King’s Outdoor World Blog

Protect the Arizona Strip

For those of you who enjoy the Arizona Strip and surrounding areas need to be aware of a new management plan that is in the works. They are looking for feedback from you. If you are still waiting to draw that coveted Strip tag, you might want to make your voice heard so the future of the Stip is secured.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release March 1, 2006

Give your input about management plans for Arizona Strip and other public lands

PHOENIX - Maybe you’re one of the people who enjoy using the Arizona Strip or the Agua Fria National Monument for outdoor recreation. If so, you may want to give your input on drafts of the new 15- to 20-year Arizona Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans for those popular areas and also the Bradshaw-Harquahala planning area.

“Hunters and wildlife watchers are among those who frequently use these public lands, and they should have a say in how the areas are managed in the future,” says Bob Broscheid, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s habitat branch. “Some substantial changes to recreation may be included. We want to encourage anyone who uses these areas to take a long, hard look at the plans and make sure their needs are being addressed.”

The BLM has released draft Resource Management Plans and Environmental Impact Statements for all of these public lands, and the drafts are each open for a 90-day comment period. Those interested can view the documents at the bureau’s Web site, blm.gov/az/.

“The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been working with the BLM as a cooperating agency for more than three years in developing these plans, but we believe that our constituents’ input will help make them better,” says Rebecca Davidson of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s habitat branch. “For example, the documents will determine where you can camp, how much firewood you can collect, where you can shoot a firearm, and much more. We need assistance from the people who will have to follow the new rules.”

Some other issues that will be affected by the new plans: access to certain areas, including potential road closures; ability to create wildlife water and habitat restoration projects in various places; and possible hunting restrictions in certain areas. Overall, wildlife and resource management could be significantly impacted.

The Arizona Strip planning area encompasses more than 2.8 million acres in northern Arizona, including the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and 1.7 million acres in between them. Comments on the plans regarding those areas must be received by March 17. You can get copies and more information about the plans by e-mailing Arizona_Strip@blm.gov or by calling (435) 688-3200. Provide comments by e-mail to Arizona_Strip@blm.gov, by FAX to (435) 688-3388, or by mail to BLM Arizona Strip District Office, Attn: Planning Team, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790.

The Agua Fria National Monument and Bradshaw-Harquahala Management Plans for areas of central Arizona are open for comment until April 5. The computerized version of these plans at blm.gov/az/ includes maps with layers that allow viewers to zoom in closer to geographic areas of interest. Get more information and copies of these plans by e-mailing az_afnm_bradshaw@blm.gov or by calling (623) 580-5500. Send e-mail comments to az_afnm_bradshaw@blm.gov or written comments to Chris Horyza, RMP Project Manager, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027.

2 comments March 2nd, 2006

Shed Hunting Reminder

This picture was sent in by Luke Grover. The sheds on the left scores 240 and the other scores 190. They were picked up in Idaho in 2004. In the spring of 2005 they found the 190 sheds again, but they came in at 195 with two broken tines.

It is shed hunting time and the antlers are dropping. I thought I would pass along this article released by the Colorado Fish and Game, but can be applied to wherever you are.

Antler Hunters Warned: Don’t Harass Deer, Elk

Antler collecting is growing in popularity in Colorado. Unfortunately, as more people venture onto winter range to search for the sheds, deer and elk can be adversely affected.

The big-game animals shed their antlers during January and February and collectors seek to pick them up as soon after they drop as possible. But when collectors approach deer and elk it causes significant stress in the animals.

“Winter is a tough time of year for deer and elk, they are working just to maintain their weight and strength,” said J Wenum, area wildlife manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Gunnison. “When people get within a half mile of them, the animals get nervous and burn valuable energy as they are forced to move away.”

DOW wildlife managers urge collectors to stay as far away from the animals as possible. It is not illegal to collect antlers; however, it is illegal to harass wildlife.

Besides stressing the animals, collecting activity often moves deer and elk from public land onto private land. Deer and elk move in bunches at this time of year, and herds of animals can cause significant damage to crops, fences and property.

Collectors must stay off private property and also be aware of winter closures on public land that are meant to protect wildlife. Numerous state wildlife areas and some federal lands are closed to the public until early summer.

“If people use common sense they�ll be able to collect antlers and allow the animals the peace and quiet they need at this time of year,� Wenum said. �If you see animals, stay away from them. There are plenty of areas to look for antlers where animals are not feeding.”

DOW wildlife officers will be patrolling popular areas during the antler-shedding season. If you see collectors disturbing animal herds, please call the local DOW office or any other local law enforcement.

1 comment March 2nd, 2006