Arizona Game and Fish Dept. appoints new director
The following article appeared in the June AZGFD Wildlife News. I mentioned in an earlier column that Ty Gray would replace Larry Voyles who is retiring after eight years as director of Arizona Game and Fish Department. I am sure he will be working well with those of us in Yuma who work closely with Game and Fish.
PHOENIX, posted June 12, 2017 — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has appointed Ty Gray as director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The appointment came in an unanimous 5-0 vote at the commission’s June 11 meeting.
Gray, of Phoenix, has been with Game and Fish for 24 years and is currently the agency’s deputy director. He will replace outgoing director Larry Voyles, who announced May 12 he would be retiring after a 43-year career with Game and Fish, the past nine as director. Gray will assume the role following a transition period.
“We’re thrilled to hire someone with Ty’s depth of experience and accomplishments,” said Commission Chairman Pat Madden. “He brings extensive experience in wildlife management, planning, budget, and executive-level administration and leadership, as well as the respect of colleagues and the public.”
Gray began his career with the department as a research biologist in 1993 and worked his way up through the ranks. He has a unique familiarity and perspective on department issues and operations, having also served as urban fishing program specialist, a regional fish program specialist, human dimensions coordinator, field operations coordinator, fisheries branch chief, education branch chief, assistant director for Information/ Education/Recreation Division, and deputy director, a position he has held since March 2013.
“This is truly a great honor,” said Gray. “The Arizona Game and Fish Department is recognized as one of the world’s leading wildlife management agencies, and I look forward to continuing our tradition of innovation and dedication to meet the conservation challenges and opportunities of the future.”
Gray will lead an agency that employs more than 600 people and is funded at more than $120 million per year, primarily from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, a federal excise tax on hunting and fishing gear, and several other sources such as the Heritage Fund (lottery proceeds), Wildlife Conservation Fund (tribal gaming revenue), watercraft licensing, OHV decals, and state wildlife grants. The agency does not receive Arizona general fund tax dollars.
“I have the utmost confidence in Ty and his ability to lead the agency into the future,” said outgoing director Voyles. “I commend the commission for the fair and thorough process they used in interviewing, vetting, and making the challenging decision of selecting a new director from among four candidates of the highest caliber, each of whom has been a tremendous asset to this agency and to the people of Arizona.”
“I congratulate Ty on being selected director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “We look forward to working closely with Director Gray to ensure the health, abundance and variety of Arizona’s wildlife.”
Gray holds a bachelor of science in fisheries and wildlife resource management from the University of Nebraska.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department director is appointed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, a five-member citizen board that sets policy and has broad oversight of the department. The director serves as the department’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for the general supervision and control of all activities, functions and employees of the department.
Hunt happenings
• New Arizona Game and Fish Commission chairman: Yuma native, Jim Ammons, has always been a hard working do-er, had been the very successful president of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club for many years as well as being a lifetime member of the club, then with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for 3-1/2 years and now the chairman of the commission. A huge congratulations to Jim Ammons.
• “Hunt Arizona”: The 2017 edition of “Hunt Arizona” yearly compilation of big and small game hunting statistics, is now available online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/ surveydata (https://www.azgfd.com/ Hunting/surveydata).
The free, downloadable PDF publication includes draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife. It’s easy to use and includes the latest data on units/hunts with the highest hunter success rates, hunts with the best draw odds, and historical survey and hunt information that can be used to compare trends, by unit, for the major game species. “Hunt Arizona” is a must for both novice and experienced hunters when making informed decisions regarding hunt selections.
Fishing clubs
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: The Bob Hefner Memorial bass derby, the season’s finale bass competition, saw Tyler and Travis Shaddy taking first place with 23.22 pounds of bass caught followed by Billy Skinner/Robby Ballew in second place with 18.78 with the team of Danny Woods/Harold Wah placing third with their 17.33 total. Big fish honors was taken by Tommy Ray/Shawn Keane with their 6.06 largemouth bass. Winning the 2-pound pot, with a 1.99 was Michael Leifeste/Jerry Gaither.
Once all fish were weighed in, final points were tallied with three people ending the season with 16 points. The tie-breaker went to the angler catching the biggest bass of the day, which turned out to be Tommy Ray’s 6.06-pound bass earning him the 2017 Angler of the Year award. Good fishin’, Tommy!
Anyone interested in the outdoors is welcome to 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. Call Becky Mae Pope at 502-0121 or email maybhunting@gmail.com for club information.
• Desert Bass Anglers “the fun way to fish”: A reminder to get signed up either the night prior to fishing at Sportsman’s Hideaway or early morning before launch at Fisher’s Landing for the tournament Saturday on the Colorado River launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Questions? Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
Note of caution: So you don’t get caught in an area with low water conditions, check how much water is at the ramp at launch and plan your trip accordingly.
A reminder to all anglers: 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 cooler. It’s hard to guess where the water levels will be this time of year. Be prepared for hot temperatures and a lot 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 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: 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-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 for our next generation of anglers at Fisher’s Landing at Martinez Lake.
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 and 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 begin 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. When you’d like to shoot the 3D animal trail for good hunting practice or recreation, let us know beforehand by calling Jean Wilson at 247-4450 or Kevin Wilson at 7260953 so we can get it set up and ready to meet you at the range.
• 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 summertime, there’s 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 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 again 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 website at hprifleyuma.com or email Joe at umpire1@q.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 with 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.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.