Wild About Arizona

Arizona provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the nation, with more than 800 animal species and 50 million public acres of natural land to explore. But what if you're not sure where to go or what to look for? On this episode of Wild About Arizona, Jeff Meyers and Cheyenne Dubiach of our wildlife viewing program sit down to give us some advice, knowledge and talk about various wildlife viewing opportunities you can take part in.

Find out more on our website: www.azgfd.gov

From bat nettings to fishing demonstrations and wildlife viewing opportunities the Arizona Game and Fish Department annually hosts a number of events that benefit wildlife enthusiasts in Arizona. We welcome back Eric Proctor to discuss events throughout the year and how you can get involved.

Find out more on our website: www.azgfd.gov

In 1976, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Mexican wolf as an endangered species. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been actively involved in reintroducing Mexican wolves to portions of their historical range since before the first release of wolves in 1998.

On this episode of Wild About Arizona we welcome Jim Heffelfinger, Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Science Coordinator and Jim deVos our Mexican Wolf Coordinator to discuss ongoing management and recovery activities along with challenges and successes of Mexican Wolf recovery efforts.

Visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web Site: www.azgfd.gov

Out with their second edition, Authors Andrew Holycross, Thomas Brennan and Randall Babb have published A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona, we discuss this informative book with two of the three authors and learn what it took to create this field guide and how it can benefit the average to the experienced in the field.

Visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web Site: www.azgfd.gov

Arizona is full of diverse fishing opportunities, from the large reservoirs to the trout lakes in the mountains, low-elevation fishing holes and five major rivers.

We welcome Andy Clark, Statewide Sportfish Program Manager to discuss all the ways you can fish in Arizona and have fun while doing it.

Get your license and get started fishing by visiting our web site: www.azgfd.gov/fishing

Experience one of Arizona's most unique and adventurous careers that enables you to enjoy the great outdoors all while protecting Arizona's wildlife and helping keep sportsmen and recreationists safe across the state of Arizona. On this episode we sit down with Lainie Antolik, law enforcement training coordinator to talk about the position of an Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Manager.

Visit our website to learn about employment opportunities at the Arizona Game and Fish Department

Volunteers play a critical role in the Arizona Game and Fish Department's mission to conserve and protect the state's more than 800 species of wildlife. Annually volunteers donate over 100,000 hours to support Arizona's wildlife and wild places. On this episode Arizona Game and Fish Volunteer Coordinator, Beth Keune joins us to discuss our diverse volunteers and how they support events, projects, programs, shooting ranges and regional offices.

Volunteer at the Arizona Game and Fish Department by visiting our Volunteer Page, or email: [email protected]

This will be the 122nd year for the Christmas Bird Count, a winter bird population survey that has been coordinated annually by the National Audubon Society for over a century.

We chat with biologist Chrissy Kondrat about this fun and important event, which is the oldest ongoing citizen-science endeavor.

The data collected will be added to an extensive database that enables monitoring of winter bird populations across North America and helps in assessing the overall health of the environment.

Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, and to volunteer, visit AZFO.org

Providing up to $10 million each year from Arizona lottery proceeds to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The Heritage Fund and AZGFD's partnership with the Arizona Lottery is an important and successful union helping conserve and protect Arizona wildlife. We welcome Arizona Lottery Director Gregg Edgar to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Arizona Lottery and their 32nd year of partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to help Conserve and Protect Arizona's wildlife.

Learn more about the Heritage Fund and the Arizona Game and Fish Department's partnership with the Arizona Lottery.

The only true flying mammals and valuable human allies, Arizona is home to 28 species of bats, second only behind Texas. We welcome Arizona Game and Fish bat biologist, Angie McIntire as we discuss common myths and misconceptions to interesting facts you probably never knew and discover the various bats that call Arizona home

Learn more about bats on the Arizona Game and Fish Website: www.azgfd.gov/bats