Wildlife News

July 2, 2009

• Encounters are increasing—Be “Bear Aware” out there
• Arizona dove seasons set – very good season expected
• Lake Powell launching restrictionsare now in effect
• Boating safety tips for the busy Fourth of July weekend
• Recently released black-tailed prairie dogs welcome first pups
• Bald eagle breeding closure areas lifted on most Arizona lakes and rivers
• Nominations sought for 2009 Commission Awards
• Off-highway vehicle safety reminder for Independence Day holiday
• “Native Fish Cam” honored with Top 10 Cam Award
• Super Raffle deadline extended to July 12
• Arizona Wildlife Views TV show wins outdoor awards
• Public can comment on Apache-Sitgreaves draft land management plan
• Last chance to enter photo contest
• Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop is Aug. 14-16

Encounters are increasing—Be “Bear Aware” out there
Root cause of most wildlife-human conflicts is food

Bear-human encounters in the high country and in the mountain communities are on the increase, so Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are asking people to “Be Bear Aware,” especially while recreating in the cool pines during the Fourth of July weekend.

“The root cause of any human-wildlife encounter is typically food. Keep a clean camp. Don't intentionally feed wildlife – it will just get you and the wild animal in trouble,” said Ron Thompson, the large carnivore biologist with Game and Fish.

All homeowners and recreationists should take the following precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife:

• Never intentionally feed wildlife. Even bird feeders can become attractants if they are not placed out of reach of bears and set up properly to prevent spillage.
• Secure all garbage.
• Walk or jog in groups. Pay attention to your surroundings when hiking, jogging or bicycling.
• Supervise your children (especially toddlers) and keep them in sight at all times.
• Keep your pets on a leash – don't allow them to be free roaming. Free roaming pets are the major cause of adverse human/bear encounters, especially dogs chasing female bears with cubs.
• Don't leave pet food out where bears and other wild animals become habituated to it.
• Manage the vegetation around your home to eliminate hiding and daybed use cover for bears and wildlife.

If you encounter a bear consider these suggestions:

• Never get between a female bear and her cubs. Do not try to intervene with a bear chasing your dog back to you. Let the bear focus its attention on your dog and not switch its aggression towards you.
• Stay calm.
• If a bear has not noticed you, do not do something to get its attention. Continue facing it, and slowly back away.
• If a bear has noticed you, make loud noises by clanging pans, using air horns or whatever is available.
• If attacked, fight back. Bear and mountain lion attacks are predation events and you are considered the prey.
• If a bear has noticed you, don't run unless it is dangerously close. Get inside of a vehicle or building. Running elicits what is called a predator-prey response – if you run, the animal might instinctively want to chase and catch you. Despite their imposing size, bears are quick and can reach speeds of 40 mph.
• Make yourself look as big and imposing as possible.
• Speak loudly or yell – let it know you are human.

“Keep in mind that when wildlife and humans come into conflict, the wildlife will always lose. Due to public safety concerns, a fed bear that is conditioned to humans and causes property damage or injury, or has lost its fear of humans, is a dead bear. So don't feed them either intentionally or unintentionally,” Thompson stressed.

Although the department will trap and relocate a nuisance bear that just happens to come into conflict with humans, Thompson explained that once a bear loses its fear of humans or is habituated to eating human-provided food (both typically occur), the department has limited choices. Capturing and relocating a problem bear is not a viable public safety option.

“We don't have any habitats devoid of humans. They don't exist. Bears are large, powerful and unpredictable animals. If a bear constitutes a public safety threat in one location, a change in geography is simply not going to alter or diminish the threat,” Thompson said.

Another factor to keep in mind, he said, is that relocated bears don't always have long life expectancies. Bears are extremely territorial. Putting a bear into another bear's territory is setting the animal up for a different type of conflict – one that can be fatal.

“While it can be a tough decision to euthanize a bear, it is human safety that is our ultimate concern in these situations,” Thompson said.

Arizona Dove seasons set – very good season expected

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has set the dove, band-tailed pigeon and sandhill crane seasons for the 2009-10 hunting seasons. The online regulations should available by mid-July, with the printed regulations being distributed around the last week of July.

“We usually have some of the best dove hunting in the United States, and this year is shaping up very nicely. I'm seeing lots and lots of fat white-winged doves out there right now,” said Migratory Bird Biologist Mike Rabe.

Rabe offered a caveat -- there is always a chance many of the white-winged doves could migrate before the season begins, especially if the state is bombarded by intense late-summer storms.

For mourning doves, back-to-back years of good winter precipitation with accompanying seed production and good dove reproduction last summer should result in a robust population this year.

“The key for mourning dove hunting is not the population as much as their accessibility. With lots of seeds available in the desert, they might be dispersed again this year. But then again, that can increase hunting opportunities and spread out the hunters as well,” Rabe said.

The downside is, once again, the diminishing urban areas to hunt doves, especially in the Valley of the Sun, although urban expansion may have slowed significantly due to the tough economic times.

Once again this year, the early dove season is Sept. 1-15 with half-day shooting in the desert zone for adult hunters and full-day shooting for youth. For the mountain zone it is all-day shooting.

The juniors-only hunt at the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area is scheduled for Sept. 5-6. Young hunters can expect to be treated to the traditional pancake and sausage breakfast provided by Chandler Rod and Gun Club following the hunt. This is an excellent introduction hunt for youngsters. There are even experts on hand if needed to help mentor.

The collared dove season was once again set for year-long hunting with an unlimited bag limit. The regulations provide illustrations on how to tell the difference between the different dove species.

The late dove season is Nov. 20, 2009 to Jan. 3, 2010 (all-day shooting).

“With a great Gambel's quail season expected in central Arizona this year, hunting dove and quail together should be almost irresistible, especially for those new to hunting. Rabbit populations are also good this year,” Rabe said.

Young hunters and others new to hunting will want to check the Game and Fish Web site at www.azgfd.govfor a listing of introductory hunting workshops or camps. The department is teaming up with sportsmen's organizations and the goal is to have at least two dozen camps during the upcoming season.

Sandhill cranes

For the sandhill crane hunt (which is done by drawing), the Game and Fish Commission increased the number of tags per hunter from two to three to encourage applicants to put in this year (you apply in August and the hunt is in November-December).

“These large birds make remarkably good table fare,” Rabe said. “For some families, a crane for the table has become a regular Arizona holiday tradition like chili pepper wreaths, cactus candy and prickly pear jelly.”

The season dates are mostly in November with one hunt in early December. The department will begin taking applications for the crane hunts starting Aug. 3, by mail only, and the deadline for the department to receive the applications is Sept. 1.

Surveys show a steady increase in the wintering sandhill crane population in Arizona, with a record 36,823 cranes in 2008.

“Much of this success can be attributed to hunting providing revenue for habitat acquisition in the state, such as the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. It's really a tremendous success story,” Rabe said.

Rabe pointed out that the increasing number of wintering sandhill cranes has also created one of the state's unique winter wildlife watching attractions. “So others benefit as well, including rural communities in southern Arizona,” Rabe said.

Once again this year, there are junior's-only tags available for sandhill cranes, but the number of permits this year is 25.

“Parents will want to take advantage of these tags for their young hunters. It's a remarkable experience to hunt these very large birds that can have wingspans of around 6 1/2 feet,” Rabe said.

Don't forget that even out-of-state youth can get a youth combination hunting and fishing license for the same price as a resident youth.

There is also a three-day archery-only hunt for sandhills on Nov. 13-15 with 25 permits.

Band-tailed pigeons

While populations are increasing for sandhill cranes and the dove season looks promising, don't get your hopes up for band-tailed pigeons.

“Even though we had a tremendous mast crop such as acorns last year and will likely be good again this year, we just don't have much in the way of band-tail numbers in Arizona. In fact, band-tailed pigeon populations are usually spotty and can vary greatly from year to year,” Rabe said.

The band-tailed pigeon hunt is from Sept. 11-Oct. 4 in the north zone where the majority of hunting occurs (Hunt Units 1 through 15C, 16A, 17 through 20A, 23, and 24A) and in the south zone from Sept. 18-Oct. 4.

Lake Powell launching restrictions are now in effect

Effective June 29, you must have your boat inspected for quagga musselsprior to launching at Lake Powell. Self-certification of watercraft will no longer be an option at all major launch ramps, and screening for these invasive mussels by trained personnel will be mandatory for all vessels.

Personnel will be available daily for screening from 4:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (5:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time) at Wahweap, including Stateline, Lone Rock Beach, and Bullfrog, including Stanton Creek.

Screening hours for Antelope Point Marina will be from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Screening hours for Hall's Crossing Marina will be 8 a.m. until5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Launching will be prohibited outside of these hours. Boaters will be allowed to take boats off the water at any time.

Boating safety tips for the busy Fourth of July weekend

During Arizona's summer months, boaters can count on busy launch ramps and high use at lakes and rivers most any weekend, but this is especially the case during the long holiday weekends. Boating safety officials from the Arizona Game and Fish Department remind boaters to take precautions to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience this Independence Day.

Among the things boaters should do before hitting the water are:

• Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, that they are the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order free from deterioration.
• Designate a sober captain. Keep in mind that the ‘Boating Under the Influence' Blood Alcohol Content is .08, which is the same limit as driving a car under the influence of alcohol; penalties include steep fines and jail time.
• Avoid overloading your boat by knowing the passenger and weight limits for your specific vessel.
• Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
• Don't crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others. After all, boats do not have brakes.
• Check that your boat's motor and propulsion system are working right.
• Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
• Arizona's boating regulations can be viewed or downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Whether you just bought a boat, or have been boating for years, a boating safety class can prepare you for unpredictable or unexpected circumstances when you are on the water. It could save someone's life, including yours. Take a boating safety class near you or online at www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed.

Recently released black-tailed prairie dogs welcome first pups
Recovery program aims to prevent inclusion as an endangered species

Biologists were cautious in their predictions for the success of a black-tailed prairie dog colony established late last year in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita. After all, the 74 animals released in October faced some foreseen and many unforeseen challenges.

However, early surveys conducted in June indicate the original adults are faring well and have begun to establish a foothold in their new community with the addition of at least two litters of pups.

“Establishing a new black-tailed prairie dog colony from ‘the ground down' is challenging, but we took precautions before and after the release to help ensure that the original animals were successful in establishing themselves,” said Bill Van Pelt, the program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “It's encouraging that the colony is already reproducing so early after the release.”

Biologists' pre-release projections targeted a 10 to 20 percent survival rate for the originally released animals. Surveys conducted in June show the colony is at the upper end of that projection with 19 percent survival.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reintroduced the species to southern Arizona to repopulate the animals to where they once existed nearly 50 years ago before they vanished from the state's landscape.

As part of a state and national conservation effort, Game and Fish plans to re-establish the species in other sites in southern Arizona, as part of the department's program to recover species that are declining or that have been extirpated from the state.

Through its partnerships with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and the science community, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of non-native species and climate change.

Adaptive management of these species helps ensure their continued presence in Arizona and protects the delicate balance of the ecosystem for future generations.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are a critical keystone species in Arizona, maintaining grasslands for other animals to forage and serving as important prey for eagles and hawks. They affect a number of other species, so their successful re-establishment would benefit the entire ecosystem by maintaining species diversity.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are approximately 15 inches long and weigh 2-3 pounds. These tan animals with black-tipped tails are highly social, living in coteries or family units. Family groups live close together to form larger colonies or towns. Human-related factors, including poisoning and habitat fragmentation, greatly reduced their numbers range-wide.

Bald eagle breeding closure areas lifted on most Arizona lakes and rivers
Two popular mountain area lakes have closures still in effect

With the bald eagle breeding season drawing to an end for 2009, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners are lifting most of the closures at lakes and rivers statewide. The closures at Woods Canyon Lake and Crescent Lake will remain in effect until Aug. 31 because bald eagle breeding activities are still continuing in those areas.

Most closures, including popular recreation spots like Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, and the lower Verde River, were lifted in June after the nestlings successfully fledged from the nest.

Each year, land and wildlife management agencies close bald eagle breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state's bald eagles. Outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect these important breeding areas by honoring the closures.

“Bald eagles are particularly sensitive to human disturbance during the breeding season,” says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. “Thanks to the public's cooperation with our management efforts, the species is doing well in Arizona.”

Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. Human presence can also cause a young bird to prematurely leave the nest.

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. Nationally, the birds recovered enough to be removed from the list last year, but they remain listed as an endangered species in Arizona pending a final ruling from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expected in October.

Management of the bald eagle falls under the Arizona Game and Fish Department's program to recover species that are declining or that have been extirpated from the state.

Through its partnerships with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and the science community, the department's wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of non-native species and climate change.

Adaptive management of these species helps ensure their continued presence in Arizona and protects the delicate balance of the ecosystem for future generations.

Nominations sought for 2009 commission awards

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for its 2009 Commission Awards to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the welfare of the state's wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not eligible for nomination.

Categories for nomination include Award of Excellence, Youth Environmentalist of the Year, Outdoor Writer of the Year, Media of the Year, Conservation Organization of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Educator of the Year, and License Dealer of the Year, as well as three new categories: Natural Resource Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year, and Advocate of the Year. Descriptions of each category are on the nomination form.

To download a nomination form, visit www.azgfd.gov/commissionand click on the “commission awards” link.

Return the nomination form and all supplemental materials to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Marty Fabritz - DOHQ, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Forms can also be faxed to (623) 236-7299 or e-mailed to Mfabritz@azgfd.gov.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m., Aug. 7, 2009.

Winners of the 2009 awards will be honored at the Meet the Commission banquet in Phoenix in January 2010.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/commission_awards.shtml.

Off-highway vehicle safety reminder for Independence Day holiday
New Desert Wells Multi-use Area brochure and map also available

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all OHV enthusiasts to be safe, responsible, and ethical when out on the roads and trails over the July 4^th holiday weekend. Wear your helmet, slow down, make good decisions, and don't drink and drive. DUI laws are the same for an OHV on the back trails just as they are for your car or truck on the highway. Don't let a fun family outing end sadly. Remember: Nature Rules! Stay on roads and trails.

The department frequently gets calls from OHV operators asking about places to ride. One popular place—the Desert Wells Multi-use Area, south of Apache Junction—isn't necessarily new, but it has changed over the last few years. On behalf of all the partners on the Desert Wells Workgroup, a new map and brochure about the area have been created by the Arizona State Land Department and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Desert Wells is on State Trust Land that is currently being leased by several active ranches and a sand and gravel quarry. Popular with OHV users, the area is also open to non-motorized use, like horseback riding, as well as many hunting opportunities. The OHV Decal allows OHVs to cross State Land on designated trails, which are noted on the map. A valid hunting license allows for active hunting on this piece of State Land. For all other recreation, a State Land Recreation Permit is needed. You can order your Recreation Permit online at: www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/recreation_permit.htm.

Please note that cattle are almost always grazing on some part of the property, so never cut fences, and please leave gates as you find them, either open or closed. Cattle would pose hazards for vehicular traffic if they happen to get out on the highway.

The brochure is available at the State Land Department office at 1616 W. Adams in Phoenix, the Arizona State Parks office at 1300 W. Washington St. in Phoenix, the Game and Fish headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix, or at the Game and Fish Region 6 office at 7200 E. University Drive in Mesa. The brochure and map are also available in PDF form on the Game and Fish Web site at www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

“Native Fish Cam” honored with Top 10 Cam Award

The intriguing “Native Fish Cam” at the Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been honored with Earth Cam's Top 10 Cam award.

“We have installed an underwater camera at our Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery near Sedona, which is where we raise unique native fish like the endangered humpback chub that is found in the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon,” said Brian Ference, the webmaster for Game and Fish.

For a journey below the surface to see these amazing native fish that are uniquely adapted to aquatic habitats in the Southwest, simply click on http://www.azgfd.gov/fishcamor just visit the department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov.

The Native Fish Cam is routinely moved, so at any time you might see Colorado pikeminnow (that can reach up to 100 pounds), roundtail chub (found in Fossil Creek), razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and many other native fish species, most of which are endangered.

The goal of the Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery, which is adjacent to the Page Springs Fish Hatchery in Cornville just downstream from Sedona along Oak Creek, is to propagate these fish for reintroduction and repatriation projects.

The Bubbling Ponds fish hatchery has 13 large ponds as well as numerous 6-foot diameter circular fiberglass tanks. The ponds are used for rearing the large fish native to the Colorado River, and the fiberglass tanks are used for research and rearing small endangered fishes such as spikedace that were once found throughout the Verde River.

Once you are viewing the Native Fish Cam, you will also find accompanying information on this state's amazing native fish species. Most native fish are either imperiled or extirpated, but others—such as the Apache trout—have encouraging comeback stories. Native fish hatcheries such as this one typically play a crucial role in recovery efforts.

This Fish Cam is just another in a series of improvements the Game and Fish Department has made to connect or re-connect not only with outdoor enthusiasts, but also with new audiences.

The department has redesigned and revamped most of its E-news products to make them more cyberspace reader friendly, but has also become a major player in the world of outdoor blogging. “Our Fishing Blog has become very popular, with lots of anglers chattering it up, posting pictures, and sharing how-to or where-to information,” Ference said.

There is also an online interactive map showing all the fishing lakes, rivers and streams of the state, with lots of detailed information on each one. “In the first five months of operation, this interactive fishing map registered a half-million hits,” Ference pointed out.

The department's online videos, such as its award-winning series on PBS called “Arizona Wildlife Views” (see article below), have exceeded the million-viewer mark.

Recently, the quail (the animal depicted on the department's logo) recently entered the Twitter world as well – you can now witness the quail twittering just about every day. You can also visit the Quail on Facebook.

Super Raffle deadline extended to July 12
Get a chanceto experience oneof Arizona's top 10 hunts

You still have a chance to win one of the nation's most prestigious hunts -- the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle deadline for 2009 has been extended to July 12.

Here's your chance to win one of Arizona's 10 top hunts, while also contributing to wildlife conservation. It's a win-win for everyone. But Super Raffle mail orders must be received by July 12 and online orders will be accepted at the Arizona Gig Game Super Raffle Web site until 10 p.m. July 12.

The big game tags available in the raffle are for 365 days of hunting almost anywhere in the state during the 2009-2010 hunting season, and ticket prices range from $5 to $25. Raffle tickets are offered for the following species:

• Elk
• Desert Bighorn Sheep
• Buffalo
• Antelope
• Turkey (Merriam's or Goulds)
• Coues Whitetail
• Mule Deer
• Javelina
• Black Bear
• Mountain Lion

You can also get tickets for the incredible “Swarovski Optics Package” valued at more than $5,000. The money raised from the optics package is used to defray the costs of the raffle itself. All the money raised from the hunt raffle tickets goes directly to wildlife management efforts.

Arizona offers some of the best trophy opportunities in North America for each of these species. A quick review of both the Boone & Crockett [www.boone-crockett.org/] and Pope & Young [www.pope-young.org/] record books will confirm this. If you are after a truly huge mule deer, elk, antelope, Coues deer, desert bighorn sheep, or buffalo, then Arizona is where you need to be.

The only huntable population of Gould's turkeys in the United States exists in southern Arizona and can be hunted with the raffled turkey tag.

Remember, hunters are the original conservationists and have financed most of the wildlife conservation efforts in the United States for the past century. This raffle is just another creative way to raise money for these remarkable conservation efforts. It's a proud and successful heritage.

For more information, visit http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com/.

Arizona Wildlife Views TV show wins outdoor awards

Arizona Wildlife Views, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's award-winning television show, has once again been recognized by its peers for excellence in writing and communicating about Arizona's outdoors and wildlife.

Producers Carol Lynde and Gary Schafer garnered three “Excellence in Craft” awards from the 2009 Outdoor Writers Association of America:

• 1^st place honors were awarded in the “Natural History” category for a story about the Fossil Creek renovation.
  
• 2^nd place honors were awarded in the “Outdoor Ethics” category for a story about National Trails Day.
  
• 3^rd place honors were awarded in the “Shooting Sports” category for a story about the Arizona Game and Fish Department Scholastic Clay Target Program.

In another awards competition, the 15^th annual Communicator Awards honored Arizona Wildlife Views TV with an Award of Distinction in the “Nature/Wildlife” category, for a segment on the Monsoon Frogs of Arizona.

Lynde and Schafer, both Emmy award-winning producers and journalists, strive to make Arizona Wildlife Views the best show in the business. Awards like these from these prestigious organizations are a testament to their skills and abilities.

Arizona Wildlife Views can be seen on KAET Channel 8 public television in Phoenix, KUAT Channel 6 public television in Tucson, and on public access cable channels in most communities around the state. For more information, go online to www.azgfd.gov/TV.

Public can comment on Apache-Sitgreaves draft land management plan

Outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts who use or have an interest in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona are encouraged to review a Working Draft Land Management Plan that is now available.

The Working Draft is an important part of the forest plan revision process, as it is meant to provide a foundation for collaborative discussion and feedback in developing the Proposed Land Management Plan.

The Forest Service is encouraging the public to provide comments on the plan by Aug. 31, 2009. For more information about the plan and a link to the plan documents, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/plan-revision/draftLMP/Mailing-Release-Working-Draft-Plan-2009-06-17.pdf.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department posts federal land management updates as it learns of them at www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/federal_land_management.shtml. However, for the most complete and up-to-date information, we recommend that people stay in touch with each of Arizona's national forests and Bureau of Land Management field offices. Contact information can be found toward the bottom ofwww.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/federal_land_management.shtml.

Last chance to enter photo contest

The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages all shutterbugs to take pictures of Arizona wildlife and submit them for this year's annual calendar photo contest — but time is running out!

Cash prizes are offered for the 13 winning wildlife images that will grace the 2010 Arizona Wildlife Calendar. The top winner will earn $400, and 12 first-place winners will receive $250 each. Winning photos and those receiving honorable mention also will be published in a slide show on the contest's Web site.

The deadline for entering the contest is July 6 at 5 p.m. MST. Please note: Postmarks don't count, so get your entry in today. For contest rules and an entry form, visit www.azgfd.gov/photocontest.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop is Aug. 14-16
Ladies can receive expert instruction in fishing, camping, canoeing, photography and more

Beat the heat with a retreat to the pine trees. The Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) outdoor skills workshop is scheduled for Aug. 14-16 at the Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott. It will begin at noon on Friday and end at noon on Sunday.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman is a nationally recognized program designed to introduce women to the great outdoors taught by expert instructors, in an enjoyable, non-intimidating environment.

“These weekends are always a lot of fun,” says Linda Dightmon, BOW coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation. “The only thing the participant needs to bring is her personal items, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn.”

The weekend-long workshop will offer 32 different classes with three themed categories – shooting and hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive sports like camping, canoeing and rappelling. There is something for everyone. One new class is a falconry class where participants will get an opportunity to handle raptors. Another recent addition is an advanced fly-fishing class using float tubes. After daily classes the evenings are filled with fun and entertainment like night hikes, musicians and storytellers.

Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin. There is a central dining hall for meals. Equipment, materials, food and lodging are all included. However, participants will need to bring a camera for the outdoor photography class.

Dightmon added, “I love to see the women interact and watch the camaraderie grow.”

Registration is $240 and enrollment is open to all women over 18.

For more information, a schedule of classes, and a registration form, contact the Arizona Wildlife Federation at (480) 644-0077 or email awf@azwildlife.org.