Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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These Are Recommended As Summer Temps Continue Into Fall - By Nick Walter For AZGFD Sun sweats, triple-digit fidgets, dog days - they seem to make most outdoors lovers crave cool times in the high country. Some of the best family camping and fishing options include waters with stocked or self-sustaining fish, quality camping amenities, and striking scenery. Those factors were used by AZGFD fishing report editors and regional staff to determine this list. Be sure to check the latest fire... Full story
9 – VANDALS To Report Vandalism An award of $2,500 has been offered by the Arizona Deer Association with an additional $1,000 offered by Don McDowell Outdoors, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for contaminating a water catchment that was used to provide water to wildlife with diesel fuel or gasoline northeast of Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Sometime around Sunday, fuel was deliberately poured into Young’s Canyon Tri... Full story
PHOENIX – Recent moisture and cooler temperatures have allowed the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to lift fire restrictions on state-owned and managed lands across Arizona. Effective 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, the agency lifted Stage I restrictions in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave – south of the Colorado River, and Yuma Counties. Stage I fire restrictions went into effect in June, but lingering dry conditions, an abundance of grass statewide, and a scarce monsoon season... Full story
Sun sweats, triple-digit fidgets, dog days -- they seem to make most outdoors lovers crave cool times in the high country. Some of the best family camping and fishing options include waters with stocked or self-sustaining fish, quality camping amenities, and striking scenery. Those factors were used by AZGFD fishing report editors and regional staff to determine this list. Be sure to check the latest fire restrictions. It's a good idea to reserve a campground in advance if possible, but if... Full story
For that reason, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has trucked or airlifted more than 1.5 million gallons of precious water to catchments throughout the state since January 2018. And trail cameras tell the tale of this important work with footage of elk, deer, bighorn sheep and countless other species leaning over for a refreshing drink at one of 3,000 catchments maintained by the department. "Water catchments are used by all wildlife and while badly needed monsoon rains recently returned, st... Full story
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department initiated its annual fire ban at the first of May. “Given the abundance of rain we’ve received this year, we’ve had an outstanding wildflower season. Unfortunately, as the blooms and brush die off and dry out, the parks are left with dangerous levels of fuel loads on the ground that can ignite a wildfire with just a small spark. As a land manager, we believe the decision to implement sooner rather than later is the responsible thing to do to... Full story
We started taking our granddaughters hiking with us when they were five or six years old, so I know how important it is to find great hikes that are pretty, but easy enough for short legs. This time of year, you also want those trails to be in the high country - and even then they might get pretty warm in the afternoon. But these two hikes are short and sweet - so they're ideal for a summer day with or without kids. Picture Canyon My granddaughter Trinity told us about this one. She's a student... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed a disease event affecting some mule deer in the Yavapai Hills community and surrounding areas near Prescott. After receiving reports in recent weeks from residents who observed deer that appeared to be lethargic, blind, walking in circles and unaware of their surroundings, AZGFD biologists collected tissue samples from three animals and sent them to a laboratory for testing. The results confirmed the presence of epizootic hemorrhagic... Full story
Operate Responsibly; Don't Go Mudding On Your OHV While it may be tempting to go out on an off-highway vehicle (OHV) after a rainstorm when the temperature is cooler and the ground is fresh, doing so can cause long-lasting damage to the habitat. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises that OHV operators turn around if they encounter wet and muddy roads. While the practice of "mudding" - purposefully driving through wet areas, whether it's a meadow, lakeshore or water tank for... Full story
Grand Canyon National Park rangers are encouraging visitors to have a safe and memorable vacation to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A trip to Grand Canyon can be both fun and safe by keeping these few tips in mind. • Stay on designated trails and walkways and always keep a safe distance from the edge of the rim. In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier. • Keep an eye on all of the people in your group, especially small children. Make sure that your tra... Full story
Weather forecasts show that a resurgence of Arizona’s monsoon is on the horizon and while badly needed moisture may be on the increase, so will the possibility of insect-borne diseases that can impact people, pets and wildlife. Earlier this month a dead prairie dog tested positive for plague in Coconino County and Maricopa County Vector Control officials detected West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses in mosquito pools. Another disease not uncommon during summer months is tularemia, a i... Full story
Summer is the perfect time to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon because the higher elevation of the North Rim means forest and cool summer days. The North Rim is usually a lot less crowded than the South Rim as well, mostly because it takes a lot longer to get there. We took a five-day trip in June that included Page, Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry, and the North Rim, and it was awesome. Granted, the weather was a bit hot in Page and Marble Canyon, but not quite as hot as in the Valley, so we... Full story
Water is the essence of life and it's just as precious for Arizona's wildlife. During extreme crought AZGFD assists thirsty wildlife. For that reason, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has trucked or airlifted about 600,000 gallons of precious water to catchments throughout the state since January. And trail cameras tell the tale of this important work with footage of elk, deer, bighorn sheep and countless other species leaning over for a refreshing drink at one of 3,000 catchments... Full story
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department initiated its annual fire ban on May 1. Now, the department is taking additional steps to protect the parks due to the extremely dry conditions. The first week in June, Parks and Rec also added this: Smoking in Maricopa County parks will be prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or at developed recreation sites such as parking lots, picnic ramadas or campsites. "We've added the smoking restriction to our fire ban in hopes of lessening... Full story
Hopefully we will get some rain soon - and during the summer months - and the forests will re-open, but if not, there are still places you can go to enjoy the outdoors. Arizona's State Parks are super places to visit - John and the girls and I have been to many of them. Here are a few of our favorites, with cooling-off in mind. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park This beautiful place is near Superior, Ariz., on highway 60. It does get warm there during the day, but they open at 6 a.m. from May ... Full story
Very High Fire Danger At Grand Canyon National Park With fire restrictions in effect across much of northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park's neighbors Coconino County, Arizona state lands in the county, and the Kaibab National Forest, NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high. State 1 Restrictions Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) is in State 1 fire restrictions year-round, which means campfires are only allowed in the park's three... Full story
We just got back from a seven-day hunting/camping trip and I discovered quite a few things that make life a lot easier for a camper. We camp rough - no trailer, no cots, no RV. We just throw a couple of self-inflating pads in the back of the truck and roll out our sleeping bags. Warmers Blankets That said, one of the most important things is being warm enough. Lightweight sleeping bags are usually fine in Arizona, but when nights get chilly, you need more. Something along the stocking stuffer li... Full story
In Arizona, people tend to think of heading north to cool off in the summer, but there are many places in the southern and eastern areas of our beautiful state that also offer higher altitudes, cool forests, and great hikes. These places include Mt. Lemmon near Tucson, the Pinaleno mountains near Safford, and the Mt. Baldy Wilderness near Greer. Mt. Lemmon In July, the Burro fire was raging and crews were using the Mount Lemmon highway as a firebreak. Residents, campers and hikers were forced... 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
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
PHOENIX, July 14, 2016-For Immediate Release. The Tonto National Forest remains in fire restrictions. The hot, dry weather has dried out plants, causing fire danger to remain high. The Tonto National Forest will remain in fire restrictions until the monsoon rains make a comeback, which is not predicted in the immediate future. Campfires are only permitted at developed campgrounds listed on the fire restrictions order. If you are at a campground where fires are permitted, never leave your... Full story
We have been taking our granddaughters on hiking vacations to Flagstaff every summer for the past twelve years or so. Recently, the oldest received a scholarship to NAU and while she was at orientation, she attended a lecture on things to do around Flagstaff. "Grandma, I've been to every one of them!" she reported. There are just so many things to do in and around Flagstaff that one vacation can't cover them all. As the granddaughters have grown, the things we do together in Flagstaff have... Full story
The North American monsoon, variously known as the Southwest monsoon, the Mexican monsoon, or the Arizona monsoon, is experienced as a pronounced increase in rainfall from an extremely dry June to a rainy July over large areas of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. During the monsoon season, ominous thunder clouds are fueled by daytime heating and build up during the late afternoon-early evening. Typically, these storms dissipate by late night, and the next day starts out... Full story
PHOENIX -- Campfire and smoking restrictions on the Tonto National Forest have been lifted, effective at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 2. The fire restrictions, which covered the entire forest, are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon season. “Although campfires and smoking will now be allowed throughout the forest, please continue to do your part to prevent wildfires,” said Acting Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Duane Tew... Full story
The area around Sierra Vista Arizona is diverse: everything from pine forests to desert and riparian areas. It makes for a great little vacation, and there is plenty to do down there. Last month I told you about a couple of things to do on the way down there from Phoenix or Tucson, plus Ramsey Canyon which is just south of Sierra Vista. After hiking Ramsey Canyon, you may be in the mood for a drive and perhaps another little uphill hike along the way. Coronado National Memorial The perfect... Full story
