!

The popular “Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide” is available at a special discounted price of just $9.95 this weekend only during the Arizona Game and Fish Outdoor Expo March 27 and 28 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on Carefree Highway just west of I-17. 

The “Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide” describes 128 special places and the wildlife found there. Plan your next wildlife-watching adventure with this detailed guidebook, or just sit back and enjoy beautiful photographs of the sites and animals. The book even offers a rating system to let you know which locations are “can’t miss!”

The guide usually sells for $14.95, but this weekend you can pick up a copy at the Outdoor Expo for just $9.95. It's another great reason to attend the Expo, which is full of outdoor activities for the whole family – and the Expo is free.

Don’t move a mussel – now it’s the law
New regulations for boaters go into effect

“Don’t move a mussel” – now it’s the law for boaters in Arizona for waters infested with invasive quagga mussels.

“Our boaters have done a good job so far of voluntarily practicing ‘clean, drain and dry’ as a part of responsible boating. Now Arizona has regulations in effect requiring boaters to follow those practices at lakes known to have quagga mussels,” said Tom McMahon, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s invasive species coordinator.

Quagga mussels were first discovered in Arizona waters in Lake Mead in January of 2007. A single adult quagga mussel can produce a half-million larvae in a single year. Since being introduced at Mead, likely from being accidentally transported on a boat put into the lake, these prolific invaders have spread rapidly.

Waters in Arizona officially designated as having aquatic invasive quagga/zebra mussels include:

* Lake Pleasant
* Lake Mead
* Lake Mohave
* Lake Havasu
* Lower Colorado River below
Havasu to the international boundary with Mexico.

“I can’t stress enough the important role boaters and anglers have voluntarily played in helping prevent the continued spread of these unwanted invasive species,” McMahon said. “For those who have been complying, thank you. You did the right thing for the right reasons.”

Now there are new regulations, called “Director’s Orders”, in effect. The measures were authorized by the Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act passed last July by the Arizona Legislature. Those boaters who don’t follow the procedures outlined in the newly-created regulations can actually be cited by law enforcement officers. To view the Director’s Orders, visit the Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/mussels.

These new regulations require day-use boaters to follow four simple steps. Before leaving the vicinity of a water officially listed as having quagga and/or zebra mussels:

1. Remove any clinging material such as plants, animals and mud from anchor, boat, motor and trailer (CLEAN).
2. Remove the plug (if applicable) and drain the water from the bilge, live-well, and any other compartments that could hold water. Drain water from the engine and engine cooling systems (DRAIN).
3. Ensure watercraft, vehicle, equipment, or conveyance are allowed to dry completely (DRY).
4. Before launching your watercraft someplace else, wait at least five days – this waiting period is essential to kill residual larvae not eradicated by the above three steps. If you use a boat again in less than five days from the previous use, replace the bilge drain plug, and disinfect the bilge by pouring in not less than one gallon of vinegar; the vinegar can be drained from the bilge upon arrival at home (vinegar can be reused several times).

There are also new regulations being implemented for long-term users (includes moored boats). These are boats that have been in the water for more than five days and are at the highest risk of harboring attached invasive mussels.

“Watercraft, boats, vehicles, equipment or conveyances that have been moored for five days or longer in waters that are infested with quagga mussels will likely be heavily contaminated with larval and adult mussels,” McMahon said. “Watercraft moored longer than a few weeks or months in those waters will most certainly be contaminated with adult mussels.”

There are mandatory decontamination procedures for the long-term moored boats that include:

1. Remove any clinging material such as plants, animals and mud from anchor, boat, motor, equipment and trailer (CLEAN).
2. Remove the plug (if applicable) and drain the water from the bilge, live-well, and any other compartments that could hold water. Drain water from the engine and engine cooling systems (DRAIN).
3. Physically remove all visible attached mussels from boat surfaces, motors, impellers, outdrives, rudders, anchors and through-hull fittings (CLEAN, again).
4. Flush engine and cooling system and any other through-hull fittings with hot water that is exiting those areas at 140 F for 10 to 30 seconds.
5. Keep the boat out of water (DRY) and ensure all areas of the boat are dry, including bilge, through-hull fittings and engine, for a minimum of eighteen (18) consecutive days during the months of November through April and seven (7) consecutive days from May through October.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department held a series of public meetings and a webcast in January to present the proposed Director’s Orders and solicit comment. The final regulations became effective this month.

“It is critical for anyone who uses watercraft, or has a business reliant on watercraft, to understand the essential nature of this aquatic invasive species containment effort,” McMahon said. “The spread of quagga mussels has far-reaching impacts, both financial and ecological, that can touch virtually every resident of the state.”

States throughout the West have been gearing up to combat the quagga and zebra mussels. Arizona boaters taking their boats to other states will want to first explore what those states are currently requiring – some even have mandatory boat inspections. A good starting point is the 100th Meridian organization at http://100thmeridian.org/Video/DMAM2008_WM.asp .

Open houses scheduled for 2010 fall hunt recommendations

The proposed recommendations for the 2010 fall hunting regulations will be available for public review at six regional open houses in April.

Open house dates, times and locations are:

* Wednesday, April 7, 3-5 p.m. – Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road
* Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
* Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
* Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
* Monday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. – Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive
* Wednesday, April 14, 3-5 p.m. – Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road

No formal presentation will be made. However, a knowledgeable staff person will be available to discuss regional hunt recommendations.

A PDF version will be available at the Game and Fish Department's Web site beginning Saturday, April 3 at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Each year, the department makes recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species for the annual hunting and trapping regulations, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas, and hunt permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years. This year’s recommendations were developed with consideration given to input gathered at four public meetings held around the state in February and March.

The final proposed recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its April 16-17 meeting in Phoenix at the department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17). The agenda will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/commission under “commission agenda.”

How old was that animal? Booklet has the answers

Determining the age of an animal based on physical characteristics is a fascinating study for the hunter or naturalist. But how do you know what to look for?

“Age Criteria for Arizona Animals” has all the answers.

This guide provides a quick reference for aging Southwestern game animals in the field. It shows the characteristics to look at when determining the age of species ranging from deer and elk to waterfowl and upland game birds.

Newly updated photos and illustrations accompany the text. For only $5, next time you find yourself asking, “How old was that animal?” you can have the answer right at your fingertips. It's available at all Game and Fish Department offices or online at www.azgfd.gov/publications.

Fishing is busting loose – it’s time to get out

Grab your poles -- it’s time to get out fishing.

“This is the first week of spring, there is a full moon on Monday, March 29, and thanks to lots of runoff and nutrient loading, the fishing at Arizona’s desert lakes is really turning on. This is also the leading edge of the good trout fishing season,” said Rory Aikens, who compiles the weekly fishing report for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

If you want to learn techniques for catching fish, especially in the warmwater lakes, come to the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo this weekend and visit the “Demo Fishing Tank” where local experts will share their secrets. Aikens will also be on hand at the Demo Tank to answer your “Where to” fishing questions.

The Outdoor Expo is Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on Carefree Highway just west of Interstate 17.

Here is a quick run down on the fishing hot spots.

Desert Lakes

* Lake Pleasant is the hot spot. Post-spawn striped bass are feeding aggressively. Largemouth bass are spawning. White bass are just finishing their spawn.
* Roosevelt Lake is turning on for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Crappie should start spawning any time (probably this weekend). Carp are spawning. Due to exceptional runoff, Roosevelt is very turbid. This should be a superb fishing year at Rosy. Don’t miss out.
* Bartlett Lake is heating up for bass and crappie. Don’t ignore the flatheads. On any given day, this can be the fishing hot spot.
* Saguaro Lake is good for 1- to 2-pound largemouth bass, some nice yellow bass and large channel catfish.
* Canyon Lake is tougher to fish, but is the land of the lunkers. Catch rates are typically low, but you might just land a new state record bucket mouth.
* Alamo Lake has been challenged with fluctuating waters levels, but crappie are spawning and largemouth bass action is picking up almost daily. Don’t ignore the plentiful channel catfish.
* Apache Lake is picking up for largemouth bass, with some nice smallmouth being caught. But if you want walleye, this is the place; a 9-pound walleye was caught recently.
* Havasu Lake is very good for spawning largemouth and smallmouth bass, and striped bass fishing should be picking up as well.
* Mead and Mohave are both a little slow yet, but striped bass action should pick up soon. Largemouth bass are starting to spawn in the more shallow, protected coves. The water level at Mohave is very good, but Mead is very low.
* Lake Powell is slowly turning on. This is shaping up to be a stellar fishing year. The spring fishing can provide some of the best action in the West for striped bass, smallmouth bass and walleye.
* Martinez Lake along the lower Colorado River near Yuma is another hot spot for largemouth bass, but it is a little early for good striped bass action.

Trout waters

* The Lower Salt River near Phoenix has been running pretty high, but the deparment is stocking it with rainbow trout again. Expect the higher flows to continue as snow melts in the high country.
* The spawn for wild rainbow trout at Lees Ferry in northern Arizona is underway. This renowned fishery in Marble Canyon provides world-class action.
* Oak Creek, the Verde River, Burro Creek and West Clear Creek are all running a little high to stock with trout right now, but once they settle down you’ll want to give them a try.
* The creeks below the Mogollon Rim are scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout the first week of April. These include Christopher Creek, Tonto Creek, Canyon Creek, the East Verde River, and Haigler Creek.
* Fain, Lynx and Goldwater lakes in the Prescott area have already been stocked this season, and are scheduled for additional stockings soon.
* Although it might be May before snow melts and the higher trout lakes become accessible, early bird specials include Becker Lake, Fool Hollow, Show Low Lake, Scotts Reservoir, Woodland Reservoir and Rainbow Lake in the White Mountains.
* Keep watching the reports for the Williams area lakes, they are scheduled for stocking the first week of April. Kaibab and Cataract should be accessible. Dogtown requires a quarter-mile walk through snow. Whitehorse is not accessible yet, but snow melt is underway.
* Anglers are catching limits of trout at Parker Canyon Lake. Pena Blanca is now full and the department is actively stocking it with trout – but there isn’t a usable boat ramp. Rose Canyon is scheduled for stocking the second week of April.
* Lower Lake Mary near Flagstaff has been stocked with small rainbow trout, but the fish will grow quickly. It won’t take long before this is a trout fishing hot spot in Arizona.
* Along the Colorado River, Willow Beach below Hoover Dam is stocked with rainbow trout. This is a good place to escape the crowds, fish in pleasant weather, and catch ‘bows in the lower Mohave desert. You might even see desert bighorn sheep.

“The higher elevation trout lakes, such as Woods Canyon and Big Lake, might not be accessible until late April or even early May, but due to tremendous snow pack this year, the high country trout fishing outlook is superb. Watch our reports – we’ll keep you informed as the season progresses,” Aikens promised.

In addition, the Urban Program lakes were stocked this week with channel catfish weighing from 1 to 2 pounds – those are some quality fish.

Visit www.azgfd.gov for the weekly fishing report and stocking schedules.

Get the ‘Arizona Fishin’ Holes’ booklet for this fishing season

All anglers will want the revised “Arizona Fishin’ Holes” for this great fishing season – it’s been revamped to be even more glove-box friendly and even has GPS coordinates for all the lakes.

This indispensable angler's companion is updated for 2010 with the latest information about what species you'll find where. It's also a handy general camping and recreation guide, listing all the amenities at our state's great fishing waters. New tables list GPS coordinates and give Web-friendly contact information.

This informative booklet is just $8 and is your one-stop source for planning that next family fishing adventure. It's available at all Game and Fish Department offices or online at www.azgfd.gov/publications.

Taxpayers can help conserve Arizona’s wildlife
“Make a mark” on your state tax return

Many of us are busy trying to finish filling out our income tax returns as deadline day approaches on April 15. But, did you know that you have an opportunity to help conserve our state’s bald eagles, black-footed ferrets, California condors, desert tortoises, native fish, and other wildlife at tax time? Taxpayers can help the state’s wildlife by “making a mark” on their state income tax form.

The Arizona Wildlife Fund is a voluntary program that allows Arizona taxpayers to make a donation to help imperiled and endangered wildlife and other nongame species. Nongame wildlife are those animals that are neither hunted nor fished in a traditional sense.

“While we recognize that economic times are difficult for many residents right now, we hope that people will recognize the value of protecting our wildlife during these critical periods,” says Mike Senn, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s assistant director of wildlife management. “The cumulative effect of even a small donation has tremendous impact on conserving the state’s wildlife resources, which provide a variety of low-cost recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy and real economic benefits to local communities.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not receive general tax dollars, so donations to the Arizona Wildlife Fund provide an important funding source for wildlife conservation.

Arizona is one of 41 states that allow taxpayers to make a contribution to worthwhile causes. Since Arizona started the program more than 25 years ago, taxpayers have donated more than $5 million to the conservation of nongame animals. In 2007, the most recent year for which figures are available, the average donation was more than $21.

“Every dollar counts, and donations help ensure that the public has opportunities to view and enjoy one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures – it’s diverse wildlife,” says Senn.

The Arizona Wildlife Fund box can be found on line “38” of the state’s income tax form.

For more information on the Arizona Wildlife Fund, visit www.azgfd.gov/makeamark. To learn more about the conservation and reintroduction efforts the fund supports, visit www.azgfd.gov/w_c/nongame_species.

Registration now open for Becoming an Outdoors Woman program

Sign up now for the popular Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program scheduled for April 9-11 at the Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.

Conducted by the Arizona Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the program introduces women to outdoor skills in an enjoyable, non-intimidating environment with expert instructors. Classes are held during the day, and the evenings are filled with fun and entertaining activities such as night hikes, fly tying, and motivational speakers.

Class offerings include horsemanship, outdoor photography, birding and hiking, archery, fly-fishing, Dutch oven cooking, and shotgun, rifle and pistol shooting. New classes for 2010 include a “leave no trace” camping class and a women’s outdoor gear class. Overall, there are 31 different classes for participants to choose from.

“BOW is about much more than hunting and fishing or even camping and paddling,” says Linda Dightmon, coordinator for the program. “It is all about learning to appreciate our wild lands and wildlife and how to help conserve them. It is all about learning a new skill or conquering an old fear. It is all about meeting like-minded women and making new friends.  It could be all about learning a lot more about you.”

Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin. 

“One great thing about this camp is that a woman can try a new sport without buying all of the equipment,” says Dightmon. “The only things the participant needs to bring are her personal items, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn.”

Class materials, food and lodging are all included in the $245 registration fee. For more information and a registration form, contact the Arizona Wildlife Federation office at (480) 644-0077 or awf@azwildlife.org, or visit www.azwildlife.org.

Access limitations imposed at Upper Verde River Wildlife Area

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s constant struggle with illegal activity at the Upper Verde River Wildlife Area has led to new restrictions.

Beginning April 22, access to the wildlife area will be changed to horse and foot access only. All motorized vehicle access by the public will be prohibited except during authorized special events.

Zen Mocarski, public information officer with the Game and Fish Kingman office, said human use of the property must be appropriate to the primary goals of managing the wildlife area for the benefit of sensitive species. He added that the illegal OHV use, littering, and vandalism made it clear something needed to be done to protect the land.

In addition, fences have been repeatedly destroyed, which has allowed unauthorized access to livestock.

After years of keeping the area open to motorized access, department officials concluded the situation would not improve until further protection measures were established.

“This has been an ongoing issue,” Mocarski said. “We had hoped users of the area would respect the property and police their own behavior, but the amount of damage to the land and the cost to the agency from vandalism has been too great.

“This wildlife area was purchased for its riparian values and threatened and endangered fish management. As an agency we try to provide access to outdoor recreation, but it has to be compatible with management goals for the property and the riparian wildlife.”

The Upper Verde River Wildlife Area, located at the headwaters of the Verde River in Paulden, was acquired by Game and Fish in 1996 with funding from the Heritage Fund. The property consists of 1,089 acres of prime riparian habitat, which includes three miles of the Verde River and one mile of Granite Creek.

The primary emphasis for the wildlife area is the protection and restoration of riparian habitat and associated biodiversity. In 2009, the wildlife area was included in the Audubon Society’s Important Bird Area program. The Upper Verde River has also been designated a critical habitat for the endangered spikedace by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The property has been a haven for birding enthusiasts, and Mocarski repeated that this new restriction doesn’t deny access. People will now need to hike or horseback into the property, which is only about 400 yards to the previous parking area.

Despite the new restriction, Game and Fish will continue to seek the public’s help in monitoring the area.

“We do not have the personnel to watch this property 24-7,” Mocarski said. “We will do what we can, but even with these new restrictions we need the help of the public to help reduce the impacts of those who do not respect the land.”

For those witnessing illegal activity on the property, call (800) VANDALS. Callers should provide as much information as possible without engaging offending individuals.

“Never place yourself in harm’s way,” Mocarski said. “Provide the information and allow trained officers to handle the situation. You’ll be doing a great service in protecting this land.”

Popular amphibian and reptile field guide reprinted

Due to continued high demand, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has just reprinted its most popular guidebook: “A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona.”

What accounts for this little book's popularity?

* It's comprehensive: Concise information is given for all 141 species of amphibians and reptiles in Arizona.
* It's trustworthy: The authors are noted experts in their field.
* It's handy: At just 150 pages, it tucks into your daypack.
* It's beautiful: High-quality color photographs and custom illustrations make it a visual delight.
* It's cheap: At just $12, this guidebook flies off the shelves.

We can't say how long supplies will last, so if you don't yet have a copy, get yours today at any department office or online at www.azgfd.gov/publications.

Wildlife Conservation license plate available

There is a new “Wildlife Conservation” license plate available from the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). 

The money raised from the sale of this plate goes to the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, a private non-profit corporation. This organization has a special committee that will review and fund grants for outdoor recreational and education opportunities, along with on-the-ground wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement projects.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives no revenues directly from the sale of these “Wildlife Conservation” plates, but the fund is intended to benefit wildlife habitat and increase outdoor recreational and educational opportunities in the Arizona.

To order the new Wildlife Conservation license plate, simply go to www.servicearizona.com and click on “Personalized/Specialty Plates” and follow the directions. The “shelf” plates are $25 per year and the personalized plates are $50 per year. You may also order these Wildlife Conservation plates at any MVD office.