Wildlife News Related Information - Archive Search March 11, 2011 - Public Advisories - Arizona Outdoor Calendar - Call for Comments

* Life is better outdoors – find out why at the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo * Comment sought on draft EA that could affect state’s fish stocking program, native fish conservation * Arizona Senate confirms Robert Mansell as newest member of Game and Fish Commission * Trout season wrap-up for urban lakes; catfish coming on March 24 * Archery in the Schools state championship tournament is March 12 * Court reaffirms Arizona Game and Fish held valid permit in jaguar case * Historic first-ever state record Gila trout caught at Frye Mesa Reservoir * Reward offered in case of theft from Orme Ranch

Life is better outdoors – find out why at the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or a novice wanting to learn, you’ll want to attend the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s free Outdoor Expo on March 26-27 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

This popular annual event offers a fun environment where the entire family can experience great hands-on activities, demonstrations and presentations that include live wildlife, fishing, archery, shooting sports, hunting, camping, wildlife conservation, and OHV and boating exhibits. More than 100 clubs, vendors and agencies will be on hand to share their expertise and guide you to more outdoor fun.

The Expo offers something for everyone. Two huge kids’ fishing tanks will be full of sunfish ready to catch and release. A casting tank full of bass will be where experts demonstrate fishing techniques and tips throughout the day.

The Cabela’s Archery Village will offer archery lessons, the opportunity to try out different gear, and the chance to get tips and see demos from competitive archer and renowned bowhunter Randy Ulmer. Visitors can also try out an archery walking course with 3D targets.

Live wildlife will be on display, ranging from hawks and owls to rattlesnakes and Gila monsters. Informative wildlife talks will discuss the natural history of some of Arizona’s diverse creatures.

Expo attendees will have the chance to try out target shooting with firearms from different manufacturers in a safe, controlled range setting. Different shooting organizations will be on hand to let you experience specialty shooting disciplines, including cowboy action, black powder, and trap and skeet, among others. There will also be exciting shooting demos from exhibition shooter Travis Mears at the shotgun area. Be sure you don’t miss the thrilling competition from the cowboy mounted shooters. They’ll be competing in different events both days, and they will stage a fun Wild West show at 3 p.m. on Saturday the 26th.

The Expo will offer off-highway vehicle demonstrations as well as exhibits where you can learn about responsible riding, and boating exhibits where you can learn more about boating recreation and safety.

Admission and parking to the Expo are free, but you might want to bring a little cash for the food and beverage vendors or for the nominal ammunition fee at the shooting venues.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 pm on Saturday, March 26 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. The Ben Avery Shooting facility is located on Carefree Highway, ½ mile west of I-17 in Phoenix.

The Gold Sponsor for the Outdoor Expo is Cabela’s. Silver Sponsors are Dick’s Sporting Goods, the Weatherby Foundation International, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Comment sought on draft EA that could affect AZ's fish stocking program, native fish conservation Public encouraged to review the draft EA and provide comments by April 11

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) on March 10 made available for review a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on FWS’s proposal to continue to provide Sport Fish Restoration funds to AGFD to continue the state’s long-standing program of stocking fish for public recreational opportunities, and for hatchery operations and maintenance.

Members of the public are encouraged to review and provide comment on the draft EA, as it has ramifications for the future of both sport fish angling and native fish conservation in Arizona. The deadline to submit comments is April 11, 2011.

Under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, federal funding is provided to state wildlife agencies for management and restoration of sport fish. In fiscal year 2011, Arizona received over $7 million in Sport Fish Restoration Act funds.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal agencies are required to analyze potential environmental effects of any action they propose to implement, approve, or fund. Because AGFD receives federal funds used to support its stocking program (along with state funds from the sale of licenses and trout stamps), the agency is required to complete an environmental assessment process to allow it to continue receiving those federal funds.

This draft EA is a part of the federally required NEPA compliance.

”Support of sport fisheries is an important part of the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Steve Robertson, Chief of the FWS division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. “By working with the state we are able to help provide recreational fishing opportunities while being mindful of the need to protect and restore native fish populations.” “In a way, we do a balancing act,” said AGFD Fisheries Chief Kirk Young. “On one hand, Game and Fish wants to provide the public with enjoyable fishing opportunities, which create a huge economic benefit to the state. Yet on the other hand, as a wildlife agency, we also need to consider and manage for the needs of nongame and threatened and endangered wildlife, including native fish. Our proposed conservation and mitigation measures enable us to do that.”

The draft EA analyzes a range of three possible actions or alternatives. The Proposed Action would allow AGFD to continue its stocking program at 167 sites for 10 years. The Proposed Action also includes a conservation program to mitigate impacts to federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species, and other sensitive native species of fish, amphibians and semi- aquatic reptiles. This is the preferred course of action for both AGFD and FWS.

“Basically, for the recreating public, there would be little if any discernible difference in their fishing opportunities across the state if the Proposed Action in the draft EA is selected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Young said.

There are two other alternative actions listed in the draft Environmental Assessment – A “No Action” alternative that would result in the FWS not providing funding for the stocking of sport fish to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and, in essence, the department’s fish stocking program would cease; and a “Reduced Stocking" alternative, which would eliminate 66 stocking sites throughout the state (La Paz County Park Lagoon, Hulsey Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Lyman Reservoir, C.C. Craigin (Blue Ridge Reservoir), Knoll Lake, Clear Creek Reservoir, Mud Tank, Kinnikinick Lake, Coconino Lake, Morton, Ashurst Lake, Marshall Lake, Mormon Lodge Pond, Upper Lake Mary, Lower Lake Mary, Luna Lake, Big Lake, Black River East Fork, Black River West Fork, Workman Creek, Tonto Creek, Christopher Creek, Haigler Creek, , , , Salt River Lower, Parker Canyon, Patagonia, Pena Blanca, Rose Canyon, Granite Basin Lake, Dead Horse Lake, Ver de River Middle, Oak Creek, Wet Beaver Creek, West Clear Creek, East Verde River, Green Valley Lake, Bass Tank, Blue Tank, , , Cortez Lake, , Desert West Lake, Encanto Lake, Evelyn Hallman Pond, , Papago Ponds, Rio Vista Pond, , Steele Indian School Pond, Crossroads Park, McQueen Park, Bonsall Park, Granada Park, Roadrunner Park, Eldorado Park, Indian School Park, Vista del Camino Park, Tempe , Water Treatment, Discovery District Park and Selleh Park).

In addition to providing an overview of the factors affecting threatened and endangered species over time, the draft EA also analyzes the economic impacts of fish stocking and associated outdoor recreation.

How to obtain copies and comment on the draft EA:

The draft EA is available online at www.azgfd.gov/fishea or at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/federal_assistance/. Additionally, hard copies of the draft EA may be viewed at the AGFD Phoenix Headquarters or regional field offices across the state. For a list of addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.

Comments or requests for copies of the draft EA on CD may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected] or to:

Ms. Brie Darr, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold Ave. SW, Ste 9019, Albuquerque, NM 87103. Telephone: (505) 248-7457, Fax: (505) 248-7471, or

Mr. Dave Weedman, Habitat Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Telephone: (623) 236-7607, Fax (623) 236-7366.

All comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on April 11, 2011.

Once the 30-day public comment period ends, the comments will be considered for incorporation into a final EA. Then a decision will be made by FWS as to the significance of the impacts.

Additional background

Each year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks more than 3 million fish in Arizona’s lakes, rivers and streams for anglers to catch – mostly rainbow, Apache, or other trout, but some warmwater species such as largemouth bass and channel catfish as well.

Recreational angling in Arizona totaled 4,156,000 angling days in 2006, creating a statewide economic impact of more than $1.3 billion annually.

Arizona’s native fish fauna historically consisted of 36 species of fish, only a few of which were historically sought for sport fishing.

Since the early 1900s, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other agencies have supplemented recreational angling opportunities by stocking state waters with sport fish species.

Fish stockings have evolved over the past 100 years or so to meet growing needs of anglers in Arizona. Now the Arizona Game and Fish Department considers a wide range of factors when determining where and when to stock fish, including biology, angler use, partnership commitments and needs, native fish impacts and social demands.

Although most of the trout species caught in Arizona likely come from fish hatcheries, most of the warmwater species in the state – especially those in the larger impoundments such as Roosevelt Lake – come from natural reproduction.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s mission includes conservation, and for decades the Department has been a national leader when it comes to native species management efforts. “We continually strive to do what is right for native fish and all other wildlife species in the state, while also balancing the recreational needs of the public,” said Young.

The federal funding apportioned to Arizona is authorized under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act and Wallop-Breaux Act. It provides federal aid to state wildlife agencies for management and restoration of sport fish. These Sport Fish Restoration funds are derived from a federal excise tax at the manufacturing level on certain items of sport- fishing tackle, fishing equipment and motor boat fuel – a user pay, user benefit program.

Since 2000, the state of Arizona has received over $77 million in Sport Fish Restoration funds.

Arizona Senate confirms Robert Mansell as newest member of Game and Fish Commission

The Arizona Senate on March 8 confirmed Governor Jan Brewer's appointment of Robert E. Mansell to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Mr. Mansell, from Winslow, was one of three candidates submitted to Governor Brewer in November 2010 by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board. The governor appointed him to the commission in December to replace Jennifer Martin, whose term expired this year.

Mr. Mansell is a lifelong Arizona resident and outdoorsman, hunter, angler, boater, pilot and community leader. He had a long and distinguished career in public school administration, including service as superintendent of the Winslow Unified School District from 2003-2009.

He has been active in the community, including past service on the Winslow City Council, the Winslow Memorial Hospital Board, and the Winslow Rotary Club. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Mr. Mansell’s father and uncle, both now deceased, served as fish hatchery superintendents at the Canyon Creek and Tonto Creek hatcheries, respectively.

“I look forward to serving on the commission and working for the interests of wildlife and Arizona’s citizens,” said Mr. Mansell. “I grew up knowing biologists and game rangers, so I have a unique perspective on the management and conservation of fish and wildlife in Arizona.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission makes rules and regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources, and safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona.

The commission is composed of five members appointed by the governor pursuant to ARS 38-211. The commission appoints the director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the director serves as secretary to the commission. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county. No more than three may be from the same political party. Each commissioner serves a five-year term, staggered. For more information on the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

Trout season wrap-up for urban lakes; catfish coming on March 24

The final winter trout stockings in the Phoenix and Tucson area Urban Fishing Program lakes are taking place the week of March 7-12. Urban lake water temperatures are rising into the 60s, signaling the annual stocking changeover from winter trout to spring catfish. This week’s trout delivery will be the ninth one of the season, concluding a very successful winter stocking season of 100 percent on-time deliveries. For the second year in a row, the trout were larger and averaged more than ½ pound each.

At Payson’s Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings will continue every two weeks for another two months until the middle of May.

All Urban Program lakes and ponds in the Phoenix and Tucson areas will be stocked with 15- to 20-inch channel catfish on Thursday, March 24. Beginning with the spring season kick-off stocking, catfish will be stocked eight times through early July at rates averaging from 40 to 60 fish per acre. Nearly 14,000 pounds of Arkansas farm-raised catfish will be delivered and stocked into 20 Urban Fishing Program lakes every two weeks.

Archery in the Schools state championship tournament is March 12

More than 200 young archers from across the state will gather at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on Saturday, March 12, to compete in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Archery in the Schools state championship tournament.

This is the culminating event for youth participants in the program to test their skills, qualify for nationals, and earn a chance for college scholarships.

The morning competition begins at 9 a.m., the afternoon session at 1 p.m. with an awards ceremony immediately following. Spectators are welcome. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located on Carefree Highway, just west of I-17, in Phoenix. The event will be held at Ben Avery’s FITA Range.

The Archery in the Schools Program is based on a national physical education curriculum that teaches International-style target archery to students in grades 4-12. The core content covers archery, history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement. In addition, the curriculum provides interesting and creative possibilities for integration with core content in social studies, mathematics, visual arts, history, and English/language arts. Teachers of the two-week archery course undergo a Basic Archery Instructor training program offered free of charge by the Department.

For more information about the Archery in the Schools program, visit www.azgfd.gov/i_e/archery.shtml.

Court reaffirms Arizona Game and Fish held valid permit in jaguar case

U.S. District Court Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson has ruled that the Arizona Game and Fish Department held a valid endangered species permit, authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in February 2009 when the jaguar Macho B was captured and collared south of Tucson.

Judge Jorgenson’s decision adopted an earlier report and recommendation by Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro who found Game and Fish’s permit to be valid for “take” of an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

The court’s most recent decision is part of a ruling arising from defendant Janay Brun’s request to dismiss the charges against her. Brun has been charged with violating the Endangered Species Act for her alleged involvement in the unlawful capture of the jaguar Macho B.

The court ruled that while the Game and Fish Department did have a valid permit, a jury will determine whether or not that permit covered Brun’s actions. Procedures for authorizing the capture of a jaguar required approval from both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s regional director and Game and Fish’s director. The department reiterates that no one received that authorization.

A central figure in the Macho B incident, Emil McCain of Patagonia, pled guilty in U.S. District Court on May 14, 2010 for unlawfully taking a jaguar in violation of the Endangered Species Act. McCain’s plea agreement detailed how he placed jaguar scat or directed another person to place jaguar scat at snare sites to intentionally capture a jaguar. Macho B was caught in one of those snare sites on Feb. 18, 2009.

Brun’s trial is scheduled for April 12, 2011.

Historic first-ever state record Gila trout caught at Frye Mesa Reservoir Anglers reminded of one-fish bag and possession limit

The historic first-ever Gila trout record in Arizona was caught on Feb. 28 from Frye Mesa Reservoir following the stocking of these colorful native salmonids into the reservoir near Safford on Feb. 27. Robert Woods of Flagstaff caught a 19¼-inch, 3.35-pound Gila trout at Frye Mesa Reservoir on Feb. 28 and brought it into the department’s Flagstaff regional office for verification.

It’s not only the standing state record right now, it is also the first-ever record for this native fish. “Angling history is seemingly being made each time we turn around. These are exciting times for anglers in Arizona,” said Fisheries Chief Kirk Young.

Here’s what’s been happening.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Feb. 4 created the first-ever season on native Gila trout at Frye Mesa Reservoir on the Pinaleño Mountains in southern Arizona. It’s a 1-fish limit though for these trout – catch more and you can be cited (some already have been).

“Arizona has never had an open season on Gila trout. They were thought to have been extirpated from the state before we had regulated fishing seasons,” explained Young.

This has all been possible because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mora National Fish Hatchery in New Mexico had larger surplus Gila trout available that were not conducive for stocking in small recovery streams. Those larger Gila trout were stocked into Frye Mesa Reservoir last week on Feb. 27.

That’s not the only unique angling aspect to the proposal.

Mt. Graham is now the only mountain on the planet where you can fish for native Gila trout, native Apache trout, plus rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. It’s now the Mt. Graham Grand Slam.

Remember, when it comes to Gila trout, it’s only one-fish per customer. Eight anglers have already been warned about exceeding this bag limit at Frye Mesa Reservoir.

“Basically it means you may have one fish in your possession, not one at home and one on your stringer. The reason we allowed for the harvest of one was so that anglers could turn in a state record or keep a unique trophy fish,” said Jason Kline, a fisheries biologist in the Tucson region.

Game and Fish officials are also encouraging anglers to practice catch-and-release on these natives – there are only so many to go around. "This is an incredible opportunity to catch a native trout. Please consider releasing these colorful native trout so that others can experience these remarkable angling memories."

However, Arizona is not the first state to have a season on Gila trout. New Mexico has had a limited season on Gila trout in specific waters (visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/fishing/documents/GilaTroutFishingMaps.htm).

Reward offered in case of theft from Orme Ranch Recent cases concern Arizona Game and Fish

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the most recent theft from a ranch and a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those involved.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, a generator, the cage that housed the generator, and a water trough used by wildlife were stolen from the Orme Ranch at the V-Bar well site, located south of Highway 169 just off Orme Road. Anyone with information is asked to contact Yavapai Silent Witness at (800) 932-3232. Identities will remain confidential.

“This is another in a string of thefts from ranches around the state,” said Officer Jes Antolik, an investigator with the Arizona Game and Fish Region 3 office in Kingman. “While the theft took place on public land, this is the type of behavior that leads to folks closing access on private property. It’s important we catch those responsible.

“Hopefully someone has information that will provide a starting point for investigators.” Funding from the Habitat Partnership Committee helped purchase the generator. The trough was purchased by Game and Fish through discretionary funds. The cost of the generator was $1,900, making this theft a felony. The wildlife water trough is valued at nearly $500.

Tire tracks and battered corral fencing were documented at the scene.

“What we need is a starting point,” Antolik said. “Behavior like this needs to be punished. Incidents such as this theft have the potential to hurt not only the ranchers, but all those who enjoy the outdoors.

“The public has lost access to a number of previously open areas because of vandalism and theft. This should concern everyone and I sincerely hope someone will step up, do the right thing, and provide some information relevant to this case.”

Antolik added that the trough was 22-inches across and 9-feet long. Combined with the generator, someone could have seen a vehicle traveling on the road with these items hanging out the back or being pulled on a trailer.

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