Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Editor's Note: To review the first part of this article, visit www.westernoutdoortimes.com, October 2017, and search for "Martinis, Anyone?"by Mike Berger and Pat Knight. http://www.westernoutdoortimes.com/story/2017/10/01/shooting-sports/martinis-anyone/3389.html Now that I had a barreled action, there was the problem of making it look "right." The appearance of a custom firearm is a matter of personal taste. They can be anything from a gun that would be missed in a rack of others, to a piece o... 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
Patagonia Lake is a small reservoir about an hour south of Tucson. Formed by damming Sonoita Creek, this beautiful little lake offers good crappie, catfish, and bass fishing in Southern Arizona. The terrain around Patagonia is very different from the deserts surrounding the central Arizona lakes. Patagonia is at an elevation of 3,750 feet, and the surrounding country is grassy hills and scrub oak and juniper. Dan Marzano Takes Us To Patagonia Patagonia looks more like a midwestern lake than an... 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
In Arizona, people tend to think of heading north to cool off in the summer, but there are many places in the southern and eastern areas of our beautiful state that also offer higher altitudes, cool forests, and great hikes. These places include Mt. Lemmon near Tucson, the Pinaleno mountains near Safford, and the Mt. Baldy Wilderness near Greer. Mt. Lemmon In July, the Burro fire was raging and crews were using the Mount Lemmon highway as a firebreak. Residents, campers and hikers were forced... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has seized a deer, bobcat and javelina since early last month that were illegally taken captive while young by Tucson area residents and reared as pets. The mule deer buck was taken to the AZGFD Wildlife Center in Phoenix for treatment, and then will go to Bearizona in Williams. The bobcat was placed at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and the javelina moved to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale. Taking captive and holding... Full story
The 27th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 17 through Saturday, June 24 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in this country. Last year, Grand Canyon National Park announced its Provisional International Dark Sky Park status through the International Dark-Sky Association. This provisional status gives the park three years to retrofit two-thirds o...
After a wet winter and mild spring, Arizona has seen an increase in many wildlife populations. As summer approaches and dry conditions return statewide, several animals are instinctively moving closer to easy sources of food and water - wherever humans can be found. This has led to increased reports of bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and other wildlife in populated areas across the state, where lawns are watered, swimming pools are full, garbage cans are overflowing and dishes of pet foo... Full story
Free fishing clinics will be held June 3 through 11 during National Fishing and Boating Week. (These give people the opportunity to try out this fun, family oriented pastime. Loaner fishing rods, bait and instruction are provided for free at most venues. Bait is provided and loaner rods are availablr for fishing events. On June 3, fishing events are at Lake Peasant Regional Park, Woodland Lake near Pinetop, Goldwater Lake near Prescott, Dead Horse Ranch State Park lagoons near Cottonwood,... Full story
Tai Au is one of the best-known bass pros in Arizona - he started a Facebook page called "AZ Anglers" and there are now over 13,000 members. Tai is all about sharing his love for and knowledge about fishing, which is why he created a place where Arizona anglers could share, ask, learn, and even brag a bit now and then. Started As A Kid Tai got into fishing when he was just a kid, going out with his dad. His mom and dad were actually "Boat People" from Vietnam, and he was actually born in a car... Full story
March and April are two months that really showcase the outdoors in Arizona. The International Sportsmen's Expo and Arizona Boat Show, the Arizona Game & Fish Expo, and the Lake Havasu Boat Show all feature craft, vehicles, products, services, activities, education, and more - all three shows are geared to making your outdoors more fun, safer, and full of opportunities you may not have even imagined. Note: A special thank-you goes to Bob Brown of Media Direction for sharing this exciting cover... Full story
This is the perfect time of year for an outdoor adventure in Tucson. The weather is great and the wildflowers should be amazing this year after all the rains we've had all winter. All four of these places offer nice hikes (or at least walks), and all four of them let you see different aspects of the glory of the outdoors around Tucson. Saguaro National Park Saguaro National Park is actually two districts - one to the east of Tucson called the Rincon Mountain District, and one to the west called... Full story
PHOENIX - S.H. ("Sy") Sohmer has been named director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park (https://azstateparks.com/boyce-thompson/), effective Jan. 29, 2017. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is part of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, or CALS, and is managed in cooperation with Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, Inc. Sohmer brings to CALS more than 40 years of experience as a research botanist, university... Full story
Don't miss Raucous Revelry at the Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival! The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 13-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure. You never know what you will find on or off the stage! 16th-Century European Village Market The Festival is an outdoor event that combines entertainment and wares reminiscent of what may have been found in a... Full story
Revel in the atmosphere of 16th century Europe! Step back in time. Explore our 30-acre festival village filled with 13 stages of nonstop entertainment; falconry, sea fairies, pirates, performances of music, dance, acrobatics, and comedy. Cheer on your favorite armored knight at the jousting tournament. Explore the marketplace with over 200 storybook shops, studios and galleries filled with unique arts and crafts, plus kitchens, pubs, and people-powered rides.... Full story
Some new fishing regulations took effect on Jan.1, Be sure to look for the full 2017-18 Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing regulations online around the first of the year. Also, the new fishing regulations booklet will be available at all AZGFD offices and license dealers in early January. Here are the changes: Reduce the daily trout bag limit to five at the Colorado River from Lake Mead to California-Nevada boundary (including Lake Mohave and Willow Beach). Reduce the daily... Full story
"I was watching this coyote flipping mice, early one morning at Gilbert Water Ranch," says Bryan Keil of Scottsdale, describing the instant he took the winning shot in this year's wildlife photo contest. Keil didn't just stumble across the scene: The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch has a devoted following among wildlife photographers, and many people knew coyotes were hunting there. Keil was there, putting in the hours required to capture a special shot. Tools Of The Trade To this opportunity,... 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 29 th season of pomp and pageantry and invite you to join in the revelry! The Arizona Renaissance Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11th through April 2 including Presidents' Day Monday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cheer... Full story
Grand Canyon, Ariz.* – As the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for a second century of service, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates the significant accomplishments of the NPS centennial celebration and looks ahead to its own park centennial in 2019. 2016 marked the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, offering an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments in Grand Canyon National Park and its surrounding community. Throughout 2016 Grand Canyon promoted the NPS Centennial goal,* ... Full story
Nonprofit Gabriel's Angels announces AZPetVet.com as Presenting Sponsor of its Sixth Wine Event on October 7 at the Omni Montelucia Resort & Spa. Phoenix, AZ - September 19, 2016 - Gabriel's Angels, the only organization in Arizona that delivers healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk children, is excited to announce AZPetVet.com as the Presenting Sponsor of their sixth annual "Salud! 2016 Signature Wine Dinner" event on Friday, October 7, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Omni... Full story
These memorable destinations are enough to fill a lifetime of "bucket lists". As we celebrate the centennial of the National Parks Service, many will be visiting national sites throughout the country. A good place to start is here at home as Arizona has over two dozen of these spectacular destinations within the state. National Monuments In Arizona Canyon De Chelly Chinle, Ariz. For nearly 5,000 years, people have lived in these canyons - longer than anyone has lived uninterrupted anywhere on... Full story
Catalina State Park's popular concert series on the first Saturday of the month are held continuously throughout the year but artists have been announced through September 2016. Visitors will enjoy an evening concert amid the beautiful landscapes of Catalina State Park. The concerts are held at the main trailhead at Catalina State Park. Guests should bring a chair, food and water. The Friends of Catalina State Park will provide free popcorn during the concerts. The concerts could be canceled if... Full story
We give professional service and interior quality, without that professional price. C&L Upholstery's founder John "Chuck" Hagan has been a life-time Arizonan, and has been providing quality auto interior services and professional grade style to Arizona's residents his entire adult life. Hagan's desire to someday start his own business began as a young man working with his father in the upholstery business growing up in Tucson. That desire became a reality 27 years ago with the vision of... Full story
Kartchner Caverns State Park (near Benson, Ariz.) is much more than a stunning cave with the world's most diverse minerals and formations. Rangers will offer a unique hike on the Foothills Loop Trail during the full moon on select Saturdays through September 2016 (dates below). Visitors should meet at 6 p.m. at the front of the Discovery Center and wear suitable clothing and shoes, bring water and a flashlight. Visitors may bring a camera and/or binoculars, but it is not necessary. The cost is... Full story
PHOENIX- Catalina State Park's popular concert series on the first Saturday of the month are held continuously throughout the year but artists have been announced through September 2016. Visitors will enjoy an evening concert amid the beautiful landscapes of Catalina State Park. The concerts are held at the main trailhead at Catalina State Park. Guests should bring a chair, food and water. The Friends of Catalina State Park will provide FREE popcorn during the concerts. The concerts could be can... Full story