Take precautions: Don’t let a bear ruin your camping trip
Now that our weather is warming and becoming more congenial with summer getting closer, our thoughts begin to make plans for taking the family camping as well as preparing for fall hunts we’ve applied for — a good time to become familiar with black bears. Large in size (3 to 3 1/2 feet tall when on all four feet, 4 1/2 to 6 1/4 feet long), this heavyweight big game animal could easily present problems should a meeting in the wild take place, something we all need to be aware of, be prepared for and avoid whenever possible.
Black bears are most active at dawn and dusk, so be alert and ever-ready to leave the area quickly should you see a bear in the distance. Signs of activity include large tracks with claw marks (the hind print is somewhat like a human’s footprint), somewhat round droppings, digging, large overturned rocks and logs, and garbage from dumpsters or cans scattered good distances. Keep your ears open as threatened or stressed adult bears will make sounds, including woofing, hissing, popping of teeth and grunting.
Most conflicts with bears result from people unintentionally feeding them, most often by allowing access to, in our case, camp garbage (be sure to secure garbage higher than 6 feet and be sure to clean up any food that spills) or bird feeders. Bears are known to even raid camp grills along with garbage cans, etc., looking for an easy meal. This includes ripping into tents should they smell food.
Their primary food may be acorns, berries, insects and cactus fruits, but having access to garbage can lead bears to roam farther in search of that easy meal.
Black bears should always be considered unpredictable and potentially dangerous. A black bear will usually detect you and leave the area before you notice, unless the bear has been conditioned to people and their food. If you live or visit black bear country, take responsibility for not attracting them. Always work to discourage a visit. They will usually avoid people but if they should become aggressive, do the following:
• If a bear attacks, fight back with everything you can lay your hands on — fists, sticks, shovels, rocks and EPA registered bear pepper spray (a really good item to keep in your camp needs).
• Don’t feed or give water to black bears. Be aware that human behaviors, such as feeding other animals can attract bears.
• Feed your pets inside or remove uneaten pet food between feedings.
• Remove garbage regularly. Keep a clean camp!
Hunt happenings
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: The Adult Javelina Contest, just done for this year, ended in March with some good results, gaining nice prizes for the hunters. Results are: Ken Ford 52 lbs., Frankie Gaumer 50 lbs., Pat Headington 42 lbs., Jason Smart 40 lbs., Larry Smart 28 lbs. and Matt Ewing 26 lbs. Good hunting guys!
The Junior Big Javelina Contest will continue with weight results due to Linda Florence (928) 581-0825 by December 31, 2018.
Prairie Dog Shoot July 6-8th hosted by YVRGC: if you plan on heading for Seligman for the shoot withplans to stay at the Stagecoach 66 Motel there, best call quick before they run out of rooms. Call direct to get YPRGC discount, at (928) 4223470 to reserve a room.
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation — Yuma Chapter Banquet May 19th: You are cordially invited to the Yuma banquet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday May 19th for a social evening of fun, great food, all for the benefit of elk country. Location will be at the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort located at 6800 Strand Avenue in Yuma. Purchase pre-sale tickets for a Kodiak Series Safe that holds 24 long guns and 4 handguns. Only 100 tickets will be sold at $20, first come, first served. This safe will be shipped directly to winner. Our ladies raffle will be a beautiful Kimber Micro Bel Air .380 ACP. Tickets $25 each or buy 2 and get 1 free. Individual Tickets $70 while meal only intended for current or life member is $35. Ask about other fees. Sponsor tables are available to treat your friends, families and employees. Please make your reservation by calling Cheryl Jones at (928) 920-6934. We Look forward to seeing your there!
• Arizona Wildlilfe Federation Annual Meeting June 2: Attend the meeting at Nordic Village in Flagstaff to help commemorate their 95 successful years. Contact Scott Garlid at scott@azwildlife.org for information.
• Online Applications for fall hunts: The online application service becomes available early to mid-May with all online applications due by 11:59 p.m. (AZ time), Tuesday, June 12th. Visit azgfd.gov/and click “Apply for a Draw.” All hunters are encouraged to open a free portal account https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/ Register. Create a secure account where you can manage and view your contact information as well as license and draw results history and bunus points, in your personal “My AZ Dashboard” section. A portal account is mobile-friendly, a convenient way to access the online license purchase and hunt draw applications systems.
Fishing clubs
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: A busy time of year with the May 19th Big Bass Board Qualifying Derby being held at Mittry Lake followed by the Big Bass Dinner June 15 with the Big Bass Derby launching out of Fisher’s Landing June 16th. Come to the June 6th monthly meeting at American Legion Post 19 Hall, 2575 Virginia Dr. with reasonably priced meal at 6:30 p.m., the meeting at 7 p.m. to learn all about it along with other events taking place. Check next week’s column for results of the latest Ted Townsend Memorial Catfish Derby
• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: 30 boats took to the water for the latest Bass Team Tournament with no shortage of healthy fish resulting in 22 limits weighed. The team of Tim Price/Lynn Domby took first place honors with their 19.22 pounds of bass caught while Simon Apadoca/Chris Walker placed second with 18.53. 3rd place was enjoyed by father and son Keith / Jacob Lute with their 18.28 total as well as taking the 1st place Big Fish, a true whopper, weighing in at 8.02 (the third time in a row for the club’s 8-pound pot to tumble). Brothers Trevor and Fuller Reis placed 4th with their 17.49 total of bass weighed in as well as the 2nd place Big Fish weighing 6.72. First out of the money was the team of Tyler Shaddy/Robby Ballew with 16.19 to their credit. The club will accommodate the June 2nd final ABA Yuma Division Tournament by getting up early for their next competition on June 9th rather then the usually first Saturday. • American Bass (ABA) — Yuma Division: Next up — The June 2nd ABA YUMA FISH OFF CHAMPIONSHIP. Get your team entered, you won’t want to miss it, it’s going to be epic! A big Thank you to all our sponsors, especially FTS Franklin Tire & Service Center!
• ABA — Yuma Division: The championships coming up June 2nd launching out of Fisher’s Landing has added new interest this year. Entry fee per boat is $140 plus $20 Option (winner take all), all for $160. • All participants receive a chance to win a 3 day fishing trip to EL Salto curtesy of Ron Speeds Adventures. Watch for entry form and complete information in my 4/26 column or call Jeff Woods at (951) 824-0553. You can also enter (check only, don’t send cash) with Director Jeff Woods 2520 Tara Lane, Riverside, CA 92506 by no later than May 25th.
• Desert Draw Series Pro/Am Bass Fishing Club: Be sure to take advantage of what Obney offers in his fishing endeavors with this new club with the next tournament May 19th launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Call Michael Obney at 928 750-7081.
• Yuma High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any High Schooler to learn all about fishing for bass. Call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started.
Shooting sports
• 4-H shooting sports: The latest Year end competition held at the Ware Farm in Dome Valley was the culmination of our 2017-2018 training year with 12 classes and a two-day training camp with the final competition. The youngsters had a great turnout with a cookout and a parent .22 cal rifle 50/50 shoot out with half of the fees going to the winner and our awards pot. Awards were earned by: 3P Air Rifle Grand Champion Micheal Moreno, Reserve Champion Robbie Carrosco, Archery Grand Champion Daniel Urquides, Reserve Champion Angelica Underwood, 1st Year Bench Grand Champion Anthony Guzman, Reserve Champion Carlos Gusman, Muzzleloader Grand Champion Evelyn Mejia, Reserve Champion Micheal Moreno, Small Bore .22 Grand Champion Micheal Moreno, Reserve champion Angelica Underwood, High Point Shooter Micheal Moreno. Huge thank you’s to all those who provided support, supplies and awards — the Beeler Family, Trax Int of YPG, Sprague’s Sports and the Ware Family and especially the parents that allowed their youth to come and learn these life skills. Our 2018-19 training season will begin in September — dates and locations information will be forthcoming.
Call the Yuma 4-H office at 7263904 or Stan Gourley at 344-0740. Keep watch for dates for the new year of training in their shooting sports program. It promises to be one worth attending.
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: Please give us a call — Kevin at 726-0953 or Jean at 247-4450 — if you’d like to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. today at the Foothills Archery Range. Bring your youngsters for “Free” archery shooting instructions — we’ll be glad to assist in their learning (call ahead so we can bring along extra bows and arrows).
The practice area at the Range is open (also free use) daylight hours all week for archers practice and enjoyment. You might be best satisfied bringing along your own target. PLEASE do what you can to prevent vandalism while at the range so all can enjoy.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet? Shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays. Tuesdays and Thursdays noon to 4 p.m. at Adair Park. Call Bob Avila at (928) 919-0622. The Yuma Young Guns with the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) is still working hard. Call Head Coach H. McNutt at 928 580-0918 if you are interested.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Regular “open” black powder matches are 1st and 3rd Saturday’s at the Adair Park range at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453 — ask about .22 matches.
• Cholla Gun Club: Shooting is ongoing at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range — get your firearms in order and join in the shooting. All shooters welcome. Sign-up at 8:30 a.m. for shooting at 9 a.m. sharp. Call Glenda Graves at (928) 580-0915 for shooting times. Watch for their shooting schedule changes coming soon.
• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: The club will hold the “Across the Course High Power Rifle” Match (NRA approved) at 7 a.m. May 12th, that will include 200 yards offhand slow fire, 200 yards sitting rapid fire, 300 yards prone rapid fire and 600 yards prone slow fire. Check with Joseph Murek at umpire1@q.com or Gerald Brooker at brookergerald@ att.net or call 1-858-349-1311 or Paul Lerma at 580-7456. Club junior “Whipper Snipers” shooters still busy with their shooting activities for all ages. Check club matches as well as Whipper Snipers news listed on the club web site at hprifleyuma.net.
• Yuma Matchmasters: A variety of matches are offered each month at the range, all open to shooters at 7 a.m. with the steel challenge the 1st Saturday, Multi-gun matches the 1st Sunday. IPSC combat matches held the 2nd Sunday with the Cowboy Fast Draw the 3rd Saturday and SASS cowboy matches the 4th Saturday. Interested in Cowboy Action shooting? Call Irene Snyder at (209) 613-4598 or Bob Wiles at 920-2158 with questions.
• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club: Archery is offered to archers on Sundays with their practice range also open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 782-1097.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.