Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2014 spent $509 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 7,846 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $711 million. "Grand Canyon welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature... Full story
The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Ariz. The Tusayan Route will be available from Saturday, May 23 through Friday, Sept. 25 and will run at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. During the busy summer season, lines are long at the entrance station and parking is difficult to find on the South Rim. Those taking advantage of the shuttle service will have expedited,... Full story
The Arizona Department of Transportation opened Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on May 15, and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property, and Grand Canyon Trail Rides commenced their 2015 seasonal operations. All services provided by the National Park Service, including the visitor center, Backcountry Permits Office, and campground, as well as the Grand Canyon Association Bookstore, became available on May 15. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations -... Full story
Lost Our Home (LOH) is seeking volunteers to deliver pet food to home-bound families in need. If you are available to deliver to any of these, locations please let me know and I will give further details: 7th Ave and Indian School Rd., Higley/Broadway, Apache Blvd & S. Rivers (Rodeway Inn), and Cave Creek and Sweetwater. Needed At Sojourner There are lots of new things happening at Lost Our Home, and you are welcome to participate. We are partnering with Sojourner Center (one of the largest... Full story
Effective June 1, Grand Canyon National Park will increase park entrance fees and the cost of overnight backcountry permits. The current park entrance fees have been in place since 2006. Grand Canyon began charging for overnight backcountry permits in 1997 and last modified backcountry fees in 2000. Single Vehicle, Motorcycle, Annual Pass, Other The single vehicle entrance fee will change from $25 to $30 for a seven day pass. The motorcycle entrance fee will increase to $25 for a seven day... Full story
ONLY FIVE -- There are only five naturally occurring populations of spikedace remaining in the world (and possibly just three). So the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Monday, May 11, helped stock native spikedace into Spring Creek near Sedona. This was a project involving the AZGFD, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, not to mention local landowners, who lent their support. In the Verde drainage, AZGFD has established a spikedace population in... Full story
Some of the more remote sites on the Cave Creek Ranger District are now closed for the summer. The following sites will be closed until Oct. 1: Mesquite Campground, Horseshoe Campground, and Fisherman Point (also known as Catfish Point). The Tonto National Forest does not currently have the ability to maintain these sites in a safe and sanitary condition. Alternative sites for camping are Riverside Campground, Box Bar, Bartlett Flats, SB Cove and CCC campground. The trail to the river above... Full story
Maybe you're not old enough to remember Ben Avery. I grew up reading his outdoor stories in the Arizona Republic. Ben loved the outdoors and was a heck of a writer. He started writing in 1928 and continued for over 60 years. He received the highest honor that the Department of the Interior ever gives to a non-employee: The Conservation Service Award was bestowed on him in 1968 by then Interior Secretary Steward Udall. Ben Avery was the epitome of an outdoor writer, and the Game and Fish... Full story
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 10 have been conducting a variety of events for National Safe Boating Week. This week prior to the Memorial Day weekend is to heighten awareness of safe recreational boating. The events began May 16 and continue through May 22, the official dates of the 2015 North American Safe Boating Campaign. On May 16: Flotilla's of Division 10 provided - at no charge - Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) at Saguaro and Canyon Lakes, an informational booth with... Full story
PHOENIX -- A coalition of Arizona-based agencies has an important message for everyone heading outdoors this summer: Be a responsible recreationist. It only takes one spark on dry grass, leaves, branches or needles to start a wildfire. Chainsaws, dragging trailer chains, carelessly tossed cigarettes, fireworks, abandoned campfires, unshielded OHV mufflers and discharging a firearm all can create sparks and cause wildfires. No matter how a fire starts, anyone found responsible may have to pay tho... Full story
Now through May 22 is National Safe Boating week, reminding anyone who spends his or her time on the water to think about ways to have a great summer and avoid any chance of becoming US Coast Guard statistic. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has four tips that follow the familiar K.I.S.S. principle – but with a bent for boating safety – that are nearly universal: Keep your life jackets handy: This means readily accessible within arms reach, not still in it's plastic bag... Full story
www.raisingarizonakids.com Children and adults with physical or neurological disabilities can enjoy water sports in a safe environment during Barrow's Day on the Lake at Bartlett Lake Marina in the Tonto Forest. It's actually days on the lake. For the 19th year, Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center will host a series of unique events that offer families from around the country a chance to ride the waves with adapted water skiing, jet skiing, ka... Full story
Arizona's boating season is in full swing and the Arizona Game and Fish Department geared up for it with life-jacket exchange stations at four of the state's lakes on May 16. Boaters with tattered and worn ski-vest type III life jackets exchanged them for new ones at Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, and Lake Havasu. Accidents Happen "Accidents and incidents can happen to anyone at any time so it is absolutely critical everyone aboard a boat has a fully functional life jacket. It's also the law,"... Full story
THERE'S STILL TIME -- Will you be fishing the San Diego waters before June 8? San Diego's International Yellowtail Derby is a World Class fishing tournament reminiscent of San Diego's famous Yellowtail Derby of the '50s and '60s. The Derby is for 35 days, but anglers can fish for only one day or all the remaining days through June 7. All participants have a chance to win the big prizes because the biggest fish wins! The Derby is open to both private boaters and individual anglers who will fish... Full story
Steve Roberts from Clear Lake, Iowa, had a great first trip to Lake Powell. He did his homework by reading all the fish reports on Wayneswords.com two weeks before his arrival. When he finally arrived, he couldn't wait to get out on the lake. He launched at Wahweap and headed through the Castle Rock Cut to Warm Creek and started fishing for bass. There were a few bass that cooperated but it was challenging fishing due to the cold front that had just passed by. Roberts then headed to the back of... Full story
http://www.wayneswords.com Fish reports from the first part of May are rolling in and all agree that we have seen the best fishing of the year and perhaps the best seen in a very long time. All species of fish were caught along the length and breadth of the lake. Smallmouth bass were the leader by a country mile followed about equally by largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye. Stripers came in last but there were a few clues to help find them in the coming days. Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass... Full story
HASSLE-FREE -- For years, Accon Marine's Quick Release Bimini Hinges have provided owners with a hassle-free way to install and remove bimini tops. Now, that high-quality and sleek piece of hardware is available in stud-mount so there are no visible screws. Contact local delaers or Accon Marine, 13665 Automobile Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33762. 727-572-9202; Fax: 727-572-7621. www.acconmarine.com.... Full story
Learn how to paddle and cast May 23 at Fool Hollow Lake in Show Low with a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. kayak fishing clinic. The clinic is free. Reserve a spot with a refundable registration deposit of $20. Class size is limited, so register by calling the AZGFD Pinetop office at (928) 532-3680. Why learn to kayak fish? Kayak anglers are a growing community of outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy the exercise, quiet, and ability to stealthily paddle into fishing areas that boats cannot reach. Catch fish, stay... Full story
Action: White Salmon River anglers will be allowed to fish for hatchery spring chinook from the county bridge below the former power house upstream to the Northwestern Road Bridge beginning May 23. Species affected: Chinook Effective dates: May 23 through July 31, 2015 Location: (Big) White Salmon River (Skamania/Klickitat Co.) from the county road bridge located below the former power house upstream to the Northwestern Road Bridge. Daily limits: Through June 30, the daily limit is two hatchery... Full story
Action: Closes Kress Lake to fishing by the public for two days. Effective Dates: May 22 - 12:01 a.m.: Entire lake closed to public fishing May 23: Lake closed to public fishing until 6 p.m., but open for juvenile anglers participating in the Safety Day Event from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Location: Kress Lake is located near Kalama, Washington in Cowlitz County. Kress Lake is owned by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Reason for action: Closing the lake to public fishing is... Full story
Action: Close the recreational halibut fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), except that halibut fishing is allowed in the northern nearshore area from the Queets River (47º31.70'N. latitude) south to 46º58.00'N. latitude and east of a line approximating the 30 fathom depth contour as defined by the following coordinates until further notice. 47 º 31.70 N. lat, 124 º 37.03 W. long 47 º 25.67 N. lat, 124 º 34.79 W. long 47 º 12.82 N. lat, 124 º 29.12 W. long 46 º 58.00 N. lat, 124 º 2... Full story
Action: The hatchery steelhead daily limit will be increased to 3 fish. Up to two hatchery adult spring chinook may be kept as part of the daily limit for salmon on the upper Klickitat River. Effective dates: June 1 until further notice Species affected: Salmon and trout, including hatchery steelhead Locations: Lower Klickitat River from the mouth upstream to the Fisher Hill Bridge (located approximately 3 miles upstream from the mouth); Upper Klickitat River from 400 feet upstream from #5... Full story
OLYMPIA-Dedicated volunteers carried 35 pound backpacks with gallons of water and thousands of delicate trout fry miles up steep trails to stock mountain lakes year after year. Another group traversed Washington's marine areas and coastlines to provide scientific data and analysis on species ranging from porpoises to puffins. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recognized the contributions of these organizations and other top volunteers and landowners during its 2015 citizen... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has announced the official launch of its new Customer Portal and redesigned Web site. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their contact information, as well as their license and draw results information and bonus points, in their personal "My AZ Outdoors" section. Mobile Friendly "Best of all, it's mobile friendly, which means you can view all of this on your smart phone," said Information Systems Chief Doug... Full story
An unforgiving environment, the Black Mountains northwest of Kingman feature extreme summer temperatures, steep rock faces, and hold little forage. While few may consider the setting an ideal destination, it's home to the majestic desert bighorn sheep and provides a unique wildlife viewing opportunity for the public, hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department's regional office in Kingman. Two Days Scheduled The department has scheduled a pair of two-day Desert Bighorn Sheep Natural History W... Full story
