Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 83
NEWPORT, R.I. (April 14, 2014) – While lathes are turning in Washington State, dozens of riggers have begun working on the standing rigging that will faithfully support the three masts of SSV Oliver Hazard Perry. The 200-foot square-rigged Tall Ship is Rhode Island’s official Sailing Education Vessel, the largest of its kind to have been built in this country in the last 100 years. The ship’s hull is at Senesco Marine in Quonset, Rhode Island; its wooden spars are being turned and shaped at Th...
EPHRATA - As construction workers race against the clock to make fish ladders at Wanapum Dam operational, state fishery managers are standing ready with an alternate plan to move spring chinook salmon up the Columbia River. Shortly after discovering a 65-foot-long fracture in a spillway pier Feb. 27, dam operators lowered the water level behind the 185-foot structure by a record 26 feet, leaving the fish ladders high and dry. Sometime this week, the first of an estimated 20,000 spring chinook... Full story
This popular and valuable program will be at Bartlett Lake in May, June, and September. The Day on the Lake program is the only adapted watersports program for those with physical and neurological disabilities offered in Arizona. Summer 2012 marked our 16th year of helping people who suffer from a neurological disability ride the waves at one of the most accessible waterside facilities in Arizona - Bartlett Lake Marina. Day on the Lake 2014 will be held on the following dates: • Thursday, May 1... Full story
Anglers who love to fish Roosevelt Lake located in central Arizona's Tonto National Forest have a future hope for the fishery -- monster bass. To help boost fishing opportunities at the 13,000-acre lake, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is partnering with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) through April to stock up to 500,000 fry of Florida-strain largemouth bass, which have been known to eventually attain sizes up to 20 pounds. The FWC will be donating the bass fry...
Lake level remains fairly constant with a slight drop to 3574 MSL. We hope spring runoff holds off for another few weeks as the Castle Rock Cut deepening project will continue until the last week of April. The best news is that the Cut will be deepened down to 3575 MSL, meaning that the lake only has to come up 5 feet or so from the present level to allow boats to take the shortcut. That will save much time, fuel and aggravation with rough water in the main channel detour. My guess is the cut... Full story
Now is the time to get the tackle box ready, grab the fishing rods, and explore northern Arizona for some spring fishing! A particularly warm and dry spring has arrived, and unfortunately it followed a mild winter. What does this mean for the fishing? It means that the Arizona Game and Fish Department is stocking northern Arizona lakes and anticipates that by late May or early June, as temperatures warm up and lake levels drop, water quality will diminish and conditions will be unsuitable for... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is implanting radio tags into a small percentage of hatchery-raised trout that will be stocked into the East Verde River in order to examine stocked trout movement and fate. These stockings are in April and coincide with the summer trout-stocking schedule. If you catch a trout with external tags (as pictured) you may keep or release the fish. These fish are safe for human consumption. If you catch a tagged fish, please call the number on the colored tag...
THANK YOU – Not always the case with all cats, Muffin Man Brookes was a friend of and to everyone who was part of his life – even those who aren't "cat people." In fact, all one needed to do was walk in Muffin's Person's front door, and he or she would be immediately greeted and "expected" to give full attention to him. His meow was interesting, to say the least, but his purr was one of the most soothingly beautiful ever heard. And, it was constant. Muffin Man said goodbye on April 4, 2014 aft... Full story
April and October can be the best months of the year to fish in Arizona. The water temperatures are ideal for waves of spawns. Access to high country lakes has opened the way for lunker holdovers. The flathead frenzy hardly left. The buffet is laid out - bass are spawning, especially with the April full moon; crappie should be spawning; flathead catfish are making camera lenses struggle to keep fish in frame; trout are being stocked all across the high country and anglers are catching holdovers... Full story
Winter, about to be spring, fishing has already produced yellowtail in the Coronado Islands. Home guard yellowtail, white seabass and California halibut are here year around. Who will catch the largest yellowtail and have his or her name engraved on the perpetual trophy for this year’s Yellowtail Derby, May 4-June 7. The anglers asked for changes. One, make the contest strictly for only recreational anglers; guides or commercial anglers will not be allowed to enter. Two, there is a change in the... Full story
The National Rifle Association (NRA) Women's Wilderness Escape provides women 18 and older with an eight-day getaway opportunity to experience the softer side of firearm education with exposure to a wide variety of shooting sports activities and an array of enticing hunting and outdoor related activities. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, it's an experience that will prepare you for your next adventure. No experience is necessary, and all firearms and ammunition are... Full story
Experienced mountain bikers will teach workshops Saturdays at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. At press time, the remaining Better Mountain Biking sessions are scheduled for April 19 and 26 and May 3. Better Mountain Biking sessions start at 12 p.m. on Saturdays and go until approximately 4 p.m., according to Ranger Randy Victory. For more information, call Ranger Victory at (928) 301-1190 or email rvictory(at)azstateparks.gov.... Full story
The geographic center of Arizona is about 55 miles ESE of Prescott, and the closest town hall to that location is that of Camp Verde. There is a bronze plaque to that effect in Rezzonico Park, placed there by the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors. The park in on Montezuma Castle Highway in Camp Verde. In fact, there is a ton of stuff to see and do in and around Camp Verde, including Montezuma's Well, Montezuma's Castle, and Tuzigoot National Monument. If you like the outdoors, you will love... Full story
It's getting nicer outside every day and boating season is upon us. Many of you in the marine industry and boating world know me; my name is David Esparza, and I have been a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for 19 years and a volunteer with the Arizona Game and Fish Department as boating safety instructor for 20 years. I have now worked at West Marine in Tempe for almost three years. One of the first things that I wanted to talk to you about is National Safe Boating Week May 17-... Full story
Residents of the desert should always remember one simple rule when the weather begins to warm: know where you are placing your hands and feet. "That one rule can help people avoid the majority of potentially dangerous encounters," said Tom Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "People shouldn't fear snakes and other reptiles, and only need to use caution and common sense to coexist with them." Critters such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and... Full story
Rising temperatures and longer days mean spring is here and newborn wildlife will become increasingly visible. The Arizona Game and Fish Department understands people's desire to help seemingly abandoned animals such as baby birds and bunnies, but reminds the public that "helping" or "rescuing" baby wildlife can have unintended negative consequences. "The public's intentions to care for wildlife are admirable, but removing baby wildlife from the wild often results in their death," said Mike... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners of the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee have lifted the closure put into place annually to help bald eagles during the breeding season at Lake Pleasant. The closure was removed at noon on April 1 because the bald eagles in the area failed to produce young and will not breed this late in the spring. Most other previously announced closures remain in effect because bald eagle breeding activities are still continuing in those areas.... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on Friday, April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state. Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed -- including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is...
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously today (April 22) to support an alternative developed by 28 cooperating agencies and stakeholders for the non-essential population rule that governs Mexican wolf conservation in Arizona and New Mexico. The proposal, which has an unprecedented level of stakeholder support, is being submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for consideration in its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). While still conceptual, the alternative is... Full story
Phoenix, Arizona, 21 April 2014 — In honor of Arbor Day the Arizona State Forester Scott Hunt is pleased to announce that 25 Arizona communities have received the Tree City USA recognition. Cities and towns achieving this honored status include: Avondale, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Chandler, Coolidge, Florence, Gilbert, Glendale, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Patagonia, Peoria, Phoenix, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott Valley, Quartzsite, Scottsdale, Show Low, S... Full story
Phoenix, Arizona, 23 April 2014 – The Arizona State Forester Scott Hunt and Arizona State Forestry Division (ASFD) will celebrate the 142nd National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, 2014. They will host a statewide Arbor Day event in collaboration with the Arizona Community Tree Council, Arizona Nursery Association, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension – Maricopa Master Gardeners, USDA Forest Service, and the Buckeye School District. The celebration is scheduled to occur at the Wesley Bol... Full story
To protect the public, natural resources, and reduce the risks of wildfires, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District has announced fire restrictions on 5.4 million acres of public lands in western Arizona and southeastern California along the Colorado River. Effective at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014, fire and smoking restrictions will be enforced on all public lands within the BLM Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Yuma Field Office jurisdictions. These restrictions are similar... Full story
(Phoenix, Arizona - April 8, 2014) - Catalina State Park (Tucson) will hold a Star Party on Saturday, April 19, 2014 and Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction) will hold a Star Party on Saturday, April 26, 2014. Families are welcome to come spend an evening and observe the wonders of the night sky through astronomers' telescopes. For either Star Party, participants should bring water, snacks, a red light (to protect everyone's night vision), sweater or jacket. Catalina State Park's Star... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - April 9, 2014) - Beginning in April 2014, Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. For the past few years, the park has only been open on weekends seasonally from October through April. Executive Director Bryan Martyn said, "The Friends of Oracle have been instrumental in working with Arizona State Parks on getting the park open year-round. Without this group of dedicated volunteers... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - April 18, 2014) - On April 24 - 27th, the Verde River Valley Nature Organization (VRVNO) and their partners will present the 14th annual Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park attracting experienced birders, fledgling birders and even non-birders to Central Arizona's spectacular natural wonders of the Verde River Valley. The Verde Valley's pleasant climate, open spaces, diverse vegetation, abundant wildlife and riparian environment along the Verde... Full story
