Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 751 - 775 of 1669
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider updating the state's reform policy on Columbia River salmon management during a meeting scheduled Jan. 13-14 in Vancouver, Wash. In addition, the commission is scheduled to review the protective status of three state wildlife species, and consider adopting updates to its North of Falcon salmon season-setting policy. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish a... Full story
January 23, 2017 – Alexandria, VA – On the day before President Obama left office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an edict to phase out the use of traditional fishing tackle on the hundreds of thousands of square miles of public lands under its management. Director’s Order No. 219 will, “require the use of nontoxic ammunition and fishing tackle to the fullest extent practicable for all activities on Service lands, waters and facilities by January 2022, except as needed for law enforce... Full story
OLYMPIA – Recreational fishing and hunting licenses for the 2017-2018 season, which begins April 1, 2017, are available for sale today. Typically, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) begins to sell the upcoming year's licenses in December. "With the release of our new licensing system last month, we opted to delay selling 2017-18 licenses in order to avoid printing licenses from two separate systems, with slightly different formatting, for a single license year," said Peter V... Full story
Many children living in urban areas are not given the opportunity to explore the natural world around them. As a result, they have little to no affinity with nature. In an effort to inspire children living in urban areas to explore nature in their communities, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), a network of more than 52,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates, is proud to announce a new nature discovery program called Wildlife Explorers. Intended for children ages... Full story
The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at the Arizona Grand Resort, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85044. The event will honor the recipients of the 2016 Commission Awards that were selected at the Commission’s August 26 meeting. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona G... Full story
Registration is open for the annual Whooping Crane Festival scheduled for February 23-26, 2017 in Port Aransas, Texas. The festival is open to birders, photographers, families, and anyone who loves the outdoors and nature-related activities. As the festival has grown over the years, so has the variety of events. World renowned crane expert, Dr. George Archibald, will be one of the featured speakers. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to take guided boat tours to the Aransas National Wi... Full story
With fishing busting loose for many species heading into a cooler weather and overall fall-fishing mania, it's a must to have a great fish recipe at hand. Whether you like to chase striped bass, sneak up on panfish, or stay close to home and catch catfish in Community waters, here's a great way to prepare any tasty, white-meat fish: Fish Cakes Serves 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients • 1 pound white-fleshed fish fillets, cooked and flaked • 1 large egg • 1... Full story
Tip Of The Week All active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Arizona, along with their spouses, may purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses. The Reel Deal Grab a license online, 24/7 (and help conserve all species of wildlife). There are only a few weeks left before winter conditions prevail in the high country, so if you're looking for scents of pine, scenes of eagles and tight lines from trout, go now. The trout bite is hot at spots such as Dogtown, Kinnikinick,... Full story
Marinas, boat clubs or fuel docks with a working pumpout provide a vital service to recreational boaters. Installing a pump, however, and the annual costs to maintain one, can be high. That's where a program funded by the taxes and fees paid by boaters can help. This fall, the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Clean Vessel Act program aims to give out about $12 million for the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of public boat pumpouts. However, the deadline to apply for the 2017... Full story
Publisher's Note: We at Arizona Boating & Watersports / Western Outdoor Times would like to congratulate Don McDowell. His hard work, perseverance, and dedication to preserving our wildlife has been acknowledged by his being awarded the AZGF Commission Advocate Of The Year (Federal). McDowell has worked tirelessly for many years to preserve our outdoor heritage. He is a valuable asset to the State of Arizona and the country as well. We hope that those who are responsible for making decisions... Full story
I'm standing in a small side room at Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery, just off a larger chamber where a dozen concrete raceways lie. Double-doored olive metal cabinets stand against white walls under effusive florescent light. Well-used grease boards smudged with eraser marks under blue-ink to-do lists fit the narrow space on one end opposite an industrial-sized sink. On a long wall, a hygienic 12-foot-long stainless-steel counter is where the work gets done today. Two biologists stand over... Full story
Alexandria, VA – December 15, 2016 – The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) www.asafishing.org, along with other associations in the outdoor recreation industry, expressed support today for the nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) to be the next Secretary of the Interior. “In Rep. Zinke, President-Elect Trump has tapped a true leader and a sportsman to run the agency that oversees much of America’s natural resources and public parks and lands that are so important to fishing and hunting... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Arizona that they, and their spouses, may purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses. The current law stipulates that an active duty member permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona may purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife. That privilege recently has been extended to their spouses, as well. Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2324, sponsored by state Rep.... Full story
A ribbon-cutting event at the now-functioning Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery celebrated the renewed collaborative efforts by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mohave County that will boost economic activity and preserve trout fishing on the lower Colorado River in Mohave County for future generations....
PINETOP, Ariz - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public's help in finding those responsible for the illegal killing of a three bull elk on the morning of Nov. 7. The bull elk were killed in an agriculture field located south of I-40 off Hunt Road. This is just east of Joseph City. All three bull elk were untouched and were left to waste. "The poacher left these animals to waste, and we need assistance from the public to find the individual(s) responsible. This is a... Full story
Sandhill cranes have returned to southeastern Arizona and the Arizona Game and Fish Department's live-streaming camera is again trained on their wintering grounds at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. "Now is the perfect time to watch these magnificent birds as they winter in Arizona," said Randy Babb, watchable wildlife program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "This live-steaming camera allows the public to have an unfiltered view of our state's wildlife. It also allows the departm... 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
I'm an Arizona native, yet there are still countless sites in Arizona that are on my bucket list. My dad took me hunting and camping hundreds of times, and I've seen some gorgeous places – places that aren't on the typical tourist list of places to see. For instance, on a deer hunt off Dugas Road, I was walking along a small wash when it turned a corner and opened up into a little canyon. There was small stream, maybe a spring, that flowed just a short way before going underground. I'll Never F... Full story
Alexandria, VA – December 12, 2016 – Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive maritime infrastructure bill that drew a mixed reaction from the recreational fishing industry. By a 78-21 vote, the Senate passed the “Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN),” which had been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier last week. The WIIN Act now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA - http://ww... Full story
OLYMPIA – The state's new recreational license sales system became operational this week, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials say the switch from the old system went as smoothly as possible. The new system began selling hunting and fishing licenses and the Discover Pass on the evening of Dec. 18, several hours earlier than expected, said Peter Vernie, WDFW's licensing division manager. "This secure, next-generation system will improve service to our customers and t... Full story
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will recognize 17 people during the 2016 Commission Awards event, which will commend national/state/local leaders, wildlife advocates, and volunteers for their work to support the state’s wildlife. The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Arizona Grand Resort at 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway in Phoenix. Reservations are being accepted for $65 per person to attend the event, which begins with a social hour and live music at 5 p.m., and wil... Full story
PHOENIX - In response to President Obama designating two national monuments this week in Utah and Nevada, Governor Doug Ducey issued the following statement requesting that the president respect Arizona by not designating the proposed Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument: "Western public land agreements have established a legacy of multi-use that have provided a recreational, environmental, conservation and economic balance that has served our state and nation well. "In the early 1990s... 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
Arizona's endangered black-footed ferret population celebrated the 20th anniversary of its reintroduction to Arizona with the release of more animals into a new privately owned reintroduction area. Through a new Safe Harbor Agreement, the Double O Ranch outside of Seligman yesterday became the third reintroduction site in Arizona. Safe Harbor Agreement 'This release was made possible by a Safe Harbor Agreement, a newer conservation option that aims to enlist the help of non-federal landowners to... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) partnered this summer with Northern Arizona University (NAU) to release two male and one female narrow-headed gartersnakes into a newly created wetland adjacent to the AZGFD Pinetop regional office. Narrow-headed gartersnakes are listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The enclosed wetland was created, along with two new fish ponds, on the site of the original Pinetop Fish Hatchery that was built in the 1930s. Before the... Full story
