- Recovery program aims to make endangered leopard frogs common in Arizona
- Arizona participates in Operation Dry Water national patrol effort
- Game and Fish officer, 2 other agency employees fired upon near Mexico border
- Dove seasons, special big game tags on agenda for June 26-27 commission meeting
- Take dad out fishing this weekend—he deserves it
- Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame to induct four new members
- Stillman Lake native fish restoration effort ready to begin
- Great American Deer Raffle deadline is June 22
- Downtown peregrine falcons successfully fledge first young in 13 years
- Photo contest offers cash prizes, deadline is July 6
- Carp die-off at Lake Havasu increases
- Take a survey and provide your input on hunt guideline considerations
- Arizona Big Game Super Raffle raises funds for wildlife conservation
- Volunteer hunter education instructor recognized by employer for community service
Recovery program aims to make endangered leopard frogs common in Arizona
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More than 30 frogs, including adults and tadpoles, were released into a protected pond on private property near Show Low. The frogs for this inaugural release came from a breeding stock maintained by Game and Fish that originated from the Three Forks area of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Biologists hope the frogs from this site will breed successfully and become a source population for stocking future waters.
This introduction of Chiricahua leopard frogs is the first to occur as part of a new Safe Harbor Agreement. The Safe Harbor program makes it possible for private and non-federal landowners to participate in the conservation of multiple wildlife species, including endangered Gila topminnow, desert pupfish, Yaqui topminnow, and Quitobaquito pupfish by providing refuge sites.
“Chiricahua leopard frogs were once common in Arizona, but populations declined due to habitat loss, competition from non-native species and disease,” says Valerie Boyarski, amphibians and reptiles conservation planner for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The Safe Harbor program focuses on identifying ideal sites that will contribute the most to the recovery of the species. Finding suitable natural waters, sources of frogs and the resources required to provide oversight after a release are the biggest challenges for the program, and for the recovery of the species.”
Since source populations for Chiricahua leopard frogs are limited, the department must be selective when choosing locations for enrollment in the Safe Harbor Agreement. Only those locations with the highest potential to help recover this threatened species are selected as release sites.
Ideal establishment sites must contain a constant water source; be located within the historical range at the right elevations; be adjacent to federal lands that provide perennial waters; and, be free of non-native species that could prey on the frogs.
The reintroduction was carried out through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Game and Fish and the landowners. Funding assistance to prepare the site was provided by the Landowner Incentive Program, a grant program administered by Game and Fish on behalf of the Department of the Interior.
"It is rewarding to be an integral part of helping Game and Fish recover a species that was once prevalent in the state," says George and Martha Gann, owners of the property where the frogs were released. “We had to go through a stringent process to determine if our property was suitable, but it will be worthwhile if we can help secure the future for these endangered frogs.”
The Chiricahua leopard frog is a greenish-brown frog that grows to be about 4 inches long. Until the 1970s, Chiricahua leopard frogs lived in ponds and creeks across central and southeastern Arizona, but populations have declined significantly since then due to drought, disease, habitat loss and threats from non-native species.
Chiricahua leopard frogs were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2002. A recovery team was created to help bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The team developed a recovery plan with the goal of recovering the species to the point where it can be removed from the endangered species list. The plan includes releases of captive-bred frogs, habitat restoration, and monitoring.
Arizona participates in Operation Dry Water national patrol effort
In the midst of record lake levels in Arizona, state agencies are joining forces in an intensified effort to remind boaters to act responsibly while recreating on the water this summer.
Operation Dry Water is a national campaign that was created to detect and remove impaired boaters from waters across the nation. It is organized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard and will focus on enforcing Operating/Boating Under the Influence (OUI or BUI) laws in 43 states June 26-28, 2009.
In Arizona, as part of this national effort, law enforcement officials from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Havasu City Police Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct an interagency sobriety checkpoint on the Colorado River system.
One of the most visited bodies of water west of the Mississippi, checkpoints occur regularly along the Colorado River. Statistics show a significant number of boating deaths are alcohol related, and these checkpoints remove dangerous boaters from the water by enforcing the .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
The primary purpose of the operation is to detect boat operators who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and to provide boating safety education and outreach to all boaters contacted as part of this effort.
“Operation Dry Water is a national coalition of watercraft enforcement agencies banding together to provide enforcement and public interaction that will expand awareness about OUI and its consequences,” said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona’s boating law administrator. “The penalties of watercraft operation and or driving a vehicle while impaired are almost the same in the state of Arizona.”
OUI and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) penalties became almost identical under a new law last January. “I don’t think the public is fully aware that operating a vessel at or above the legal limit is against the law,” Bergersen said. “People who would never drink and drive a car quite often think nothing of choosing to drink and operate a boat. We need to change that mind set.”
Penalties for OUI include large fines and jail time. In 2008, there were 316 OUI arrests in Arizona.
Since 1998, 41 percent of all Arizona fatalities (42 out of 103) have involved alcohol. Heat, wind, noise, vibration and motion – "stressors" common to the boating environment – intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications. They impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
Operation Dry Water at a national level is meant to promote awareness about local alcohol and boating laws. Bergersen advised that it is preferential to promote awareness and responsibility rather than arrest violators. “However, the reality is, for your safety and the safety of others, if you choose to drink and then operate a boat at or above the legal .08 limit, you will go to jail,” he said.
To find out more about Operation Dry Water and Operating or Boating Under the Influence in Arizona, please visit www.azgfd.gov, www.nasbla.org or www.uscgboating.org.
Game and Fish officer, 2 other agency employees fired upon near Mexico border
Three government agency employees, including an officer with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, another Game and Fish employee, and an employee with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, were fired upon June 11 by a group of men they encountered while scouting the area for a land access project in southern Arizona.
None of the agency employees were injured.
The three were riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on a road through a small canyon area about four miles east of Arivaca Lake when they encountered a group described as at least four Hispanic males dressed in camouflage.
According to Leonard Ordway, supervisor for Game and Fish’s Tucson region, two of the individuals in camouflage immediately fled a short distance up a hill and dropped down in the grass upon the encounter, while the agency employees backed out of the immediate vicinity and regrouped.
After a few minutes, the Game and Fish officer crept up a small rise a short distance from the road to look over the scene with binoculars. He observed two other males in camouflage in the area, but in a different direction from the first two. He then started back down the hill to return to the ATVs.
“As he started back down to the quads, a gunshot coming from the direction where the first two individuals had fled impacted the ground about 10 feet behind him,” said Ordway.
The three agency employees immediately departed the area and notified Game and Fish Radio Dispatch, which in turn notified the Border Patrol, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
About 30-40 law enforcement personnel, aided by three helicopters, were on site within 45 minutes to search the area and investigate the scene. They were not able to find the suspects but did recover several fresh 9mm casings from the area where the initial shot came from, indicating subsequent shots may have been fired as the agency employees were leaving the area.
“We’re thankful no one was hurt,” said Game and Fish Director Larry Voyles. “Our law enforcement officers and other field personnel often work in remote areas, and yesterday’s incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that they—and personnel from other agencies—face in areas near the border."
Game and Fish is reviewing its operating procedures for employees working in borderland areas.
Dove seasons, special big game tags on agenda for June 26-27 commission meeting
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The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Phoenix headquarters or view the meeting via a videoconference feed at any of the department’s regional offices in Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma, Tucson and Mesa. For a list of office addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.
Those viewing the meeting at the regional offices will be able to submit “blue slips” to present oral comment during the “call for comment” portions of the agenda, just as if they were attending the meeting in person.
The Friday, June 26 portion of the meeting begins with an executive session at 8 a.m., followed by the public meeting. Items on Friday’s agenda include:
- Statewide shooting range grant requests for fiscal year 2010.
- Proposed revisions to the Heritage Public Advisory Committee charter.
- Request for the commission to approve the agreement for a permit with Arizona Public Service for the purpose of continuing service for construction, operation, and maintenance of electric poles and lines at Page Springs Hatchery – Bubbling Ponds, Yavapai County, Arizona.
- Request for the commission to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service for the department to participate as a cooperating agency in the National Environmental Policy Act process concerning the Rosemont Copper Project.
- Request for the commission to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management for the department to participate in the development of the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS).
- Intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the City of Maricopa regarding hunting within city limits.
The Saturday, June 27 portion of the meeting begins at 8 a.m. Items on Saturday’s agenda include:
- Summary of alternatives for site selection of the Northern Arizona Regional Shooting Facility, including projected scale, timeline, and budget commitments.
- Consideration of applications from organizations for Special Big Game Hunt License Tags for antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, buffalo, elk, javelina, mountain lion, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and turkey for 2010-2011.
- Consideration of proposed Commission Order 29 for Special Big Game License-Tag Seasons for mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, elk, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, black bear, and mountain lion for the 2010-2011 special tag hunting seasons.
- Consideration of proposed Commission Orders 19 (dove), 20 (band-tailed pigeon) and 24 (sandhill crane) establishing seasons and season dates, bag and possession limits, and open/closed areas for the 2009-2010 hunting season.
- Proposed dates and locations of Arizona Game and Fish Commission meetings for 2010 and January 2011.
The commission may vote to take action or provide the department with direction on the agenda items. For a complete agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the commission agenda link.
Take dad out fishing this weekend—he deserves it
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But don’t despair if you are not sure where to go -- Rory Aikens, the fishing report editor for the Arizona Game and Fish Department has some piscatorial pointers for you.
“Dad will grin from ear to ear after catching a toothy northern pike at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff,” Aikens promised.
He pointed out that Upper Lake Mary is the only high country lake in the pines where you can fire up the big boat motor and "be Some-buddy" as Andy Griffith would say. “You aren't required to use those woosie single-numeral put-puts.”
You can troll some Rapalas, spinners or Rat-L-Traps but if you really want bug-eyed monsters, try stocker-trout resembling swim baits. You can even get out the water skiis (different type of trolling).”
“Old coal-burning locomotives and dads are a natural weekend mix, so head over to Kaibab, Whitehorse or Dogtown near Williams, catch some trout in the morning, then take dad to the late-morning shoot-em-up at the Grand Canyon Railroad Station (every morning),” Aikens said.
Or better yet, conduct dad to the vintage train for a clickety-clack excursion across the Colorado Plateau. “Be sure to bribe the pistol-packin’ galoots to take his wallet at gunpoint when they hold up the 3:10 to Williams. Then take ol’ dad fishing in the evening when the train comes back from Pecos Bill's giant irrigation ditch that people like to photograph so much,” Aikens suggested.
Can't get out of Urbania? No sweat. Rattle dad out of the sheets at O-Dark-Thirty with a steaming cup of Joe to help pry his eyelids open, then scoot over to the Lower Salt River before all the beer-guzzling tubers get there so dad can catch feisty desert river trout in the cool current. If you have a canoe, so much the better. Of course, once the sun climbs high in the sky, a tube and suds might become irresistible. Make dad feel young again (don't forget a big floppy hat and sunscreen).
There are also plenty of urban lakes to try. The Papago Ponds (near the Phoenix Zoo) are even a blue ribbon urban fishery -- pretty unique stuff (that's where my youngest boy caught his first bass at age 2).
Or better yet, load up the camping gear and treat your well-deserving dad to a mountain adventure in the high pines. “Big Lake might test dad's aging lungs, but cumulus puffballs drifting lazily by Mt. Baldy while large cutthroat trout fight for the privilege making daddy-o smile will lift everyone's spirits higher than an osprey soaring in Nat’s orange-colored sky," Aikens said.
Maybe amble down to the East or West Forks of Black River for some golden therapy catching native Apache trout along quick gurgling runs.
“Put a cane pole in dad's hand with a wiggling worm on the hook and the years will magically peel back like shucking an ear of sweet summer corn. He'll feel like he's cavorting with Huck and Tom again at Sam's favorite fishin' hole,” Aikens predicted.
It's never too late for a Powell Houseboat surprise -- he'll always remember the world-class fishing for striped bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass while experiencing some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. It will become a well-thumbed page in his revered book of memories.
Does dad like to fly fish? “It doesn't get much better than a guided trip to Lees Ferry. That will put the twinkle back in his eyes (yours too). It's another experience for the ages,” Aikens said.
Or go catch some trout along Casino Row in Laughlin and then saddle up to a big buffet for lunch, and maybe catch an evening show.
Dad might want to go fishing for crappie at night (New Moon June 22). Three good choices: Bartlett, Roosevelt or Alamo. But night striper fishing can be a trip, try Pleasant, Havasu or Mead.
“So get dad out this weekend and build some memories. If my wife reads these tips maybe I'll see you out there,” Aikens said.
Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame to induct four new members
The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame class of 2009 will induct two individuals and two groups whose contributions and service have benefited Arizona’s wildlife, habitats and outdoor heritage.
The new inductees, who will be honored Friday, Aug. 21, at the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation’s Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, are:
- Dr. Robert Ohmart. Dr. Ohmart’s accomplishments as a zoology professor at Arizona State University can be measured by the number and energy of undergraduate students he produced and also by the body of research engaged by his team of graduate biologists over his long career. He coached more than 40 graduate students in an incredible array of studies ranging from raptors to tortoises, and bighorn to burros, as well as the habitats they required. His pioneering work on restoring riparian vegetation along the lower Colorado River contributed significant insights into the complexity of Southwestern riparian systems. During the 1970s and 80s, Dr. Ohmart helped secure significant grant funding for many of the projects he and his students were researching.
- Frances Werner. Wildlife enthusiast Frances Werner of Tucson has volunteered on behalf of Arizona's natural resources for almost four decades. The first woman appointed to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Ms. Werner worked to obtain access to public lands for sportsmen and was a strong advocate for cooperation between governmental agencies, the public, and the various resource users. She has served on many boards and committees of wildlife and land management agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona State Land Department. Ms. Werner’s various awards include the Arizona Wildlife Federation's Conservationist of the Year and the Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society's Conservation Award.
- Mesa Hunter Education Instructor Team. The Mesa Hunter Education Program has been dedicated to meeting the hunter education needs of residents in the East Valley for 35 years. Originally started in 1974 as an NRA firearms safety class offered through the Mesa Parks and Recreation Department, the program attracts and retains a large cadre of instructors. Currently there are 55 active instructors that have more than 500 years of combined hunter education teaching experience. The team routinely graduates about 10 percent of all of the state’s hunter education graduates, and since 1996 has accumulated over 29,000 volunteer hours while teaching hunter education to more than 5,400 students during that time.
- Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club. The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club (YVRGC) aggressively supports the enhancement and protection of wildlife, habitat, wildlife-dependent outdoors recreation, and public vehicular access on public lands. Started in 1936 when a small group put together an annual Bass Fishing Derby and Deer Hunting Contest, the club has expanded into a vibrant and energetic family organization offering numerous activities to a growing membership of around 300. YVRGC members volunteer an extensive amount of time and efforts to a wide variety of habitat improvement projects to benefit wildlife, in partnership with the department and other groups and agencies. YVRGC has long been in the forefront of teaching firearms safety and hunter education, and since the 1960s, its volunteer instructors have graduated thousands of youth and some adults who are educated in safety and outdoor ethics. YVRGC is also politically active in wildlife conservation issues.
The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was established in 1998 by the Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have made significant contributions to Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage. Selections for induction are made each year by the board of directors of the Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation from a list of nominations submitted.
The Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet on Aug. 21 begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony. There will be a live and silent auction and door prizes. The Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center is located at 7700 East McCormick Parkway in Scottsdale.
Tickets to the banquet are $70 each or $700 for a table of 10. Table sponsorship opportunities are available as well for $1,000.
To download a reservation form, visit www.azgfd.gov/w_c/ArizonaOutdoorHallofFame.shtml and click on the link near the bottom of the page. Completed forms should be mailed to Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, 14646 W. Harvard St., Goodyear, AZ 85395, or they can be e-mailed to wildlifefortomorrow@cox.net.
For more information, contact the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation at (623) 204-2130.
Stillman Lake native fish restoration effort ready to begin
Effort to start following 45-day appeal period
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department – with assistance from Prescott Flycasters, The Nature Conservancy, and other volunteers – are set to begin a native fish restoration effort at Stillman Lake.
The ‘lake’ is actually a large pool of the Upper Verde River, and will undergo restoration and enhancement of native fish, including the razorback sucker, roundtail chub, and other native species.
“The Verde River, including its assemblage of unusually adapted desert fish, is uniquely Arizona,” said Shaula Hedwall, FWS biologist. “Restoring a source population of Verde fish species is a milestone in making the river whole again and achieving species recovery.”
“This is an important step in future management of native species in the Verde River,” said Andy Clark, fisheries program manager for the Game and Fish Kingman office. “It’s exciting to be a part of this effort.
“The lake will provide a refuge for native fish following removal of non-native predators and serve as a source of native fish for downstream areas.”
Clark explained that through recurring flood events, larval and young native species will disperse downstream throughout their historical range.
“Stillman Lake currently harbors common carp and flathead catfish, which limit native species recruitment and survival. Once these species are removed, native fish will have a chance to grow and this ‘sanctuary’ will provide a better opportunity for survival downstream following high flows,” Clark said.
Stillman Lake, part of the Game and Fish Department’s Upper Verde River Wildlife Area and The Nature Conservancy’s Verde River Springs Preserve south of Paulden, does not attract many anglers in relation to other regional and statewide locations for sport fish recreation.
“It’s ideal for a restoration effort such as this,” Clark said. “Those who enjoy sport fishing aren’t going to be heavily impacted by this effort. In fact, those who use this area should be excited about the prospect of angling for roundtail chub, also known as Verde trout.”
Agency personnel and local angler volunteers will make an effort to salvage native and sport fish prior to chemically removing remaining non-natives. Salvaged native fish will be moved downstream from Stillman Lake while sport fish will be relocated.
Rotenone will be used to eliminate any remaining fish. The chemical is short lived and will not impact wildlife, human populations, or fish downstream from the lake.
“The mention of chemicals is often viewed negatively,” Clark stated. “However, rotenone is important in the removal of non-native fish. This project can’t be successful without the removal of non-native predatory fish and this was determined to be the safest and most effective way to remove them.”
The lake will be closed during the treatment period, which will be about three days.
Reintroduction of native species will occur after monitoring efforts show the removal of non-native fish was successful.
The agencies met with local angler groups and conducted a public meeting, and the FWS has completed an environmental assessment and approval for the project.
On-the-ground efforts can proceed following a 45-day appeal period that concludes 5 p.m., July 27, 2009.
Those wishing to view the restoration plan should visit the FWS Web site at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/ or call (928) 226-0614, ext. 203.
Great American Deer Raffle deadline is June 22
Improve your chances for a Coues whitetail deer tag
The Arizona Deer Association is sponsoring the Great American Deer Raffle to benefit Arizona's mule deer and Coues deer herds.
The raffle features six unique items, five of them hunts, including one for an Arizona Commissioner’s Coues deer tag. This special big game tag offers a year-long hunting season and is not limited to any one specific unit.
Tickets are available through online purchase only. The deadline is June 22. Each raffle entry is only $10, and for $50, you will be entered into all six drawings.
The drawing will be at the Arizona Deer Association’s annual fundraising banquet on June 27 at the Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale.
For more information, visit www.azdeer.org.
Downtown peregrine falcons successfully fledge first young in 13 years
Previously endangered species calls downtown Phoenix home
Some people prefer the solitude of the country. Others thrive on the hustle and bustle of the city, and so it seems for one family of Arizona’s previously endangered bird species. For the first time in nearly 13 years, a pair of peregrine falcons has managed to raise a hatchling to fledging age amongst the business buildings of downtown Phoenix.
Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists have been monitoring the downtown nesting site for years, but the birds have been unsuccessful in producing a nestling that survived to take its first flight despite multiple breeding attempts.
This year, biologists confirmed that a nestling had hatched, and they kept a close eye on the nest. Early in June, the nestling was found outside of the nest on the second story of the Maricopa County Administration Building (County Building) before it was ready to fly.
“We examined the young bird to ensure it was healthy and when x-rays showed it had no broken bones, we worked quickly to get the fledgling back to the parents in hopes they would not abandon the nestling,” said Darren Julian, urban wildlife biologist for Game and Fish’s Mesa regional office. “Fortunately the parents didn’t miss a step and within a day of the nestling’s return, the adults were seen feeding the youngster and encouraging it to fly.”
The fledgling and its parents have since left the county building and may be seen perching on some of the other buildings in the area.
Peregrines were first noticed in the downtown Phoenix area in 1996, but they did not show signs of breeding until 10 years later. Only one of the two nestlings from that breeding attempt survived, and it was raised in captivity after the adult birds abandoned it prior to fledging. In 2007 and 2008, peregrines in the area were observed displaying breeding behavior, and the birds nested in a gutter on the county building later that spring. The nest was unsuccessful both years, and no young birds were ever found in the area.
Game and Fish teamed with Maricopa County personnel and a local volunteer carpenter to construct and place a nest box on the county building in hopes the falcons would utilize the structure for nesting. However, the birds had other ideas and chose to nest again this year in the gutter on the county building.
“Despite the peregrines’ presence in downtown Phoenix for many years and multiple nesting attempts, this is the first time they have successfully fledged a youngster,” said Julian. “This breeding success is exciting since peregrine falcons were previously an endangered species in our state.”
Peregrines were listed as an endangered species in the mid-1970’s and made a dramatic comeback in Arizona and the Southwest after the ban of DDT. Peregrines were removed from the endangered species list in 1999.
To help ensure the continued recovery of peregrine falcons, Game and Fish conducts post-delisting monitoring and works with other land management agencies to minimize human impact near nesting sites.
Photo contest offers cash prizes, deadline is July 6
Maybe you already know the 2010 Arizona Wildlife Calendar will feature winners of our annual wildlife photo contest. And maybe you’re aware the contest deadline is coming up soon — it’s July 6 at 5 p.m. MST (and no, postmarks don’t count).
But here’s something we bet you didn’t know: The top photographer will walk away with a $400 prize. That’s the cash reward for submitting the “best in show” photograph of Arizona’s amazing wildlife. The prize for first place isn’t bad, either: It’s $250.
So if you’ve been madly clicking away to capture great wildlife photographs for the contest, don’t delay: The deadline is almost here. There is no entry fee, and you just might win $400!
For contest rules and an entry form, visit www.azgfd.gov/photocontest.
Carp die-off at Lake Havasu increases
More tests to come, but virus primary suspect
People visiting and living in Lake Havasu have been witnessing the sight of dead carp at the lake, and the problem isn’t likely to quickly vanish.
Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists believe the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) that killed thousands of carp in Lake Mohave, is the same culprit for the die-off at Lake Havasu. However, there will likely be additional testing next week to confirm this fact. A timeline for final results from the testing is unknown.
The KHV – which can impact carp as water temperatures warm in late spring – impacts gill function and can lead to suffocation and/or secondary infections in carp, koi, and goldfish. While there were some bacterial issues with the Lake Mohave carp, lab tests from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab indicated KHV was the primary cause of the die-off.
KHV is not a threat to public health, and it does not affect other wildlife. Recent rumors of other species dying off are unfounded at this point in time.
“Just like with any living thing, fish die,” said Zen Mocarski, information and education program manager with the Game and Fish Kingman office. “There have been other species found along the shoreline, but those numbers represent only the normal amount that would be found at any given time.”
KHV is viewed as the likely cause of the die-off at Lake Havasu because carp remain the only species impacted and Lake Havasu is downriver from Lake Mohave, where this event originated. Locations downriver from Lake Havasu may be impacted as this virus runs its course through the river system.
“While this is not viewed as a public safety threat, anglers should probably focus on fishing for other species the lake has to offer and people handling the dead fish along the shoreline should take precautions, such as wearing gloves,” said Andy Clark, fisheries program manager for the Game and Fish Kingman office. “This is the case when handling anything that’s died.”
The die-off, Clark said, is not associated with a water quality issue, which would have impacted all species of fish in the lake.
In the middle of May, carp began washing up on shorelines along Lake Mohave and within a week the numbers began to multiply. Shortly afterward, a small number of carp were found dead at Lake Havasu. That number ballooned in recent days and dead fish have littered the shoreline, with the locations driven primarily by prevailing winds.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Arizona Game and Fish biologists have monitored the shoreline at Lake Havasu and have observed the same traits associated with the die-off at Lake Mohave: white spots along the sides of the gills and a lack of blood in the gills.
While the die-off at Lake Mohave has slowed and provided National Park Service an opportunity to clean dead fish from developed areas such as Cottonwood Cove and Katherine’s Landing, the duration of the die-off at Lake Havasu remains unknown primarily because of water temperatures.
“There’s really no way to know for sure,” Clark said. “I hesitate to make predictions with an issue for which we have no control. Even after the peak of the die-off has passed, it’s highly probable dead carp will continue to wash up on shorelines in smaller numbers.”
Clark added that there’s little that can be done to stop the die-off.
“There’s no method in place to change the water temperature in a short period of time that might slow or stop this event.”
This means residents and visitors have had to deal with an unpleasant sight and smell.
“There’s little that can be done when we start talking about these numbers,” Mocarski said. “While BLM and Arizona State Parks have worked to keep their segments of the shoreline clean, more carp are washing up each day.
“This situation is unique in its scope. My guess is that this will follow a similar course as Lake Mohave, but there’s really no way to tell because water temperatures are such a critical aspect with this disease.”
For fishing information, please check the Game and Fish website, www.azgfd.gov for the latest fishing report.
Take a survey and provide your input on hunt guideline considerations
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has launched an online survey to collect input on the proposed revisions under consideration for the hunt guidelines that will shape the 2010-11 and 2011-12 hunting seasons.
The survey is open until July 15 and is now available at the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines by selecting the “hunt guidelines survey” on the right side of the page.
The survey presents 16 scenarios under consideration for revising the guidelines with the intent to standardize, simplify, and to encourage hunter recruitment and retention. Survey participants can rate each proposal from one to seven on a scale ranging from “strongly favor” all the way to “strongly disfavor.” Some scenario examples include:
- Changing the hunt guideline review cycle from every two years to every three years
- Starting early Kaibab deer hunts two weeks earlier
- Limiting juniors-only spring turkey over-the-counter harvests to 35 percent in each unit
- Eliminating the once-in-a-lifetime bag limit on buffalo for cow or yearling companion hunts on the Kaibab
Survey results will be compiled and evaluated for preparing the final draft recommendation to be presented to the Game and Fish Commission at its Sept. 11-12 meeting in Phoenix. Input from a series of public meetings around the state will also be considered. For a list of remaining public meetings, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.
A PDF version of the draft proposed revisions under consideration is available for review or downloading at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines on the right side of the page under the “what’s new” heading.
For those who were unable to attend a public meeting, in addition to filling out the survey, your comments and suggestions on the draft guidelines are still welcome and encouraged through June 30. Please e-mail them to azgamebranch@azgfd.gov or by U.S. mail to Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
“This survey along with the public meetings plays a very significant part in our open review process to assure that the guidelines we present to the commission represent the voices of our constituents,” said Chief of Game Management Brian Wakeling. “Our goal is to be able to satisfy the needs of the many diverse segments and interests of our public, since they are the very people that we manage Arizona’s wildlife for.”
Every two years, on odd-numbered years, the department reviews and revises the existing hunt guidelines and recommends changes that address the current direction of the commission. The hunt guidelines set the framework (social and biological) that the department uses to develop specific hunt recommendations and permit level guides for commission orders (elk, deer, antelope, etc.).
The proposed revisions under consideration for the hunt guidelines were developed based on agency and constituent input since 2007, when hunt guidelines were last revised. Additionally, the department formally solicited and received more than 100 suggestions during the public comment period in May. Moreover, dozens of ideas, field notes, biological considerations, social aspects and more went into improving the hunt guidelines during a multitude of work sessions by a diverse representation of department employees.
To learn more about the hunt guidelines process, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.
Arizona Big Game Super Raffle raises funds for wildlife conservation
The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle offers you a chance at a unique hunt and raises funds to benefit wildlife conservation. There are now 10 special big game tags up for raffle—one each for pronghorn antelope, black bear, buffalo, Coues whitetail, desert bighorn sheep, elk, javelina, mule deer, turkey (Gould’s or Merriam’s), and now mountain lion. In addition, there will be a Swarovski optics package raffled, which will pay for the administration costs of the Super Raffle.
The deadline to purchase tickets by mail is July 3 (postmarks don’t count). The deadline to purchase tickets online is July 12. For as little as five dollars, you can get a chance at a great hunt. For $25, that highly sought-after tag for desert bighorn sheep or a bull elk may be yours.
All ticket proceeds from hunt tags will go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department where every dollar raised for each species will go directly toward the management of that particular species. Last year’s raffle raised $478,860.
The public drawing is Saturday, July 18. The time and location will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com or find a mail order form in the 2009-10 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations on page 34.
Volunteer hunter education instructor recognized by employer for community service
Jack Wheat, of Tucson, recently received recognition and a financial donation from his employer, Central Arizona Project, for his volunteer efforts as a hunter education instructor.
Wheat, a field maintenance engineer, received $850 for his volunteer efforts. He requested that the donation go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s hunter education program, just as he has done many times before over the years.
The recognition and donation are part of Central Arizona Project’s (CAP) community service and award program that honors volunteers.
“It’s really commendable of Central Arizona Project to support community involvement and volunteerism, “said Jack Wheat, volunteer hunter education instructor. “I love teaching the kids, and getting them started on the right foot is important – they are the main reason why I do it.”
Wheat has been an active volunteer hunter education instructor since October 1993.
An avid hunter himself, Wheat enjoys giving back to Arizonans, especially the youth. Wheat is passionate about the department’s hunter education program and he plans to continue volunteering his time.
“Jack is a great asset to our program, which is almost entirely dependent on volunteers,” said Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunter Education Coordinator Mark Quigley. “Over the years, Jack continues to be steadfast in his dedication and passion for promoting safe and ethical hunting in Arizona. The monetary donation is always helpful for tangibles, however, the time that he donates is invaluable.”
More than 800 dedicated volunteers facilitate the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s hunter education program. Each year, they teach more than 3000 students about safe, ethical and responsible hunting. These volunteers dedicate thousands of hours of their time each year conducting hunter education courses, mentoring, helping with conservation projects, fishing clinics, wildlife fairs, and other educational outreach programs throughout the state.
To learn more about hunter education, or to become a volunteer instructor, visit www.azgfd.gov/education and select “hunter education.”