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Arizona Game and Fish Department

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Namestring
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Legal namestring
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1929
Descriptiontext

Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is a state government agency under the State of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix and established in 1929, with a statutory mission to conserve Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and manage safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. The agency is governed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and operates fish hatcheries, wildlife management areas, and statewide education and enforcement programs.

AZGFD delivers a unified platform of outdoor recreation and conservation services via dedicated digital channels: an online hunting license portal (license.azgfd.com), big game draw application system (draw.azgfd.com), boat registration portal (watercraft.azgfd.com), and the Arizona E-Tag mobile application for electronic harvest reporting and tagging. Beyond licensing, the agency operates the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, a network of 50+ community fishing lakes and ponds, fisheries and hatcheries management, and structured education programs including Hunter Education, Boating Education, OHV Education, the FishAZ Network, and the Outdoor Skills Network.

Funding is generated through state appropriations, license and permit fees (hunting, fishing, big game draw, boat/watercraft registration), federal grants, and donations. Customers are Arizona residents, non-residents aged 10 and older, and youth participants, segmented into hunters, anglers, boaters, OHV users, and youth and family cohorts. Distribution is overwhelmingly direct-to-consumer through self-service digital portals, supported by physical authorized license dealers and on-the-ground events across the state.

Short descriptiontext

Arizona state government agency, founded 1929 and headquartered in Phoenix, that conserves wildlife and manages outdoor recreation through hunting, fishing, boating, and shooting sports licensing, education, and habitat programs for residents and visitors.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
HQ citystring
Phoenix
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
wildlife conservation services, hunting license management, outdoor recreation programs, fisheries management, boating registration services
Industry2 codes
1Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration
CodeBPAIAMAHPrimaryYes
2Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)
CodeBPAIAMAIPrimaryNo
NAICS code2 codes
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting11
  • Fishing, Hunting and Trapping114
SIC code1 code
  • Services-Amusement & Recreation Services7900
Product category
Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Services
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model3 records
1Hunting Licenses
TypeOne Time License
Description

Sale of hunting licenses to Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older. Licenses are required to hunt in Arizona.

azgfd.com
2Boat/Watercraft Registration
TypeOne Time License
Description

Online boat registration renewal services for watercraft owners in Arizona.

azgfd.com
3Big Game Draw Applications
TypeOne Time License
Description

Application system for big game hunting draw permits.

azgfd.com
Marketing channels5 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels5 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Pricing details1 tier
1Hunting licenses for residents and non-residents
ModelOne time/ perpetual licenseBilling cadenceAnnual
Notes

Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older need a valid hunting license. Specific pricing not disclosed on the main website.

azgfd.com
GTM typeB2C
B2C
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state government agency that conserves Arizona's wildlife and manages outdoor recreation opportunities. It sells hunting and fishing licenses, boat/watercraft registrations, and big game draw applications through dedicated online portals, and operates a mobile E-Tag application for electronic tagging and harvest reporting. The department also runs education programs (hunter, boating, fishing/FishAZ, OHV, and Outdoor Skills), maintains the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, oversees 50+ community fishing lakes, and manages fish hatcheries and fisheries across Arizona.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 value
  • Five additional Mexican wolf pups moved from captivity to the wild as part of recovery milestones
Product overview1 text field

Arizona Game and Fish Department operates as a state government agency providing a unified platform of outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation services. The core offerings include digital licensing systems (hunting licenses, boat registrations, e-tags), education programs (hunter education, boating education, fishing education via FishAZ Network, OHV education, and Outdoor Skills Network), recreational facilities (Ben Avery Shooting Facility, community fishing lakes), and wildlife management services (fisheries and hatcheries). These services are accessible through the department's main website and dedicated subdomain portals for licenses, draw applications, and boat registration.

Product and service10 records
1Hunting License and Draw System
CategoryLicensing Platform
Description

Online platform enabling Arizona residents and non-residents (10 years and older) to purchase hunting licenses and apply for big game draw hunts, accessible at license.azgfd.com and draw.azgfd.com.

2Boat Registration System
CategoryLicensing Platform
Description

Online portal for Arizona watercraft owners to renew boat and watercraft registrations, available at watercraft.azgfd.com.

3Arizona E-Tag App
CategoryMobile Application
Description

Mobile application enabling hunters to carry electronic tags for big game hunting, providing digital tag management and harvest reporting.

4Ben Avery Shooting Facility
CategoryRecreational Facility
Description

Public shooting range facility operated by AZGFD offering shooting sports programs and classes for youth and adults.

5Hunter Education Program
CategoryEducation Program
Description

Safety and ethics training program for new hunters, including courses and events to promote responsible hunting practices.

6Boating Education Program
CategoryEducation Program
Description

Educational program offering courses such as the Arizona Boater Education Course for safe boating practices.

7Fishing Education and FishAZ Network
CategoryEducation Program
Description

Network of hands-on fishing events and education programs designed to foster youth and beginner anglers.

8OHV Education Program
CategoryEducation Program
Description

Off-Highway Vehicle safety and education training for riders of all experience levels.

9Outdoor Skills Network
CategoryEducation Program
Description

Program offering hands-on outdoor skills events and training for beginners to experts in hunting and outdoor recreation.

10Community Fishing Program
CategoryRecreational Service
Description

Network of over 50 community lakes and ponds across Arizona providing accessible fishing opportunities for families.

Scale indicator1 record

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-07-16
Description

AZGFD partners with Trout Unlimited on the Arizona Fish Camp program, a seven-day summer program aimed at fostering youth anglers. The partnership supports the FishAZ Network initiative to develop the next generation of anglers through hands-on fishing education and experiences.

Recent move5 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeDirect peer
Description

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a state agency that issues hunting and fishing licenses, manages wildlife, runs hatchery programs, and operates state parks. It is a particularly close peer to AZGFD due to comparable Western U.S. geography, big game draw systems, and conservation mandates.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife conservation across Florida, including license sales, hatcheries, and education programs. It mirrors AZGFD's regulatory authority structure and customer-facing service portfolio at a larger operating scale.

3Idaho Department of Fish and Game
TypeDirect peer
Description

Idaho Department of Fish and Game issues hunting and fishing licenses, manages wildlife, and runs fish hatcheries in Idaho. It is directly comparable to AZGFD given similar inland Western geography, draw permit systems, and shared trout/aquatic species management responsibilities.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is a peer state government agency that manages hunting and fishing licensing, wildlife conservation, state parks, and outdoor recreation programs across Texas — directly comparable in mission, regulatory scope, and revenue model to AZGFD, but at a larger scale and broader portfolio.

TypeDirect peer
Description

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish manages hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation programs in New Mexico. Directly comparable to AZGFD given shared Southwest geography, draw-based big game hunting, and similar state-government operating model.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages hunting licenses, fisheries, wildlife habitats, and conservation programs in Wyoming. It is closely comparable to AZGFD in regulatory scope, big game emphasis, and Western-state outdoor recreation mandate.

TypeOthers
Description

Trout Unlimited is a national coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit that partners directly with AZGFD on the Arizona Fish Camp youth angler program. It is a strategic partner rather than a competitor but is comparable in its focus on freshwater fisheries conservation, habitat restoration, and angler recruitment.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources administers hunting and fishing licenses, big game draw permits, and wildlife conservation in Utah. It is a direct comparable to AZGFD given similar arid Western U.S. habitat, draw-based hunting systems, and shared species (mule deer, elk, trout).

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

California Department of Fish and Wildlife administers hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife management, hatchery operations, and conservation programs in California. It is directly comparable to AZGFD in statutory function and service delivery, operating at significantly larger scale.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Nevada Department of Wildlife administers hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife conservation, and habitat management in Nevada. Comparable to AZGFD in arid habitat context, big game draw programs, and shared desert/species management priorities.

Market position
Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers3 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment5 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile4 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature1 record

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Servicesazgfdportal.az.gov

Arizona state government agency, founded 1929 and headquartered in Phoenix, that conserves wildlife and manages outdoor recreation through hunting, fishing, boating, and shooting sports licensing, education, and habitat programs for residents and visitors.

What Arizona Game and Fish Department does

Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is a state government agency under the State of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix and established in 1929, with a statutory mission to conserve Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and manage safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. The agency is governed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and operates fish hatcheries, wildlife management areas, and statewide education and enforcement programs.

AZGFD delivers a unified platform of outdoor recreation and conservation services via dedicated digital channels: an online hunting license portal (license.azgfd.com), big game draw application system (draw.azgfd.com), boat registration portal (watercraft.azgfd.com), and the Arizona E-Tag mobile application for electronic harvest reporting and tagging. Beyond licensing, the agency operates the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, a network of 50+ community fishing lakes and ponds, fisheries and hatcheries management, and structured education programs including Hunter Education, Boating Education, OHV Education, the FishAZ Network, and the Outdoor Skills Network.

Funding is generated through state appropriations, license and permit fees (hunting, fishing, big game draw, boat/watercraft registration), federal grants, and donations. Customers are Arizona residents, non-residents aged 10 and older, and youth participants, segmented into hunters, anglers, boaters, OHV users, and youth and family cohorts. Distribution is overwhelmingly direct-to-consumer through self-service digital portals, supported by physical authorized license dealers and on-the-ground events across the state.

Arizona Game and Fish Department firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Legal name
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Website
https://azgfdportal.az.gov
Company type
Private
Founded year
1929
Operating status
Operating
Short description
Arizona state government agency, founded 1929 and headquartered in Phoenix, that conserves wildlife and manages outdoor recreation through hunting, fishing, boating, and shooting sports licensing, education, and habitat programs for residents and visitors.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Arizona Game and Fish Department industry classification

Industry
Product category
Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Services
NAICS
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11), Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114)
SIC
Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
akta.pro primary industry
Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)
akta.pro secondary industry
Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

  • Wildlife conservation services
  • Hunting license management
  • Outdoor recreation programs
  • Fisheries management
  • Boating registration services

Where Arizona Game and Fish Department is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Phoenix
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Arizona Game and Fish Department business model

Business model
GTM type
B2C
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

  1. Hunting Licenses: Sale of hunting licenses to Arizona residents and non-residents 10 years and older. Licenses are required to hunt in Arizona.
  2. Boat/Watercraft Registration: Online boat registration renewal services for watercraft owners in Arizona.
  3. Big Game Draw Applications: Application system for big game hunting draw permits.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
One time/ perpetual licenseAnnualHunting licenses for residents and non-residents

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Arizona Game and Fish Department product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state government agency that conserves Arizona's wildlife and manages outdoor recreation opportunities. It sells hunting and fishing licenses, boat/watercraft registrations, and big game draw applications through dedicated online portals, and operates a mobile E-Tag application for electronic tagging and harvest reporting. The department also runs education programs (hunter, boating, fishing/FishAZ, OHV, and Outdoor Skills), maintains the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, oversees 50+ community fishing lakes, and manages fish hatcheries and fisheries across Arizona.

Product overview

Arizona Game and Fish Department operates as a state government agency providing a unified platform of outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation services. The core offerings include digital licensing systems (hunting licenses, boat registrations, e-tags), education programs (hunter education, boating education, fishing education via FishAZ Network, OHV education, and Outdoor Skills Network), recreational facilities (Ben Avery Shooting Facility, community fishing lakes), and wildlife management services (fisheries and hatcheries). These services are accessible through the department's main website and dedicated subdomain portals for licenses, draw applications, and boat registration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Hunting License and Draw System Online platform enabling Arizona residents and non-residents (10 years and older) to purchase hunting licenses and apply for big game draw hunts, accessible at license.azgfd.com and draw.azgfd.com.
  • Boat Registration System Online portal for Arizona watercraft owners to renew boat and watercraft registrations, available at watercraft.azgfd.com.
  • Arizona E-Tag App Mobile application enabling hunters to carry electronic tags for big game hunting, providing digital tag management and harvest reporting.
  • Ben Avery Shooting Facility Public shooting range facility operated by AZGFD offering shooting sports programs and classes for youth and adults.
  • Hunter Education Program Safety and ethics training program for new hunters, including courses and events to promote responsible hunting practices.
  • Boating Education Program Educational program offering courses such as the Arizona Boater Education Course for safe boating practices.
  • Fishing Education and FishAZ Network Network of hands-on fishing events and education programs designed to foster youth and beginner anglers.
  • OHV Education Program Off-Highway Vehicle safety and education training for riders of all experience levels.
  • Outdoor Skills Network Program offering hands-on outdoor skills events and training for beginners to experts in hunting and outdoor recreation.
  • Community Fishing Program Network of over 50 community lakes and ponds across Arizona providing accessible fishing opportunities for families.

Quantifiable outcome

  • Five additional Mexican wolf pups moved from captivity to the wild as part of recovery milestones

Companies that use Arizona Game and Fish Department

Customer profile

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Arizona Game and Fish Department technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Arizona Game and Fish Department partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2026AZGFD partners with Trout Unlimited on the Arizona Fish Camp program, a seven-day summer program aimed at fostering youth anglers. The partnership supports the FishAZ Network initiative to develop the next generation of anglers through hands-on fishing education and experiences.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Arizona Game and Fish Department competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a state agency that issues hunting and fishing licenses, manages wildlife, runs hatchery programs, and operates state parks. It is a particularly close peer to AZGFD due to comparable Western U.S. geography, big game draw systems, and conservation mandates.
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game: Idaho Department of Fish and Game issues hunting and fishing licenses, manages wildlife, and runs fish hatcheries in Idaho. It is directly comparable to AZGFD given similar inland Western geography, draw permit systems, and shared trout/aquatic species management responsibilities.
  • New Mexico Department of Game and Fish: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish manages hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation programs in New Mexico. Directly comparable to AZGFD given shared Southwest geography, draw-based big game hunting, and similar state-government operating model.
  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department: Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages hunting licenses, fisheries, wildlife habitats, and conservation programs in Wyoming. It is closely comparable to AZGFD in regulatory scope, big game emphasis, and Western-state outdoor recreation mandate.
  • Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources administers hunting and fishing licenses, big game draw permits, and wildlife conservation in Utah. It is a direct comparable to AZGFD given similar arid Western U.S. habitat, draw-based hunting systems, and shared species (mule deer, elk, trout).
  • Nevada Department of Wildlife: Nevada Department of Wildlife administers hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife conservation, and habitat management in Nevada. Comparable to AZGFD in arid habitat context, big game draw programs, and shared desert/species management priorities.

Broad incumbents

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife conservation across Florida, including license sales, hatcheries, and education programs. It mirrors AZGFD's regulatory authority structure and customer-facing service portfolio at a larger operating scale.
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is a peer state government agency that manages hunting and fishing licensing, wildlife conservation, state parks, and outdoor recreation programs across Texas — directly comparable in mission, regulatory scope, and revenue model to AZGFD, but at a larger scale and broader portfolio.
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife: California Department of Fish and Wildlife administers hunting and fishing licenses, wildlife management, hatchery operations, and conservation programs in California. It is directly comparable to AZGFD in statutory function and service delivery, operating at significantly larger scale.

Others

  • Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a national coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit that partners directly with AZGFD on the Arizona Fish Camp youth angler program. It is a strategic partner rather than a competitor but is comparable in its focus on freshwater fisheries conservation, habitat restoration, and angler recruitment.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Arizona Game and Fish Department social profiles

Digital presence

Arizona Game and Fish Department financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Arizona Game and Fish Department leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Arizona Game and Fish Department funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Arizona Game and Fish Department M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arizona Game and Fish Department

What does Arizona Game and Fish Department do?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state government agency that conserves Arizona's wildlife and manages outdoor recreation opportunities. It sells hunting and fishing licenses, boat/watercraft registrations, and big game draw applications through dedicated online portals, and operates a mobile E-Tag application for electronic tagging and harvest reporting. The department also runs education programs (hunter, boating, fishing/FishAZ, OHV, and Outdoor Skills), maintains the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, oversees 50+ community fishing lakes, and manages fish hatcheries and fisheries across Arizona.

Is Arizona Game and Fish Department a public or private company?

Arizona Game and Fish Department is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Arizona Game and Fish Department founded?

Arizona Game and Fish Department was founded in 1929.

Where is Arizona Game and Fish Department based?

Arizona Game and Fish Department is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.

How does Arizona Game and Fish Department make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Hunting Licenses are the primary driver. The others are boat/Watercraft Registration and big Game Draw Applications.

Who are Arizona Game and Fish Department's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Broad incumbents are Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Trout Unlimited is listed as an others.

Does Arizona Game and Fish Department have an API?

No public API is recorded for Arizona Game and Fish Department.

What industry is Arizona Game and Fish Department in?

Arizona Game and Fish Department's product category is Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAH, Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAI, Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines). Its NAICS code is 11 and its SIC code is 7900.

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Live signals
Fox NewsArizona mom used her flip-flop to fight off a coyote attacking her 4-year-old daughterAn Arizona mother used her flip-flop to fight off a coyote that was attacking her 4-year-old daughter. The coyote bit her on the face, leaving lacerations and puncture wounds. Arizona Game and Fish officials removed several coyotes and tested them for rabies.New York PostArizona mom fights off crazed coyote with flip-flip after wild animal attacks 4-year-old daughterA Surprise, Ariz., mother, Brittany Cardinal, fought off a coyote that attacked her four-year-old daughter while they were flying a kite on Sept. 6. She used a flip-flop to defend them, sustaining facial lacerations and puncture wounds, but her daughter was unharmed. Arizona Game and Fish officials said it was the first recorded coyote attack on a person in the Phoenix area since December 2023.The Cool DownArizona Game and Fish sued over mountain lion hunts that advocates say threaten the speciesThe Center for Biological Diversity has sued the Arizona Game and Fish Department, seeking to pause new mountain lion hunting permits until the population recovers. The lawsuit alleges that current policies allow hunters to kill an excessive number of juvenile lions, undermining the species' ability to sustain itself. The case highlights tensions between recreational hunting and conservation goals within Arizona's wildlife management framework.Outdoor WireNew Outdoor Skills Network Events Open for Registration - The Outdoor WireThe Outdoor Skills Network, sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is offering hands-on events to teach outdoor skills such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife safety. This year's program offers a comprehensive range of classes for various skill levels, including introductory to experienced hunters, with opportunities updated frequently. These events aim to engage the community in wildlife conservation and outdoor experiences, with most funding coming from hunters and anglers in Arizona.azcentralSport fish are crowding out native species, conservation groups argueThe Center for Biological Diversity has issued a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department over the state's century-long practice of stocking non-native sport fish, alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act due to cumulative harm to native wildlife. The conservation group reports that 85% of Arizona's native fish are in decline—more than any other state—with two-thirds of species currently threatened or near extinction, as introduced species like rainbow trout, brown trout, and channel catfish outcompete and prey on native populations. The center is requesting a comprehensive reassessment of the federal fish stocking program, which has received over $12 billion in nationwide tax revenue under the Sports Fish Restoration Act, including measures such as fish barriers and invasive species eradication to allow native species recovery.Your link to the food chainEp. 801: Extinct Elk, Meat Processing, and the Latest NewsThe MeatEater Podcast episode features a discussion with Jim Heffelfinger, a wildlife scientist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, regarding his research on Merriam's elk, an extinct subspecies. The conversation explores biological taxonomy concepts known as 'lumpers' and 'splitters' while detailing efforts to extract DNA from historical specimens to determine genetic distinctions between Merriam's elk and other North American elk populations.A-z-animalsAre Feral Burros Endangering Arizona’s Saguaro Cacti?A study by the Arizona Game and Fish Department found that feral burros are significantly damaging native plant species in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, including stripping bark from palo verde and ironwood trees. The research revealed a 63 percent lower ratio of young to adult saguaro cacti in burro-grazed areas, threatening the "nurse plants" that protect these slow-growing cacti during their early years. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate regarding population control measures for protected wild burros managed by the Bureau of Land Management.azcentralArizona’s hungry herds of wild burros are imperiling saguaro cactusesA study by Arizona Game and Fish Department researchers found wild burro overpopulation is damaging Sonoran Desert vegetation, including saguaro cactuses. Young saguaros were 63% less common in burro areas, and the burro population exceeds 10,000, far above the 1,436 management capacity. The study urges federal agencies to reduce herd numbers to protect native species.azcentralOverpopulated herds of wild burros endanger the Sonoran Desert ecosystemA new Arizona Game and Fish study finds wild burro herds are damaging desert trees, threatening young saguaros. The state has about 10,000 wild burros in herd management areas, and the damage to palo verde trees—nursery plants for saguaros—endangers the Sonoran desert ecosystem.Cronkite NewsWild donkeys threaten saguaros and other vital plants in the Sonoran DesertWild burros in the Sonoran Desert are damaging saguaros and other native plants, according to a study from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The population in managed areas has grown from about 1,400 to 10,000 burros, and biologists warn that damage to these plants could take decades to reverse.