Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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This months beautiful cover comes to us from Boat US. The article, 'Backbone' Of America's Boating Safety, Angling Conservation Reauthorized, reminds us that boating season is coming and safety, as always, must be forefront in our minds. As we begin a New Year, we once again want to thank all of our advertisers, readers, contributors, staff, family and friends for their support over the past ten (going on eleven) years. BOATING - Life-Jacket Exchange A Success AZGFD swapped approximately 800... Full story
In a victory for boaters and anglers, the recent passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act also includes re-authorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through the year 2020. After significant lobbying by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) along with other boating and angling organizations, in 1984 Congress passed legislation establishing what was then called the Wallop/Breaux Trust Fund. Now called the Sport Fish Restoration and... Full story
New powerboat sales are on a multi-year rise with pre-recession levels on the horizon in several boat segments as early as 2016. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the leading trade association representing the North American recreational boating industry, estimates new powerboat unit sales will be up as much as eight percent in 2015 when the industry tallies its final figures. The NMMA anticipates the industry will continue its growth spurt with an increase in new powerboat... Full story
As a boater, you know what is normal and what is not. For example, you see someone taking pictures of a dam, and you think to yourself, that’s not normal. Well maybe it is and possibly it is not. That is why the Coast Guard established a public outreach program in 2006 titled “America’s Waterway Watch.” It is up to us, the avid boaters, to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it — similar to a neighborhood watch program. Have situational awareness at all times; don’t forget wher... Full story
As many of Arizona's hunters trek into area forests to fill their freezer with meat for the year, waterfowl hunters too are heading outdoors to hop aboard their watercraft for their piece of the action. A Family Tradition "Hunting is woven into the fabric of Arizona and for many, it's a family tradition carried on for generations," said Josh Hoffman, Arizona Game and Fish Boating Safety Education program coordinator. "Hunters already know that firearm safety is paramount every time they go out,... Full story
Ending nearly a 10-year decline, watercraft registrations in Arizona rebounded this year, bringing more people to the state's waterways and likely contributing to an increase in watercraft-related accidents. Two Increases To date this year, there were 127,796 watercraft registered in Arizona, which is a 2.7-percent increase from the 124,425 registered in the state in 2014. With the increase in registrations, law enforcement officers statewide recorded a 13-percent jump in watercraft-related... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. Most Effective Way "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against... Full story
The U.S. Coast Guard’s National On-Water Standards (NOWS) grant management team and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) is pleased to announce the approval and publication EDU-1 On-Water Power Standard which is the first of three proposed skills-based American National Standards (ANS) for On-Water instruction in recreational boating safety. The Standard gained formal approval on Nov. 12. Course designers using the EDU-1 On-Water Power Standard and NASBLA’s standard ANSI/NASBLA 103-2016: Basic... Full story
The most significant sailing performances of the year are being heralded by US Sailing with the announcement of the 12 men and six women who have been shortlisted for the 2015 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. The nominees will be reviewed by a panel of noted sailing journalists who discuss the merits of each sailor’s racing results before voting to determine US Sailing's 2015 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. The winners will be announced in mid-January and h... Full story
The origins of jousting are believed to be in classical Rome, but the "sport" rose to its greatest popularity in Europe by the 1400s. It all evolved from mock battles in which knights on horseback, assisted by foot soldiers, formed into teams and charged at each other in some wide meadow. The result was a "melee" (the word hasn't changed in a millennium) of shattered lances, clanging swords, flailing arms and legs - astride and afoot - that went on all day and into the night. The earliest... Full story
The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the Arizona Grand Resort, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85044. The event will honor the recipients of the 2015 Commission Awards that were selected at the Commission’s September 4, 2015 meeting (see below). The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission... Full story
The annual Winter HAHWG meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 30. It will be a one-day meeting format as last year, here at the Game and Fish office, at the Archery Center at the north end of the BASF property — outdoors. We will once again have a big cowboy breakfast before the meeting, as well as a hot lunch. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the meals, please let me know. Friday night overnight dispersed camping is available and we will have a small social and campfire that night. RSVP and a... Full story
It is the role of the Arizona Game and Fish Department to conserve, protect and manage more than 800 wildlife species within the state's boundaries – more than any non-coastal state in our nation. To fulfill that promise, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department must stand as a barrier against all threats to our wildlife. It's a heavy responsibility carried out by all who serve at the Department, and it's why we are pressuring the federal government to provide the U.S. Bureau of L... Full story
Recently a story surfaced in the local news that the Department had lifted all fishing regulations at Tempe Town Lake and that anglers were free to take whatever they wanted. We want to ensure anglers have facts: • First, the Department has agreed to cease all fish stockings in Tempe Town Lake until the project has been completed, and the lake has been refilled. • Second, the Department has not lifted all fishing regulations for Tempe Town Lake, but we are evaluating options that could inc... Full story
Bob Rich is a storyteller. Many people know this about Rich through his nearly three decades-old friendships made in the course of fishing across the globe and through his books. As a gentleman angler, a competitor, guest lecturer, fly-fishing partner, a sponsor, an IGFA board member, a benefactor for numerous causes, a multi-event host or sharing a drink and humor with him dockside, Rich can weave a story. The author of four popular non-fiction books, he now takes on the role of a raconteur in... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
Since 1983, the Arizona Aqua Stars Team has been developing girls and women into nationally accomplished athletes in the sport of synchronized swimming. The past 10 years have seen the AAS team becoming a national force in synchronized swimming. The team has been represented at seven National Age Group Championship Titles and 10 placements on USA National Teams. The AAS philosophy is that all swimmers, young or mature, develop to their full potential and nurture a lifelong love for the sport... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, as part of its regular five-year review rulemaking process, has updated its Article 4 (Live Wildlife) rules. The new provisions became effective Dec. 5. The updated rules were recently approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. The new provisions include some notable changes including the following: • Removal of hedgehogs from the restricted live wildlife list to allow them as pets, • Prohibitions on possession of any non-human primate speci... Full story
Each year the Arizona Deer Association works with the Arizona Game & Fish Department Development Branch on worthwhile projects designed to help all wildlife but in particular, deer. The photos that you see are really the culmination of years of activity prior to the actual production of this walk-in water trough. For those who are not familiar with it, this article is a primer on how things get done. Every year HPC (Habitat Partnership Committee) groups meet all across the state. Water happens... Full story
Fair Chase is the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and take of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife. Fair Chase has been embraced as the proper conduct of a sportsman/sportswoman in the field and has been taught to new hunters for more than a century. It pays respect to the traditions of hunting and angling by emphasizing the development of an individual's skills rather than reliance on practices or... Full story
This safety alert reminds recreational boaters and commercial vessel operators to use caution when operating their vessels near areas where dredging operations may be taking place. There have been too many instances where outboard motor propelled vessels have allided with a dredge pipe causing the motor to recoil into the boat and strike the occupants or eject them from the vessel. Operators should always be on the lookout for floating debris and unmarked hazards and operate at a speed that allo... Full story
We're excited to announce that Hunting Works For America has expanded its reach once again. What started as three states in 2010 has expanded to 12 with the 2015 launches of Hunting Works For Maine and Hunting Works For Washington. Hunting and shooting sports face more and more challenges every day, and we're happy that Hunting Works For America continues to grow to weigh in and support hunting and shooting sports across the nation. Our partners have a story to tell about the important economic... Full story
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of 113 national parks selected to receive a 2015 field-trip grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks. Grant funds are being used towards providing transportation by boat for approximately 200 local fourth grade students through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to visit Rainbow Bridge National Monument. The project is being completed through partnerships between Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Eric Slocum Sparks to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Sparks is an attorney practicing in Tucson since 1987, specializing in debtor bankruptcy law and business reorganizations. Before opening his own firm in 1990, Mr. Sparks served as general counsel to several corporations, such as the Wilson Companies, GHR Energy Corporation, Bayou Asphalt Corp., and corporate counsel to Tenneco Inc. in Houston. Additionally, Sparks has served as an international... Full story
