Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 676 - 700 of 1669
This issue's photos and article from Margie Anderson highlight one of the "coolest" areas of our state: Payson and its nearby delights, including fascinating trails, water falls, cool pools, and well-known destinations such as the Tonto Natural Bridge. She reminds us all that we need not stay put in the Valley of the Sun all summer long. We have options. Wonderful, refreshing options! Land Cruising - Rainbow Bridge Gains Designation - The National Park Service has designated Rainbow Bridge a... Full story
It is estimated that there are fewer than 30 vaquita left in the entire world. It is now the most endangered marine mammal on the planet. This small, cute porpoise, which lives off the coast of Mexico, is dangerously endangered, due in large part to illegal fishing in the area and the "ghost gear" left behind. Illegal Nets Are Killers Abandoned and lost fishing nets and gear injure and entangle the vaquita and other marine animals, which leads to drowning. The vaquita have been killed in mass... Full story
President Trump's Executive Order calling for a review of expansive executive land designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906 has predictably generated a volume of debate and dire predictions. Missing from the discussion is thoughtful dialogue about the critical role of multiple-use management in natural resources conservation and the sometimes dire consequences to our natural resources of removing such tools from the pallet of management actions and possibilities. This is all done in the... 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
PHOENIX, June 30, 2017 -For Immediate Release. The Tonto National Forest will offer a 30-day public comment period from July 1 through July 30, 2017, to collect feedback on suggested changes to the proposed management plan for the Apache Leap Special Management Area and forthcoming Forest Plan amendment that would incorporate the new management direction. Guidance for providing comments is included in the June 30, 2017, Legal Notice. Guidance also is available on the project website at:... Full story
What goes on at the watering hole at Cave Creek Regional Park doesn't necessarily always stay in the park. That's right, it could end up on Facebook! So, the parks critters should always make sure they're minding their Ps & Qs, and smile big for the camera as they take their wildlife selfies. It All Started With A Habitat Several years ago, the park constructed a habitat for their resident desert tortoise, Piccolo. Along with a variety of vegetation, and a den for hibernation, the habitat... Full story
Can You Help With Any Of These? Early Morning Walkers: AM walkers needed from 6:30AM-8:30AM to walk the dogs before the pavement becomes too hot! Front Desk Help: Our staff desperately needs consistent front desk help! This would involve greeting and directing potential pet parents, answering questions, answering phones, listening to voicemail, data entry, and more! Adoption Counselors: Do you have a passion for helping our animals find their furever homes? We are in need... Full story
WASHINGTON, DC, June 26, 2017 – America’s Great Outdoors is vital to the quality of life for most Americans and key to the nation’s $887 billion per year outdoor recreation industry. The federal government manages nearly one-third of the nation’s surface area, making it integral to the health of an industry that supports some 7.6 million jobs. The Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) urges support for federal outdoor recreation programs in the FY2018 budget now being crafted by the Con... Full story
PHOENIX — James Ammons assumed the role of chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on July 1. Charged with leading the five-member commission for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Ammons has been serving on the commission since 2014 after being appointed to a five-year term by then-Gov. Jan Brewer. Ammons replaces Chairman Edward “Pat” Madden, whose term as chair expired June 30. Madden will continue to serve on the commission through the end of the year until a successor is appointed by th... Full story
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comment on proposed hunt guidelines for the 2018-19 through 2022-23 hunting seasons. The proposed guidelines were developed based on input received through written public comment and information gathered during a webinar and eight public meetings conducted statewide. The proposed guidelines can be viewed on the department’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Guidelines/. Comments on the proposed guidelines may be s... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Larry D. Voyles has announced that he will retire from the state's wildlife agency this summer. Director Voyles, who first joined the Department as a wildlife manager in the Yuma region in 1974, will remain as Director until his replacement is named by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Reflections On Nine Years In a letter to Game and Fish employees, Voyles reflected on his nine years as Director of the 600-person agency, saying "I was in the unique... Full story
The best gift ever, though, is spending time with him. Chances are, your dad is the one who introduced you to the outdoors. I know that was the case with me. My dad took me hunting and camping all the time, starting when I was really young, and that gave me a love of the outdoors that is stronger than ever, even now. If your dad is outdoorsy, here are some gift ideas that are sure to make his day this June 18th. ATN Smart HD Binocular Let's just start right out with the splurge – the ATN S... Full story
The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage. To Submit A Nomination To submit a nomination, download and complete the form, and return it along with all supplemental materials by Satur... Full story
National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day) once again welcomes the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) as sponsor of the celebration of sportsmen and women who help educate the public on conservation and promote the benefits from participating in angling and hunting. NHF Day brings together sportsmen and women to commemorate the rich tradition of fishing and hunting with national, state, regional and local organizations hosting fishing- and hunting-related events. NSSF 'Does So Much' "The... Full story
WELCOME -- Please join us in welcoming Emily Vivian to the Lost Our Home Pet Rescue family! Emily will manage the volunteer program, adoption events, and our foster program.... Full story
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
I read an article in one of the daily newspapers by a couple of individuals who represent organizations that proclaim that there should be jaguars all across Arizona. The article was morbidly interesting since I find that more and more of these green environmental types are pushing for predators of any species to make their way into Arizona. Their language was colorful, dramatic and a bit of blarney. I chose to look at their comments and make what I perceive to be the reality of the situation. "... 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
Tours will be on July 1 and 2 and will include Friday's history lesson and Saturday's morning viewing cruise MESA, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering two unique opportunities to view one of Arizona’s most iconic arid land animals, the desert bighorn sheep, in an intimate, small-group setting July 1 and 2 on Canyon Lake. Participants ages 10 and older will board department work boats to explore the canyons and bluffs of this scenic lake in search of these spectacular ani... Full story
A controversial two-year pilot program could lead to a private recreational limited access program for red snapper. Alexandria, VA – May 26, 2017 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recently announced a controversial two-year pilot program for Gulf of Mexico red snapper management. Expected to begin in 2018, the program will allow 150 randomly-selected offshore anglers in the state access to 25,000 pounds of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. These anglers must agree to take part in... Full story
JANUARY: AYC Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup AZGFD Awards Banquet Great Canadian Picnic LA Boat Show San Diego Sunroad Boat Show FEBRUARY: Arizona Game & Fish Expo Bass Master Cruising Season Groundhog Day Mardi Gras Presidents’ Day Valentine’s Day MARCH: Ash Wednesday Dana Point Festival of Whales Daylight Savings Time Dragon Boat Festival Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show - Long Beach - San Diego International Sportsmen’s Expo and Arizona Boat Show Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Saint... Full story
This page is intended to serve as a general resource for recreational Federal Requirements boating safety information. Should an issue or topic not be addressed here, feel free to contact Ed Huntsman, the District Recreational Federal Requirements Federal Requirements Boating Safety (RBS) Program Manager, via email at Edward.L.Huntsman@uscg.milEdward.L.Huntsman or by telephone at 504-671-2148. Here are a few “hot” links that will provide you the information necessary to comply with the law. The... Full story
There are 90 wilderness areas in our state - a total of 4,512,120 acres. That's a lot of country! But what exactly is a wilderness area, what can you do there, and how does a place become a wilderness area? A wilderness area is a place where the lands are designated for preservation and protection in their natural state and where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by men (from the Wilderness Act of 1964). These lands remain undeveloped and no permanent improvement or human... Full story
I recently watched some of the videos regarding the Salt River horses that the Arizona Republic was kind enough to film. They showed people who were out with their cell phones and cameras, delightedly taking pictures of the horses. They interviewed a rather portly man who proclaimed that people "should get out and see wildlife; this is amazing". As I watched these new-found rugged outdoor people looking at horses, it suddenly dawned on me how this is the newer generation of wildlife watching. I... Full story
Following the recent interception and impoundment (out of state) of multiple quagga mussel-fouled watercraft that had been in Lake Powell or Lake Havasu for extended periods, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds boaters to "clean, drain and dry" - and especially decontaminate - their watercraft and equipment before exiting waters designated as having aquatic invasive species. Five vessels from Arizona waters have been impounded during the past month - three in Idaho and two in Colorado.... Full story