New interactive e-map shows where to fish in Arizona

Ever wish you could see a map of Arizona showing all the places to go fishing, along with what types of fish you can find and maybe even something about the facilities at each lake, river or stream?

Well, just wave a magic wand over your computer because your wish has been granted – thanks to a little computer magic from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The Game and Fish Department now has a computerized interactive fishing hole map of Arizona on its Web site at www.azgfd.gov/fishing under “Where To Fish.”

Most of the information for the interactive computerized map was taken from the popular “Arizona Fishin’ Holes” booklet published by the Game and Fish Department.

One of the cool things about this interactive map is it gives you the ability to locate places to fish for specific species. “Want to know where to fish for rainbow trout? Simply click on the words ‘rainbow trout’ at the bottom and the map will only show those locations with trout,” said Web Master Brian Ference, who headed up the project.

Do you need directions to a particular fishing hole? Those are there too. You can even choose the type of map you want, including topographical or satellite imagery. There are even links to Wikipedia to provide more detailed information.

Are you curious about the current weather over your prospective fishing hole? Just click on the link to “View on Google Earth” at the top of the map and with a couple of tweaks, you can see for yourself.

Don’t forget, you can also sign up to have the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Weekly Fishing Report delivered directly to your computer each and every week. It’s always good to find out what fish are biting where, and what baits or methods to use as well.

To complete your friendly arsenal of relevant fishing information, you might want to purchase the $6 “Arizona Fishin’ Holes” publication as well – it is sized to fit most vehicle glove compartments. To obtain an order form, visit www.azgfd.gov/i_e/pubs/publications.shtml

Upcoming Public Meetings in Mexican Wolf and Jaguar Conservation Projects

Jaguar Conservation Team Meeting in Lordsburg NM on September 25

Due to an abundance of urgent Mexican wolf issues (e.g. a recent series of unlawful mortalities and possible changes in management guidelines) that require immediate attention, and a shortage of staff and time to work on them, the next Jaguar Conservation Team meeting will not be held until September 25. The meeting will probably be in Lordsburg, New Mexico (depending on meeting room availability). Further information on location, time, and agenda items will be released as soon as the wolf issues are resolved, which should be in early August.

Mexican Wolf AMWG Public Meeting in Morenci AZ on July 30, 2008

Adaptive Management Work Group Public Meeting

Location: Morenci AZ, at the Morenci Club in Morenci Plaza (next to Basha’s Grocery)
Time: AZ Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Host: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Participants: Public meeting, open to all

Note: agenda may be modified during meeting; meeting will be adjourned early if business has been completed.)

Agenda
6:00 pm Welcome, introductions, ground rules, and agenda review
6:15 pm Interagency Field Team items
· Staffing changes
· 2008 breeding season (results to date)
· Depredation and nuisance responses in 2nd quarter 2008
· Outreach activities in 2nd quarter 2008
· Other IFT items
7:15 pm Break
7:30 pm AMOC items
· Update on NEPA scoping process for possible changes in the 10(j) rule
· Project guidelines and practices for loaning radio telemetry receivers
· Discussion of population objectives for the Reintroduction Project
· Update on Clarification Memo for SOP 11.0 (Depredation Incident Investigation)
· Update on Clarification Memo for SOP 13.0 (Control of Mexican Wolves)
· Update on 2008 unlawful mortalities and possible management responses
· Other AMOC items
8:30 pm Other business
8:50 pm Dates and locations of future AMWG meeting
9:00 pm Adjournment

Notes: (1) Information on the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project is available on the Internet at http://azgfd.gov/wolf and http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov. (2) Notices for AMWG meetings and other news about issues pertaining to the Reintroduction Project are disseminated electronically through a self-subscription newsletter, the Endangered Species Updates. A self-subscription form is available at: http://azgfd.gov/signup. (3) Send email messages to the Reintroduction Project to: mexwolf@azgfd.gov; this is a passive account, so messages received will be read but individual responses will not be sent. (4) Send postal mail to: Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086.

Endangered Species Updates
July 9, 2008

Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project News

Monthly Status Report: June 1 - 30, 2008

The following is a summary of Mexican wolf reintroduction project activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF) and in New Mexico on the Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF), collectively known as the Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Area (BRWRA). Additional information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at 888-459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web site at http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Web site at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. Past updates may be viewed on either Web site, or interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting http://www.azgfd.gov/signup. This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose. The reintroduction project is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR). Other entities cooperate through the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) that meets quarterly in Arizona and/or New Mexico, including private individuals, organizations and tribes.

To view the weekly wolf telemetry flight location information or the 3-month wolf distribution map, please visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf. On the home page, go to the “Wolf Location Information” heading on the right side of the page near the top and scroll to the specific location information you seek.

Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at 888-459-9653. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at 800-352-0700.

Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate wolves younger than 18 months or pups. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.

Definitions: For the purposes of the Monthly Update, a “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established home range. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves are associating with each other and are resident within the same home range, they will be referenced as a pack.

CURRENT POPULATION STATUS

At the end of June, the collared population consisted of 22 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among 12 packs and one single wolf. Other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with wolves having radio collars, as well as being separate from known packs.

Seasonal note: Wolf pups are generally born between mid-April and mid-May. The IFT has been actively monitoring wolf packs during the past months to determine if females are denning in order to document wild-born pups and estimate their survival. Based on location information from the last 11 weeks, the IFT has documented denning behavior for the following packs: Hawks Nest, Paradise, Rim, Bacho, Dark Canyon, Middle Fork, Fox Mountain, and possibly San Mateo and Luna.

IN ARIZONA:

Bluestem Pack (collared AF521, AM806 and F1042)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Bluestem pack in their traditional territory on the ASNF and the FAIR.

Hawks Nest Pack (collared M1044 and AF1110)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Hawks Nest pack in their traditional territory on the ASNF. On June 19, the IFT located two possible den sites; one with evidence of recent use. The IFT did not observe pups in June.

Paradise Pack (collared AM795)
On June 7, IFT members found the carcass of an uncollared adult female wolf within the Paradise pack’s territory. On June 8, the IFT found two dead wolf pups in the vicinity of the pack’s den site. Law enforcement investigated both scenes and necropsy results indicate the cause of death to be indeterminate for all. The IFT identified the adult as F758, which was originally released as part of the Bluestem Pack in 2002. Genetic testing is being conducted to determine if F758 was the mother of the pups, as is suspected by the IFT. Throughout the remainder of June, the IFT continued to locate AM795 within the pack’s traditional territory on the ASNF.

Rim Pack (collared AF858 and AM1107)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Rim pack within their traditional home range in the central portion of the ASNF.

M619 (collared)
During June, the IFT located M619 in the central and northern portions of the ASNF and ANF in Arizona and New Mexico and the FAIR.

ON THE FAIR:

Bacho Pack (collared AM990)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Bacho pack on the FAIR.

Lofer Pack (collared AF1056)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Lofer pack on the FAIR.

IN NEW MEXICO:

Dark Canyon (collared AM992 and AF923)
Throughout June, the IFT located the Dark Canyon pack in their traditional territory in the west-central portion of the GNF.

Laredo Pack (collared AF1028 and AM1008)
AF1028 and AM1008 were moved from Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility and transferred into a temporary translocation pen at McKenna Park in the Gila Wilderness on June 17. On June 19, the Laredo pack chewed through the translocation pen, as planned. The IFT located the pack within the Wilderness throughout the remainder of June.

Luna Pack (collared F1118)
During June, the IFT searched the traditional Luna territory for wolf sign and set traps in order to capture and collar any remaining members of the pack. On June 14, the IFT captured, collared and released F1118. F1118 is currently considered to be a member of the Luna pack, pending genetic analysis.

Middle Fork Pack (collared AM871, AF861 and F1115)
The IFT located the Middle Fork pack on and adjacent to the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness and central portion of the GNF throughout June.

San Mateo Pack (collared AF903 and AM1114)
Throughout June, the IFT located the pack in the east-central portion of the ANF. On June 26, the IFT confirmed that the San Mateo pack was involved in a livestock depredation (see “Incidents” below).

Fox Mountain Pack (collared AM1038 and AF1111)
Throughout June, the IFT continued to locate the Fox Mountain pack in the northwestern portion of the ANF. On June 23, the IFT observed three pups with the Fox Mountain pack. On June 24, the IFT located the carcass of AF1111. Necropsy results indicate AF1111 was unlawfully shot.

Elk Mountain Pack (collared AM1045)
Throughout June, the IFT continued to search unsuccessfully for AM1045. The IFT last detected it on March 27, 2008, and it is considered “fate unknown.” It will be dropped from the monthly updates, pending new information.

MORTALITIES

On June 7, the IFT found an uncollared adult female wolf dead within the Paradise pack territory. Law enforcement investigated the scene and collected the carcass. Necropsy results indicate cause of death as indeterminate.

On June 8, the IFT located two dead wolf pups in the vicinity of the Paradise pack den site. Law enforcement investigated the scene and collected the carcasses. Necropsy results indicate cause of death as indeterminate.

On June 24, the IFT located the carcass of AF1111of the Fox Mountain pack. Members of the IFT and law enforcement agents investigated the scene and collected the carcass for necropsy. Results indicate that it was unlawfully shot.

INCIDENTS

In total, the IFT investigated two potential livestock injuries and 11 depredations in June. Of the 11 depredation investigations, the IFT confirmed one as a wolf depredation, two as coyote depredations, five died of natural causes, and the cause of death was unknown in three cases. The IFT confirmed one of the reported livestock injuries as being caused by a black bear and the other to have been caused by a coyote. Summaries of the investigations are as follows:

On June 5, a dead calf in Alpine, AZ, was reported to the IFT. Investigation confirmed the calf as a coyote depredation.

On June 5, the IFT investigated a report of an injured calf near Collins Park, NM. The IFT confirmed the injuries as being caused by a black bear.

On June 8, the IFT investigated a report of a dead calf near Collins Park. There was no evidence of wolves in the area and the IFT observed coyote tracks in the area. The cause of death was considered unknown.

On June 9, the IFT discovered a dead calf near Greer, AZ. Investigation indicated the cause of death as unknown natural causes.

On June 14, the IFT received a report of a dead calf in Alpine. Investigation determined it to be a confirmed coyote depredation.

On June 14, the IFT discovered one dead cow and two dead calves near Greer, AZ. The three investigations revealed that the adult cow died of unknown natural causes; the calf belonging to the deceased cow died of malnutrition; and another calf died of respiratory illness.

On June 18, the IFT discovered a dead cow in Alpine, and investigation revealed the cause of death to be unknown natural causes.

On June 26, the IFT discovered a dead cow in the vicinity of Gallo Canyon, NM. Investigation confirmed the cow as a wolf depredation. The IFT assigned the depredation to San Mateo pack members AF903 and AM1114. This is the second confirmed depredation for these wolves within 365 days; the other having occurred on March 29, 2008.

On June 30, the carcass of a yearling cow was reported in Gallo Canyon. An IFT investigation determined the carcass was greater than two weeks old and that it had been fed on by a black bear, but the cause of death was unknown. The IFT found both wolf and coyote sign in the area.

On June 30, the IFT investigated a dead calf north of Luna, NM, and determined the calf died of unknown causes.

On June 30, the IFT investigated a report of an injured goat near Dragoon, AZ, and confirmed the injuries as being caused by a coyote.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

On June 16, F1028 and M1008 were captured at Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility and transported to a translocation site in the Gila Wilderness on June 17 (see Laredo Pack above).

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

The IFT continued to communicate and coordinate with members of the public and livestock operators. The IFT delivered no public programs during June.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

Omission from May: Former USFWS volunteer James Waddell began his internship with NMDGF.

Kenneth Mills left his position as the Mexican Wolf Field Team Leader for the NMDGF on June 24th to take a position in Wyoming. His endeavors and insights are greatly appreciated, and project personnel wish him the best of luck!

Allison Greenleaf accepted a position as a USFWS volunteer.

AGFD Wildlife Specialist Cecilia Schmidt completed her temporary duty assignment on June 25th. Thanks, Cecilia, your assistance was greatly appreciated!

REWARDS OFFERED

The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000; the AGFD Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000; and the NMDGF is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican wolves. A variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have pledged an additional $40,000 for a total reward amount of up to $52,000, depending on the information provided.

Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Mesa, AZ, at (480) 967-7900, in Alpine, AZ, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, NM, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AGFD Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act, and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.

Rory’s Tip
This is it – the cicada bite is on at Lees Ferry. This is some of the most exciting surface action for trout a fly or spin angler can experience. If you don’t know the Ferry, get a guide. If you do know it, just get there. Don’t worry about the air temperatures; the chilly water and deep shadows of Marble Canyon Gorge will keep your goose bumps alive and well, especially in the cooler mornings.

This is the first quarter of a waxing moon, making it a superb time for night fishing in the desert lakes, or the more accessible mountain lakes as well.

tip for mountains anglers fishing for trout at night is to consider what trout love to eat – flying insects. If you can somehow have a light positioned just above the water to attract those insects, they will in turn attract trout.

We used to hang lanterns from our boats, inner tubes etc. and then fish from shore (to stay out of the insects). There are so many floating lights available now that you can simply take your pick. I like the LED ones – they don’t ruin your night vision, which is important if you want to watch the stars, satellites and possibly shooting stars in the night sky.

Even with spinning gear you can use casting bubbles or floats and have a leader (even a tapered fly leader) with something like a wooly bugger attached. The old standby, worms, can work well under a bobber. Get the youngsters to catch a container full of grasshoppers and you just might experience hungry trout jumping on hoppers.

By the way, for those of you who are outside on the evening of July 9, Jupiter will make its closest approach to Earth for all of 2008. For more information, visit http://spaceweather.com.

In the desert lakes, the best night fishing is for catfish and carp. You are allowed two hooks per line – with bottom fishing; you’ll want to take advantage of that legal opportunity. Set on hook up with a catfish bait, such as a hot dog or stink bait, and the other with a carp bait, such as corn or dough balls.

Try to find a shallow flat adjacent to the main body of the lake, or a major point. Catfish and carp patrol at night for food. You’ll want to attract them on their rounds. Try chumming with whatever bait you are using. Bottom feeders are attracted by scent.

For boat anglers, I have super reports for night crappie fishing at Alamo toward the dam using live minnows and small jigs. I have mixed reports for crappie anglers at Roosevelt and Bartlett.

This is also the time of year to fish for warmwater species in the high country. For walleye, try Show Low Lake or Fool Hollow; they are both located in the city limits of Show Low. There are bass and crappie in Willow Springs Lake on the Rim.

Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff also has walleye, but it is usually night anglers who tie into the larger ones. Those heading to Lake Mary will want to take along some frozen anchovies for the huge northern pike.

Speaking of frozen anchovies, one angler recently asked how to keep unfrozen anchovies on the hook. I don’t even try to. Once they become soft and soggy, they take on a different name and function – chum.

By the way, my old friend Mike Walker, of the Walker Agency, an outdoor industry PR firm in Scottsdale, took his grandchildren fishing and provided the following:

Mike Walker
Walker Agency

This is a partial report. You can read the full report at AZGFD or you can listen to a recorded version by dialing the Recorded public call-in line: (602) 789-3701

Grant funding available to local sportsmen’s groups
Application deadline is Aug. 18

July 11, 2008

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is making grant dollars available to local sportsmen’s groups in support of wildlife conservation.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group Grant Program will award funding through a competitive application process to eligible local sportsmen’s group projects that promote or facilitate hunter, angler, shooter or trapper recruitment and retention. The deadline to apply is Aug. 18.

The total funding available for this year is $50,000. Multiple awards may be made, and the department may partially fund projects at its discretion.

To be eligible for consideration, a group must:

Be a local Arizona-based sportsmen’s group with a focus on hunting, fishing, shooting or trapping;
Propose a project that promotes or facilitates hunter, angler, shooter or trapper recruitment and retention (examples include small game hunting camps, fishing clinics, beginning shooting programs, or educational outreach);
Complete its project by June 30, 2009.
The deadline for groups to submit grant applications is Monday, Aug. 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. (MST). Applications must be in the department’s possession by the deadline; postmarks don’t count. Applications can be submitted to:

Arizona Game and Fish Department, DOFP
Attn: Grants Administrator
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086

All applicants must use the forms from the grant application packet and include all the documentation listed in the packet’s instructions. Application packets can be downloaded from www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/i_e/applicationFINAL.pdf [PDF, 181kb] or can be obtained by calling Grant Administrator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530.

Final awards will be made by the Arizona Game and Fish Department Director. It is anticipated grant awards for the 2008-09 grant year will be announced around the end of October 2008.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/i_e/local_sportsmens.shtml

I stumbled across this on one of the other Arizona sites. It seems like a pretty comprehensive guide to fishing in our state. Well done!

Arizona Fishing Holes

Off-highway vehicle bill signed by Governor Janet Napolitano

Long-awaited legislation that will help better manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation and protect wildlife habitat has been signed by Governor Janet Napolitano.

SB 1167 will provide long-overdue resources to better manage issues created by the dramatic increase in OHV use in Arizona (347 percent in the last decade). Irresponsible riding has damaged habitat and created the potential for closures of some areas.

With the signing of SB 1167, revenue raised through an estimated $20 annual user fee on off-highway vehicles will help provide funding for additional law enforcement, trail/facility maintenance and reconstruction, rider education and information (including identification of lawful places for operators to ride), and mitigation of resource damage from OHVs.

The bill passed through the Arizona House of Representatives in April by a vote of 42-13 and the Arizona Senate last week by a vote of 16-7 with 7 absent.

The now signed OHV bill will become law on Jan. 1, 2009. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

Well, some said it was too much; others argued not enough. Some were afraid becasue the fees were unspecified. I say “Finally, something!” I hope this starts to change the tide of OHV abuse.

Information needed to solve deer poaching near Whitehorse Lake

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a poacher that killed a large mule deer buck on the evening of June 13 or 14. The poaching occurred near Whitehorse Lake along Forest Road 110, southeast of Williams.

The deer had large antlers, and it was shot and left along the road to waste.

“This is a blatant example of poachers’ disrespect for wildlife, and the laws and seasons that are established to protect our wildlife resources,” said Larry Phoenix, Game and Fish field supervisor. “With the public’s help, we can catch the poacher. If you were in the area recently, please think back about anything you might have seen or heard, or any conversations you might have had. Maybe someone doesn’t realize he or she has the key to solving this case.”

Wildlife resources are owned by the residents of Arizona, and poaching of wildlife is considered a major loss.

Anyone with information about this poaching incident can call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline toll free at (800) 352-0700. Callers may be eligible for a reward up to $250 in this case. All calls may remain confidential upon request.

Poachers sure are a special breed aren’t they? Gutless jerks.

Not sure what I think. As much as I disagree with the way the Feds are handling wolf introductions - I fear that the “3-S” method (shoot, shovel, shut up) just reinforces some peoples’ notions that those opposed are hillbillies and Neanderthals.

Read the full article HERE.

3 Mexican gray wolves killed illegally

15 comments by Kate Nolan - Jul. 3, 2008 04:14 PM
The Arizona Republic

Of nine Mexican gray wolves that died in the Southwest in 2008, at least three were killed illegally, Federal authorities say.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified three female wolves and a possible male illegally shot in Arizona or New Mexico. Each of the dead wolves was an “alpha” or lead member of a pack.

Two other Mexican wolves, protected in the Southwest under the Endangered Species Act, were killed in traffic and another female died of natural causes, leaving behind two pups that did not survive. Fish and Wildlife did not disclose where the wolves were killed.

“I am disturbed that there are suspicious circumstances around their deaths and I want to know what happened to each wolf,” Fish and Wildlife Southwest regional director Benjamin Tuggle said in a prepared statement Thursday.Illegally killing a wolf can result in fines up to $50,000 and a year in prison.

From AZGFD:

Mexican Wolf AMWG Public Meeting in Morenci AZ on July 30, 2008

Adaptive Management Work Group Public Meeting

Location: Morenci AZ, at the Morenci Club in Morenci Plaza (next to Basha’s Grocery)
Time: AZ Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Host: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Participants: Public meeting, open to all

Note: agenda may be modified during meeting; meeting will be adjourned early if business has been completed.)

Agenda
6:00 pm Welcome, introductions, ground rules, and agenda review
6:15 pm Interagency Field Team items
· Staffing changes
· 2008 breeding season (results to date)
· Depredation and nuisance responses in 2nd quarter 2008
· Outreach activities in 2nd quarter 2008
· Other IFT items
7:15 pm Break
7:30 pm AMOC items
· Update on NEPA scoping process for possible changes in the 10(j) rule
· Project guidelines and practices for loaning radio telemetry receivers
· Discussion of population objectives for the Reintroduction Project
· Update on Lead Agency consideration of Clarification Memos for SOPs 11.0 (Depredation Incident Investigation) and 13.0 (Control of Mexican Wolves)
· Other AMOC items
8:30 pm Other business
8:50 pm Dates and locations of future AMWG meeting
9:00 pm Adjournment

Notes: (1) Information on the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project is available on the Internet at http://azgfd.gov/wolf and http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov. (2) Notices for AMWG meetings and other news about issues pertaining to the Reintroduction Project are disseminated electronically through a self-subscription newsletter, the Endangered Species Updates. A self-subscription form is available at: http://azgfd.gov/signup. (3) Send email messages to the Reintroduction Project to: mexwolf@azgfd.gov; this is a passive account, so messages received will be read but individual responses will not be sent. (4) Send postal mail to: Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086.

From AZGFD:

Come learn about magnificent bighorn sheep

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about the sure-footed bighorn sheep and view them in their native habitat during two separate two-day workshops on July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2.

The first day of each workshop involves mandatory classroom education from 6-8 p.m. at the Kingman Game and Fish office, followed the next day by a field trip on the Colorado River from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The popular workshops are open to any member of the public age 14 and older. Space, however, is limited to 40 people per session. Although preference will be given to those who have not attended the workshop in the last two years, everyone is encouraged to apply.

The 2008 workshops will feature a draw process. Applications received prior to June 27 will be drawn at random. Officials hope this will help level the playing field for all of those interested in attending. All requests to participate are responded to by mail.

The workshop includes an optional tour of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery prior to the Colorado River field trip. The 45-minute tour will begin at 9 a.m. and will feature both sport fish and endangered native fish.

Registration is by mail only, so to reserve a spot, a $20 per person refundable deposit is required in the form of a check made out to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to help reduce the problem of no-shows. Send your check to: Sheep Workshop, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409. Include the names of participants, address, phone, and specify which weekend is preferred. Also, please include a note if you are interested in the tour of the fish hatchery.

Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Temperatures are forecast to be in the triple digits on the water!

Registration opens for Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop

The last “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshop for 2008 will be held Aug. 15-17 at the cool, forested Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.

The program introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with expert instructors. Classes are held during the day and include horsemanship, outdoor photography, birding, hiking, archery, fly-fishing, shotgun/rifle/pistol shooting, and Dutch oven cooking, among others. Evenings are filled with fun and entertainment, including night hikes, musicians, and motivational speakers.

“One great thing about this camp is that a woman can try a new sport without buying all of the equipment.” says Linda Dightmon, the BOW coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, which sponsors the program in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The only thing you need to bring is your personal stuff, a good attitude and a willingness to learn.”

Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin, and a central dining hall for meals.

Equipment, materials, food and lodging are all included in the $235 registration fee. The only exception is the outdoor photography class, where participants will need to bring a camera. Enrollment is open to all women 18 and older.

For more information, a schedule of classes, and a registration form, visit www.azwildlife.org or contact the Arizona Wildlife Federation office at (480) 644-0077 or awf@azwildlife.org.