Outdoors Lady

I've only officially been a commissioner for 18 days. But some of these relationships have been years in the making. And some are just budding. With all, I am looking forward to what the next five years will bring as I serve the people and wildlife of Arizona.

With a strong agricultural and animal science background, I am looking forward to diving in with the best in the nation to make sustainable decisions for the future.

Yesterday I attended the Game and Fish Expo for the first time. Department employees from all across the state took time away from their families to showcase the work that goes into protecting over 800 species of wildlife across our beautiful state. Vendors provided ample opportunities for families to shoot, fish and participate in other activities that anyone can do outdoors.

Governor Hobbs made a proclamation that March 28-29, 2026 is Arizona Game and Fish Expo and Adventure Days. The Deputy Chirf of Staff of Operations and Cabinet Affairs Larry Sandigo presented the Department with the proclamation early Saturday morning and then toured the Expo with commissioners.

AZGFD posted this celebratory moment on their social media and as always, people hit the comments with their political diatribe. Now, you don't have to like what I write next, but that will not change the fact that it is truth.

Hunting and fishing belongs to all of us regardless of what our voter registration card states. We, yes we, because we are a collective group of sportsmen, should not be concerned with what party our neighbor on the lake bank is registered to. And, many of you would be surprised that the party you belong to is not the mass majority you believe it to be. The wildlife certainly do not care.

Real work is being done every single day at a desk or in the field to further the success of the Department's mission. This was extremely evident in the amount of people on site yesterday sharing their love of conservation with the general public. If you thought negatively about the proclamation due to the signature at the bottom of it, I challenge you to look inward and evaluate what part of conservation you participate in other than buying a license annually. What amount of time to do devote, other than dollars, to make a difference?

I went into this without an agenda. I still have no agenda but I do have goals, some of which are already changing in the few short weeks I have been on board and I am sure I'll come up with more. The biggest one is to help you all understand the effort that goes into the decisions that protect your opportunities to hunt and fish and to give you ways to participate, big or small. The only question is, are you ready to step up?

Once thought extinct, a small population discovered in 1981 is slowing recovering across western states and North America through intensive breeding and reintroduction programs.

Mustela nigripes, The Black-Footed Ferret is North America's only native ferret species. They live in prairies and grasslands dependent on prairie dogs (we have enough of those don't we) as a food and shelter source.

Aubrey Valley is the most popular place to look for the re-establishing population. Of the three sites they have been released in the Copper State, one is a little bit closer to my home. About 8.7 miles from the porch as the crow flies close.

Tonight I got to participate in a way that was more than I expected and quite the exciting and fulfilling experience for me as I got to have the honor of opening a crate and releasing one of North America's most endangered mammals into my backyard.

Wildlife is a passion of mine. I did not make it a career, but a passion nonetheless. Being able to take part in conservation efforts in my spare time brings a contentment that is hard to describe.

Getting to do this, and soon to be moving into my role as a commissioner for Arizona and the Game and Fish Department, is fueling a desire to remain passionate and vigilant for all species in our wild spaces across our nation and beyond.

What a day.

Hello old friend. Haven't seen you in a while.

Recently we went on a crane hunt in Southern Arizona. Here's the thing about hunting. You win some you lose some.

You can't control the weather. Day one had us fogged in until 11am. You can't control the people you're in a blind with if you choose to go that route. Not every personality blends and not every person shares your morals and values. You can't control which law enforcement officer drives up to your blind while you're hunting. Be kind. You can't control what a landowner does if you've graciously been given access. Their operations do not cease for your season. And, you can't control the wildlife.

What you can control is your attitude, the quality and function (for the most part) of your equipment, your skills, ability and discernment to respect your limits and your experience and how you approach every hunt after.

And then, you hope for a little luck.

This greater is at the taxidermist. Magnificent creatures. Photos do nothing to show their size and grandure.

The meat? Delicious. Thanks Nash for some tips to make those thighs edible.

And one more thing. Take your kids. You only get so many days to do so.

Haven't done a dove opener in a while. Good morning shoot with great friends and the dogs got to use their noses.