Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), is encouraging the state's boating and watercraft users to Spring Aboard and prepare for the boating season by enrolling in a safety education course. Spring Aboard is a national campaign that runs from March 19 to 25 and encourages boaters to protect themselves and their passengers by taking a safety course before stepping onto a boat or watercraft. This... Full story
Boats burn every year and when they do, things get bad. Quickly. For boaters, acknowledging the possibility of a fire is an exercise in fear because there's nothing more scary than to have open flames aboard and no place to go. I'd like to share two new videos from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water that I encourage you to share with friends: Four Fire Extinguisher Myths https://youtu.be/_i3gFgZnXyk At the BoatUS Foundation, this subject is always a "hot topic," especially... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo (https://www.azgfd.com/Expo) dates are set for Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Admission and parking are free. Once again, there will be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages. Check out the huge kids' fishing tanks. See all sorts of live wildlife. Learn target archery and try other shooting sports in a safe, supervised, controlled environment on the range. Get a feel for specialty shooting... Full story
If you have been reading my stories here on Arizona Boating & Watersports and Western Outdoor Times for long, you know that my husband John and I love to go outdoors adventuring with our granddaughters. We've been taking them fishing, hiking, shooting, exploring, and hunting almost since they could walk, but we had never been kayaking together until yesterday. I found a Groupon for the Clarkdale Kayak Company and it was such a bargain I signed up the four of us. First off, let me tell you that I... Full story
'Tis the season to head out on the water and if a boat, kayak or other personal watercraft was on your Christmas list this holiday season, and Santa agreed, the Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to make sure your inaugural voyage is a safe one. Whether you're planning to take a new watercraft out for some sightseeing or to do some fishing, all new and veteran watercraft users are encouraged to remember the following 10 tips to remain safe on the water: Always wear a life jacket. Life... Full story
Have a boater on your holiday gift list? Look no further. The organization that makes boating better, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), has three holiday gift ideas. The gift of on-water towing: Give the gift of an on-water Unlimited TowBoatUS Towing Membership Plan for saltwater boaters for just $149 a year that includes BoatUS membership. For freshwater boaters the price is just $72. Both provide 24/7 dispatch and your boater will never have to pay out of pocket for a tow... Full story
PHOENIX — Tis the season to head out on the water and if a boat, kayak or other personal watercraft is on your Christmas list this holiday season, the Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to make sure your inaugural voyage is a safe one. Whether you’re planning to take a new watercraft out for some sightseeing or to do some fishing, all new and veteran watercraft users are encouraged to remember the following 10 tips to remain safe on the water. • Always wear a life jacket. Life jac... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) swapped more than 300 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this summer. The AZGFD Boating Safety Education program helped to ensure 304 people were safer on the water by swapping old, less-effective life jackets for new ones during visits to Lake Havasu, Saguaro Lake, Lake Pleasant, Lake Powell and Canyon Lake. Check PFDs Every Season "This program makes it possible for boaters to exchange old... Full story
Whether it's dipping the canoe or kayak into one of Arizona's lakes for a quiet day of fishing or it's just to enjoy some time on the water, studies show the number of people reaching for a paddle and heading outdoors is increasing. Paddlesport activities, including canoeing, kayaking, inflatable rafting and standup paddleboards, are gaining in popularity nationally. In 2014, about 21.7 million people enjoyed the sport nationally – an increase of more than 3 million people since 2010, a... Full story
The reality-game-meets-exercise app currently taking the nation by storm, "Pokémon Go," now has 21 million users every day – reportedly the most successful mobile game ever in the US. The game features characters called Pokémon that players capture in the real world using a combination of GPS and augmented reality. That also means that Pokémon-mania has also come to the water and with it, BoatUS, the national boating advocacy, services and safety group, has three tips for playing Pokémon Go wh... Full story
Summer in the Southwest means fun on the water for many Arizona families, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages everyone heading to area lakes to ensure they are wearing a life jacket while on the water. "Putting on a life jacket is the first and often easiest step anyone can take to keep themselves safe when on the water," said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boating Safety Education coordinator. "There are comfortable options for all activities and all weather conditions. Set an example... Full story
Federal ethanol fuel mandates and changing fuel supply demand boater vigilance. As the summer boating season is underway, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) urge boaters to be mindful when selecting fuel for their boats, especially as the federal government's Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is increasing the risk of consumer misfueling. Even one mistake at the pump can be the source of expensive, warranty voiding repairs and... Full story
During May's National Safe Boating Week, many boaters made extra effort to improve their on-water safety. But, after the annual event was over, will they continue to stay vigilant? "Making boating safety easy to embrace means more boaters will continue to make the effort," says BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water President Chris Edmonston. With that goal in mind, the BoatUS Foundation has three simple tips for boaters that will improve their boating safety game all summer long:... Full story
Get more out of your GPS/Chartplotter. It's an important piece of equipment, able to get boaters safely home, to their favored fishing hole or weekend raft up spot. But, if you've ever wondered about all of the features and functions on your boat's GPS or chartplotter, this is your chance to learn by taking the newest online course from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the United States Power Squadrons, "How to Use GPS." Available for a $30 course fee at... Full story
The National Safe Boating Council, in partnership with the Canadian Safe Boating Council, invite boating safety professionals, the boating community and the media to participate in the sixth-annual "Ready, Set, Wear It!" Life Jacket World Record Day on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Participants in cities around the globe will gather to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated. The goal is not only to promote the comfortable and versatile options when it... Full story
Many people enjoy recreational boating and fishing in the spring. Yet, what looks like a perfect day can quickly become hazardous if you end up in frigid water. The annual Wear It! boating safety campaign reminds spring boaters to take extra precautions. "Situations on the water can escalate quickly, and wearing a life jacket not only gives you peace of mind to control an emergency situation but can also save your life," said Rachel Johnson, executive director of the National Safe Boating... Full story
Why take a navigation class when just boating on our local lakes? The very good reason is because prudent mariners should know and understand basic navigation principles no matter how small or large the size of the waterway they are boating on. Knowing north, south, east and west, how to use a basic chart or map, and how to read your compass are musts for safe-boating principles. Take this class and become a safer boater with knowledge. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has authored and developed a... Full story
Groups can apply all year for funds for boating safety and clean-boating projects. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just made it easier for nonprofit organizations including community-based groups, boat clubs, angling and environmental organizations, USCG Auxiliary, or US Power Squadrons to apply for a Grassroots Grant. Started over 25 years ago, the BoatUS member-funded grant program provides groups up to $10,000 to help educate boaters on safe and clean boating topics.... Full story
To: John ("JK") Koleszar & Western Outdoor Times, Arizona Boating and Watersports Re: "Western Wildlife" article in the February 2016 edition, "Wake Zone, What Price is Enough?" Challenge Accepted I would like to submit a response to the heavily opinionated piece that was published in the February 2016 "Western Wildlife" section of the Western Outdoor Times by John Koleszar. My response is that Mr. Koleszar seems to have written a biased piece without including many facts about wild horses and b... Full story
A draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is now available for public review and comment. Due to an increase in safety concerns and the protection of wildlife habitat, the Service is in the process of reassessing all boating recreation activities taking place at the Refuge. The Refuge began reevaluating boating usage when the need arose to extend a 17-mile restricted boating area by ½ mile of No-Waterskiing for the safety of the visiting... Full story
In 1966, boaters could buy a new mid-sized cruiser for about $7,000, outboard engines had just surpassed 100 horsepower, and recreational boating was growing on a large scale across America. It was also in '66 that the nation's largest recreational boating group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), got its start thanks to Founder Richard Schwartz who saw a need to make recreational boaters' lives better. Schwartz's Vision His vision of offering representation, improving safety... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is all set for Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Admission and parking are free! From Wildlife To Fish To Targets Last year's Expo and Youth Day drew a total of 39,000 attendees, and again this year, there will be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages. Check out the huge kids fishing tanks and take home a free photo. See all sorts of live wildlife. Learn target archery and try other shooting... Full story
Recent rain and snow storms' bringing both snowpack up north and flooding across the West and Midwest have many thinking that water levels in surrounding lakes and rivers will be increasing as the year progresses. Add lower gas prices to the mix and boaters will be coming back to the water this spring in droves. Power boaters, sailors, paddlers - many will be ill prepared to deal with the problems of a sudden spring or summer storm that this record-breaking El Nino season will be offering. Time... Full story
With the latest technical advances in recreational boat lights - both for navigation and aesthetic purposes - recreational boaters have more choices than ever when upgrading their boat's lighting. However, the US Coast Guard wants boaters to know that some of the new lights aren't up to snuff and could increase the chances of a collision. It has found that some sold for navigation purposes don't meet regulations, and other aesthetic lighting products such as LED ropes and underwater lights may... Full story
As many of Arizona's hunters trek into area forests to fill their freezer with meat for the year, waterfowl hunters too are heading outdoors to hop aboard their watercraft for their piece of the action. A Family Tradition "Hunting is woven into the fabric of Arizona and for many, it's a family tradition carried on for generations," said Josh Hoffman, Arizona Game and Fish Boating Safety Education program coordinator. "Hunters already know that firearm safety is paramount every time they go out,... Full story
