Wildlife News – Sept 11, 2009
- Application deadline for spring draw is Oct. 13
- Road map for Apache Trout recovery unveiled
- The dos and don'ts of reporting wildlife law violations
- Volunteers sought for cleanup of OHV area on National Public Lands Day
- Input accepted on draft EA for limiting predation of bighorn sheep on the Kofa NWR
- Community Archery Program targets Phoenix and Tucson metro areas
- Bats aren't so bad after all
- 2-plus-pound catfish heading to urban lakes soon
- Youth workshop offered to teach Arizona small game basics
- Reward of up to $1,500 offered in deer poaching in Sierra Vista
- Wounded bull elk found in Tusayan neighborhood
- Public invited to Antelope Awareness Day
Application deadline for spring draw is Oct. 13
The deadline to submit applications for 2010 spring hunts for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear is Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at 7 p.m. (MST).
In order to participate in this draw you must submit a paper application by mail (Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, PO Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052) or drop it off at any department office prior to the deadline. Applications must be received by the deadline; postmarks don't count. There is no online application process available.
The spring regulation booklet with season dates, hunt numbers and additional draw information can be downloaded from www.azgfd.gov/draw. Printed copies of the regulation booklet should be available from department offices and more than 300 license dealers statewide no later than Sept. 15.
This is now a great time to get your application submitted and take advantage of the correction period. If your application has a mistake and is received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 24, the department will attempt to call you three times in a 24-hour period and give you the opportunity to correct the mistake. After that date, mistakes can cause your application to be rejected.
Remember, you must purchase a 2010 license to enter the spring draw.
For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.
Road map for Apache Trout recovery unveiled
There is now a new road map for the recovery of Arizona's state fish, the Apache Trout, which had been on the brink of extinction three decades ago.
Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of a revised Apache Trout Recovery Plan, which was a collaborative planning effort amongst federal, state and tribal partners.
This revised recovery plan identifies actions to bolster populations in the wild, establishes benchmarks for measuring the progress of recovery, and estimates the costs of recovery.
Broad support for this collaborative recovery effort was recently highlighted at a signing ceremony for the Apache Trout Recovery Plan. The ceremony, hosted at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Sipe Wildlife Area south of Springerville, was attended by representatives from Arizona Game and Fish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the U.S. Forest Service.
“An updated recovery plan provides the Service and all the partners in Apache trout recovery with the most up-to-date scientific information and assures we are on the right path,” said Benjamin N. Tuggle, PhD, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southwest Region.“I'm excited to say, if a recovery plan is a map to recovery – then we are well on our way to bringing the State Fish of Arizona back from the brink of extinction.”
Kirk Young, fisheries chief for Game and Fish, said the Apache trout recovery effort has been a model for partnering and collaboration. “What's more, we feel confident that the Apache trout will become the first fish in the nation to be proposed for down-listing. We have the road map, know what needs to be done, and we will make it happen.”
The plan sets the benchmarks to achieving full recovery success under the Endangered Species Act. The final plan identifies a goal to establish at least 30 self-sustaining populations within the historic range and to minimize or reduce threats to the point that the populations are self-sustaining.
Due to ongoing recovery actions, the pure strains of the species are now found in 28 populations on the Tribe's Fort Apache Indian Reservation and in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
A copy of the Recovery Plan and additional information can be found by visiting http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/index.html#plans.
The Apache trout's scientific Genus name Oncorhynchus means “hook snout,” referring to the hooked jaw of a breeding male, while the specific description Apache refers to the Native American Apache Tribes that live in the trout's range. The golden-colored trout with black spots is native to the White Mountains in east-central Arizona.
Originally placed on the endangered species list in 1967, the trout was restricted to 13 populations, all on lands administered by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. A recovery plan was originally completed for Apache trout in 1979 and updated in 1983.
The main threats to the species are adverse land use practices resulting in habitat destruction and negative interactions (predation, hybridization and competition) with introduced nonnative species.
State wildlife officials pointed out that progress towards recovery would not have been possible without the White Mountain Apache Tribeand the angling community, including both labor and funding from groups like Trout Unlimited, Federation of Flyfishersand others.
Members of the Old Pueblo Trout Unlimitedchapter in Tucson regularly volunteer on barrier maintenance, crayfish removal, and habitat restoration projects in cooperation with state and federal biologists. Their support has been instrumental as a successful collaboration among multiple partners.
“The recovery of Apache trout is soon to be another success story enabled by the NorthAmerican Model of Wildlife Management,” Young said.
The dos and don'ts of reporting wildlife law violations
Arizona Game and Fish Department law enforcement officers want the public to report wildlife violations, but there are things a person should and shouldn't do at a potential crime scene.
“The desire of the public to help us catch violators is great. However, there are instances when those desires can actually hinder law enforcement efforts,” said Ken Dinquel, Operation Game Thief (OGT) program manager in Phoenix.
Dinquel explained that those encountering violations sometimes inform the violator they will be calling the Operation Game Thief 24-hour hotline.
“At that point the violator vacates the scene before law enforcement personnel can arrive,” Dinquel said. “A better approach is to avoid contact, leave the scene, and call the OGT hotline as soon as possible with details.”
Dinquel added that license plate numbers, names (if known), vehicle descriptions, and GPS (global positioning system) coordinates are all important pieces of information an officer can use.
Another common mistake is getting too close or examining a dead animal.
“Additional footprints, tire tracks, and general disturbance of the area make an investigation difficult, if not impossible,” Dinquel explained. “If the death of a wild animal appears to be suspicious, people should assume a violation has occurred, call the OGT hotline, and provide the location. Do not disturb the area around the site.”
Individuals should also remember that confronting suspected violators in the backcountry could be dangerous.
“Approaching a violator is not the best course of action,” Dinquel warned. “Allow trained law enforcement officers to handle such situations. Individuals should focus on being a good witness, but should never put themselves in harm's way.”
Individuals witnessing or suspecting a violation can call Operation Game Thief toll free, 24 hours a day at 1-800-352-0700. Callers can remain anonymous upon request. The OGT program may pay rewards for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a case.
For additional anti-poaching resources or to report wildlife violations online, please visit the Operation Game Thief web page at www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml.
Volunteers sought for cleanup of OHV area on National Public Lands Day
Help make a positive impact on off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding areas on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 26.
Volunteers will gather to make a difference at the Boulders OHV Staging Area along State Route 74 (mile marker 11.5) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To get to the Boulders from the Phoenix area, head north on I-17 to the Highway 74 exit (exit 223), head west on Highway 74 to mile marker 11.5, then go north one mile to the staging area. Road access into the area is good for most vehicles.
The public is encouraged to volunteer (under the terms of an agency agreement) to assist with cleanup, outreach and sign installation activities. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, snacks and water.
Cycle Gear, a motorsports gear store, will have prizes for top volunteer efforts. The Arizona Trails Riders will be conducting courtesy vehicle sound testing and will help repack mufflers. The Arizona OHV Coalition and OHV Ambassadors will provide you with maps and informational materials. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will have its mobile OHV learning center on hand to help inform the public of the new OHV laws, places to ride, and tips on responsible operation.
Partners in this National Public Lands Day event include the Bureau of Land Management Phoenix District, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona State Parks, Cycle Gear (www.cyclegear.com), Arizona Trail Riders, the Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, and the OHV Ambassadors.
For more information on this event, please contact the Bureau of Land Management Phoenix District at (623) 580-5500.
Input accepted on draft EA for limiting predation of bighorn sheep on the Kofa refuge
Public meeting to be held in Yuma Sept. 16; comment period ends Oct. 2
As a cooperating agency with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is encouraging its constituents to attend the public meeting regarding the “Draft Environmental Assessment for Limiting Mountain Lion Predation on Desert Bighorn sheep on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.”
The public meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Pivot Point Conference Center, 200 North Madison Ave, in Yuma, Ariz. Directions to the Conference Center area are available at www.pivotpointconferencecenter.com
Hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), the public meeting will provide a forum for sharing information and facilitating public input regarding this important issue. The Service will provide a presentation, address questions, and will staff multiple information stations during the open house portion of the meeting.
The Draft EA was announced Aug. 4 with a 60-day comment period open from Aug. 4 – Oct. 2. A copy of the Draft EA may be viewed and downloaded from www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.
Once a very robust population, the number of bighorn sheep on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge has dropped significantly since 2000. The Kofa herd has played a critical role in reversing the decline of desert bighorn sheep for more than 50 years. The herd is a historic source population for re-establishing, supplementing, or expanding other sheep populations throughout the Southwest, in many cases bringing back this incredible species back to places they have not been for years.
To learn more about the struggling Kofa desert bighorn sheep herd and efforts to recover it, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web site at www.azgfd.gov/kofa.
Community Archery Program targets Phoenix and Tucson metro areas
Partnership focuses on providing healthy activities for Arizona's youth
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Archery Trade Association have teamed up to increase archery and bowhunting programs for youngsters throughout Arizona and enhance facilities in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Through the agreement, the ATA will provide funding to the Game and Fish Department to double their current archery recruitment staff to include an archery coordinator and a bowhunting coordinator.
“This exciting new partnership with the Game and Fish Department will help grow archery and bowhunting in Arizona and specifically in the Phoenix and Tucson areas,” said Mitch King, Archery Trade Association's director of government relations. “The ATA and its Arizona members, archery manufacturers, and archery shops from across the state are anxious to help the department reach out to the youth of the state to provide them with a safe and fulfilling recreational outlet.”
The additional staffing combined with the concerted effort between all parties will provide a focused campaign for continuing and growing community-based archery programs like National Archery in the Schools, After School Archery, and Junior Olympic Archery Development.
In addition, the expanded effort will allow the implementation of programs highlighting 3-D archery, bow-fishing, crossbows, the National Bowhunter Education Foundation's courses, and outdoor skills workshops.
“We now have more than 122 schools participating in the Archery in the Schools Program,” said Game and Fish Assistant Director Ty Gray. “This partnership with the Archery Trade Association will help expand these programs and new ones further into the communities of Arizona to recruit and retain new archery shooters and bowhunters.”
In a multifaceted grassroots system, the Archery Trade Association's (ATA) Community Archery Program works with state wildlife agencies, local parks and recreation departments, communities, archery shops, clubs, and organizations to expand on the success of the National Archery in the Schools program, a physical education curriculum designed to teach international-style target archery in grades 4-12.
“These are exciting times to see the Game and Fish Department working hand-in-hand with private industry to achieve the same goal,” said Randy Philips, owner of Archery Headquarters in Chandler and an ATA board member.
There are many benefits from shooting a bow and arrow. Although shooting a bow is a physical activity, physical condition is not a limiting factor and allows equal participation. Additionally, shooting sports develop concentration and mental focus, improve self-confidence, teach respect and accountability, and provide a low-impact healthy activity.
To learn more about shooting sports and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov/shootingsports.
Bats aren't so bad after all
Learn more about these misunderstood animals at free workshop and viewing
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 to learn the answers to these questions and find out more about these shy, misunderstood creatures. The final workshop for the 2009 series will be held on Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:15 p.m.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for the public to watch an amazing sight as thousands of Mexican free-tail bats exit their roost for the evening at Phoenix's largest bat colony, near the Biltmore area. The programs begin with a talk by bat biologists and an opportunity to see live bats up close. Participants will then watch the mass exodus using special night vision and ultrasonic sound equipment to hear the bat's inaudible echolocation sounds.
“Bats are plagued by a lot of inaccurate myths,” says Angela McIntire, Arizona Game and Fish Department bat management coordinator. “But, they do so many good things like helping protect agricultural crops and our backyards from being overrun by pesky insects. And, few Valley residents know that they have a great wildlife viewing opportunity so close to home.”
Arizona is home to 28 bat species, including two species that are nectar-feeders and pollinate plants like the saguaro and agaves. Mexican free-tailed bats are found throughout Arizona in the summer and most migrate south in the winter. It has a wingspan of 11 to 13 inches, and it roosts in caves, tunnels, and crevices in tunnels, bridges and buildings. Bats are most frequently observed between April and October, but many species are active year-round in the state. They are the only mammal that can truly fly and, contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet some of the Valley's more secretive residents. The events are family-friendly and free to the public. Educators are also encouraged to attend and receive continuing education credit.
The Maricopa County Flood Control District partners with the department to host the workshops.
The bat workshop series is supported by the Heritage Fund. Started in 1990, the Heritage Fund was established by Arizona voters to further conservation efforts in the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Department uses Heritage Fund dollars to manage more than 800 native wildlife species, including threatened and endangered species; to help urban residents coexist with wildlife; to educate children and the public about the environment and wildlife conservation; and, to create new opportunities for outdoor recreation like wildlife viewing.
The Heritage Fund provides critical funding to the department and benefits communities statewide.
Those attending a workshop should park at the commercial building located at 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle. The building is on the northeast corner of 24th Street and Arizona Biltmore Circle, just south of Lincoln Dr. The workshop will be held on the southwest corner of that intersection at the Maricopa County Flood Control District Tunnel, next to the Squaw Peak Police Precinct. It will be marked with signage. The public is encouraged to arrive on time: The bats leave at sunset and won't wait!
For more information about bats in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov.
2-plus-pound catfish heading to urban lakes soon
Plan to have stout fishing line on your poles when visiting the Urban Program Lakes this fall season – the channel catfish are expected to average 2-plus pounds when the stockings recommence on the week of Sept. 21-26.
“Those looking to hook some larger fish this fall will want to visit the urban lakes for the channel catfish action,” said Eric Swanson, the Urban Fisheries program manager. “But be sure to have fresh line on your reels – hard-fighting 2-plus-pound catfish can put your equipment to the test and bust your old line.”
Swanson explained that catfish stockings cease during the summer months because of increased water temperatures at the urban lakes and the increased stress associated with transporting fish all the way from Arkansas in the summer.
“Despite the challenging economy, or maybe because of it, we are experiencing increased angler participation this year in Arizona's Urban Fishing Program,” Swanson said.
Swanson added that this participation trend certainly makes sense. “Lots of people have recognized the excellent value of this high quality and affordable outdoor fishing experience close to home. That fits right in with our urban program motto; if people can't get to the fish, we bring the fish to the people.”
There are 21 city park lakes in 11 cities across the state currently participating in the urban fishing program. Each lake is surrounded by distinctive signage that identifies the water as part of this active fish stocking program.
The every-other-week catfish stockings will continue through mid-November, which is when the urban program will switch over to winter stockings of rainbow trout.
Don't forget that if you have friends or family visiting from out of state, especially during winter, the price for an annual urban fishing license is the same as it is for resident anglers – the Class U (urban) fishing license is just $18.50. “That is just about the cost of a single fish dinner at a nice restaurant,” Swanson pointed out.
Youth under age 14 fish for free – they do not need a fishing license.
Youth workshop offered to teach Arizona small game basics
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a small game basics workshop for young hunters, those who want to learn to hunt, or those who recently moved to Arizona. On Oct. 2 and 3, staff in the department's Pinetop regional office will conduct their annual small game hunting camp in Game Management Units 1 and 3B to provide youth with the basic skills they need to successfully pursue tree squirrels. The program will also provide an overview of hunting opportunities for other small game species found throughout the state. Youths ages 8 and older are invited to participate.
The overnight camp, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with assistance from the White Mountain Rod and Gun Club, includes meals, instruction and field time with hunting mentors. The program is aimed at developing responsible, ethical and successful hunters who recognize the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation.
"This intensive camp is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to enhance their hunting knowledge and skills here in Arizona, while also teaching them the values of stewardship and wildlife conservation," says Wildlife Manager Supervisor Mike Godwin. "The workshop is about hands-on learning, asking questions, and being with others who are also interested in hunting."
The camp will be held at the Los Burros Campground, located on Forest Road 224 that runs between Vernon and McNary. The program will cover hunting opportunities, firearm safety and game care. Other activities include archery instruction and 3-D shooting, survival basics, first aid and more. Instructional sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and participants will hunt in the field with mentors on Saturday.
For more information or to sign up, contact or call the department's Pinetop office at (928) 367-4281. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Reward of up to $1,500 offered in deer poaching in Sierra Vista
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public's help in finding the individual responsible for the illegal killing of a white-tailed deer on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 5. It was left to rot after being shot from a vehicle on High Knolls Road, just east of Sierra Vista near the San Pedro River.
Residents had often seen the deer in the area and dove hunters had seen it alive at a watering hole Saturday morning.
“This was a mature 2 x 2 whitetail buck that was killed by a small-caliber, high-powered rifle from the roadway,” said Brad Fulk, wildlife manager supervisor for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Evidence suggests that the poacher was in a vehicle on High Knolls Road when the deer was shot. This isn't the action of a hunter; it's an act of a criminal who is wasting Arizona's wildlife resources, and the offender needs to be brought to justice.”
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking the public's assistance in bringing the offender to justice. If you have information on this incident, or any other Game and Fish violation, call the department's Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700. Callers are eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,500 for information leading to the arrest of the violator responsible for this poaching case. Caller identities may remain confidential upon request.
Wounded bull elk found in Tusayan neighborhood
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public's help in gathering information about a large bull elk that was shot and wounded by bow and arrow near the town of Tusayan just south of the Grand Canyon. The animal was wounded during the weekend of Aug. 21.
Game and Fish was contacted after the wounded bull appeared in the front yard of a residence in Tusayan. A department law enforcement officer and a biologist responded to the call and were able to tranquilize the bull and remove the arrow, which was embedded in the rump area of the animal. The bull was closely monitored until it ran off on its own.
Department officials suspect that the bull was shot near Tusayan, in Game Management Unit 9, and then traveled into town. The wounding of this bull is a game law violation since the legal archery elk season does not begin until mid-September. This shooting most likely occurred during the opening weekend of the archery deer season.
“This is an example of irresponsible individuals and their disrespect for wildlife and the laws and seasons that are established to protect our wildlife resources,” said Game and Fish Wildlife Manager Mike Rice. “This case is also frustrating due to the fact that the elk hunting season hasn't started yet, and we don't know where in Unit 9 the animal was originally shot.
“We need the public's help in finding the individual(s) involved in the shooting,” said Rice. “If you were in the area recently, please try to remember anything you might have seen or heard or any conversations you might have had. Someone may not realize he or she has the key to solving this case.”
Anyone with information about this incident can call the department's Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline at (800) 352-0700. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,500, and all calls may remain confidential upon request.
Public invited to Antelope Awareness Day
The Arizona Antelope Foundation is conducting a public workshop about pronghorn antelope on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at Mormon Lake Lodge.
The event includes presentations on pronghorn natural history, diet and watering behaviors, habitat issues, locating and observation techniques, and guided field trips.
For more information, visit the Arizona Antelope Foundation Web site at www.azantelope.org