Practice, get in shape for fall and winter hunts

In spite of our summer heat being so hard to take at times, it’s still necessary to continue that much-needed practice with firearms or bow and arrows, when considering a fall or winter hunt of big (or small) game animals. Accuracy is an absolute must when even thinking about hunting. Without that much-needed practice, a person stands too much of a chance of merely wounding an animal rather than accomplishing that killing shot vital to a successful hunt. If you aren’t aware of where to practice, Adair Park Shooting Range, off Highway 95 heading east, then north approximately 15 miles out of Yuma. There is also the Foothills Archery Range, east of Foothills Blvd. on the south side of I-8, east of S. Foothills Blvd., off Avenue 15E near the base of the Gila Mountains.

Along with practice with your chosen firearm or bow and arrows, be sure ‘you’ are in shape physically for climbing up, down and over those many rugged and rocky hills and mountains in your hunt country. Start hiking with your filled pack on your back (evenings still aren’t too bad for a decent hike or two), even locate bleachers (if there aren’t hills nearby) where you can climb up and down to help get your body in good shape for your hunt. If you are able to plan a trip beforehand to your hunt area, that scouting exercise you’ll get will not only give you an inkling of where the game is but good for getting that body in shape for when hunt time finally arrives as well.

With most of us, we hope to have the chance of being inside during the heat of the day, making that time a good time to make lists of everything we need for the hunt, from camping/hunting equipment, firearms and ammunition, to food and clothing so you’re prepared for both heat and cold on the hunt depending on the elevation of the area you plan to hunt. So you’re not on the run doing it all the last minute, begin shopping now to fill your camp sack with everything you’ll need while on your hunt. In addition to having plenty of food to keep your energy intact, make plans to have plenty of water along for drinking, washing up (reminder: game animals can easily smell an unwashed body) as well as cooking. You’ll also need a good amount of water for cleaning when working with your harvested game animal once the hunt is done. Long Johns/ thermals and rain gear should also be considered necessary most times as it can rain, even snow or hail when your hunt is up in the north country. You do want to be prepared. Remember, it may be hot here, it can also get mighty cold in the high country.

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, the 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 times 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, east of Foothills Blvd., south side of I-8, is open (free use) daylight hours all week for your much-needed practice and enjoyment. Do what you can to prevent vandalism while at the range so all can enjoy. If you’d like to shoot the 3D animal trail for good hunting practice, let us know beforehand by calling Jean Wilson at 247-4450 or Kevin Wilson at 726-0953 so we can get it set up and ready.

• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet can shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays. Now that it’s summer, there are no weekday matches until fall. Call Bob Avila at 910-0622. Young people still in school (including college) 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: Shooting matches at the Adair Park big bore (high power) range will begin Sept. 10 with a 3X 1,000 yard long range match. The vintage rifle match will be Sept. 16. Pistol matches scheduled for 2017 are cancelled as of now but we may resume them in 2018. 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 email Joe at umpire1@q.com or brookergerald@ att.net. Ask also about summer practice matches.

• 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 the 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 their practice range also open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 7821097.

Hunt happenings

• AZGFD reviewing feds’ draft Mexican wolf recovery plan: Although the plan appears to address the substance of AZGFD’s lawsuit (http:// azgfd.net/artman/publis/wildlifeNews/Arizona-files-suit-againstfederal-officials-over-Mexican-wolfrecovery-plan-development.shtml) filed in June 2015, department scientists are continuing to evaluate the plan in detail before submitting formal comments by the Aug. 29 deadline.

The draft plan outlines several key strategic acknowledgements to ensure the success of Mexican wolf reintroduction, including the recognition of Interstate 40 in Arizona and New Mexico as the appropriate northern boundary for recovery encompassing all of the wolf’s historical range, as well as recognition of the critical role Mexico plays in any recovery effort within the U.S. Arizona Game and Fish’s involvement in Mexican wolf conservation since in the mid-1980s. Since that time, the department has spent more than $7 million on wolf recovery in the state and has been the predominant on-the-ground presence working to manage Mexican wolves.

Genetic viability has been one of the most controversial elements of Mexican wolf recovery. “The department is analyzing the plan, which appears to be developed on the best available science by Dr. Philip S. Miller, a world-renowned population viability analysis expert,” said Jim deVos, assistant director for wildlife management for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Based on Dr. Miller’s analysis, the plan includes explicit science-based numbers of wolf releases required to maintain a genetically diverse Mexican wolf population.” DeVos also noted that the draft plan outlines criteria for formally delisting and down-listing the Mexican wolf as an endangered subspecies, and that it also formally recognizes the key role Mexico plays in any recovery effort, given that 90 percent of Mexican wolf historical habitat is within Mexico.

“In total, the plan provides management options and direction to future delisting of Mexican wolves as an endangered subspecies and addresses weaknesses in the 1982 recovery plan,” said deVos. “We will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies to ensure the success of wolf recovery efforts, in balance with other elements of the ecosystem, wildlife and the people who live, work and recreate on this landscape.”

In June 2015, AZGFD filed a lawsuit against the secretary of the Department of Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service seeking an updated recovery plan — a requirement of the Endangered Species Act, the first update since the current plan was published in 1982. In April 2016, the service signed a settlement agreement with AZGFD and other parties to complete a final revised Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan by the end of November 2017.

The public is invited to submit written comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the draft plan, either electronically (go to www.regulations.gov and enter the docket number FWS-R2ES-2017-0036 in the search bar), or by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to “Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2017-0036, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Comments must be received on or before Aug. 29, 2017. To view the draft recovery plan and other documents, visit www.fws.gov/ southwest/es/mexicanwolf/MWRP. cfm. The service also will hold two public meetings in Arizona, one in Flagstaff, the other in PInetop with other meetings being held in New Mexico. For more information on Mexican wolves, visit www.azgfd. gov/wolf (www.azgfd.gov/wolf).

• Firearms training at Sprague’s Sports: The 8-hour Concealed Carry Course is one of the most thorough in the state of Arizona covering all aspects of firearms ownership including gun safety, maintenance, marksmanship, weapon selection and safe carry procedures within Arizona’s concealed carry law parameters. Lead instructors Matt Dusek and Ross Nicolette bring many years of professional teaching experience along with decades of law enforcement perspective and wisdom to this class. Cost is $89. The 5-year permit is only $60. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday only. The next class is July 22 with other classes Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. There will also be 3-day evening class 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Monday.

Sprague’s has other training classes as well such as refuse to be a victim, first shots, first shot 2nd round, first shot shotgun, shooting tips from NSSF, active shooter defense, basic gun maintenance and know your AR. Visit Sprague’s.com/ training.html or call 726-0022.

• Hunter education reminder: A regular hunter safety education class will be held July 31 at the Region IV AZGFD office with a bonus point field day Aug. 19. Sign-up for either class at (928) 329-0091. In addition, 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.

• Dove season: In spite of our hot summer, think ahead beginning early morning Sept. 2 at the Ware Farm in Dome Valley for the annual Clint Curry Youth Dove Hunt, mentored by members of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, open to all youngsters who want to hunt and are accompanied by a parent/guardian. Call Mark Brooks at 210-7627 for details or if you might want to assist in any way at the kids hunt. I’ll have more information as time gets closer. Then a bit later that same day, the 2nd annual Yuma World Championship Dove Cook-Off, this year indoors at Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, with registration now open as of July 15. Visit www.yumadovehunting.com/ spacelimitedazgfd. And with dove season in full swing, the YVRGC will host the 11th annual Mike Mitchell Dove Hunter Barbecue, also at the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort with Chris Mitchell chairman promising a great evening and delicious food for all who attend. Anyone who might want to become a sponsor or assist in any way, call Chris at (928) 580-1461 or Chase Mitchell at (928) 503-1329.

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “the fun way to fish”: Saturday was overcast but hot for the 29 boats that launched at the club’s latest open team bass tournament with some extra surprising results at weighin. Brothers Charles and Cameran Lecthner, teamed to take top honors, not only weighing in 22.92 pounds of bass for their effort, but second place big bass as well with a 9.05 pounder to their credit. Taking second place was Russ Russon/ Debbie Duran with a close 22.70 and the No. 1 big fish weighing 9.81. In third place was the team of Robert Moody/Kevin Coss with 21.63 followed by Keath Troncatti/Darrel Jorden in fourth place with 20.31. Just out of the money was the team of Robert Powell/Layne Brown with 20.24. The junk fish option was won by none other than Mac and Bobbie McDermott who caught a 1.25 catfish on a crankbait. Keep fishing and be sure to fish the Aug. 5 tournament on the Colorado River launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Questions? Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

Note of caution: For whatever reason, the Bureau of Reclamation is already cutting water releases each week. While we will have around 10,000 cubic feet releases during our tournament, check how much water is on the ramp at launch, and plan your trip accordingly.

The club reminds all anglers and this is for anyone who fishes, and so important 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 remind 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. It’s hard to guess where the water levels will be this time of year. 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: I hope to have results soon of the Bob Hefner Memorial bass derby at Mittry Lake or you can call Clint Fraser at 580-3231 or Danny Woods at 4488476. Plan ahead and stay ready to fish the Catfish Derby July 22-23 with John Nicewander 342-0823 in charge. 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 and wildlife conservation 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 is fortunate in having so many fishing opportunities to take advantage of and all the learning we can gain from others.

• Yuma’s High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any youngster to learn all about fishing for bass. 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 a good share of fishing know-hows. Call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started. Any interested H.S. student will be a part of an exciting year for our next generation of anglers at Fisher’s Landing at Martinez Lake.

Two of Yuma’s young fishermen, Logan Walker and Joseph Williams, have done so well with their fishing with the Yuma club they earned the opportunity to travel with their coach Danny Woods to Lake Pickwick, Ala., for the latest World Championship Tournament earlier this month. Even though they caught a share of fish, they didn’t manage to place in the competition coming up against a huge number of other knowledgeable youngsters, but they had a wonderful experience — a true memory maker!

Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.