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We're AZ's wildlife agency! Proud to #ConserveAndProtect our state's 800+ species 🐾 Social media community guidelines: https://nitter.gq/t.co/5HPIrjTN7u

Arizona
Joined April 2008
Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)Photo by Arizona Game & Fish (@azgfd)
Happy #NationalBisonDay! 🦬 Did you know the bison is the official U.S. mammal and an icon of wildlife conservation? At the time of early European colonization, bison numbered in the tens of millions, but by the late 1800s, they fell to fewer than 1,000. Today, they've made a comeback and we manage three bison herds! Learn more: azgfd.gov/bison.
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Cold water in Arizona? 💦 ❄️ Yes, it's true, we're not all desert here! However, as we get closer to winter, it’s important to understand the risks of cold water and how a life jacket can be a lifesaving choice: ➡️ Cold water quickly robs the body of strength. ➡️ Falling in can trigger “swim failure,” making it harder to swim or tread water. ➡️ Without a life jacket, surviving a cold-water fall becomes much more difficult. A life jacket can make the difference. Make it part of every trip on the water! 🛟
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Looking for a change of scenery? Head east to Usery Mountain Shooting Range in Mesa, where you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy shooting sports! The sprawling facility boasts nine rifle and pistol ranges, two trap fields and a sporting clays shotgun course. Learn more: rsscaz.com.
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🐟 More Gila trout released into Arizona mountain streams! 🐟 Gila trout is one of Arizona’s two native trout species and is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. But we're making headway in our conservation efforts to restore them to their natural habitat! Read more: bit.ly/4yHHAHQ.
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WE NEED YOU! Help improve fish habitat at Canyon Lake by volunteering with AZGFD aquatic staff to place artificial habitat structures on the lake bed starting Nov. 13. Learn more and sign up here: bit.ly/4ieA6Wi.
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Happy Halloween! 👻 🎃 Have fun tonight, stay safe, and here's a friendly reminder why it's best to keep edible decorations indoors and away from wildlife!
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It's the time of year small game and waterfowl hunters have been waiting for! In addition to the season opener for squirrels that happened on Oct. 2, hunters can pursue dusky grouse, chukar and cottontail rabbits. Get the details on small game seasons: bit.ly/4kmS8IA.
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The call came from a landowner in Alpine. 🐾 An elk was spotted with electrobraid and a T-post tangled in its antlers. Thanks to that landowner's call to the AZGFD Operation Game Thief Hotline, help arrived in the form of two wildlife managers: Officers Legend Watson and Kalyn Miller. "Officer Miller was the first one there and was preparing drugs when I arrived," recalls Officer Watson. "The bull elk and approximately 20 cows were across a field bedded down under some pine trees right next to a house." The two officers darted the bull elk and it laid down nearby. Officers and neighbors safely removed nearly 50 feet of electrobraid and the T-post, then officers administered reversals. "Shortly after admitting the reversals, the bull got up and reunited with the herd of cows," Officer Watson said. "Several landowners gave their appreciation and loved seeing their neighborhood bull safe and tangle-free." Well done, officers! 👏 And remember, if you see a potential wildlife violation, you can call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 800-352-0700.
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HUNTERS! When you're prepping for your hunt, don't forget to add this to your checklist: make sure you know how to properly dispose of a leftover carcass after your harvest. You may leave inedible portions in the field, but once you leave with material, just follow these two, easy steps: 1- Double-bag all waste 2- Discard at a state-regulated landfill or in a receptacle bound for one Following these steps will protect wildlife from the spread of disease, especially Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which has not been detected in Arizona yet. Learn more at azgfd.gov/cwd.
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🚨 Over-the-counter non-permit tags for nonresident archery deer hunters for the 2027 calendar year will be available beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) on Monday, Nov. 2. These tags will only be sold online on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more: bit.ly/3Ugobzy
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Happy #BatWeek! 🦇 Did you know Arizona is home to 29 species of bat? And one bat can eat more than 1,000 insects in an hour - including mosquitos! Spoooooky.
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Leftover turkey and javelina hunt permit-tags from the Spring Draw are available! Applications will be accepted by U.S. mail only beginning Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more: bit.ly/4ezPJ9P.
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As we get deeper into the fall hunting season, how do you plan to practice Fair Chase? Learn more about the importance of these ethical practices: azgfd.gov/fairchase.
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Have you ever wanted to try hunting or harvesting your own food? 🍽️ Now's your chance, through our Outdoor Skills Network events! Coming up in November, we've got youth deer and small game camps, mentored dove hunts, mentored predator hunts, and more! Register for an event now: bit.ly/3TwdlVH.
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The Spring Draw results are out! 🤩 Head to your AZGFD portal account - it's the only source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. Learn more: azgfd.com/2026/10/23/spring-….
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The Ben Avery Shooting Facility has classes for everyone! 🎯 🤩 See what else is coming up, including the next Annie Oakley course, and sign up now: bit.ly/4yTBvbH.
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🐢 For National Reptile Awareness Day, here's a great outcome for a special Sonoran desert tortoise that wound up in the care of the AZGFD Tortoise Adoption Program, and why it's so important to leave wild desert tortoises alone: Recently, the team from our Tortoise Adoption Program noticed specific markings on a tortoise that a member of the public had brought in. Upon further inspection by AZGFD biologists, it was determined the tortoise came from a study population of wild desert tortoises within @SaguaroNPS. Because the tortoise was part of a recently completed radio-tracking study, biologists were able to successfully return the tortoise to its home within the park! However, situations like this are rare. Usually, once a wild tortoise has been removed, we have no way of knowing where it came from and cannot return it. Never take a wild Sonoran desert tortoise from its habitat. Instead, if you want to care for a desert tortoise of your own, we have many captive desert tortoises that have been surrendered to us and need forever homes! Adopt or donate to their care at azgfd.gov/tortoise.
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Despite our recent rainfall, it's important to remember that a few days of heavy rain doesn't end the long-term drought we're experiencing. 😐 Unfortunately, the lasting effects of long-term drought still impact our state's wildlife. Here are some examples: 🐥 Less reproduction. The longer a drought lasts, the more stress it can place on wildlife, which lowers their success with reproduction. 🦠 Spread of disease. Fewer water sources cause wildlife to congregate in singular locations, increasing the risk of predation and spread of disease. 💦 Seeking water near humans. Wildlife may seek water in less safe places, like urban or agricultural areas. Learn more about Arizona's long-term drought and what AZGFD is doing to mitigate its effects on wildlife: bit.ly/3NtsL6h.
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🐟 🎣 Wondering which weeks we plan to stock fish in certain waters? Check out our fish stocking schedule: bit.ly/4hMYAXH.
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