Take necessary precautions against Lyme disease
The dangers of Lyme disease have been reported so much lately, it’s important to be aware exactly what Lyme disease is, how to protect ourselves, our family and pets, and know the preventions to take to stay clear of it.
First in importance is knowing that Lyme disease is caused by ticks. According to Janine Robertson’s (janinerobertson@ insectsshield.com) article as well as other articles I’ve researched tell us that ticks are not ordinarily in the middle of your lawn, they live where yards border wooded areas or anywhere it is shaded and there are leaves with high humidity. Other articles I’ve found state deer ticks should be avoided as well.
Precautions to take include: For those who live near wooded areas, place a layer of wood chips between your yard and the wood’s edge. Ticks are attracted to the wood chips because of the shade and moisture it provides. After being outdoors, do periodic checks (on yourself, children and pets) and carefully remove any found. Showering and shampooing soon after being outdoors is a good time to check for ticks. Wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to find. When on a hike, bike or walk, or when hunting and camping, try to remain in the center of a trail in order to minimize your exposure — ticks can be on bushes and other vegetation on the side of any trail. Remember, ticks cannot fly, they crawl up. Avoid sitting directly on the ground, woodpiles or fallen logs — areas where ticks love to live. Wear tick repellent clothing whenever possible when outdoors. Using a tick repellent with DEET works well (also check out the use of permethrin on clothing and camping gear). A hot dryer will kill ticks found on clothing.
When bitten by a tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers as soon as possible, pulling upward with steady pressure. If part of the tick remains in the skin, remove it with tweezers. When everything is out, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
If a rash appears, it will begin in the form of a bullseye shape and the area may be warm. The swollen and red eruption can begin anywhere from 3 to 30 days after being bitten. It’s good to see a medical professional for treatment with antibiotics, home remedies may not work as well if at all.
Hunt happenings
• Arizona Game and Fish Department has a newly appointed director, Ty Gray (currently deputy director). Doug Burt, in his latest HAHWG news reports, “Ty will be great for AZGFD, wildlife, and HAHWG. He has been a part of recruitment and retention since the inception. He knows what we do, how we do it, and most importantly, why we do it — and is a great advocate for the HAHWG. I believe he was at the first meeting with partners at Vincent Ranch back in 2009.” I’ll gladly report further news of our new AZGFD director as I receive it. In case you didn’t know, Gray replaces Larry Voyles, our past and successful director of Game and Fish, who has now retired. I’m sure Gray will have our full support.
• Hunter education reminder: There will be a class at Sprague’s Sports Shop June 19-22. Sign up at www.azgfd.com. Also, online classes are a self-paced program completely online once the passing score of 80 percent is successful, with stations for line of fire and matching practical hunt and a written exam. Average completion is one hour. Visit www. azgfd.com/education/hunting and get signed up or contact Pat Headington at yumahuntered@gmail.com.
• Prairie dog shoot reminder: If you plan on going to the annual Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club event in Seligman, Ariz., July 8, it’s necessary to reserve a room by calling the Stagecoach 66 Motel in Seligman at (928) 422-3470 to book a room prior to going, you’ll receive YVRGC discounts.
Shooting sports
• Yuma 4-H Shooting Sports: The 2017-18 training season for 4-H youngsters ages 9-19 will begin Sept. 21 at the 4-H extension office, with a 7 to 8 p.m. class to sign-up, take a safety class with questions/ answers about the year’s project. At that time, youngsters will pay a one time $10 fee for consumables. Actual training will be 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at the west gate of the Yuma County Fairgrounds with other training to follow. If you have a youngster who is interested in being a part of a 4-H club in order to get into their shooting sports program, call the 4-H office in Yuma at 726-3904 or Stanley Gourley at 344-0740 to learn what they offer.
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: The practice range at the Foothills Archery Range, located east of S. Foothills Blvd., south side of I-8, is open (free use) daylight hours all week for much-needed practice and enjoyment. Do what you can to prevent vandalism while at the range so all can enjoy. If anyone might want to shoot the 3D animal trail, let us know beforehand by calling Jean Wilson at 247-4450 or Kevin Wilson at 726-0953.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet can shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays. It’s summer hours now so no weekday matches until fall. Call Bob Avila at 910-0622. Youngsters in school who might be interested in getting together with the Yuma Young Guns and the scholastic clay target program, call head coach H. McNutt at 580-0918.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Open black powder matches at the Adair Park range, 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453. Ask about .22 matches.
• Cholla Gun Club: A full schedule of shooting is offered at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range, beginning again this fall, and all open to the public with instructions available upon need. Call Rick Kelley at (928) 502-0736.
• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: Scheduled shooting matches at the Adair Park big bore (high power) range are done until Sept. 9 when the club begins fall matches with NRA conventional pistol matches, followed the next day with across the course shooting sports. Vintage service rifle matches begin Sept. 16 at the Adair Park range. Call Joseph Murek at 627-4556, Paul Lerma at 580-7456 or Gerald Brooker at (858) 349-1311. Visit the club’s website at hprifleyuma.com or visit Joseph Murek at umpire1@gmail. com or brookergerald@att.net.
• Yuma Matchmasters: A variety of matches are offered at the Adair Park small bore range, all open to shooters with 7 a.m. sign-up, shooting at 7:30 a.m., includes the steel challenge the 1st Saturday, multi-gun matches the 1st Sunday, IPSC combat matches the 2nd Sunday, and SASS cowboy matches the 4th Sunday. Call Larry Wiles at 920-2157 or Irene Snyder at (920) 613-4598 if you are interested.
• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club: Archery is offered on Sundays with the practice range also open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 7821097 when we’ve had rain.
Fishing clubs
• Desert Bass Anglers “the fun way to fish”: Keep in practice for the July 8 tournament. Questions? Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
Club reminder to all anglers and this is for anyone who fishes, so im- portant in warm- to hot weather: Be sure your livewell is working properly, it needs to be in top condition. Time to check your pump and screens and be sure there is maximum circulation in the well. Bobbie and Mac reminds us to be sure to check fish you’ve caught several times during any day on the water. Be sure to carry lots of water and sports drinks, towels, long sleeved shirts, sunscreen and hats to keep you cool. Be prepared for hot temperatures and lots of boat and jet ski traffic. The sandbars have really moved around so be aware of your surroundings and be careful.
• ABA American Bass — Yuma division: If you haven’t fished the Yuma area ABA tournaments, they will begin when weather cools. Call Jeff Woods at (952) 824-0553 for information on becoming a member and get signed up to fish.
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: A good reason to join the YVRGC is to get in on all the fishing fun and great practice on the water. Coming up is the Military Appreciation Day open fishing derby June 24. For information, call Jared and Kelly Young at 276-5243. Also coming up is the Bob Hefner Memorial bass derby July 15 at Mittry Lake. For information, call Clint Fraser at 580-3231 or Danny Woods at 448-8476. Plan ahead and be ready to fish the Catfish Derby July 22-23 with John Nicewander in charge, 342-0823. Call Becky Mae Pope at 502-0121 or email maybhunting@gmail.com for club information. Attend any club meeting for not only fishing but hunting information as well at 7 p.m. 1st Wednesday each month at American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Drive.
• Yuma Draw-Series/Pro-Am Bass Club: Call Manuel Garcia at 210-0043 to learn what they have to offer.
• Yuma’s High School Bass Fishing Club: Members of both the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and Desert Bass Anglers assist the kids in providing boats and equipment as well as guide the youngsters, both guys and gals, in gaining some fishing know-how’s. Call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started. Any interested high school student will be a part of an exciting year of anglers at Fisher’s Landing at Martinez Lake.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.