PHOENIX - Arizona’s bald eagles have returned to prepare for the next generation at breeding sites statewide.

To assist with the state’s bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 104 eagle breeding areas. 

Some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help ensure more young eagles take to the skies this spring, according to a release from the agency.

“Arizona’s bald eagles are hard at work preparing their nest for what we hope will be a productive breeding season,” Kenneth Jacobson, bald eagle management coordinator, stated in the release.

“The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots. That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds and ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.” 

During the 2024 breeding season, 96 eagles hatched, and 77 reached the milestone of their first flight, known as fledging AGFD officials said.

Bald eagles are sensitive to even short durations of low-flying aircraft activity near their nests, officials said, and just a few minutes of disturbance can lead to a nesting failure. 

Those planning to visit bald eagle country should call ahead to the local land management agency, such as the local U.S. Forest Service district office, or the Arizona Game and Fish Department for help planning trips to avoid disturbing eagles.

Here are some tips from Arizona officials for viewing: 

• View bald eagles from outside closures, which are marked with signs and/or buoys. Watch from a distance using a spotting scope, binoculars or telephoto camera lens. If the eagles are persistently watching oberservers, observation at a greater distance is advised.
• Anyone approached by a nest watcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them (during December and January) are at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff, on the Verde Canyon Train in Clarkdale or Roosevelt Lake.
• Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let observers know if they are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, obersers are too close and need to leave the area. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.
• Help from anglers is especially needed. Discard any fishing line properly in specially marked recycling containers or at fishing stores. Also, use fresh line that isn’t old and brittle. Use the correct test line for the fish being sought and do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached.
• Duck hunters should scout out hunting areas to ensure that bald eagles are not nesting nearby.