Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Lake Powell is still coming up and now breaking the 3600 MSL barrier, but stripers are the big news now. Striper slurping boils are seen lake wide. Young stripers that live in the warm surface layer are finding larval shad (less than an inch) near the surface. Young shad cannot swim fast enough to elude stripers which line up and methodically "mow" the surface area, chomping down all shad in their path. From a distance, the feeding activity looks like another boat wake, but after closer... Full story
This letter from the Arizona Yacht Club (AYC) begins to explain one of the unique boating opportunities in Arizona's desert. Welcome to the Arizona Yacht Club! Peter Lehrach, commodore 2014-2015, writes, "The Arizona Yacht Club has enabled sailing in the desert since 1958. Most of our sailing is in the Phoenix area at Lake Pleasant and Tempe Town Lake but we've been known to proudly fly our burgees around the world. "If you're new, there are many great ways to learn more about our club. I... Full story
AZGFD offers $75,000 in grants for hunting for not-for-profit local conservation groups, clubs, and organizations. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is budgeting $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen's groups or organizations that will host public programs or events that teach people how to hunt and the role hunters play in wildlife conservation in Arizona. "The Local Sportsmen's Group Grant is perfect for organizations that are looking to start or expand introductory hunting programs... Full story
We join Grace, John, Michael, and Mariellen in remembering the honorable life of their husband and father Larry Cozad. Mr. Cozad was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the articles we printed for him from the Arizona Game & Fish Department as well as the sportfishing calendars from Bill Roecker in San Diego, Calif. Mr. Cozad, a World War II veteran, and his wife Grace were married 70 years ago — on June 12, 1944. Many of us will miss this fine family man, neighbor, outdoorsman, and f... Full story
Lake Pleasant Sailing Club (LPSC) was founded in 1977 and currently has approximately 100 member families. Cruise News LPSC sponsors approximately 16 weekend cruises per year at Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix, Ariz. The cruises usually involve sailing the lake and then rafting up (each boat puts out an anchor and ties up alongside the other boats) in a designated cove for the evening meal and spending the night. The cruises most often have a theme such as Surf and Turf, Mardi Gras, Cinco De... Full story
This is the first of several boating-safety quizzes offered to educate (or remind) boaters of some important guidelines. Although they may be helpful, it is recommended that all who recreate on and near the water take a boating-safety class. (See page 3 of this issue for a list of current classes.) This recommendation is for both new boaters and for seasoned ones who would benefit from an update. There is a prize for the first one who answers all questions correctly and e-mails those answers to... Full story
As temperatures climb and Arizonans head to the high country, human encounters with bears in campgrounds and communities are on the increase. Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are asking people to "Be Bear Aware." Homeowners and recreationists should take precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife. The root cause of any human-wildlife encounter is typically food. Keep a clean camp. "Don't intentionally feed wildlife - it will just get you and the wild... Full story
If a car's vanity license plate can tell you a lot about the person behind the wheel, what can a boat name tell you about the person behind the helm? Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently released the national boating organization's 24th Annual Top Ten Boat Names List and may have the answer. The BoatUS List Of Top Ten Boat Names: 1. Serenity 2. Second Wind 3. Island Girl 4. Freedom 5. Pura-Vida 6. Andiamo 7. Island Time 8. Irish Wake 9. Happy Hours 10. Seas the Day...
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced that the recreational boating industry saw healthy growth in 2013, generating $36.7 billion in retail expenditures (new and pre-owned boats and engines, trailers, accessories and services), a 3.2% increase from 2012. An estimated 166,800 new powerboats and sailboats were sold at retail in 2013, an increase of 2.2%, coming on the heels of the industry's 2012 rebound when new powerboat and sailboat retail sales increased 10.7% -... Full story
"Suvoyuki" translated in the Hopi language means to accomplish work through a "joint effort." "Suvoyuki Day" is an open house on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Homolovi State Park that celebrates the partners who have helped to protect and save Homolovi-area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction. There will be activities throughout the day, including special archaeological site tours. Cultural artists and demonstrators will also be on hand. The Homolovi Dancers will... Full story
Willie Schultz, a graduate of Arizona State University and now a resident of Ketchikan, Ala., is a marathon swimmer who trained for ocean swimming in La Jolla, Calif. The week of June 20, depending on weather conditions, he will attempt to swim the English Channel. Cheering him on will be his wife of 25 years, Cathy, and their children Adrianne, Brennen, and Sullivan. All of us here at Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times join his family and friends in wishing him good... Full story
This story is an introduction to a future feature about the restoration of historic mining equipment and more in Arizona; stay tuned for the July/Aug. issue. Publishers Note – We at Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times had the pleasure of meeting Morris Jackson in 2006. He came on board as an advertiser and quickly turned into a friend. I have learned much from Morris and from his experiences over the years. It is because of Morris and his interest in rebuilding old mine e... Full story
Tip Of The Week Greer Derby The Business Council of Greer is sponsoring a $10,000 Fishing Derby until Oct. 31. Catch one of 50 tagged fish in the three Greer Lakes and bring one into the Lazy Trout Market to exchange for a hat. On Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at The Lazy Trout Market, a tag will be drawn and it must match the winning number sent by OddsOnPromotions to win the $10,000. Registration is not necessary before catching the tagged fish. If there is no $10,000 winner, a $250 first and $100 second... Full story
Recent Fish Ratings • Upriver: 6 to 7.5 • Walk-In: 7 • Spin-Fishing: 7.5 Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else 10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now! Recent People Ratings • Crowd Rating: Upriver: 2 weekdays to 3 on weekends • Walk In: 2 during the week and 3 on the weekends Key: 1 = Sleep late and fish where you want. 10 = Very crowded, get up early ******************************************************************* Fly Fishing Up-River Summer weather and the corresponding higher water flows hav... Full story
Page, AZ – The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to provide comments related to the proposed rehabilitation, restoration and resurfacing of approximately five miles of Lakeshore Drive, two miles of Wahweap Boulevard, and 0.3 miles of Wahweap Marina Drive in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The project will ensure that Lakeshore Drive is rehabilitated and maintained to allow continued long-term vehicular access to Lake Powell in the Wahweap area. During the six months of road r... Full story
Amendments would enhance hunting and fishing opportunities in Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has voted unanimously to support two amendments proposed by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, to support hunting and sportfishing opportunities in Arizona and across the nation. "Senator McCain continues to be a leading advocate for maintaining and strengthening the state's wildlife management authorities,” said Game and Fish Commission Chair J.W. Har... Full story
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department recently completed construction of three-miles of new trails along the Maricopa Trail. This segment of trails connects the southeast corner of White Tank Mountain Regional Park to the Jackrabbit Trail Park and Ride in Buckeye. Combined with previously built, but disconnected portions of the trail, this opening creates an eight-mile portion of the Maricopa Trail for hikers, equestrians and mountain bike enthusiasts. Volunteers Lay Out Trail...
If you hike, boat, fish, camp, watch wildlife and enjoy Arizona's history and unparalleled beauty, a membership in the Arizona State Parks Foundation can be a powerful way to help preserve and protect the 30 great places that make up Arizona State Parks. By joining at the Preservationist, Steward or Trail Mate level, you'll be kept informed of State Parks issues, activities and advocacy efforts through the Foundation's Parks Talk! e-Newsletter. You'll also receive other benefits tied to each of... Full story
In early June, Governor Jan Brewer proclaimed a Monsoon Awareness Week in Arizona in anticipation of the 2014 monsoon season and summer severe weather hazards. However, the message from that week is relevant throughout the season. Arizona's monsoon spans the hot summer months of June to mid-September. Extreme heat alone can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. People over 65 years old, children under 5, persons with a pre-existing medical condition, and individuals who work... Full story
The Southwest Condor Workgroup - a cooperative venture between wildlife conservation and public land management agencies - optimistically reports that a California condor may have hatched in the wild in Utah for the first time since the endangered species was released in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona in 1996. Biologists are waiting to visually confirm the chick's existence before the milestone becomes official, but recent behaviors by the adult pair are encouraging. "It... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comments on draft 2015-2016 regulations for reptiles, raptors, crustaceans and mollusks, and amphibians. Public comment will be accepted through July 11. If warranted, public meetings on the proposed changes to these commission orders may be held in Phoenix, Tucson and/or Flagstaff. The proposed changes being considered for the 2015-2016 commission orders include the following: • In Commission Order 25, a reduced bag limit for the n... Full story
Lynx Lake One of our favorite little hikes in the pines is the easy trail #311 that circles Lynx Lake. Most of this trail is shaded by trees, and the lake and the forest around it are gorgeous. We often see a huge variety of birds and small mammals, even in the summer. The paved part of the trail on the west side of the lake is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but once you reach the far end of the laken the trail turns to dirt. 'Bee' Prepared At this far end of the lake opposite the parking l... Full story
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – On Wednesday, June 11 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the National Park Service received a call reporting an unconscious male kayaker at Badger Rapids, river mile 8 on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. The victim was in a kayak that capsized in Badger Rapids where he was unable to right himself. The safety boat was able to reach the kayak and found the victim initially responsive but he soon lost consciousness. Members of the party initiated CPR that was c... Full story
There is at least one prize (see page 1) for the first one who answers all questions correctly and e-mails those answers to jim@azbw.comjim@azbw.com. Note: Be sure to include both the questions and their answers. 1. Q. What is the purpose of the rules of the road? A. To prevent collision 2. Q. What is the arc of visiblity of a single side navigation light? A. 112.5 degrees 3. Q. A power-driven boat leaving a berth or a dock must sound a warning signal of — ? A. One prolonged blast 4. Q. In A... Full story
Lake Havasu City, Ariz., a recognized mecca for outdoor enthusiasts of off-roading, RVing and boating will add another accolade to its resume with the return of the 3rd Annual "Sand - Water - RV Expo" at Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4 special event venue, Nov. 1-2, 2014. "We couldn't be more pleased to have the opportunity to bring this level of event back to Lake Havasu City," commented Bob Brown, president of Media Direction, the producer of the exceptionally successful 2014 Lake Havasu... Full story