Category Archives: Recreation

“Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day” is April 19

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PHOENIX — The world-class Ben Avery Shooting Facility will be the place to be Wednesday, April 19, a day when recreational shooters can join together to symbolize the first shot fired in 1775 to mark the beginning of the American Revolution, while enjoying a fun shooting event.

It will be 242 years to the day when the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired in the pre-dawn light in Lexington, Mass., between the colonial militia and British army, regarded as the start of the American Revolutionary War.

The inaugural event, being promoted at public shooting ranges across the nation, also will provide an opportunity to increase participation and boost the economic benefits that shooting sports provide. As recreational shooters check in and visit BASF’s small bore range from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will be connected to recreational shooting mentor groups and shooting industry manufacturers and retailers inside the nearby indoor air gun and archery building.

Whether or not a recreational shooter actively participates in hunting or angling, he or she contributes to the main source of funding for state wildlife conservation efforts through an excise tax placed on the purchase of shooting sports equipment and ammunition, as legislated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. Those funds also are spent on shooting sports projects, including the building of shooting ranges, and programs.

For more information about “Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day,” visit www.shotheardroundtheworldday.com.

For more information about the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, visit https://www.azgfd.com/Shooting/BASF/.

Flagstaff man sets 30-year-old catfish state record

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FLAGSTAFF – A giant fish tail, dark and maybe two feet in length, curled beneath the surface of the water.

Carson Pete, shore-fishing about 50 yards away, hiked to where he spotted the tail Sunday at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff.

He happened to have brought a heavy spinning rod with 50-pound braided line, a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a 7/0 Gamakatsu circle hook. Just before the sun crawled beneath a horizon of pine trees, Pete grabbed a few frozen anchovies he’d dipped in a homemade fish oil/garlic mix and slid them onto the hook. Then he cast the bait near a brush line in 2 feet of water depth.

Immediately, a fish took the bait, drifted away — and then bolted. Pete said he set the hook three times as the fish peeled out about 60 yards of line during a cool and breezy evening. After about 20 minutes of wrestling and reeling, Pete got the huge fish to shore. Monday morning at the Arizona Game and Fish Department office in Flagstaff, the catfish weighed 33.36 pounds, measured 39 ½ inches in total length, and set an inland waters hook-and-line state record for channel catfish.

“Before I left, my 7-year-old daughter kept saying, ‘You’re going to catch a big fish. Send a picture when you do,’” said Pete, a Flagstaff resident who was targeting northern pike. “Well I saw a few people fishing for pike and no one was having any luck. So I just kept fishing and fishing.”

As one reward for his persistence, Pete has quite the picture to send his daughter.

Pete broke the previous record by about one pound. That record belonged to Chuck Berndt of Sierra Vista, who caught a channel catfish at Parker Canyon Lake that weighed 32 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 38 ¾ inches. Berndt caught that previous record fish in 1987.

It is possible that Pete’s catfish is as old as the record.

“It is feasible that this new record catfish is 30-plus years old,” said AZGFD Wildlife Specialist Scott Rogers, who helped weigh the fish. “The oldest on record for this species is 40. These slow growing cats live a long time. Perhaps he was hatched the same year the old record was set.”

The inland waters, catch-and-release record catfish also was taken from Upper Lake Mary. Jared Sandall of Rimrock caught that 34-inch channel catfish in 2015.

With an elevation of about 7,000 feet, Upper Lake Mary has excellent springtime fishing and refreshing summertime temperatures.

Campgrounds scheduled to open for season on Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts

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WILLIAMS – With summer recreation season rapidly approaching, Kaibab National Forest recreation facilities on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts will soon be opening to the public for a variety of outside activities.

Williams Ranger District

Kaibab Lake – Kaibab Forest Service Photo

Kaibab Lake Campground –The lower loop will open on April 22 and sites will be available on a first come first served basis. The entire facility will be open on April 28.

Dogtown Lake – NAG Photo

Dogtown Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Whitehorse Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Cataract Lake Day Use Area – Effective April 15, this site will have a host and a schedule of hours open to vehicle access. The entrance gate will open daily at 7 a.m. and be closed at sunset each evening. Foot travel into the site is allowed.
Spring Valley Cabin – does not close seasonally and remains open throughout the year. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.

Tusayan Ranger District

Ten-X Campground – Fully open May 26. The late opening is due to current improvements being made to the facilities and infrastructure. Two large group sites and a portion of single-family campsites are available by reservation at www.recreation.gov. Campers are encouraged to arrive early in the day for first come first served sites as this campground fills up quickly.

Russell Tank Day Use Area – Has been stocked with rainbow trout for the first time in many years providing excellent fishing opportunities this summer.

Hull Cabin – will open May 1 and is available by reservation only at www.recreation.gov.

General Information

Forest visitors are invited to camp year round at dispersed sites across the entire Kaibab National Forest, however motorized vehicle use is restricted in some areas, so visitors should be prepared by knowing the regulations.

Motorized Visitor Use Maps are available for free at any of the district offices or can be downloaded from www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027

Additionally, camping corridors on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps have expanded to allow motor vehicles up to 100 feet off the center of designated roads for dispersed camping.

“Among many of the improvements you may see this summer is the reconstruction of the amphitheater at Kaibab Lake campground. New seating will replace the current benches,” said Recreation Program Staff Officer Lisa Jones. “Water levels are at a historic high this year which has made piers accessible, greatly enhancing boating and fishing activities at many of our locations.”

To obtain more information about recreational programs on the Kaibab National Forest contact Lisa Jones at (928) 635-5619 or Dutch Maatman at (928) 635-5661

For additional information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or call (928) 635-8200.

2017 fall hunt recommendations now posted on AZGFD website

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2017 fall hunt recommendations for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, bear and mountain lion are now available online at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

A series of six “open houses,” where constituents can review and ask questions about the proposed recommendations, will begin next week at Game and Fish regional offices statewide. No formal presentations are planned.

  • Thursday, March 30: 3-5 p.m., Kingman, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
  • Thursday, March 30: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Mesa, 7200 E. University Drive.
  • Friday, March 31: 3-5 p.m., Tucson, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
  • Tuesday, April 4: 3-5 p.m., Pinetop, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
  • Tuesday, April 4: 3-5 p.m., Yuma, 9140 E. 28th St.
  • Wednesday, April 5: 6-8 p.m., Flagstaff, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.

The department annually makes recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas and permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years.

The proposed recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during the Saturday, April 8, portion of its April 7-8 meeting at Game and Fish headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, in Phoenix. The agenda will be posted at https://www.azgfd.com/Agency/Commission.

AZGFD Outdoor Expo next weekend

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PHOENIX — Arizona’s largest hands-on outdoor expo is next week and it’s FREE! The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo, presented by Shikar Safari Club International, will be held on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The event offers loads of activities, presentations and exhibits for everyone from novices to seasoned outdoor recreationists.

The Expo has come a long way since its 2004 inception that had only a handful of attractions and exhibitors. It is now one of the north Valley’s biggest and best-attended events of the year.

Some of the things attendees can do include:

  • View live wildlife exhibits (hawks, reptiles, small mammals, more).
  • Give kayaking a try at the “Lake Paddlemore” kayaking pond.
  • Hike a field course and learn cool camping tips.
  • Take the kids to two huge catch-and-release fishing tanks.
  • Learn target archery.
  • Try out different firearms in a safe, controlled environment on the range.
  • Learn specialty shooting disciplines – clay target, cowboy action, and more.
  • Learn from informative talks on wildlife and outdoor recreation.
  • Cowboy mounted shooting match at Royce W. Anderson Family Arena.
  • View OHV exhibits, rock crawler demos, learn about responsible riding.
  • View boating exhibits and learn about watercraft safety.
  • Visit with more than 150 exhibitors.

Admission and parking are free, but people might want to bring a little cash for the variety of food and beverage concessionaires and other vendors. ATMs will be on-site.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 26. The Expo entrance is on Carefree Highway about a half-mile west of I-17. Just follow the signs.

The title sponsor of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is Shikar Safari Club International. Gold Sponsors are OneAZ Credit Union and Shooter’s World/Daniel Defense.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

AZGFD, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to target impaired boat, OHV operators

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) will enhance its efforts to target removal of impaired watercraft and off-highway vehicle (OHV) operators from Arizona’s recreation areas through a partnership with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

AGFD was awarded nearly $46,000 in grant funding for officers to target DUI/OUI offenders on the state’s waterways and those riding OHVs. In addition to funding overtime for increased DUI/OUI patrols, officers will also target helmet, seat belt and child restraint compliance when required while riding in a UTV, an ATV or motorcycle.

“AZGFD has a strong relationship with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, which has always supported our efforts to keep our waterways and recreation areas safe for families to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful landscapes,” said Tim Baumgarten, AZGFD boating law administrator. “Safe recreation means taking care of your friends or family by designating a sober operator and wearing proper safety equipment, including a life jacket while on the water and a helmet when on trials.”

Drowning was the reported number-one cause of death in approximately 76 percent of 626 boating fatalities in 2015 and alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents nationwide, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most-recent statistics. Additionally, approximately 85 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

In Arizona, anyone under 12 years old must wear a life jacket while aboard and the vessel must have one life jacket available for every passenger. Those under 18 years old riding an ATV, UTV or motorcycle are required to wear a helmet.

In addition, under the grant funding, AZGFD will deploy its cadre of drug recognition experts to assist in the DUI/OUI checkpoints statewide. This will allow officers to perform additional enforcement without taking manpower and funding away from other AZGFD patrol responsibilities.

For more information on boating in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating. For more information on OHVs in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

AZGFD, ‘Spring Aboard’ campaign encourages watercraft users to complete boating safety course

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PHOENIX — Safe boaters are educated boaters, that’s why the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is encouraging all watergoers to take a boating safety course during the national Spring Aboard campaign March 19 to 25.

Those who complete one of AZGFD’s two classroom courses March 18 or an online course during the Spring Aboard campaign, will be entered in a drawing to receive a free watercraft rental generously donated by one of the following businesses:

• Phoenix ATV and Jet Ski Rental
• Jet Action Rentals in Tempe
• Havasu Adventure Company in Lake Havasu City
• Laughlin Watercraft Rentals in Bullhead City
• Parker Canyon Lake in Elgin

“This is an exciting time of year for our boating community,” said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boating Safety Education program coordinator. “Another great boating season is on the horizon and everyone is looking forward to when they can get out on the water. Before doing so, people should make sure they are prepared by taking a boating safety course.”

AZGFD offers free monthly classroom courses in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City to provide water users the information and tips needed to stay safe while on the water. The department also offers pay and free online courses. Below is a list of classroom boating safety courses scheduled for March:

Arizona Boater Education Course
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 18, Apex Arms Facility – Green Building, 2176 McCulloch Blvd. N. Suite 8, Lake Havasu City
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 18, Arizona Game and Fish Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix

Courses cover basic skills needed to safely operate a boat or personal watercraft, trailering your vessel, navigational rules, buoys, anchoring, legal requirements, boating emergencies, watersports and paddling. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount on boat or watercraft insurance rates for completing a course.

The department also reminds watercraft users that all boats, including paddleboards, must have a wearable life jacket for every passenger aboard and those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times, under state law. Users should also check to make sure a life jacket fits properly by ensuring there is no excess room above the openings of the jacket and that it does not ride up over the chin or face.

Spring Aboard is a national campaign coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to encourage the state’s boating and watercraft users to complete a safety education course.

In 2015 nationwide, 71 percent of the 626 watercraft-related deaths involved a vessel where the operator had never taken a safety course, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. It’s with that statistic in mind that NASBLA developed and produced Spring Aboard, utilizing a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating and click “Boating Safety Education.” To learn more about Spring Aboard, visit www.nasbla.org/spring.

Lower Lake Mary stocked with 12,000 trout

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FLAGSTAFF – The new fish stocking season has begun in the Flagstaff and Williams region. That includes Lower Lake Mary, which from Thursday to Friday was stocked with a total of 12,000 rainbow trout.

Lower Lake Mary has its highest water levels since 2010. Having been partially replenished, this 450-acre lake in Flagstaff is basically a new fishery.

Lower Lake Mary grows trout particularly quickly. The lake is no more than half full, and with possible snow in this region through May, the lake levels likely will continue rising.

An angler’s bait of choice? Bring along some worms. Earthworms tend to flee from their underground dwellings during heavy rains.

“There’s a lot of nutrients when Lower Mary fills, but this time of year they’re feeding on earthworms,” said AZGFD Wildlife Specialist Chuck Benedict. “You’re going from 30 surface acres of water (before the winter) to 950 acres of water when full. That’s a lot of earthworms that are coming out.”

Upper Lake Mary is still spilling.

For more information on fishing in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov.

AZGFD monitoring threadfin shad die-off at Apache Lake

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently investigated a fish die-off of thousands of threadfin shad at Apache Lake in the Tonto National Forest.

AZGFD collected water samples on Tuesday, Feb. 28 and determined the die-off was caused by a golden alga bloom largely restricted to the riverine portion of Apache below Roosevelt Lake.

Golden alga is not harmful to humans, and therefore Apache Lake remains safe for water activities, including fishing.

“Golden alga thrives on elevated salinity associated with drought conditions,” said Marc Dahlberg, Water Quality Manager at AZGFD. “Therefore, recent heavy rains will hopefully knock down salinity levels and help control golden alga blooms.”

At this point, AZGFD believes the fish kill has been restricted to threadfin shad and a few gizzard shad, both of which are highly sensitive to the toxin produced by golden alga.

The last such fish die-off in this region occurred in 2007, also in upper Apache Lake. However, there were significant fish kills caused by golden alga in Saguaro, Canyon and Apache during the early-to-mid 2000s that affected all fish species.

Fisheries biologists for the Department will continue monitoring water quality and fish health on all Salt River-chain lakes.

Boaters, watercraft users urged to ‘Spring Aboard’ with boating safety course

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Boaters, watercraft users urged to ‘Spring Aboard’ with boating safety coursePHOENIX — 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 year, those who complete one of AZGFD’s free boating safety courses will be eligible to receive a free watercraft rental.

“Boating is a great family friendly activity, but only if it’s done safely and responsibly,” said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boating Safety Education coordinator. “The best way to ensure everyone on the water is having a great time is by taking a boating safety course. And because the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers them free of charge, there’s really no reason not to sign up for one today.”

Additionally, those who successfully complete a course are better informed on how to avoid an accident or tragedy on the water.

In 2015 nationwide, 71 percent of the 626 watercraft-related deaths involved a vessel where the operator had never taken a safety course, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. It’s with that statistic in mind that NASBLA developed and produced Spring Aboard, utilizing a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We know that an educated boater is safer on the water,” NASBLA President Stephanie Weatherington said. “If a boater has taken a boating safety education course, the likelihood of their time spent on the water being a safe and enjoyable experience is much greater.”

Most states require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels. During the Spring Aboard campaign, many course providers, including AZGFD, will offer incentives or course discounts for students who enroll in or complete a course.

“With today’s wide variety of courses available, there’s a course for everyone’s schedule,” Weatherington said. “Boaters have many ways to get educated, from classroom courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons to online offerings available anytime day or night. There’s no reason to head out on the water without knowing what you’re doing.”

AZGFD offers free courses in Phoenix and Lake Havasu City monthly to provide water users the information and tips needed to stay safe while on the water. Each year many deaths and injuries on Arizona’s waterways are the result of people who don’t know how to operate a watercraft properly or how to act to avoid placing themselves in danger.

For more information on boating safety or to register for a hands-on or online safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating and click “Boating Safety Education.” Below is a list of hands-on boating safety courses scheduled for April:

Arizona Boater Education Course

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 18, Apex Arms Facility, Green Building in Lake Havasu City
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. March, 18, Arizona Game and Fish Headquarters in Phoenix

Arizona Paddlesports Education Course

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. March 11, Biscuit Tank at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix

The department’s courses include instruction on the basic skills needed to safely operate a boat or personal watercraft, trailering your vessel, navigational rules, buoys, anchoring, legal requirements, boating emergencies, watersports and paddling. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount on boat or watercraft insurance rates for completing a course.

The department also reminds watercraft users that all boats, including paddleboards, must have a wearable life jacket for every passenger onboard and those 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times, under state law. Users should also check to make sure a life jacket fits properly by ensuring there is no excess room above the openings of the jacket and that it does not ride up over the chin or face.

For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating. To learn more about Spring Aboard, visit www.nasbla.org/spring.