Big Game Donation Fund

The following are a list of projects that were accomplished utilizing these funds during 2007-2008:

• Worked with two landowners to provide year round water for wildlife over 23 square miles of habitat in Game Management Unit (GMU) 35B.  This project will benefit black bear, mule deer, javelina, white-tailed deer, and upland gamebirds and was done in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service ,USDA, Natural resource Conservation Service, and Arizona  Department of Agriculture.
• Conducted mesquite clearing on historic grasslands and add 2 new water sources in GMU 32.  This project will benefit pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and javelina. Funding was a match of $15,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds against a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS) grant.
• Arizona Game & Fish Department worked with the Audubon Research Ranch to purchase and install a solar pumping station for a well in GMU 35A.  This project will primarily benefit pronghorn antelope and Mule Deer.
• Added 6 new water sources which will ensure year round water in GMU 19A.  This project will primarily benefit pronghorn antelope.
• The Department partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation to install 2 turkey guzzlers that will provide reliable water for wild turkeys in GMU 20A and 19A.
• The Landowner Relations program utilized $15,000 of Hunter Donation funding to restore 3,300 acres of historic grasslands in GMU 22.  This project was matched with over $200,000 in funding from outside the Department, and this project will benefit elk and mule deer.
• Worked with a landowner to install a pump to ensure water to a wildlife drinker in GMU 3B.  This project will benefit elk, mule deer and various non-game species.
• Worked with a landowner in GMU1 on a landscape level water development project.  This project cost the Department $9,000 to provide year round water for elk and mule deer over 12,000 acres of habitat.
• Cooperated with a private landowner to clear juniper from 5,700 acres of historic grassland on ranches in GMU 9, 7E and 7W. Project matched $25,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds against a $200,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and$100,000 in in-kind labor from the landowner.

The following are a list of projects that were accomplished utilizing these funds during 2006-2007:

• Utilized $10,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds to match against a $90,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, to install a water delivery system in Game Management Unit (GMU) 32.  This project will benefit Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, javelina and upland game birds.
• Match $10,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds against a $140,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to conduct mesquite clearing on historic grasslands and add 2 new water sources in GMU 30A.  This project will benefit mule deer, javelina and upland gamebirds, notable scaled quail.
• Conduct the installation of a wildlife drinker in GMU 3C.  This project will benefit elk, mule deer and various non-game species.
• Clean out and repair a dirt tank in GMU 19A.  This tank is an important watering area for pronghorn antelope.
• Match $5,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds against $55,000 worth of outside funding sources to install covers on water storage tanks in GMU 13B.  This project will greatly reduce the evaporation of water for drinkers that supply water for mule deer and bighorn sheep.
• Provide $5,000 worth Big Game Donation Funds to match against a $92,000 Arizona Department of Agriculture grant to clear 1,920 acres of juniper off of former grassland habitats in GMU 10.  This project will benefit elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
• Clean out and repair a dirt tank in GMU 4B.  This tank is an important watering area for elk, mule deer and numerous non-game species.
• Purchased and installed a solar pumping station for a well in GMU 5A.  This project will primarily benefit elk and mule deer.
• Purchased and installed a solar pumping station for a well in GMU 35A.  This project will primarily benefit mule deer and pronghorn antelope