Arizona Game and Fish Department
2012-2013 Annual Report

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Larry D. Voyles

One of the seven foundation tenets of the North American Model of
Wildlife Conservation states that “wildlife is an international resource.”
Key actions and decisions affecting management of Arizona’s wildlife and
outdoor recreational opportunities don’t occur just within our state. Forces
are also at play from outside the state – at regional, national and international
levels. Factors such as federal legislation, executive branch actions, court
lawsuits, federal land management policies, decisions by neighboring state
governments, and increasingly, international treaties, affect Arizona’s ability
to chart our own course.

Clearly, it is imperative that the Arizona Game and Fish Department be actively engaged in these issues
not just in Arizona, but also regionally and nationally, and at times, internationally, to represent the
interests of Arizona and its citizens. And once again, we did just that over the past year. Our personnel
continued to actively work at all levels with a variety of entities, including the federal government, state
and local agencies, and conservation and recreation organizations across the country, to ensure that
Arizona’s interests are represented at the table regarding issues that affect our state.
One example was the Department’s engagement in Mexican wolf conservation. The Arizona Game and
Fish Commission and Department continue to actively participate in efforts to restore the Mexican
wolf in Arizona, but under a guiding principle that management objectives must be biologically,
economically and socially sustainable. When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initially scheduled
public hearings on two proposed rules affecting Mexican wolf conservation, none of the hearings were
initially scheduled in Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department held three meetings across
the state to explain the proposals to the public and provide information on how constituents could
provide comments to the Service. Department engagement helped convince the Service to ultimately
hold a public hearing in Arizona on this very important issue. As another example, the Department’s
engagement with key stakeholders at the national level has so far helped maintained access to
approximately 500,000 acres for recreational shooting on federal public lands close to Phoenix, that
had been slated by decision for closure.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, a leading proponent of the North American Model of
Wildlife Conservation, represents Arizona’s best opportunity to influence wildlife and natural
resource management policy at the federal level, and in so doing, to maintain Arizona’s management
authorities within our borders. We are engaged in many other issues affecting our state, including
federal travel management plans, endangered species conservation, critical habitat designations, wildlife
translocations to restore populations, and more.
I invite you to read this year’s Annual Report. It discusses some of the issues above, but also provides
a broad overview of representative accomplishments and activities from the past year. Another tenet of
the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation holds that all people have access to enjoy their
wildlife. One significant achievement was the development and implementation of a new hunting and
fishing license structure which took effect on Jan. 1, 2014. This new structure reduced the cost of a Youth
(Junior) license from $26.50 to $5.00, so that more people than ever can hunt and fish in Arizona.
We look forward to another year of working with you, our constituents, to accomplish good things for
our wildlife resources and our outdoor heritage. We couldn’t do it without your engagement and support.

Accomplishments
Commission approves new license
structure for 2014
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission in
August approved a new hunting and fishing
license structure that will bring significant
benefits to hunters and anglers beginning
in 2014. The structure has been simplified,
reducing more than 40 license and stamp
options down to six license options and a
single state migratory bird stamp. Bundled
privileges for the fishing license and hunt/
fish combo license offer more value than the
previous licenses. A new youth hunt/fish combo
license will now cost only $5 (as opposed to the
previous $26.50) and will be required for youth
ages 10-17. The new licenses will be valid for
one year from the date of purchase rather than
just for the calendar year. Most license and tag
fees will increase—the first price increase since
2007. The new license structure was approved
by the Commission after a robust public input
process that included a survey of hunters and
anglers, more than 30 public meetings and
50 meetings with sportsmen’s/conservation

groups, and public comment periods on license/
fee concepts and on the draft license structure.
Implementation of the new license structure and
fees was made possible because of passage by the
Arizona Legislature of Senate Bill 1223, which
was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer
on May 7, 2013. The bill allows the Arizona
Game and Fish Commission to set future
license structure and fees (including all license
types, permits, tags, stamps and watercraft
registrations) directly through a streamlined,
customer-focused process as opposed to the
former complex and time-consuming legislative
and regular rulemaking process.

Non-lead ammo program recognized
at Senator McCain’s condor summit
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
participated in a summit hosted by Senator
John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Aug. 9, 2013. A
diverse group of stakeholders gathered to
discuss non-lead ammunition and the recovery
efforts for endangered California condors.
Lead poisoning is the leading cause of death
in endangered condors and an obstacle to a
The Arizona
Game and Fish
Commission
approved a new
hunting and fishing
license structure to
take effect in 2014.

2012-13 annual report 1

Arizona Game and
Fish Department
Director Larry
Voyles addresses
the condor summit
hosted by U.S
Senator John
McCain.

self-sustaining population in Arizona and
southern Utah. The Department’s nine-year-old
voluntary lead reduction program, which offers
free non-lead ammunition to hunters drawn for
hunts in the condor’s core range and educates
hunters on removing gut piles of their legally
downed big game, was discussed as a successful
alternative to a mandatory ban like California’s.
Other discussions centered on making nonlead ammunition available in more calibers,
expanding the availability and supply, and
making non-lead alternatives easier to identify
in retail settings. In particular, the U.S. Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Tri-State
Shooting Park was
dedicated in March
and serves residents
in the Bullhead City
and Mohave Valley
area of northwestern
Arizona.

2 Arizona Game and Fish Department

(ATF) is reviewing current restrictions on some
non-lead ammo calibers that are not permitted
to be used for sporting purposes. Since condors
were reintroduced into Arizona under a special
provision of the Endangered Species Act – called
the 10(j) Rule – that designates the population
as experimental and not essential to the species’
survival, a mandatory lead ammunition ban
would restrict current hunting regulations
in the experimental population area and be
contrary to the agreements made with local
communities at the time of the reintroduction.
Organizations attending the summit included
the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; the
ATF; Peregrine Fund; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; U.S. Forest Service; National Park
Service; National Shooting Sports Foundation;
and wildlife conservation and hunting groups.

Tri-State Shooting Park has
dedication ceremony
The Tri-State Shooting Park, serving residents
in the Bullhead City and Mohave Valley area in
northwestern Arizona, was dedicated in March.
The range is currently open to the public, and
when construction is complete it will feature
a trap and skeet range, a 200-yard pistol and
rifle shooting range, and a 50-yard pistol range.

Target archery was
one of the many
hands-on activities
offered to visitors at
the Outdoor Expo.

Tri-State Shooting Park replaces a range in
Bullhead City that was closed in 1999 because
of encroaching development. It supports hunter
education programs, promotes safe hunting and
shooting practices, and provides a safe shooting
area. The range’s dedication marked the
culmination of long-term efforts by the Arizona
Game and Fish Commission/Department and
Tri-State Shooting Park, Inc., in cooperation
with the Bureau of Land Management and
other stakeholders, to re-establish a public
shooting range in the area.

Outdoor Expo draws 35,000 over weekend
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s
2013 Outdoor Expo drew 35,000 people over
the March 23-24 weekend at the Ben Avery
Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Sunday’s
attendance of 17,000 was a record for an Expo
Sunday. In addition, 3,500 schoolchildren,
teachers and chaperones attended the Expo
Youth Day on Friday, March 22, meaning
38,500 people total attended over the three
days. The Outdoor Expo is an annual event
conducted by Game and Fish to give the public
the chance to learn about wildlife-related and

outdoor recreation activities, including wildlife
viewing, fishing, hunting, archery, shooting
sports, camping, off-highway vehicle recreation,
and boating recreation. In addition to hands-on
activities, more than 150 exhibitors attended,
including sportsmen’s and conservation
organizations, government agencies, and
commercial vendors of outdoor products
and services.

AZGFD’s national engagement
benefits Arizona
Forces affecting conservation and recreation
in Arizona are not confined within the state’s
borders. Many of those issues and decisions
occur at a regional or national level. Through
engagement with other state wildlife agencies,
nongovernmental organizations, and the federal
government, Arizona Game and Fish stays on
the forefront of conservation issues to represent
and protect Arizona’s interests. For example,
the Department leveraged relationships with
other organizations to help convince the Interior
Department to keep a half-million acres of the
Sonoran Desert National Monument open to
recreational shooting. Game and Fish was a

2012-13 annual report 3

leading player in a summit hosted by Senator
John McCain (see article in this Annual
Report) to discuss non-lead ammunition and
the recovery efforts of California Condors,
showcasing the Department’s nine-year
voluntary lead reduction program as a model
for other states. The Department regularly
engages with the federal government to
represent Arizona’s interests on such issues
as travel management, recreational access,
and endangered species issues. Our law
enforcement, aviation and wildlife professionals
attend national conferences, workshops and
training, and serve on AFWA and WAFWA
committees affecting wildlife management and
conservation decisions. The Arizona Game and
Fish Commission reaffirmed its commitment
that the Department will continue using travel
resources wisely and acting as Arizona’s most
trusted, respected and credible source for
wildlife conservation.

Wildlife officers perform
wide array of duties
Arizona Game and Fish Department officers
were actively engaged in a number of activities
over the past year, including law enforcement,

Arizona Game
and Fish officers
assist the public
and are engaged in
a wide variety of
law enforcement,
wildlife management,
information/
education, and other
activities.

4 Arizona Game and Fish Department

wildlife management, information/education,
habitat projects, and others. In the area of
wildlife law enforcement, officers issued
834 citations and 180 written warnings for
wildlife violations in fiscal year 2012-13. They
conducted 56 special projects—including
saturation patrols, night patrols, wildlife
decoy operations and special investigations—
to apprehend wildlife law violators. In the
area of watercraft law enforcement, officers
provided 8,156 hours of on-the-water
boating enforcement patrol—accounting for
approximately 25 percent of the time invested
by the 13 agencies performing marine law
enforcement duties in Arizona. They also
accounted for more than 20 percent of all
boating Operating Under the Influence (OUI)
arrests and 20 percent of all boating citations
issued in the state. In the area of off-highway
vehicle (OHV) law enforcement, officers
engaged extensively in education as well as
enforcement efforts. In the area of OHV law
enforcement, officers issued 509 citations and
180 written warnings. During OHV special
project patrols, Department officers also
provided 1,256 information and education
contacts with OHV users.

The Adobe
Mountain Wildlife
Center celebrated its
30th anniversary in
2013.

Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center
celebrates 30th anniversary

New law gives state discretion in enforcing
federal Travel Management Rules

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s
Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, which
opened in 1983 as the first state-run wildlife
rehabilitation and education center, celebrated
its 30th anniversary this year. While the center
still continues to provide care to wild animals,
it also focuses heavily on educating the public
about Arizona’s diverse native wildlife. Over the
years it has provided wildlife triage, treatment
and rehabilitation to more than 30,000 sick or
injured animals and delivered wildlife education
programs to millions of people at events and
schools. An open house on Nov. 23-24, 2013,
was attended by 1,700 visitors and provided the
public a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at the
center. Visitors were able to view wildlife, learn
from educational displays, make wildlife-related
crafts, and meet wildlife experts. The center is
operated by the Department, with help from the
Adobe Mountain Wildlife Auxiliary, on a small
budget from the Heritage Fund, a voter-passed
initiative that provides for wildlife conservation
and education through Arizona lottery ticket
sales.

Governor Jan Brewer on June 19, 2013, signed
House Bill 2551, regarding use, authority and
enforcement for off-highway vehicles. The law
clarifies state authority in how it will enforce
federal Travel Management Rules for offhighway vehicle use on U.S. Forest Service or
Bureau of Land Management lands. The bill
permits Game and Fish officers to enforce laws
related to habitat damage and other duties
important to the Department’s mission, and
gives officers discretion in enforcing federal
Travel Management Rules that are lower
priority or that might impede achieving wildlife
management objectives. The Arizona Game and
Fish Commission voted in March to support
HB 2551 provided that amended language was
adopted addressing the Commission’s concerns
about unintended limitations on officers’
ability to enforce resource damage laws or
road closures for public safety purposes, such
as during forest fires. Subsequent amendments
addressed those concerns. The Commission
has expressed longstanding concerns that the

2012-13 annual report 5

new U.S. Forest Service Travel Management
Rules in some instances put undue constraints
on reasonable public access, are inconsistent
across the different forests, confuse outdoor
recreationists, and might impede the
Commission’s and Department’s ability to meet
wildlife management objectives. HB 2551 was
also supported by county sheriffs throughout
Arizona.

Wildlife and Conservation Education
programs touch many Arizonans
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
continued its wide range of educational
outreach to the public over the past year. In the
area of wildlife education, Department staff and
volunteers provided live wildlife education and
hands-on learning experiences to over 300,000
members of the public at events, workshops,
expos and fairs throughout the state in fiscal
year 2012-13. In the area of formal education,
approximately 10,000 4th grade students in
over 150 classrooms across Arizona received
a live wildlife education program correlated
to Arizona’s Academic Content standards.
About 2,000 educators received training on
and used Focus Wild Arizona’s educational
Outdoor
recreationists should
be aware of federal
Travel Management
Rules that are being
implemented in
national forests.

6 Arizona Game and Fish Department

resources, potentially providing thousands of
K-12 students with wildlife education. About
2,000 K-12 students participated in handson wildlife education activities throughout
the state through summer camps, classroom
programs, homeschool activities and field-based
research events. In the area of hunter education,
the volunteer instructors participating in the
Department’s Hunter Education Program
conducted 164 courses, and 3,700 students
successfully completed the courses and
received their hunter education certification.
The Department’s sport fish education
program conducted 161 fishing clinics or
related programs, reaching more than 18,500
participants. In the area of boating education,
the Department held 46 classroom courses
with 500 students receiving certification. An
additional 1,028 students completed the online
boating education course. In the area of offhighway vehicle (OHV) education, 133 students
completed the online Internet-based course
and 35 students attended the classroom course.
22,000 people received hands-on Boating and
OHV safety information and education at
events throughout the state.

The Department
offers a wide
range of wildlife
and conservation
education activities,
as well as outdoor
skills camps.

AZGFD holds informational meetings
on federal wolf proposals
The Arizona Game and Fish Department held
three public meetings in Payson, Tucson and
Pinetop in September to share information with
constituents on two federal proposals affecting
Mexican wolf conservation. One proposal is
to delist the gray wolf from the federal list of
threatened and endangered species but maintain
endangered status for the Mexican wolf as a
subspecies. The other proposal is to expand the
geographic boundaries of the Mexican Wolf
Experimental Population Area in Arizona and
New Mexico and modify the 10(j) rule for
managing that population. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service made the proposals in June
and opened a public comment period, which
was extended to Dec. 17, 2013. The Service
initially scheduled public meetings/hearings
in three out-of-state locations (Washington,
D.C., San Francisco and Albuquerque), but
none in Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department then scheduled its meetings in
order to educate constituents on the proposals
and provide them with information on how to

provide comments to the Service. The Service
subsequently scheduled and held a public
meeting/hearing in Pinetop, Ariz., on Dec. 3,
2013. The Arizona Game and Fish Department
provided comments to the Service on both
proposals.

Agreement reached on Camp Navajo hunts
After working together for more than a year,
the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and
Department and the Arizona Department
of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA)
agreed on new rules for the 2014 elk and
pronghorn hunting seasons at Camp Navajo,
a secure military installation west of Flagstaff
operated by the Arizona Army National
Guard. The agreement represents a change
from previous years and clarifies the eligibility
qualifications and tag allocations, establishing
categories for “Wounded Warrior,” “Disabled
Veteran,” “Military,” and “Other.” The majority
of 2014 hunting opportunities at Camp Navajo
will be allocated to uniformed military and
honorably retired veterans from all branches
of the armed forces, disabled veterans, and

2012-13 annual report 7

Chronic Wasting Disease not found in
Arizona deer and elk

A ribbon-cutting
ceremony was held
to celebrate the Frye
Mesa Access Project,
a collaborative
undertaking that
will ensure access
to about 45 miles
of roads and trails
in southeastern
Arizona.

Wounded Warriors, while still providing
some opportunity for the general public. The
Department and DEMA believe the agreement
meets the security and operational requirements
of Camp Navajo, honors the service of men
and women in the military, achieves wildlife
management objectives, and provides for general
public participation.

Collaborative public-private project
ensures recreational access
A unique collaborative project between the
private sector, nongovernmental organizations
and government agencies will ensure permanent
public recreational access to approximately
45 miles of roads and trails in southeastern
Arizona. The Frye Mesa Access Project provides
permanent public right-of-way to Frye Mesa
Road to improve recreational access to an
18,000-acre portion of State Trust lands and
the Coronado National Forest lands in Graham
County. The project was made possible after
the National Wild Turkey Federation received
a Yamaha OHV Access Initiative grant of
$20,000. The grant was awarded as part of
Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative promoting
safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable
riding areas. The project builds upon the
Arizona Game and Fish Department’s emphasis
on increasing the amount of land available for
public recreation. A ribbon-cutting ceremony
was held Nov. 1. Project partners include
Yamaha, the National Wild Turkey Federation,
the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the
Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International,
and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

8 Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department
concluded another sampling season for chronic
wasting disease (CWD) and did not detect the
disease in any of the 1,277 deer and elk tested
during the fall 2012 hunting season. CWD
is a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is
fatal to cervids, including deer, elk and moose.
No evidence has been found to indicate that
CWD affects humans, according to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control. CWD was first
identified in captive deer in Colorado in 1967
and has since been detected in both captive and
wild cervids in 22 states and two Canadian
provinces. Currently, it is found in freeranging cervids in 18 states and two Canadian
provinces. Arizona Game and Fish began
testing for CWD in 1998 and has to date tested
over 17,000 samples. The continued cooperation
from hunters in providing heads from harvested
deer and elk for testing is essential for the
Department’s effective surveillance of CWD.

“Release Your Wild” Archery Day
The Department hosted a free public archery
event in conjunction with the release of the
blockbuster movie, “Hunger Games: Catching
Fire,” to capitalize on the pop-culture interest
the movie brought to archery. The “Release
Your Wild” event was held in December 2013
at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility and drew
approximately 200 attendees. Participants went
through six archery shooting stations and also
received a coupon for a return visit with free
equipment rental to provide them with a second
connection to Arizona Game and Fish and
archery shooting.

Conservation
Arizona’s bald eagle nestwatch program
celebrates 35 years of dedication
Arizona’s Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program
has contributed to the tremendous growth of
the state’s bald eagle population for 35 years.
Nestwatchers have helped save the lives of

more than 60 eagle nestlings since the program
began in 1978. This year’s nestwatchers began
their four-month tour of duty in February.
They watched 14 breeding areas located in
some of Arizona’s most popular recreation
areas. The contractors observe from dawn to
dusk, collecting data about the eagles’ behavior,
educating the public, and notifying rescuers of
any life-threatening situations for the birds. The
nationally-recognized nestwatch program began
as a weekend volunteer effort to help ensure the
continued success of bald eagle breeding. Now
26 government agencies, private organizations
and tribes are involved with the program to
monitor bald eagle breeding areas that are
under heavy pressure from human recreational
activities.

Bighorn sheep reintroduced to
Santa Catalina Mountains
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in
cooperation with the Coronado National Forest
and the Catalina Bighorn Advisory Committee,
in November reintroduced 31 desert bighorn
sheep to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness area
near Tucson. The area once contained a robust
native population of desert bighorn sheep,
but the population began declining in the late

Arizona’s Bald Eagle
Nestwatch Program
celebrated its 35th
anniversary.

1980s and disappeared by the late 90s. Factors
are thought to include urban encroachment,
human disturbance, disease, fire suppression
and predation. Several conditions made it
advantageous to consider the reintroduction
project at this time, including improved habitat
from two large fires a decade ago, scheduled
prescribed burns by the Forest Service to bring
back a more natural fire regimen, healthy
bighorn sheep populations in other parts of the
state offering surplus animals for translocation,
and temporary closure of some trails by the
Forest Service in the proposed reintroduction
area. The project was developed and is being
Thirty one bighorn
sheep captured in
southwestern Arizona
were translocated to
the Santa Catalina
Mountains as part of
the Catalina Bighorn
Sheep Reintroduction
Project.

2012-13 annual report 9

The Endangered
Species Act
celebrated its 40th
anniversary this
year. The endangered
black-footed ferret
population in
Arizona continues
to grow thanks
to on-the-ground
conservation efforts.

implemented with input and consultation with
the Catalina Bighorn Advisory Committee,
composed of diverse stakeholder groups such
as the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society,
Wilderness Society, Center for Biological
Diversity, Sky Island Alliance, and Arizona
Wilderness Coalition. The 31 translocated
bighorns were captured from healthy herds in
western Arizona and fitted with state-of-theart satellite Global Positioning System (GPS)
collars that provide real time information
about their location and any mortality events
that may occur. This intensive monitoring
effort will enable managers to make informed
management decisions as information from
collars becomes available. A component of the
project is a predator management plan that
calls for lethal removal of specific mountain
lions known to prey on bighorn sheep, for a
limited duration, to allow the bighorn sheep
herd to establish a viable population. The
goal of the project, which operates under
adaptive management principles and is under
continual evaluation, is to have bighorn sheep
and mountain lions coexisting in a naturally
functioning ecosystem, as they once did.

10 Arizona Game and Fish Department

Amended rules address importation
of cervid carcasses, baiting
Several amendments to the Arizona Game and
Fish Article 3 rules affecting hunters became
effective on July 1. There are new restrictions on
the importation of cervid carcasses into the state
as a precaution against introduction of diseases,
including chronic wasting disease. While CWD
has not been detected in Arizona, it has been
found in our neighboring states of Utah, New
Mexico and Colorado. The amended rules also
include restrictions on using edible or ingestible
substances to attract game (a practice commonly
known as “baiting”). A primary concern with
baiting is that it results in concentrations of
wildlife that may facilitate the transmission of
wildlife diseases such as CWD, or contain toxic
contaminants. The amended Article 3 rules now
also allow hunters to use pre-charged pneumatic
weapons for the take of some big game. These
and other amendments were developed during
the rules review process that included a public
comment period, and they incorporate recently
passed legislation. A summary of the amended
rules is available on the Department’s website at
www.azgfd.gov.

Game and Fish celebrates 40th anniversary
of managing imperiled wildlife under the
Endangered Species Act
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
celebrated its work to conserve imperiled
wildlife species on the 40th anniversary of the
Endangered Species Act in May. Arizona is
home to 42 wildlife species that are considered
either threatened or endangered. The state’s
most well-known endangered species are the
California condor, Mexican wolf, black-footed
ferret, jaguar, Mount Graham red squirrel,
ocelot, Sonoran pronghorn and Apache trout.
Through Game and Fish’s active on-the-ground
management, in partnership with federal, state,
and tribal management authorities, Arizona’s
greatest endangered species successes include:
• Recovery of the bald eagle that led to delisting
the species from the ESA. The population
went from only 11 breeding pairs in 1973 to
54 today.
• Milestone accomplishment for the
reintroduced black-footed ferret, which now
boasts a self-sustaining population that no
longer requires the release of captive animals
to maintain a healthy population.

• Growth of Arizona’s Sonoran pronghorn
population from 21 animals to 267 today.
• Restoration of Apache trout that led to
downlisting (moved from “endangered” to
“threatened”) and allowed for limited angling
opportunities in the state.
• Reintroduction of the California condor,
which had virtually reached extinction and
now numbers more than 70 birds in the wild
Arizona-Utah population.

Public provides input into revised
hunt guidelines
The proposed biannual hunt guidelines, which
set the framework for the annual hunting
regulations for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons,
were approved by the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission at its September meeting. The
review process for the hunt guidelines formally
began earlier in the year by soliciting public
input, followed by a series of statewide public
meetings and comment opportunities. The hunt
guidelines provide the biological and social
parameters that set the management objectives
for setting elements like season structures and
permit levels for game species.
Public input helped
the Department
establish the
biannual hunt
guidelines, which set
the framework for
the hunt regulations
for the 2014-15 and
2015-16 seasons.

2012-13 annual report 11

AZGFD and ADOT
hosted the prestigious
International
Conference on Ecology
and Transportation
(ICOET), which
showcased projects
such as the Highway
93 bighorn sheep
overpasses.

“Agreement in Principle” reached by
AZGFD and Rosemont Copper Company on
proposed conservation mitigation measures
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
and Rosemont Copper Company reached an
“Agreement in Principle” in October regarding
the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine near
Tucson. Under the terms of the agreement,
should the proposed mine become a reality,
certain wildlife conservation and mitigation
actions would be put in place to help offset the
mine’s impact and provide benefits to “Arizona
trust species” (those species that are not
federally listed as threatened or endangered).
The plans also provide for wildlife-related
public recreational access. Rosemont would be
responsible for funding and Game and Fish
would handle implementation. The agreement
addresses Arizona wildlife interests that were
not considered during the federal compliance
process. The Department sent the agreement
to Coronado National Forest Supervisor Jim
Upchurch and requested that it be included in
the Forest Service’s Record of Decision for the
project. The Department has noted that the
agreement is not an endorsement of, nor an

12 Arizona Game and Fish Department

opposition to, the mine project. Responsibilities
of both parties will be set forth in a more
detailed agreement to be negotiated in the
future, after the Forest Service-issued Mine Plan
of Operations permit is issued.

AZGFD, ADOT host major conference on
transportation and environment
The Arizona Department of Transportation and
the Arizona Game and Fish Department in June
hosted the prestigious International Conference
on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET),
which highlighted research and achievements
that focus on the relationship between
transportation planning and the environment.
Nearly 400 experts in transportation and
ecology from more than 40 states, tribal
organizations and other countries attended the
Scottsdale conference. ADOT and Game and
Fish had the opportunity to showcase joint
efforts that consider the environment during the
planning and building stages of transportation
infrastructure. One such effort was the
construction of wildlife crossing bridges and
culverts as part of improvements along U.S. 93
near the Nevada state line to reduce the number

of collisions between vehicles and desert bighorn
sheep and facilitate wildlife movement across
the highway. ICOET is regarded as the primary
forum for introducing research innovations and
concepts that form many standards of practice
in the field. The conference is held every two
years.

Mexican wolf numbers increase
During its annual 2012 year-end surveys (the
results of which were announced in February
2013), the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field
Team (IFT) counted at least 75 Mexican wolves
in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico at the
end of 2012. This was an increase over the 2011
minimum population count (58 wolves). The
results from the aerial survey, coupled with the
ground survey conducted by the IFT, confirmed
that there were 38 wolves in New Mexico and
37 wolves in Arizona. The survey indicated that
there were 4 pairs that met the federal definition
of breeding pair at year’s end, out of 13 known
packs. The 2012 minimum population count
included 20 wild-born pups that survived
through the end of the year. These numbers
are considered a minimum number of Mexican
wolves known to exist in the Blue Range Wolf

Recovery Area, as other non-collared wolves
may be present in the recovery area but were not
located during the survey period.

Hirsch Conservation Education Area
is dedicated
The Hirsch Conservation Education Area at
Biscuit Tank was dedicated in 2013. The area
was named in honor of Bob Hirsch, a prolific
outdoor writer and outdoor advocate whose
work appeared in both the Arizona Wildlife
Views magazine and television show. The
conservation area will be used for a wide variety
of outdoor educational opportunities and
instructional workshops. Biscuit Tank is not
open for general public use.

Arizona Game and Fish coauthors
international recovery plan for endangered
thick-billed parrots
A recovery plan coauthored by the Arizona
Game and Fish Department and Mexico will
benefit the thick-billed parrot, one of only two
species of parrots historically found in the U.S.
The plan aims to grow the birds’ numbers by
protecting, managing and restoring mature and
old-growth conifer forests in Mexico. The U.S.
The Hirsch
Conservation
Education Area
will be used for
outdoor educational
opportunities and
instructor workshops.

2012-13 annual report 13

has never before adopted an endangered species
recovery plan from another country. This plan
closely follows the Mexican thick-billed parrot
recovery plan, but includes additional elements
required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
because the parrot is now found only in Mexico.
Recovery efforts will concentrate on established
populations in Mexico, where suitable habitat
exists within the birds’ core range. Efforts to
restore the thick-billed parrot in Mexico are
considered more likely to succeed than a costprohibitive captive breeding program in the
U.S. where habitat is less suitable. Attempts to
re-establish the bird in Arizona between 1986
and 1993 were unsuccessful because captiveraised birds had trouble surviving in the wild.
Thick-billed parrots disappeared from the U.S.
more than 70 years ago. Historically, they
visited southeast Arizona and perhaps New
Mexico, but no breeding population here has
ever been confirmed. Estimates indicate that
more than 2,000 thick-billed parrots can be
found in Mexico’s states of Chihuahua and
northwest Durango.

Commission approves fishing
regulation amendments
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission
approved 12 amendments to Commission
Order 40 (fish regulations), effective Jan. 1,
2014. The updated regulations are expected to
conserve sport fish populations, and simplify
and streamline regulations. There are several
important changes to note. The crappie daily
bag limit was reduced from unlimited to 15
daily at Bartlett and Roosevelt lakes. The
statewide possession limit was increased to twice
the daily bag limit, applies to all statewide and
special regulation seasons, and allows anglers to
continue fishing on subsequent days when bag
limits are met. Newly designated Community
Fishing Program waters, formerly known as
Urban Fishing Program waters, have special
regulations for daily bag limits. Tempe Town
Lake is now included in the Community
Fishing Program. Other approved amendments
can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/fish.

14 Arizona Game and Fish Department

Issues
Lake Powell added to Arizona’s list
of quagga-infected waters
Boaters leaving Lake Powell are now required by
law to pull their boat plug and decontaminate
and dry their watercraft before leaving the
vicinity of the lake, to help prevent the spread of
invasive quagga mussels. In March, the National
Park Service (NPS) identified 14 adult quagga
mussels attached to moored vessels and dock
structures at the Wahweap Marina. As of May,
the NPS had identified more than 150 mussels
at Wahweap and Antelope Point marinas.
None of the adult mussels were close enough
together to mate for successful reproduction
and all were physically removed from the lake.
The discovery prompted the Arizona Game and
Fish Department to add Lake Powell to its list
of waters known to contain aquatic invasive
species (AIS). The affected waters are part of the
Department’s Director’s Orders, which list the
aquatic invasive species in Arizona, the lakes
that contain them, and the legally mandated
protocols for moving boats from AIS-infected
waters. Other AIS-infected waters in Arizona
include Lake Pleasant, Lake Mead, Lake
Mohave, Lake Havasu and all lower Colorado
River waters to the international border with
Mexico.

AZGFD expresses concerns over
72-hour limit for camping trailers
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and
Commission expressed concerns after the
Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott national forests
announced in an August news release that they
were instituting a 72-hour limit on how long
hunters and other recreationists could leave
their trailers and motorhomes unattended.
The news release indicated that if trailers were
left unattended for more than 72 hours, the
Forest Service could consider them abandoned
property and might remove them from the
forest or cite the owner. The Department and
Commission viewed this action by the Forest
Service as unprecedented, as a 14-day stay limit
had been in effect on national forest lands for

Eddie “Flathead Ed”
Wilcoxson caught a
state record flathead
catfish weighing in
at 76.54-pounds. It
measured 53.5 inches
in total length with a
34.75-inch girth.

decades and was well-understood and observed
by hunters and other outdoor recreationists. The
Department, along with a number of Arizona
county sheriffs and elected officials, expressed
concerns over the 72-hour rule, and Game and
Fish staff met with Forest Service officials to
resolve the matter. The Forest Service has since
clarified that hunters and others recreating
on forest lands are not at risk of having their
property considered abandoned after 72 hours
(as long as they comply with the 14-day rule),
and the intent of the 72-hour rule was to deal
with the issue of truly abandoned property.

Miscellaneous
History made: Angler reels in state’s
heaviest recorded fish
Arizona angler Eddie “Flathead Ed” Wilcoxson
landed what would become a state record
flathead catfish at Bartlett Lake in April. The
catfish weighed 76.54 pounds and measured
53.5 inches in total length with a 34.75-inch
girth. It also became the heaviest recorded
fish of any species in state history, topping the

74-pound flathead catfish caught in 1988 out
of the Colorado River. Wilcoxson caught the
flathead using an Ugly Stik fishing rod, Okuma
45D reel, 60-pound braided line, an 18-inch
steel leader with a SPRO Power Swivel and, as
bait, a live 2-pound carp. In addition to flathead
catfish, the 2,015-acre Bartlett Lake, located in
the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix,
holds largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, channel
catfish, carp and crayfish. Bartlett Lake also
produced the state record carp that weighed 37
pounds in 1987.

Commission Chair’s term is changed
to correspond with fiscal year
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted
in April to change the term of service of the
Commission Chair, Vice Chair and Committee
assignments from a calendar year to a fiscal
year basis (July 1 through June 30 of the
following year). The move allows the outgoing
Commission Chair to work with the incoming
Chair, other Commission members, and the
Department’s leadership to ensure a smoother
transition and continuity during changes in
2012-13 annual report 15

protection netting, and complete several other
safety features. The reservoir is located on the
Mogollon Rim east of Clints Well. When
completed, this project will enhance recreational
boating access, safety, and fishing opportunities
for the future. Vehicular access to the lake is
currently closed but is anticipated to resume
in the spring of next year, as weather and road
conditions allow.

The book “Bringing
Back the Game:
Arizona Wildlife
Management, 19121962” describes the
efforts to return
game populations
to abundance and
provide more fishing
opportunities for
anglers.

New book brings wildlife management
history to life

Commission membership. Current Chairman
John W. Harris, whose term as a Commission
member runs through the end of 2014, will
serve as Chair through June 30, 2014, after
which the Commission will hold an election for
the new Chair. The Commission is composed
of five members, each serving staggered fiveyear terms. Commissioners are appointed by
the Governor, with assistance from the Arizona
Game and Fish Commission Appointment
Recommendation Board, and confirmed by the
State Senate. No more than one member may be
from any one county, and no more than three
may be from the same political party. Since its
inception in 1929, this organizational structure
has served as a buffer for the best interests of
science-driven wildlife conservation during
eight decades of back-and-forth political change.

Boating access improvement project
begins at C.C. Cragin Reservoir
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in
cooperation with the Coconino National Forest,
began a boating access improvement project at
C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir in October
to widen the existing boat ramp, install rockfall
16 Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department
published the new book, “Bringing Back the
Game: Arizona Wildlife Management, 1912–
1962,” that examines wildlife management
in Arizona during those formative years
as sportsmen, and later professional game
wardens and biologists, worked to return game
populations to abundance and to provide more
fishing opportunities for anglers. The book is
the third in a series of wildlife histories that
began with “Man and Wildlife in Arizona: The
American Exploration Period, 1824–1865,”
and continued with “Arizona Wildlife: The
Territorial Years, 1863–1912.” The Arizona
Wildlife History Series now covers almost
140 years of efforts to conserve, use and
manage wildlife in the Grand Canyon State
— a significant achievement. Author David
E. Brown is a retired Arizona Game and Fish
Department biologist and adjunct professor at
Arizona State University and the University of
Arizona.

Commission meetings go back out to
local communities
After four years of holding its meetings
exclusively in Phoenix, the Arizona Game and
Fish Commission took six of its 10 regular
meetings back out on the road to communities
around the state in 2013. The change
provides greater access to the Commission
for constituents who live in other areas of the
state. Each meeting includes a two-hour public
forum that highlights projects and collaborative
activities in which the Department is engaged

A collaborative
boating access
improvement project
at C.C. Cragin
reservoir will widen
the existing boat
ramp, install rockfall
protection netting,
and complete several
other safety features.

with the host community and region. The
Department built a new portable audio-visual
system that allows interactive webcasting from
the various venues so the meetings can still be
viewed statewide.

Arizona Senate confirms appointment of
Edward “Pat” Madden to Arizona Game and
Fish Commission
The Arizona Senate confirmed Gov. Jan
Brewer’s appointment of Edward “Pat” Madden
of Flagstaff to the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission in early 2013. Madden is an avid
outdoors enthusiast and has an extensive law
enforcement background. He worked for more
than three decades with the Flagstaff Police
Department – beginning his career in 1966
as a patrolman and retiring as chief of police
in 1999. Since then, he has been a special
investigator with the Arizona Department of
Gaming. Madden has been an active member
of the Flagstaff community, serving on multiple
boards and committees and receiving numerous
awards and commendations for his work and
community service.

Awards
AZGFD among Recovery Champion Award
recipients for Gila trout protection
In recognition of efforts to protect Gila trout
and other native fish populations after last year’s
devastating Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire
in New Mexico, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service’s 2012 Region 2 Recovery Champion
Award was presented in 2013 to the Gila trout
and Chihuahua Recovery Team. Members
included Julie Carter, Arizona Game and Fish
Department’s conservation and mitigation
program supervisor; Jim Brooks of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service; Jerry Monzingo of the
Gila National Forest; Kirk Patten of the New
Mexico Department of Game and Fish; and
David L. Propst, Ph.D. and Thomas Turner,
Ph.D., of the University of New Mexico.
Arizona’s assistance came into play when more
than 25 volunteers helped backpack Gila trout
into Ash Creek. The fish were salvaged from
the Gila National Forest by ground crews on
horseback after the fire and before the monsoon
rains.

2012-13 annual report 17

“Best Arizona Book” published by
Game and Fish
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s
book, “An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s
Small Game,” was named “Best Arizona Book”
in the 2013 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards
contest. About 1,800 entries competed in 53
categories. The book also won in the “Crafts/
Hobby/How-To” book category. The contest
was sponsored by the nonprofit New Mexico
Book Co-op. Written by biologist and hunter
Randall D. Babb of the Arizona Game and
Fish Department, the book provides expert
tips for pursuing everything from quails and
doves to squirrels and rabbits. It helps new
and experienced hunters alike select the right
firearm, gear up for the hunt and care for the
harvest.

“Arizona Wildlife Views” wins
3 Emmy® Awards
Arizona Wildlife Views, the Arizona Game and
Fish Department’s award-winning television
show, received three Emmy® Awards from
the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of
the National Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences (NATAS) during a Saturday, Oct. 19
Arizona Game and
Fish staff and guests
were on hand to
accept three Emmy
Awards from the
Rocky Mountain
Southwest Chapter of
the National Academy
of Television Arts and
Sciences.

18 Arizona Game and Fish Department

ceremony. Carol Lynde, Game and Fish video
production supervisor, earned the Emmy in
the “Environmental Program” category for
“Eagle Nest Reborn,” the story of department
biologists who helped save a breeding pair of
bald eagles. See the video at http://youtu.be/
K0BkzcMuvBg. Lynde also won two Emmys
for “Moving Bighorn Sheep.” This Arizona
Wildlife Views story won in the “Environmental
Program Segment” category and for “Direction,
Post-Production.” See the video at http://youtu.
be/WpA4ZtsAe3Q. Also nominated for Emmys
this year were Chief of Information Jim Paxon
and Video Producer David Majure. Nearly 800
videos were submitted by television and video
production professionals in Arizona, Utah, New
Mexico, Wyoming and El Centro, California.

Biologist receives award from Pope & Young
Jim Heffelfinger, game specialist for the
Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Tucson
region, was honored with the Lee Gladfelter
Memorial Award by the Pope & Young Club.
The award recognizes a wildlife professional
whose efforts have made a significant
contribution to bowhunting and wildlife
conservation. Heffelfinger, one of the nation’s

leading deer biologists, has been working
with colleagues for years on a massive project
involving the validation of white-tailed deer,
Coues’ deer, mule deer and black-tailed deer
DNA. Genetic markers have been identified
that can definitively determine if a deer is a
Coues’ whitetail or not. Other tests can prove
an animal is a whitetail x mule deer hybrid.
The project will not only help guide wildlife
management and conservation strategies,
but can assist the Pope and Young Club and
the Boone and Crockett Club in fine-tuning
or validating geographic boundaries and
authenticating individual specimens.

Officer honored as MADD OUI Officer
of the Year
Luke Apfel, wildlife manager for the Arizona
Game and Fish Department’s Kingman
region, received the Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD) OUI Officer of the Year
award, honoring his efforts to remove impaired
operators from the waterways. Apfel has been
active in many regional Operating Under the
Influence checkpoints. Serving in the Bullhead
City district since January 2012, Apfel has earned
a reputation as a top OUI enforcement officer.

Officer receives Shikar-Safari Award
Tim Holt, East Sector supervisor for the
Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Mesa
region, received the Shikar-Safari Club’s Officer
of the Year Award for Arizona for his lifelong
service and impeccable record. The award is
presented to a conservation officer in each state
to recognize their outstanding performance
and dedication to protecting and conserving
wildlife.

with the Coronado National Forest, consists
of a parking lot, restroom, solar lighting, boat
launch ramp, fishing dock and boat dock. The
facilities are fully handicapped accessible with
two ADA spaces for passenger vehicles and two
ADA spaces for boat trailers at the shoreline.
SOBA Outstanding Project Awards are given
to agencies or organizations involved in
boating access projects that are of high quality,
innovative, unique and economical.

AZGFD wins conservation
communications awards
The Arizona Game and Fish Department
received several conservation communications
awards over the past year. Associate Editor Julie
Hammonds and A/V Production Supervisor
Carol Lynde received an Award of Distinction
from the Communicator Awards in the “Nature
and Wildlife” category for their video, “Condor
ER.” The video looks at the effort it takes to
save California condors who are suffering
from lead-poisoning. The Association for
Conservation Information (ACI) honored the
Department with four 2nd-place awards: “Tight
Lines at Lees Ferry” article in Arizona Wildlife
Views magazine (Magazine: Fisheries Article
category); “Choosing a Hunting Dog” graphic
design, Cecelia Carpenter, Arizona Wildlife
Views magazine (Graphic Design category);
“An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s
Small Game,” Randall Babb, author, Julie
Hammonds, editor, (One-time Publication:
Books/Reports category); “Arizona Hunters
Deserve Recognition for Voluntarily Reducing
Lead Available to California Condors,” Lynda
Lambert (Print News Release category).

Pena Blanca Lake project wins SOBA Award
The States Organization for Boating Access
(SOBA) presented the Arizona Game and Fish
Department with the annual Outstanding
Project Award for the Pena Blanca Lake
Boating Access Renovation project. The project,
completed entirely by AZGFD in coordination

2012-13 annual report 19

Financial Statement
Fiscal Year Revenues by Fund

2011–12

2012–13

Game and Fish Fund ............................................... $28,444,410.... 28,149,498
Watercraft Licensing Fund.......................................... 4,290,224......4,213,943
Game, Nongame Fund.................................................... 156,059.........144,684
Federal Assistance (Includes Matching Funds).......... 33,089,696... 34,583,403
Heritage Fund.............................................................10,128,637.....10,118,464
Off-highway Vehicle Fund.............................................1,597,076...... 1,593,241
Capital Improvement/Conservation Dev. Funds................ 1,484,568......1,463,771
Wildlife Conservation Fund...........................................6,123,790......6,204,704
Indirect Cost Fund....................................................... 2,866,799......3,344,078
Other Funds (See Detail Below)....................................3,761,039...... 3,259,743
Total Revenue All Sources.......................................$91,942,298..$93,075,529

Other Funds Detail
GF Land and Water Conservation/
Recreation Development.......................................281...................269
Wildlife Theft Prevention Fund.......................... 181,475............ 137,229
Waterfowl Conservation Fund.............................80,151.............. 72,739
Wildlife Endowment Fund.................................132,512............ 148,721
Interagency Service Agreement Fund.............. 244,450....................... 0
Federal Economic Recovery Fund.................... 255,661............264,002
Trust/Donation Fund..................................... 2,622,931.........2,423,886
Firearms Safety and Ranges Fund.............................72....................... 0
W/L Habitat and Restoration Fund...............................3....................... 3
Game & Fish California/Coll Stamp.................... 56,341................ 2,817
Game & Fish Kaibab Coop................................. 36,993..............40,060
Publications Revolving Fund............................. 150,169............ 170,017
Total Other Funds....................................... $3,761,039.......$3,259,743
Fiscal Year Expenditures by Fund

2011–12

2012–13

Game and Fish Fund .................................................25,858,590....26,361,062
Watercraft Licensing Fund.......................................... 4,003,743.......3,167,827
Game, Nongame Fund.................................................... 205,567......... 104,051
Federal Assistance (Includes Matching Funds)..........33,950,296....33,672,698
Heritage Fund...............................................................4,431,168...... 9,240,124
Off-highway Vehicle Fund............................................. 1,496,119......1,403,884
Capital Improvement/Conservation Dev. Funds........... 2,331,421.......2,122,187
Wildlife Conservation Fund.......................................... 5,945,743...... 5,040,170
Indirect Cost Fund....................................................... 3,394,312......2,664,346
Other Funds (See Detail Below)................................... 2,706,373......3,068,082
Total Expenditures All Sources................................$84,323,332 .$ 86,844,431

Other Funds Detail		
Federal Grants..................................................$16,148....................... 0
Wildlife Theft Prevention Fund..........................155,524............163,223
Waterfowl Conservation Fund........................... 151,074..............84,762
Interagency Service Agreement Fund.................27,980............ 114,600
Federal Economic Recovery Fund.................... 239,650............313,204
Trust/Donation Fund......................................1,907,908.........2,202,456
Firearms Safety and Ranges Fund...............................0....................... 0
Game & Fish Kaibab Coop..................................69,710.............. 12,880
Publications Revolving Fund.............................138,379............ 176,957
Total Other Funds....................................... $2,706,373...... $3,068,082

Calendar Year Sales in Numbers by Group

2011

2012

Licenses (see detail below)............................................ 428,056.........439,244
Resident Trout Stamps..................................................... 62,725........... 64,105
Nonresident Trout Stamps......................................................168................285
Tags (excluding special hunts)........................................ 165,872......... 164,915
Misc Permits/Licenses....................................................... 1,998.............2,042
Special Use Licenses/Stamps........................................... 37,017........... 57,730
Misc No Cost Licenses/Permits.......................................... 4,555.............2,082
Two Pole Stamp................................................................57,552...........58,492
Resident Additional Day Stamps..........................................1,639............. 1,888
Nonresident Additional Day Stamps....................................1,681............. 1,908
Arizona Waterfowl Stamps................................................. 5,853.............6,821
Migratory Bird Stamps..................................................... 46,546............47,126
Kaibab 12A Habitat Stamps.................................................1,681............. 1,790
Restricted Non-permit Tags.......................................................0.................... 0
Supplemental Hunt Tags...........................................................19.................. 58
Companion Hunt Tags............................................................126................ 131
Totals ............................................................................ 815,488.........848,617
Lifetime License/Stamp Sales

2011

2012

Lifetime License Sales Fish..................................................... 43.................. 49
Lifetime License Sales Hunt.....................................................91................ 102
Lifetime License Sales Combo.................................................91.................. 95
Lifetime License Sales Trout Stamps...................................... 34.................. 40
Wildlife Benefactor Combo License..........................................17.................. 14
Totals ....................................................................................311................300
Calendar Year License Sales by Category

2011

2012

Resident General Fish..................................................... 131,614.........130,466
Nonresident General Fish...................................................... 768................803
Family/Primary Fish............................................................5,181............. 5,750
Family/Spouse Fish.............................................................2,713.............3,037
Family/Child Fish................................................................ 2,089.............2,294
Resident Super Fish/Trout/Urban License........................ 13,433........... 13,976
Nonresident Super Fish/Trout/Urban License..................... 1,868............. 1,925
Resident General Hunt.......................................................57,528...........59,450
Nonresident General Hunt................................................ 19,894........... 21,818
Computer Family/Primary Hunt............................................. 890................980
Computer Family/Secondary (Spouse) Hunt.......................... 443................505
Computer Family/Youth & Child/10-13 Hunt....................... 2,429.............2,369
Resident Hunt/Fish............................................................71,725........... 74,608
Nonresident Hunt/Fish.......................................................... 480................ 714
Computer Family/Primary Hunt/Fish.................................. 3,328............. 3,705
Computer Family/Secondary (Spouse) Hunt/Fish................1,769............. 1,993
Computer Family/Youth & Child/10-13 Hunt/Fish................2,143............. 2,187
Computer Super Hunt w/Stamps............................................149................ 163
Computer Super Hunt/Fish w/Stamps....................................774................722
Nonresident 3-Day Hunt......................................................6,749............. 7,083
Urban Fishing................................................................... 29,223........... 27,824
Nonresident Colorado River Fish.........................................1,243............. 1,295
Nonresident 5-Day Fish.......................................................7,752............. 7,677
Resident Youth Hunt/Fish................................................. 21,485...........23,293
Nonresident 4-Month Fish...................................................7,773............. 7,658
Resident/Nonresident 1-Day Fish..................................... 29,854........... 31,792
Resident Youth Group 2-Day Fish...........................................103.................. 96
Resident General Fish Nov/Dec.......................................... 2,696.............3,023
Nonresident General Fish Nov/Dec ........................................104................ 128
Computer Family/Primary Half Fish Nov/Dec .......................... 25.................. 53
Computer Family/Spouse Half Fish Nov/Dec .............................5.................. 11
Urban Fishing Nov/Dec ...................................................... 1,866............. 1,846
Totals ............................................................................ 428,056.........439,244
Calendar Year License and Tag Sales

2011

2012

Licenses.................................................................... $17,106,497....19,989,591
Stamps........................................................................ 1,768,790...... 1,812,907
Tags............................................................................ 7,949,629.......7,666,141
Total Value............................................................... $26,824,916. $29,468,639
20 Arizona Game and Fish Department

John W. Harris

Robert E. Mansell

Kurt Davis

Edward “Pat” Madden

The Game and Fish Commission
Under the provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes 17-231, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission
establishes policy for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife. The 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. In support of the Commission’s obligations, the Director, as Chief Administrative Officer,
provides general supervision and control of all Department functions and activities.
The Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor pursuant to ARS 38-211.
The Governor is assisted in the selection of Commission candidates by the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission Appointment Recommendation Board.
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. Commissioners customarily serve as Chair during their last year.

Our Mission
To conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation
opportunities for current and future generations.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age,
or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the
AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Director’s Office,
5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, (602) 942-3000, or with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401
N. Fairfax Dr., Mail Stop WSFR-4020, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable
accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Director’s Office as listed above.

2012-13 annual report 21

Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086
(602) 942-3000
www.azgfd.gov

REGIONAL OFFICES
Region I — chris bagnoli, Supervisor
2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop 85935
(928) 367-4281

larry D. Voyles Director
TY Gray Deputy Director
Jim Paxon Special Assistant
to the Director

Region II — CRAIG MCMULLEN, Supervisor
3500 S. Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff 86001
(928) 774-5045

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
jim devos Wildlife Management
jim hinkle Field Operations
JOHN BULLINGTON Special Services
Lizette Morgan Business & Finance
tony guiles Information, Education
& Recreation

Region III — TOM FINLEY, Supervisor
5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman 86409
(928) 692-7700
Region IV — pat barber, Supervisor
9140 E. 28th St., Yuma 85365
(928) 342-0091
Region V — raul vega, Supervisor
555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson 85745
(520) 628-5376
Region VI — Rod Lucas, Supervisor
7200 E. University Drive, Mesa 85207
(480) 981-9400