On The Cover February 2022

February 1, 2022

In A Word: Huzzah!

Once again (and after a covid interruption in 2021) the Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace is back. It features a 16-stage theater, an outdoor whimsical village, a 50-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, jousting tournaments, and a feast, all rolled into one nonstop, daylong adventure. This is the rowdy, raucus event that is well encapsulated in its motto: Huzzah!

On a much quieter note, shhh: the eagles are breeding. These magnificent birds ask for your cooperation during this most important time of their year. To assist with the state's continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state's 93 eagle breeding areas.

Yes, February begins some of the most significant events of each year; 2022 is no exception. The Arizona Yacht Club is the first in the nation to "raise more than a sail" as they work to join the fight against the number-one cancer in children: leukemia. This is the club's biggest event of the year and is paired with their Birthday Regatta.

As we move into the second month of the new year, we continue to wish you good health and happiness for the remainder of 2022 and beyond.

Wild Arizona

As 2022 Gets Underway - How about making an outdoor New Year's resolution?

Hello, 2022! As we reflect on the changes we want - or need - to make in the new year, how about adding an outdoors resolution to the list?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department offers some simple resolutions, any one of which should be easy for an outdoors enthusiast to stick to. See ideas at https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/enews/wildpluslife/010122/

Did You Know?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department conserves and protects Arizona's 800+ wildlife species but receives no Arizona general fund tax dollars. Contribute to our on-the-ground conservation efforts at http://www.AzWildlifeHero.com.

PORTS

DOWNSTREAM - The twos (2/2022) offer so much to do. Page 2

BOATING - How to avoid "fish tails". Page 4

TACKLE & TARGET - Blanchard and Baldwin are featured February pros. Page 8

LAND CRUISING - Take a sweetheart of a drive. Page 11

WESTERN WILDLIFE - The western burrowing owl is one of the state's most interesting birds of prey. Page 14