March 21, 2024

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds the public to observe closures and restrictions in bald eagle nesting areas, after receiving multiple reports of violations.

Game and Fish say eagles and their young are very sensitive to human activity, and too much disturbance can cause a nest to fail if eggs are left unattended too long, or result in injury to a young bird trying to fly before it is ready, or death to an eaglet that can’t fly or defend itself.



Locally, areas closed through the end of June include five stretches of the Verde River, south of Camp Verde; and a portion of the Lynx Lake Trail, on the east side of the lake. For complete details statewide, visit azgfd.com.

In February, the Department assigned nestwatchers to monitor nests near high-use recreation areas, and educate the public on restrictions. In just the first week of monitoring, nestwatchers reported photographers hiking into closed areas, or flying drones near nests, presumably to get photos; hikers going under a nest tree, causing the adult eagle to fly away and leave their eggs unattended for more than half an hour; and a loud boating group stopping underneath an eagle nest. In the last case, the adult eagle flew away, and a raven swooped in and ate one of their eggs.

Closed or restricted areas are marked with signage and/or buoys; and whether an area is closed or not, officials urge the public to only view eagles and nests from a distance, with binoculars, a spotting scope or telephoto camera lens; and keep drones away from eagle habitats.

If you hear an eagle vocalizing and/or see them circling the area, you are too close, and should leave the area quickly so that the eagle will return to their nest. And if a nestwatch team member approaches you with any guidance, or asks you to leave an area, follow their instructions.

If you see someone harassing bald eagles, you can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com