Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 901 - 925 of 1669
Margie Anderson has again been honored with the Arizona Game & Fish Commission's "Outdoor Writer of the Year" award. Anderson and her husband John are invaluable parts of our Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times team. Together, they contribute informative and meaningful articles on a plethora of outdoor topics: hiking, fishing, shooting, outdoors products and news, wildlife (including birding knowledge) and more. This couple knows and relishes the incredible wonders offered in... Full story
SANTA FE – All boats soon will be subject to inspection and possible decontamination before launching in New Mexico waters under new rules adopted to combat the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species. The new rules, approved by the State Game Commission at its Jan. 14 meeting, will take effect Feb. 12. Changes to the AIS rules include: Mandatory watercraft inspection required any time an inspection station is set up and in operation. Mandatory inspection and, if necessary, decon... Full story
Temperatures are warming, birds are singing and the lower Columbia River will soon be teeming with spring chinook salmon. Spring is still a ways off, but February offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. State fishery managers expect about 299,000 adult spring chinook to the Columbia River this year. The fishery is open now below the Interstate 5 Bridge, but it usually doesn’t catch fire until March when fishing expands upriver to Bonneville Dam and beyond. For information about the... Full story
Spring may officially be several weeks off, but now is the time to get your bird nest boxes cleaned out and ready for new, incoming occupants. If you don’t already have nest boxes up, this is the time to either build or buy and place them, following our specs at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/projects/nestboxes/index.html Many backyard birding enthusiasts who use nest boxes leave them up year-round and leave nesting materials in them through the winter, when some birds will use them as nightime r... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have proposed two days of razor clam digging in February at Copalis beach in addition to an approved a month-long opening at Long Beach that starts today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled a dig on evening tides for Feb. 19 and 20 at Copalis, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. WDFW will announce final word on the dig about a week before it is scheduled to begin. The upcoming dig at C... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington departments of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Natural Resources (DNR) will host a meeting next week in Ellensburg to discuss implementation of the Naneum Ridge to Columbia River Recreation and Access Plan. The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Hal Holmes Center in Ellensburg. The public is invited to attend. The collaborative recreation plan, which was adopted by both agencies last year, encompasses 230,000 acres of DNR and WDFW lands s... Full story
OLYMPIA – Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year's salmon returns and potential fishing seasons during a public meeting March 1 in Olympia. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will present initial forecasts – compiled by state and tribal biologists – of 2016 salmon returns. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E.,... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments on proposed recommendations for the 2016-17 hunting seasons. Through Feb. 25, WDFW will accept written comments from the public to help finalize hunting rules and regulations proposed for the upcoming hunting seasons. The proposals and comment forms are posted on the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/hunting_regulations/ Most of the proposals address changes in special per... Full story
OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can count on openings beginning Feb. 19 at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, state shellfish managers announced today. Additionally, Long Beach remains open to clam digging on afternoon or evening tides through March 10. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a two-day opening (Feb. 19 and 20) at Copalis and three days of digging (Feb. 19-21) at Mocrocks on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. Dan Ayres, WDFW co... Full story
The plant's scientific name is your first clue that it is something that you do not want. Botanists know it as Salvinia molesta. It's commonly known as giant salvinia. Native to South America, the floating fern made its way to the United States via the ornamental plant industry. It's pretty, but the beauty belies serious economic and ecological harm that usually follow when it is accidentally or purposely released into the wild. John Naugle would know. He's a fisheries biological technician at... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to take action on the protective status of four wildlife species at a public meeting Feb. 26-27 in Olympia. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building at 1111 Washington St. SE in Olympia. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. both days. An agenda for the meeting is available a... Full story
Kingman, Arizona - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kingman Field Office, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will conduct a prescribed burn in the Hualapai Mountains 16 miles southeast of Kingman, Arizona, in the coming weeks. Weather permitting, burning may begin as early as February 22, 2016, and is expected to be completed within three to five days after ignition. The burn areas are located in the south and east end of the Hualapai Mountains in upper Blue Tank... Full story
This months beautiful cover comes to us from Boat US. The article, 'Backbone' Of America's Boating Safety, Angling Conservation Reauthorized, reminds us that boating season is coming and safety, as always, must be forefront in our minds. As we begin a New Year, we once again want to thank all of our advertisers, readers, contributors, staff, family and friends for their support over the past ten (going on eleven) years. BOATING - Life-Jacket Exchange A Success AZGFD swapped approximately 800... Full story
The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the Arizona Grand Resort, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85044. The event will honor the recipients of the 2015 Commission Awards that were selected at the Commission’s September 4, 2015 meeting (see below). 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... Full story
It is the role of the Arizona Game and Fish Department to conserve, protect and manage more than 800 wildlife species within the state's boundaries – more than any non-coastal state in our nation. To fulfill that promise, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department must stand as a barrier against all threats to our wildlife. It's a heavy responsibility carried out by all who serve at the Department, and it's why we are pressuring the federal government to provide the U.S. Bureau of L... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, as part of its regular five-year review rulemaking process, has updated its Article 4 (Live Wildlife) rules. The new provisions became effective Dec. 5. The updated rules were recently approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. The new provisions include some notable changes including the following: • Removal of hedgehogs from the restricted live wildlife list to allow them as pets, • Prohibitions on possession of any non-human primate speci... Full story
Each year the Arizona Deer Association works with the Arizona Game & Fish Department Development Branch on worthwhile projects designed to help all wildlife but in particular, deer. The photos that you see are really the culmination of years of activity prior to the actual production of this walk-in water trough. For those who are not familiar with it, this article is a primer on how things get done. Every year HPC (Habitat Partnership Committee) groups meet all across the state. Water happens... Full story
Fair Chase is the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and take of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife. Fair Chase has been embraced as the proper conduct of a sportsman/sportswoman in the field and has been taught to new hunters for more than a century. It pays respect to the traditions of hunting and angling by emphasizing the development of an individual's skills rather than reliance on practices or... Full story
Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Eric Slocum Sparks to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Sparks is an attorney practicing in Tucson since 1987, specializing in debtor bankruptcy law and business reorganizations. Before opening his own firm in 1990, Mr. Sparks served as general counsel to several corporations, such as the Wilson Companies, GHR Energy Corporation, Bayou Asphalt Corp., and corporate counsel to Tenneco Inc. in Houston. Additionally, Sparks has served as an international... Full story
OLYMPIA – State wildlife managers are seeking public input on their recommendations to keep killer whales and streaked horned larks on Washington’s endangered species list. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) periodically reviews the status of protected species in the state. The public can comment through March 27, 2016, on the listing recommendations and recently updated status reports for killer whales and streaked horned larks. The draft review for killer whales is available... Full story
It's cold in the winter in Pie Town, N.M., and this animal sanctuary badly needs your help. Please go online to help those who help so many of our four-legged friends. Fur and Feather Animal Assistance is a permanent residential facility for dogs and cats designed for comfort, well-being, and CARE FOR LIFE. Their no-kill sanctuary is located in rural western New Mexico. Established in the fall of 2003, Fur and Feather's mission is rescuing lost, abandoned, or unwanted animals in Catron County... Full story
For Washingtonians, the start of the new year is a great time to hunt for waterfowl, fish for steelhead, and enjoy the annual spectacle of bald eagles, snow geese, elk, big-horn sheep and other wintering wildlife. But weather is an important consideration. Preparation is essential for any outdoor activity, especially in winter. Check the weather conditions, river conditions and road conditions – and let people know where you’re going before heading out. Those hardy souls that do head out... Full story
Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life. Contact us, or contact another local humane society, animal shelter or the SPCA. Lost Our Home Pet Foundation serves the state of Arizona with issues involving pets and families facing eviction or foreclosure due to the current housing crisis. We offer help in finding temporary housing for pets of families in this situation, as well as fostering and adoption for pets abandoned due to their... Full story
OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp fishing in Puget Sound will open Saturday, May 14 – one week later than usual, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Shellfish managers are delaying the popular shrimp fishery until May 14 due to the extremely low tides that are expected to occur midday on the first Saturday in May, which traditionally marks the start of the season throughout Puget Sound. Low tides of this magnitude will render many boat ramps around Puget Sou... Full story
