Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 102
Visit To View Fantastic Fall Color In Arizona We ran up to NAU last October to visit our granddaughter for her 20th birthday. She's been hiking with us since she was three years old, so naturally we all wanted to go do some hiking in the forest, preferably with lots of fall color. A couple of years ago, her older sister had shown us a fantastic place only about 15 miles north of Flagstaff off Highway 180, so we decided to go there. Colorful Reward To get there, you just take Highway 180 about fi... Full story
When I was a kid, the only things I worried about when I was camping or hunting were bears and mountain lions. As it happens, I've only seen lions two or three times in my life, and each time the lion was hightailing it away from me. And sad to say, I've never seen a bear in the wild. However, I have had plenty of narrow escapes and a few times when I didn't escape some of the dangers that you might run into when you're enjoying Arizona's great outdoors. Most can be avoided if you simply pay... Full story
Mark Kile was the guy to watch at any local tournament a few years back. We were lucky enough to go out with him several times at his home lake, Roosevelt, and he just flat knows how to catch them. This time of year, Kile would be catching forty-plus bass in half a day at Roosevelt, usually with at least one kicker over five pounds. "The fish are moving into the shallows," he'd say, "and some of them are spawning." Kile says that throwing a worm in a channel three to five feet deep will often... Full story
From Arizona State Parks Check out our extensive Arizona wildflower list at the bottom of the page, complete with vibrant photos and bloom information! How many will you see in 2021? February showers make March wildflowers in the desert parks and create yet another reason to explore this beautiful state! During years of average and above average precipitation, it seems every direction you look there are beautiful yellow, red, white, orange, blue, or purple flowers blanketing the landscape. Try... Full story
Back-to-back wet winters have bolstered Gambel's population. Arizona quail hunters will be glad to know - in fact, they should be thrilled - that the 2020-21 season is shaping up to be average. That's right, average. And that's tremendous news heading into the season for Gambel's, scaled and California quail. Greatest Season In Years "Taking everything into account, this will be a great season compared to what we have experienced in the last 15 or more years," said Johnathan O'Dell, small game b... Full story
4-21 Dove, Band-Tailed Pigeon Regulations Available Online The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2020-21 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations online at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations. The regulations have been produced in a downloadable format that hunters will find handy in the field. The color brochure is easy to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance. All... Full story
Much-needed rain brings out desert wildlife in Arizona. Animals may wander in search of mates, moisture and, if necessary, to escape flooding. Desert tortoises are one of several amazing species that can be encountered during Arizona's monsoon. Important Guidelines The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) urges the public to follow these important guidelines when coming across a desert tortoise: • Keep wild tortoises wild: Do not remove a tortoise from the wild. Taking a wild tortoise h... Full story
Surprise Dad With The Perfect Gift/Gifts If you're lucky enough to have a dad who loves the outdoors and shares his adventures with you, Father's Day is a great time to show your appreciation by giving him a little something to make his outdoor times even better. I've included ideas at many different price points, so hopefully you will find something that you think is just perfect for your dad. Fishing Dads Baits There are so many options if your dad likes to fish! Is he a bass fisherman? Head f... Full story
Some people mistakenly believe that when their exotic pets get too difficult to manage, it is okay to release them into the wild. But that is exactly the wrong thing to do. See this video. Introduced pets — even goldfish — can have devastating effects on native wildlife and ecosystems. In our aquatic ecosystems, they can outcompete sportfish and natives for food and space, prey on native species, and have unforeseeable effects on the food web. Even aquarium pets, once established, can eas... Full story
Nitro and Bass Pro Shops pro Matt Shura has been fishing bass tournaments since he was just a kid, and in fact, he held the state record for largemouth bass for some time a few years back. If you go to the fishing seminars at the Mesa Bass Pro Shop store, you've seen him there and probably heard some great bass fishing tips from him. Rig It Straight Matt took us to Saguaro in March and showed us how to fish one of his favorite early spring baits – the Reaction Innovations Little Dipper. This bai... Full story
Winter moisture improves overall brood survival. Truth be told, Arizona's quail hunters are also weather wonks - always checking the forecasts, particularly during the winter months, their fingers crossed that the wet stuff is on the way. After all, good doses of timely precipitation that time of year are what give the state's Gambel's and scaled quail populations a much-needed boost, which usually points to better hunting in the fall. Case In Point: Winter 2018 "Unlike the past few years, when... Full story
Canyon Lake We recently took a tour on Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake and it was great – in fact, it was even better than I expected. We met our best friends Ron and Debbie at the lake, and we brought our two college-aged granddaughters with us. The tour we chose was a special one: the Bighorn Sheep Tour. There were a bunch of Arizona Game and Fish experts on board with us, as well as several guys from the Arizona Bighorn Sheep Society. It was an amazing day. Over 50 Sheep! John and I have f... Full story
We thank Rory Aikens, formerly with the Arizona Game & Fish Department as their fishing "go-to-guy", for the beautiful photo he has provided. It's of Big Lake in Arizona (at an elevation of 9,000 feet). The fall hues in the northern areas of the state are truly magical, and especially for those in the lower parts of Arizona that seldom show the change in leaves, a trip just to view the remarkable colors is definitely worth the travel time. And, for those from other parts of the country (e.g., Ne... Full story
Arizona Is Ablaze With Color - As a native Arizonan, I tend to believe that Arizona is the most beautiful and amazing place on the planet – and autumn in Arizona confirms that belief. John and I and the granddaughters are out and about pretty much all year, and we especially love to see fall colors – yellow, orange, and even red light up the hillsides and the banks of our streams. Ir can be magical to stroll along with color above and below from leaves that have already fallen and those that are... Full story
Whether you're visiting from far away or nearby, Tempe, Ariz. has lots to offer families looking to have some fun. From the squirmiest little travelers to tough-to-please teens, kids, parents and grandparents will find plenty to enjoy in Tempe. Tempe's wide range of family oriented attractions and restaurants are up to the challenge of satisfying the pickiest of palates. Tempe is a treasure trove of fun activities. • See beautiful fish and other creatures of the sea at SEA LIFE Arizona A... Full story
Arizona Conservationists To Be Honored At 2018 Outdoor Hall Of Fame Banquet The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, together with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will induct two individuals and three organizations into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 18. The Foundation's 21st Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet at the Embassy Suites at 5001 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. The inductees for this... Full story
First, thanks to news@martinflory.com for the cover photo. Second, from kayaks to high-performance boats to fishing craft - and more - spring shows in the Southwest are starring all kinds of watercraft. Check out Downstream for events. AZBW/WOT March 2018 AZBW/WOT March 2018 Boats Play A Big Role - First, thanks to news@martinflory.com for the cover photo. Second, from kayaks to high-performance boats to fishing craft - and more - spring shows in the Southwest are starring all kinds of... Find... Full story
PHOENIX - Desert Roses and Desert Roses, Too – the women's shotgun-shooting program at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center – will conduct a fun shoot at 10 a.m. April 7. All participants in the program are invited to attend. Desert Roses is the introductory level of the program that meets every first and third Thursday of each month. Desert Roses, Too is a new level of the program for women who want to learn advanced shooting techniques. The cost is $20 per shooter and includes firearm rental, amm... Full story
CAMP VERDE -- Saturday, March 31, will be the sixth Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, hosted this year at Fort Verde State Historic Park and Camp Verde Community Park. This is a cooperative event coordinated by the Town of Camp Verde and cities of Cottonwood and Sedona as well as Arizona State Parks & Trails. In addition, many local veteran’s groups are involved including Camp Verde’s American Legion Post #93 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6739. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act des... Full story
Barron Boats an industry familiar name readies for the release of a new line-up of deckboats and center consoles. Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens. And so it is with Jerry Barron, son of now deceased southern California boat building icon, Nick Barron of Hallett Boats. AZBW/WOT March 2018 AZBW/WOT March 2018 Boats Play A Big Role - First, thanks to news@martinflory.com for the cover photo. Second, from kayaks to high-performance boats to fishing craft - and more - spring shows... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) prides itself on providing ample fishing opportunities for its legions of anglers and the state's growing populations of cormorants have taken notice. State Has Two Species In early 2017, AZGFD began a study of the state's two species of the bird - neotropic and double-crested cormorants - both of which are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under those protections, cormorant populations have flourished nationwide, competing... 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
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
Arizona hunters know that timely rainfall is the elixir that gives the state's quail populations a much-needed boost. Good winter precipitation particularly benefitted Gambel's quail, the best-known and most widespread of the state's three main species. That led to spring call counts that were almost double what they were in 2016 and higher than the average of the last 10 years (2008-2017). Throw in statewide summer rains that sustained forage and habitat conditions, and it was a good year for... Full story
The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, together with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will induct five individuals into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Foundation's 20th Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale at 5001 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. The inductees for this year’s event include the following: • Steve Hirsch, of Phoenix, is being inducted posthumo... Full story
