Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson

13/02/2025

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief program is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case of five mule deer recently found dead in the area of Goat Camp Road north of Duncan, Ariz.

The incident occurred sometime around the last week of January. Evidence collected at the scene indicates multiple violations.

“Poachers are criminals, thieves who steal wildlife from Arizona citizens,” said Field Supervisor Mike Richins of Game and Fish in Safford. “Especially troubling about this case are the number of deer lost and the blatant disregard and disrespect of the public’s resource.”

Individuals with information about the case are urged to call the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline at 800-352-0700, anonymously if need be, and reference OGT case #25-000275.

17/01/2025

Visitors flock to Lake Cochise on Thursday to view the estimated 16,000 migratory sandhill cranes roosting there. The lake is just five minutes away from the free Wings Over Willcox (WOW) Nature Expo, now underway through Sun. morning at the Willcox Community Center. This year the lake has the largest concentration of sandhill cranes in SE AZ, where nearly 40,000 are wintering. The cranes are seen at dawn, and afternoon. For more information about the AZGFD-sponsored WOW Birding & Nature Festival, go to wingsoverwillcox.com.

12/01/2025

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10/01/2025

A suspected rabid fox that attacked a man today near the Florida Canyon Trailhead, Santa Rita Experimental Range. The victim was uninjured but the fox remains at large. The area is popular with birders and hikers. If seen call 623-236-7201 ASAP, clear the area, and seek shelter. If in direct contact with a suspected rabid animal, get medical treatment ASAP. Rabies is almost always fatal
once symptoms onset.

09/01/2025

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08/01/2025

Nearly 40,000 Sandhill Cranes Now In SE AZ

WILLCOX, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimates that 38,707 migratory sandhill cranes are now in southeast Arizona, with the largest concentration near Willcox Playa.

The 23,522 cranes there include those roosting at AEPCO’s Apache Station and Cochise Lake, both in Willcox. AZGFD’s Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal
has 12,209 cranes; 2,461 are in the Gila River corridor; 421 at Crane Lake; and 94 in Bonita.

AZGFD’s annual sandhill crane count precedes the start of the annual Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival, this year from Jan. 16 to Jan. 19, which includes a
free Nature Expo at the Willcox Community Center. See www.wingsoverwillcox.com
for more information.

The cranes usually fly out as a group at dawn to feed, gleaning grain from farmer’s fields. Most of the cranes follow this feeding pattern, but some linger in or near their
roosts.

Most return from feeding between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The cranes typically begin arrive mid-September to early October. They begin to leave approximately mid-February, sometimes departing all at once, but others may stay until the middle of March.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has trust responsibility for managing more than 800 native wildlife species – the most of any inland state. Tim Snow photo.

07/01/2025

03/01/2025

Mark your calendars for this free special event, 8 am to 1 pm March 1.

Come on out to the Southern Arizona Quail Forever Family Day March 1st 2025. Clips from last year show some of the cool attractions and activities such as ha...

03/01/2025

Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson
NEWS RELEASE For immediate release, Jan. 2, 2025

Game & Fish Aerial Surveys of Big Game Underway This Month
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department will begin conducting aerial surveys Sat. of deer and javelina populations in southeastern Arizona, through Jan. 23 weather permitting.

Helicopter flights lasting up to five hours are scheduled as follows for outlying areas:
• Jan. 4-5, Tortilla Mountains and 96 Hills, Game Management Unit (GMU) 37B;
• Jan. 6-7, Tumacacori and Pajarito mountains, GMU 36B;
• Jan. 8-9, Santa Rita Mountains and Green Valley area, GMU 34A;
• Jan. 10-11, Patagonia Mountains, GMU 35B;
• Jan. 14-15, Sulphur Springs and San Bernardino valleys, GMU 30A;
• Jan. 16-17, San Simon Valley and Peloncillo Mountains, GMU 28;
• Jan. 18, Fort Huachuca;
• Jan. 20-21, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, GMU 33;
• Jan. 22-23, Galuiro Mountains, GMU 32.

Fixed wing aircraft may also be used to do the surveys. Game and Fish routinely conducts big game surveys with aircraft in all of Arizona’s GMUs. These flights are a vital tool used by wildlife managers to accurately set annual hunt permit numbers to ensure the fitness of big game populations.

“Although we attempt to conduct these flights so that there is minimal conflict with ongoing hunts, surveys may overlap with an open hunt,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson.

Hunters may encounter low flying Game and Fish Department aircraft conducting big game surveys during weekdays and on weekends, specifically in the area of Fort Huachuca due to weekday flight restrictions that are in place.

It is illegal for any aircraft to pursue wildlife during an established hunting season except for official game management purposes.
Those who witness any type of aircraft displaying such activity should call the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department of javelina.

24/12/2024

Suspected rabies cases in wildlife off Ft. Huachuca should be promptly reported to AZGFD at 623-236-7201 24/7.