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Wildlife News: June 14, 2019

Posted June 14, 2019

Now accepting entries for Wildlife Calendar Photo Contest

Do you want to see your photo on the cover of Arizona Wildlife Viewsmagazine? Do you have a knack for capturing great photos of Arizona’s wildlife? Then you won’t want to miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 13th annual Arizona wildlife photo contest. One best in show and 11 first-place winners will be showcased in the 2020 calendar, which is published in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views, our award-winning magazine about wildlife and outdoor recreation. Read more 

AZGFD to close Tonto Creek, Canyon Creek, Page Springs fish hatcheries during select dates

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will close the Page Springs, Canyon Creek and Tonto Creek fish hatcheries to the public during select dates for pavement repairs. These closures are necessary for public safety and to allow for proper curing of the slurry seal. Read more

Department of Interior proposes building 4 new recreational shooting sites near Phoenix 

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced June 3 that they are now accepting public comments on a proposed shooting sports pilot project on public lands within the Arizona State Office’s Phoenix District. The pilot, being conducted in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will evaluate a variety of active management options to enhance access and safety. Read more

Fossil Springs trailhead and trail to temporarily close July 1-Aug. 31

The Tonto National Forest will implement a temporary closure of the popular Fossil Springs trailhead and trail to visitors from July 1 through Aug. 31, 2019.

This emergency closure is needed to address the high risk of heat-related illness and injury experienced by hikers unprepared for the arduous hike from Fossil Springs trailhead to Fossil Creek along trail 18 during hot summer months. Read more

Highlights from June Commission meeting

Some highlights from the June 7, 2019, Arizona Game and Fish Commission meeting in Payson include:

• Approval of a memorandum of understanding with multiple federal and local governments, and other organizations for the completion of a Lower Virgin River Integrated Watershed Plan and the initial implementation of strategies to restore and protect the riparian corridor of the Lower Virgin River (consent agenda item).
• Approval of Commission Order 29, setting special big game license-tag seasons for mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, elk, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, black bear and mountain lion for the 2020-2021 hunting seasons.
• The Commission approved modifying the process for selecting and awarding special big game license tag recipients (wildlife conservation organizations) to enable a more impartial approach to the allocation process.
• Using the newly approved allocation process above, the Commission awarded multiple organizations special big game license tags for 2020-2021 for pronghorn, bighorn sheep, black bear, buffalo, elk, javelina, mountain lion, mule deer, turkey and white-tailed deer, as per R12-4-120.
• The Commission voted to elect Commissioner Eric Sparks as chairman and Commissioner Kurt Davis as vice-chair from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

The next commission meeting is Aug. 2-3 in Region II. The specific location will be announced when that information becomes available.