Public Comments Sought on Arizona Fish Stocking Program So It Can Continue to Receive Federal Funding
November 6, 2008
Did you know that the feisty rainbow trout dancing on the end of your fishing line was most likely hatchery raised?
Each year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks more than 3 million fish for anglers to catch in approximately 160 of Arizona’s lakes, rivers and streams - mostly rainbow, Apache, brook, and cutthroat trout, but some warmwater species such as largemouth bass and channel catfish as well.
The stocking program is supported with federal funds through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, along with state funds from the sale of licenses and trout stamps.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are seeking public comments on issues associated with all the sport-fish stockings in the state as part of a draft environmental assessment process that is required to continue using federal funding for stocking activities in Arizona.
Public input is being sought to determine the extent and variety of issues that should be addressed by the draft environmental assessment. The comment period continues through 5 p.m. on Dec. 19.
Once the comment period ends, the wildlife agencies will prepare a draft environmental assessment to evaluate the social, economic and environmental effects of stockings related to continue funding for the program through the Sport Fish Restoration Program.
As part of the scoping process, the following three public open houses are being held to answer questions and gather public input on the stocking program issues:
- Pinetop, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Arizona Game and Fish Department Region 1 office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
- Tucson, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24, Arizona Game and Fish Department Region 5 office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
- Phoenix, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25, at Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway.
“While we will be at the public meetings to provide background information and answer questions, all comments to be formally considered must be made in writing,” said Weedman.
Written comments can be sent to either:
David Weedman, Aquatic Habitat Program Coordinator, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. E-mail:Â fishaz [at] azgfd [dot] gov
.
Harold Namminga, Sport Fish Restoration Grant Administrator, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, P.O Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103. E-mail: Harold_Namminga [at] fws [dot] gov.
All comments must be submitted in writing no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 19.
Weedman pointed out that recreational angling in Arizona totaled 4,156,000 angling days in 2006, creating a statewide economic impact of more than $1.1 billion annually.
Arizona’s natural fish fauna historically consisted of 36 species of fish, only a few of which were traditionally sought by early Americans for sport fishing, which is a trend that continues today.
Since the early 1900s, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other agencies have supplemented recreational angling opportunities by stocking state waters with sport fish species.
“Fish stockings have evolved over the past 100 years or so to meet growing needs of anglers in Arizona,” Weedman said. “Now we consider a wide range of factors when determining where and when to stock fish, including biology, angler use, partnership commitments and needs, native fish impacts and social demands.”
Although most of the trout species caught in Arizona likely come from fish hatcheries, most of the warmwater species in the state - especially those in the larger impoundments such as Roosevelt Lake - come from natural reproduction.
The federal funding apportioned to Arizona is authorized under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act and Wallop-Breaux Act. It provides federal aid to state wildlife agencies for management and restoration of sport fish.
These Sport Fish Restoration funds are derived from a federal excise tax at the manufacturing level on certain items of sport-fishing tackle, fishing equipment and motor boat fuel.
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5-stand Now Available at Ben Avery Clay Target Center
September 5, 2008
Variety is the Spice of Life For Target Shooters in Arizona
PHOENIX — Recreational clay target shooters can now enjoy the challenge of 5-stand at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility’s Clay Target Center in Phoenix. The center has added 5-stand to augment its current offerings of trap, skeet and sporting clays.
Likened to an abbreviated version of sporting clays, 5-stand offers shooters a variety of target presentations to simulate the random flight paths of upland and waterfowl hunting. For those that typically shoot trap or skeet, this game will prove to be challenging and exciting.
 “5-stand is a very popular game. Our regular customers are happy to see us offering it again,” says Range Master Bill Kelsey. “The other day I pulled about 60 rounds non-stop. That’s 1,500 targets. They love it. I had to beg the shooters to give me a 5-minute water break.”
5-stand is set up on one of the center’s lighted trap/skeet fields and offers both daytime and nighttime shooting. Each station offers five targets chosen from seven different throwing positions and trajectories. At each station there is a menu of what targets will be presented. For example, station one might consist of the following: “single 7, report pair 1 and 5, true pair 3 and 4.” Each station is different, and the menus may change.
A round of 5-stand consists of 25 targets, five from each station, and the cost is only $6.50 per round. Hunters of dove and quail will find that 5-stand is a great way to get your shotgunning skills honed before going afield.
Summer hours for the Ben Avery Clay Target Center continue until Oct. 15. For more information about hours, location and games offered, visit www.azgfd.gov/ctc.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department took over the operations of the Clay Target Center in 2006. Since that time the department has put in extensive repairs and improvements to bring the center to today’s standards. Improvements include lighting, shade awnings, all new throwers, voice-activated releases, new skeet houses, updated sporting clays course with electronic play card readers, and - currently under construction - a new visitor’s center.
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Hunt Arizona 2008 Is Now Available Online
May 19, 2008
Printed edition should be available by the end of May
PHOENIX – A valuable resource for hunters planning their fall draw strategy and hunts is now available as a free downloadable document from the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/draw (click on the link at the bottom of the “Downloads” column).
The 2008 edition of Hunt Arizona is 192 pages and includes updated big game draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history, and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife.
Hunt Arizona will also be available for $6 as a printed and bound book at all department offices. Anticipated date of availability is May 30, 2008. You can also order the book by mail by downloading an order form at www.azgfd.gov/publications and mailing it back along with your payment.
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