AZG&F
Deadline to apply for Arizona elk, pronghorn hunts is Feb. 14
AZG&F has said it quite well, so here is their News Release |
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Applications can be submitted through the online service at https://az.gov/app/huntdraw/ For applicants who typically mail their paper applications, if you haven’t mailed your application by this point in time, the department recommends you either use the online service or hand deliver it to ensure it is received by the deadline. Postmarks do not count. Note: The department recommends that those using the online service not wait until the last minute to apply, in case any technical issues arise with the system. Remember, a 2012 hunting license is required to apply in the draw. If you haven’t already purchased your license, you can do so through the draw application process. Please keep in mind that if you are purchasing your license online, you must have a working printer handy and print your license out at the time of purchase. The department does not mail out licenses that are purchased online. Licenses can also be purchased at Game and Fish offices and at hunting/fishing license dealers throughout the state. Copies of the 2012 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information Booklet are available at Game and Fish offices and at hunting license dealers throughout the state. The booklet is also available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw. |
Arizona Game and Fish Commission to hold telephonic meeting TODAY on proposed HB 2072 (sale of big game tags)
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will hold a telephonic meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 (TODAY), to be briefed on the status of state and federal legislation, including Arizona HB 2072 (sale of big game tags). The meeting will be hosted at the Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17).
The commission will be briefed on HB 2072 and potential implications of its implementation, if any, to the department.
To view HB 2072, visit www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/
Members of the commission will attend either in person or by telephone conference call. The commission may vote to take a position or provide direction to the department for coordination, action, or proposed changes to legislation. The public is invited to attend.
The meeting will be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. However, those wishing to submit “blue slips” to present oral comment during the meeting must do so either in person at the Phoenix meeting or at any of the six regional Game and Fish offices where the webcast will be streamed (Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma, Tucson, Mesa).
For a list of office locations, visitwww.azgfd.gov/offices.
Mexican authorities released five Mexican wolves in Sonora, Mexico
We have learned through Arizona Game and Fish that Mexican authorities released five Mexican wolves in the San Luis Mountains in Sonora, Mexico, on Oct. 12, 2011, approximately 80 miles south of Douglas, Ariz.
Mexico’s desire to release wolves in Sonora as part of its recovery effort has been known for the past two years, although the exact timetable for release was unknown.
“Mexico is a sovereign nation with its own wildlife conservation and recovery goals. The vast majority of historic habitat for the Mexican wolf is actually in Mexico, and long-term full recovery of the sub-species is incumbent on successful recovery there, as well as our recovery efforts in the U.S.,” said Larry Voyles, director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Game and Fish will continue to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine how the wolves will be monitored and managed if animals cross the international border.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been actively involved in the multi-agency effort to reintroduce Mexican wolves to portions of their historic range in the east-central portion of Arizona (and adjacent New Mexico) for many years. In 1998, 11 captive-reared Mexican wolves were released into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) in eastern Arizona.
The current population in Arizona-New Mexico was assessed to be approximately 50 animals during 2011 monitoring. The Mexican wolf is considered endangered in the United States and Mexico.
Game and Fish continues to express concern over the lack of progress in aspects of wolf conservation.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated efforts earlier this year to update the 1982 recovery plan for the Mexican wolf throughout its historic range in the American Southwest and Mexico,” said Voyles. “The Service also recently released a draft management plan for wolves that might travel to Arizona or New Mexico as a result of the recent release in Sonora or future releases in Mexico. It will likely take years to finalize either plan because of federal environmental compliance processes that could easily be further drawn out by appeals and even litigation.”
Voyles added that wolf management is an emotional issue with potential effects on the human environment, as well as the natural environment. Everyone engaged in wolf management has a responsibility towards open and transparent coordination and information sharing with Arizona stakeholders, as mandated under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Voyles said Game and Fish will make every effort to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service, neighboring states, counties, and Mexico, to the extent that transparency allows, to manage and conserve wolves in Arizona.
This is the entire text of the AZFGD news release of Oct 20, 2011 on this subject.
