Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 926 - 950 of 2432
When I met John (decades ago!), I had never really fished much at all. My dad took my brother and me hunting and camping all the time, and we always did a lot of target shooting, but we never really fished. In fact, I hadn't even seen most of the lakes because Dad didn't go there. Too many people, he said. But John was both a hunter and a fisherman. And once he took me fishing, I was hooked. We went to Christopher Creek and caught trout. I had a blast. Bartlett Was Our Favorite Once we got... Full story
John and I went Coues hunting this year. We have a great 4-wheel-drive pickup, but while scouting and hunting we discovered that we needed more. Our little whitetails are spooky, and once the season opens, you have to get far away from the easy roads or you're just not going to see any. And although we could get over a lot of stuff in the truck, there always seems to be an impassable piece of road keeping us from where we want to be. I'm sure there are guys who insist they can get their trucks... Full story
People love their pets. But sometimes hardship forces them apart. That's where we come in. As the only organization in the Valley focused on both pets and people in crisis, we are dedicated to rescuing pets abandoned or at risk of homelessness. We provide pet care when people find themselves in challenging life situations. When people are facing times of crisis that jeopardize their ability to care and provide for their pets, we are here to help. Some Unfortunate Factors Domestic Violence... Full story
As a New Year begins, [it is interesting] to review where the Lees Ferry fishery has been in the past few years - and where it's headed. Fall 2013 Decline In the fall of 2013, there was a decline in the trout population due to much lower- than-normal water flows and warmer-than-normal water temperatures from Glen Canyon Dam. The lower water flows were part of the Experimental High Flow Event and the warmer water was a result of Lake Powell water levels' being low due to drought. This was the... Full story
For those whose garages got a little bit fuller during the holiday season with the addition of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) - or veteran riders who frequently hit Arizona's trails and dirt roads - the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages everyone to take a riding safety course. An Overview Of Basic Skills Whether riding an all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike or side-by-side, completing a safety course will ensure users have an overview of the basic skills required to safely ride in or operate... Full story
CANYON LAKE, Ariz. — Boaters and other outdoor recreationists are advised that the Palo Verde Boat Ramp at Canyon Lake will temporarily close from March 1 through March 17 for a facility improvement project. Arizona Game and Fish has been working with the Tonto National Forest to maintain the pavement in and around the ramp, and this project will involve milling, crack-sealing, seal-coating and other services as necessary. During the work, the area from the main highway down to the ramp will b... Full story
"We're about a month away from opening day and we've already exceeded our goal of 140 exhibitors and vendors," commented Lake Havasu Boat Show producer, Bob Brown. "If this is an indicator of what the recreational boating season is going to be like this spring and summer, we may be headed for the best year on the water in a very long time." The 27th Annual Lake Havasu Boat Show, the largest boat show in Arizona and Nevada, sponsored by Jet Renu and Mohave State Bank, drops anchor at Lake Havasu... Full story
While many parts of the country are shoveling snow and driving snow mobiles, in the desert areas of the Southwest, others are readying their craft for a new year of boating pleasure. Soon, two popular expos will showcase - among other outdoor activities -boating models and accessories. As the fun on the water begins, it is vitally important to remember "safety first" so that 2018 has zero-to-very few boating accidents. To this end, we highly recommend one of the safety courses listed on page 3... Full story
Standing at less than 11 inches tall, the American kestrel is a mighty bird of prey, yet the future of this fierce little falcon is uncertain, as populations are on the decline nationally. Locally, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is enlisting the help of landowners and citizen scientists to assist biologists as part of the American Kestrel Partnership, a program designed to collect data to be used to conserve this important species for future generations. AZGFD is participating in... Full story
Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2018 spring draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for javelina. As of the second week of December, leftover hunt permit-tags were available for general hunts that begin Feb. 23. There also were 1,432 hunt permit-tags for archery-only hunts that begin Jan. 1, 1,239 hunt permit-tags for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) hunts that get underway Feb. 9,and 99 hunt permit-tags for youth-only hunts that start Jan. 26.... Full story
The Tonto National Forest is extending the comment period on the Preliminary Proposed Plan. After receiving several requests, the public and interested parties have an additional 22 days to provide comments to the plan, the first step toward revising the current Tonto National Forest land and resource management plan. January 12, 2018, is the new deadline to submit comments. Comments on the Preliminary Proposed Plan can be submitted in the following ways: • By e-mail to: tontoplan@fs.fed.us ... Full story
Fire managers have been taking advantage of continued warm, dry weather conditions over the next several weeks and may initiate additional prescribed fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Working as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, fire managers from Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest planned to start the Bright Angel Prescribed Fire (Rx) in the first week of December. The Bright Angel Rx, located near the North Rim developed area, is... Full story
Sometimes things happen when you least expect them. "I came upon this brave cactus wren taking on the cholla cactus," said Pamela Parker of Mesa, explaining how she got the winning shot of this year's wildlife photo contest. "I loved how the wren was framed by all the needles and had to take the photo." She kept a watchful eye, taking several shots and capturing the bird surrounded by the cactus. Parker used a handheld camera because she likes to be "on the same level as my subjects." She... Full story
If you gave or received an off-highway vehicle (OHV) as part of the holiday season, make sure you have the proper protective gear to get off to a safe start. Whether the ATV, dirt bike or side-by-side is for a family member, lucky friend or yourself, the Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends that you wear the following equipment when riding in an OHV: • Helmet — All OHV operators or passengers younger than 18 are required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-safety rated hel... Full story
At its regular December meeting, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission passed a motion in opposition to a proposed ballot initiative that would ban the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats and restrict management of the state's wild cats by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The proposed initiative has not yet qualified for the ballot, but the Commission regularly takes positions on federal and state legislation with potential impact on the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the... Full story
Adapted From An Article By Judy Hedding Each spring the Arizona Game and Fish Department hosts the very popular outdoor experience called the "Outdoor Expo". The largest outdoor expo in the state, this interactive experience allows people of all ages to participate in activities, see exhibits, and attend educational presentations relating to Arizona's wildlife, nature, hunting, camping, boating, recreational target shooting, archery, off-roading, and fishing. Expo Dates Saturday, March 24, from... Full story
Merriment abounds! Get ready to be transported back to the 16th century as one of the largest and most picturesque Renaissance Festivals in the nation prepares for raucous revelry below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. The Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary season. Don't miss it; join in the revelry! The Arizona Renaissance Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday, Feb.10 through April 1 including Presidents' Day Monday, Feb.19, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Cheer for brave... Full story
The 2018 International Sportsmen's Expo and Arizona Boat Show, March 23-26 at WestWorld of Scottsdale, welcomes the return of the wildly popular DockDogs® competition. This international competition offers three disciplines: Big Air®, Extreme Vertical®, and Speed Retrieve®. DockDogs® welcomes any breed, any mix and any size dog to its Dock Diving® family. Rules and entry information will be posted at DockDogs.com by mid-January. The 18th annual International Sportsmen's E... Full story
Jim and Carol L. Allen, Publisher and Editor Carol and I wish you all a great new year. Angela Ogden, Production Manager Arizona Boating & Watersports News Magazine / Western Outdoor Times would like to introduce you to one of the best graphic designers in the business. Angela Ogden has a B.A. in graphic design from Point Loma University, San Diego, CA (1988). She has worked on newspapers and magazines and added her freelance work in 2005. Angela is based in Oklahoma and has clientele all over... Full story
The importance of driving-best practices are underscored by these three actions that need to be avoided as they are major contributors to accidents. Following recent fatal off-highway vehicle (OHV) accidents, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone about the importance of following best practices when driving on the state's trails and public land roads. In late September, a 58-year-old woman died in Cave Creek after being pinned underneath her utility-task vehicle (UTV). A week... Full story
After an absence of more than 70 years, the endangered Gila topminnow has reappeared in the Santa Cruz River in northwest Tucson, fish surveys conducted in November confirm. Scientists were hopeful native fish would return to the river near Tucson after the river's water quality significantly improved following upgrades to wastewater-treatment facilities releasing effluent (highly treated wastewater) into the river at Agua Nueva and Tres Rios treatment plants in 2013. The native Arizona... Full story
You can help sick or injured wildlife not only on a Giving Tuesday, but also on any day of the year. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Wildlife Center treats sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Some can be released to the wild, but those that can't require continued care, either as "wildlife ambassadors" for educational presentations at local schools and community events, or for placement in a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. The animals pictured with this story have all been rescued during the... Full story
Wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat in cold water - it could save your life, plus here are some good catching tips to snag a keeper this fall/winter. Nearly one-third of Arizona's boaters say fishing is their favorite activity to do while boating, and for many, fall is an ideal time of year to go out in search of that state record bass (or trout or catfish or ...). But, as the weather cools down, so does the water temperature. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that cold-water immersion and hy... Full story
SHOT Show officially starts tomorrow, but if you're lucky enough to get an invitation, the day before the show starts is Industry Day at the Range. This is the day when the manufacturers set up at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, which is an excellent facility near Boulder City, Nevada with tons of room for the over 200 manufactures who let us handle their new products. This is the day for actually shooting the latest guns and checking out the great new optics and gear. If you've read John's g... Full story
The Key To Success Is Being Versatile Back in the day, Wes McCracken was one of the best anglers on the All Star Bass trail. The key to his success: he knew that you have to be versatile to catch fish consistently. "Every lake is different, and every year it's different, too," says McCracken. One thing that he can count on most of the time, though, is a worm bite of some sort. "Finding the fish is the hard part," says Wes. "Figuring out what they want is simply a process of elimination." This... 
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