Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Please Note - Articles and information will be added throughout the month. We welcome readers input on each article. Thank you. - Publisher It's All About Fish As the weather warms, a young man's (and woman's) fancy turns to thoughts of - fish. And, although there are many fantastic angling destinations in Arizona, Margie Anderson says to keep in mind the community waters that make fishing possible in waters near you. For some, this is the first opportunity to enjoy casting a line and a good... Full story
Arizona has extensive opportunities and destinations to go fishing, from a local pond to a remote mountain stream, but many don't know where to get started. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's FishAZ Network brings all these opportunities in one place offering instructional and educational events, hands-on beginner fishing events, and other fishing based on your skill level and interest. Event Type All Events 1 - Introductory 2 - Beginner 3 - Developing 4 - Intermediate 5 - Experienced Event... Full story
For the more than 600 red boats of TowBoatUS, the on-water towing and assistance fleet for recreational boaters, a routine day typically includes towing disabled boats back to the launch ramp, providing battery jumps, dropping off fuel, or offering a gentle tug out of the shallows. For each of these towboat captains and crews, however, one workday was far from routine. At the annual gathering of the TowBoatUS fleet, company owners, captains and BoatUS staff honored eight captains in Florida,... Full story
Inconsistent, thin ice is not safe; high-country anglers need to be aware. High country temperatures have been up and down this winter. Before taking that first step on an ice-covered lake to do some fishing, or to simply enjoy the winter weather in Arizona's high country, take a step back and consider if the conditions are safe. First Ice, Last Ice The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), along with the Coconino and Kaibab national forests, are urging outdoor recreationists to be aware... Full story
This month is probably your last chance for a great low country outdoor adventure before it gets too darn hot and you only want to head for the forests. With that in mind, I've gathered up four of my favorite drives that John and I have done in the month of March. The best part is that each of these drives has great stuff to see even if you don't have a 4WD vehicle, with an added attraction for those of you who DO have a 4x4. Fairly Easy: Agua Fria Petroglyphs Take Bloody Basin Road east (I... Full story
As we move further into 2025, there are so many events to enjoy. Ahead are the always popular Arizona Game & Fish Expo, the wild and wonderful Renaissance Festival, and the thrilling and colorful Dragon Boat Races. And, there's so much more as the weather reaches "perfect" levels to get outdoors. Although the Expo is next month, it's not too early to plan ahead to attend. When you are there, activities abound for all interests: from a kid's fishing pond to seminars on a plethora of wildlife spec... Full story
Note: We Found These At 'Be Outdoors Arizona'! Fall in Love with Fishing – Peoria Park Rangers February 8 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Kids ages 0-17 are invited to enjoy a heartwarming day of fishing at Paloma park. Whether you are a budding angler or just looking to enjoy a new activity, this event is for you! Bring your love for adventure and make some sweet memories. Gear will be provided, do not let this opportunity float away. Register at Peoriaaz.gov/recreation or at (623)773-7137 Monthly S... Full story
AZGFD, Partners Secure More Than $24 Million Dollars For Conservation Restoration project will benefit critical wildlife movement corridors, winter habitat for state's wildlife. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF), the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), and the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts (AACD), is excited to announce a recent award of $24.5 million through the USDA Natural... Full story
Prespawn bass have a notorious reputation for being hard to catch, but fortunately not all bass in a lake spawn at the same time. This means that in early spring you’ve got fish that are still deep, some that are moving up, and maybe even some already making beds and getting ready to rock and roll. All of these fish may be catchable, and some of the best fishermen I know choose baits that can be worked at a variety of depths at this time of year. 1. Dart Head + Floating Worm Back in the day, t... Full story
'Snowbirds' Return To Whitewater A Sign Of The Seasons First, the sandhill cranes begin their journey, reminding us by their annual migration that summer is waning. Next, Mother Nature is ready to step in with wonderful weather in the Southwest, weather that welcomes great hunting and fishing opportunities. Then, soon after the autumn activities, thoughts turn to anticipation of holiday events such as the lighted boat parades in Arizona and California and, locally, to families and friends making... Full story
Christmas Tree Permits The selection and cutting of a special tree from the forest for the holidays has been a treasured tradition for generations of residents. The Tonto National Forest offers personal-use Christmas Tree Permits for the cutting of a tree on National Forest land. Christmas Tree Permits cost $15 per tree, are for personal use only (not for resale). Important Dates Christmas Tree Permit sales start in late November for permits bought through Recreation.gov and at district ranger... Full story
Lake Havasu on the Colorado River is a fantastic place to visit – it has great fishing, beautiful views, plenty of places to stay and play -- and the London Bridge. The London Bridge In the 1930s, the construction of Parker Cam created Lake Havasu. During World War II an R and R camp for the armed forces was built on a peninsula. A developer named McCulloch bought 26 square miles of desert (the current site of Lake Havasu City), and in 1968 he bought the London Bridge and had it dismantled a... Full story
October 7 The Governor’s Office is now accepting applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Residents knowledgeable and passionate about Arizona wildlife and conservation in eligible counties are welcome to apply by Monday, Oct. 7 Information: bc@az.gov. Indigenous Peoples' Day: October 14 Halloween Events In Northern Arizona Costumes for Kids 5K Fun Run Where: 120 S Cortez St., Prescott What: Join in on a costumed dash in the heart of downtown Prescott. R... Full story
Say a final goodbye to the summer 2024 boating season as Sept. 22 marked the fall equinox. With the change of season, ushered in by cooler air and water temperatures, boating safety also changes. With that in mind, the BoatUS Foundation offers three safety tips tailor-made to help you safely enjoy the wonders of the water during the off season - yes, even in Arizona. • A life jacket for the season: Unexpected falls overboard could be big trouble fast, so wear a life jacket that fits over your c... Full story
If you stop and think about it, the days of the wild west aren’t that far behind us, and Arizona used to be wild as all get-out. Miners, ranchers, and sheep herders didn’t always get along well, and of course there have always been jilted lovers and jealousy, especially back when women were fairly scarce on the ground! So it’s no wonder that Arizona has so many haunted places! And in addition to those ghostly spots, we’ve got a lot of ghost towns in various stages of ruin that can be fun to visi... Full story
Whether in a canoe or kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, all offer a calm, serene way to enjoy boating - unless of course there are many power craft sharing the lake or a sudden storm makes an appearance. Then, the best advice is to hug the shoreline and quieter waters, or if in real danger, the obvious choice is to get out of the threatening weather. (Experts will always advise that you "know before you go"; in other words, check the weather reports before putting in.) September in Arizona is... Full story
Fall Fishing I first saw Ben in action in 1993, when I was his observer at an All Star Championship. The first day of the tournament was on San Carlos, and I had the opportunity to watch Ben fish a variety of lures, including worms, spoons, jigs, jerkbaits, and even a Pork-o! Nice Weather The championship was in September, and for a change the weather was pretty nice. It was cloudy and cool, and the water temperature was a little over 77 degrees. Ben started off in the very back of a cove,... Full story
West & Preacher Fire Daily Update: September 12, 2024 West Fire - 1782 Acres Start Date: August 28, 2024 Location: Payson Ranger District, AZ Personnel: 481 Preacher Fire - 3161 Acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Chaparral Highlights/Operations: Firefighters held the perimeter on both fires yesterday in anticipation of increased winds. On the West Fire, some ignitions were conducted on top of the Rim to encourage beneficial moderate fire intensity above... Full story
According to the nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet, the busiest time of the year for America's recreational boat owners is, hands down, the Fourth of July holiday period, which typically includes some days, even weeks, before and after the official holiday. It also may be the longest time many boaters will spend the day on the water at anchor, enjoying fishing holes and raft-ups. Are they ready? The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has four tips to help boaters... Full story
Most of the trout in Arizona are stocked fish, which means that trout fishing is mostly a "put and take" game. The Arizona Game and Fish Department puts the trout in, and we take them out. Most of the fish that are stocked are small, what the Game and Fish calls "catchable" trout, but some of our lakes and streams have genuine trophy fish, and the Game and Fish Department usually throws in a couple of bigger fish in each stocking just to give you an incentive to fish. Don't miss the Arizona... Full story
If you like bass fishing, you will love fishing for pike. Pound for pound, they are among the most aggressive fish you will ever tangle with, and they can weigh up to 40 pounds or more. Even in a state as far south as Arizona, northern pike thrive at higher elevations and provide plenty of action for anglers who would otherwise be dangling earthworms for trout. Behave Like Tigers Pike not only behave like tigers, they have a mouthful of teeth to match. The jaws, roof of the mouth, and even the...
Acres: 11,162 Location: South of Roosevelt Lake on the edge of the Superstition Wilderness Personnel: 379 Containment: 45% Resources: 9 Crews | 4 Engines | 5 Helicopters | 3 Bulldozers | 6 Water Tenders Start Date: July 11, 2024 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Tall Grass and Brush Highlights: Gila County Division of Emergency Management along with the Gila County Sheriff's Office lifted evacuation orders for all residences affected by the Black Fire except for the Reavis Mountain School, which remains... Full story
The recreational boat owner's advocacy, services and safety group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), has help for all types of boat owners with its highly popular Spring Commissioning Checklist. A printer-friendly PDF copy of the checklist is available to download and take to the boat. Be sure to follow all manufacturer recommendations for your specific boat, engine and accessories. Before You Launch 1. Check the condition of antifouling paint and repaint if necessary. 2.... Full story
During the Covid lockdowns John and I weren't really too bothered because everything we like to do is outdoors. Our son David and his wife Elizabeth were getting cabin fever, so we decided to take them on a little off-highway adventure one day in June 2020. They have a Four Runner and David and I both had our ham radio licenses by then, so we decided to head for the hills. Choosing A Destination My favorite way to choose a destination for John and me is to go immediately to Trailsoffroad.com... Full story
AZGFD: Leave Baby Wildlife Alone With the arrival of warmer spring weather, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) once again is advising the public to leave baby wildlife alone. While it might be difficult to resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned animals, including newly hatched birds and baby rabbits, a parent is likely nearby and will return once humans have left the area. Sadly, once young animals have been removed from the wild, some species -like elk calves and deer fawns -...
