May 2025 Edition
May 2025 Edition
Help your community have access to infant, child and young adult-sized life jackets at no cost. Marinas, waterfront restaurants, boat clubs and other businesses wishing to make an impact on boating safety in their home waters can apply now to become a BoatUS Foundation Kid's Life Jacket Loaner program site. Supported by BoatUS member donations, the program offers a simple way to help children and young adults get the right-sized life jacket when they go boating, sailing or fishing for the day... Full story
A safe day on the water starts with life jackets and sober boating. What's better than a day out on the water? Whether you're interested in taking up watersports, fishing or leisurely cruises around Arizona's lakes, boating is a great family friendly activity. While it may sound like an intimidating hobby to start, there are many resources to welcome beginners in a safe, responsible way. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offers free monthly boating safety education courses in Phoenix... Full story
Whether you're working in the office, at home, in the air, or on the water, all boating enthusiasts can participate in Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2025. This fun day is part of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. Here's how to participate: • Wear a life jacket wherever you work • Snap a picture • Post the picture on social media with the hashtag... Full story
National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 17-23, 2025, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. "We're committed to teaching boaters that the best boating experience is a safe day on the water," said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National... Full story
Backpacking is always a great experience in one way or another. There are those times when it can get a little wet or dry, cold or hot or just downright “bug-annoying”. But for the most part it’s ALWAYS an adventure. How comfortable you are is about your gear and how well you pack, but over the years I have found that two things make for a really GOOD backpacking trip. Those two items are a good pillow to sleep on and good food. When I backpack, I don’t bring a lot of clothing. I... Full story
How To Build A Fire Fire: it is a living breathing entity with the ability to help or destroy everything it touches. Just like any living thing fire requires three things to sustain it;air to breathe,food (fuel) to consume, and a spark of life (ignition). I think we'd all agree that there are many ways to light a fire. This article will explore the plethora of ways to get your pyro on. Let's Start With Air! We breathe air every day. It's all around us. Without it we will die. The same goes for... Full story
Over the years I've done many camp-outs and I'm always looking for easier ways to pack gear. The Camping Chuck Wagon Box is a great idea for those who do stop & drop camping as it is easy to make, transport and move around. It keeps your gear in one place and can be a real-life saver when camping. As usual I am a big fan of Inventory Lists which I suggest you keep on the inside of the door of the box in a plastic document sleeve with an extra blank paper for restocking, additions or updates.... Full story
BOATING SEASON BEGINS - SAFETY STRESSED FOR ALL WATERCRAFT Whether you're on the water in a cabin cruiser, a luxury yacht, a houseboat, a fishing boat, a kayak, a canoe, or on a paddleboard, safety should and must be your prime concern. We've all heard it many times, "Just wear it", but don't let that advice become just a cliché for you. Here's why:U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities, and that... Full story
PHOENIX, AZ – Today, I stepped into a world I never knew existed, right here in the heart of Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Outdoor Expo, held at the sprawling Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, promised a hands-on celebration of wildlife, conservation, and outdoor fun, and it delivered in ways I couldn't have imagined. As a first-time visitor on this sunny weekend in March, I found myself wide-eyed and eager, plunged into an event that felt like a gateway to... Full story
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 - may have to be euthanized because... Full story
________________________________________ 'Buy Often, Win Big' Program Offers Incentives Conservation First USA is not only offering $10 raffle tickets for a chance to hunt big game in Arizona, but the group also is entering you into monthly drawings to win BONUS PRIZES. Yes, you read that right! One person will win April's bonus prize: a $500 gift card to SCHEELS. Do not miss this opportunity. Visit https://conservationfirstusa.org/product/arizona-special-big-game-tags to buy your raffle... Full story
Once again, hunters have stepped up in a big way in their financial support of wildlife conservation efforts across the state. The newly named "Copper State Draw" (formerly the "limited-entry permit-tag draw") offered hunters a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn permit-tag, while generating revenue that will bolster a variety of conservation programs funded through the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The monitoring and maintenance of... Full story
