Some Southern Arizona residents — especially the kind with antlers or fur — can expect a visit from low-flying aircraft over the next month.
Arizona Game and Fish is about to launch aerial surveys of deer and javelina populations in hunting areas across the region.
The flights lasting up to five hours begin Saturday and will continue almost daily through Jan. 23, weather permitting.
@azgfdTucson aerial surveys of SE AZ deer and javelina populations start Sat., through Jan. 23 weather permitting. Low flying aircraft may be seen in outlying areas. The flights are vital tool to ensure health and fitness of big game herds before hunt permits are issued. File vid pic.twitter.com/W4vnbyMyKt
— AZ Game & Fish Dept (@azgfdTucson) January 2, 2025
The surveys by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft are scheduled as follows:
- Jan. 4-5 over the Tortilla Mountains and 96 Hills
- Jan. 6-7 over the Tumacacori and Pajarito mountains
- Jan. 8-9 over the Santa Rita Mountains and the Green Valley area
A buck bolts away from a low-flying aircraft during an aerial survey by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
- Jan. 10-11 over the Patagonia Mountains
- Jan. 14-15 over the Sulphur Springs and San Bernardino valleys
- Jan. 16-17 over the San Simon Valley and Peloncillo Mountains
- Jan. 18 over Fort Huachuca
- Jan. 20-21 over the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains
- Jan. 22-23 over the Galuiro Mountains
State wildlife officials routinely conduct big-game surveys from the air to accurately set annual hunt-permit numbers and ensure the fitness of wildlife populations.
Javelinas run from a low-flying aircraft during an aerial survey by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Arizona Game and Fish Department is about to launch aerial surveys of deer and javelina populations in hunting areas across the region.
Hunters in outlying areas might encounter the low-flying aircraft in a few places, especially near Fort Huachuca, where military airspace restrictions prohibit the survey flights on weekdays.
“Although we attempt to conduct these flights so that there is minimal conflict with ongoing hunts, surveys may overlap with an open hunt,” said Raul Vega, regional supervisor for Game and Fish in Tucson.
These are the only aerial vehicles hunters should see intentionally flying over game animals, since it is otherwise illegal to use aircraft to pursue wildlife during an established hunting season. Anyone who witnesses that sort of unauthorized activity should report it to the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700.
