Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees announced

Wildlife For Tomorrow — Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame: Make plans to attend the 22nd annual banquet and honor your fellow conservationists on Aug. 10 at the Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, Ariz.

This year’s inductees into the Outdoor Hall of Fame include four outstanding individuals, and one outstanding organization. The inductees are: Bob Fletcher, a long-time sportsman-conservationist who has worked on numerous wildlife habitat improvement projects and is a past recipient of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s “Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year” award; Mike Ingram, a dedicated contributor to Arizona’s outdoor heritage, member of many sportsmen’s/conservation organizations, and strong supporter of AZGFD’s hunter/angler recruitment and retention efforts; John Koleszar, who has been active as a volunteer, fundraiser, writer and radio co-host, and has served in leadership roles for many sportsmen’s/conservation organizations; Rich Williams, a working HAHWG member, great conservation leader and steering committee member, working member of NWTF, Arizona president, AES, AZSFWC. The event will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m.The evening will also feature live/silent auctions, exciting raffle and door prizes, and music by the Back Porch Bandits. Suggested attire is business casual or western wear. Individual tickets are $70, a table for 10 is $700. A table of 10 and a full-page ad in the banquet brochure is $1,200. Purchase your tickets online at wildlifefortomorrow.org, or call Rebecca Bouquot (WFT ticket chair) at 602-501-4788.

The Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame was developed in 1998 by the Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation to honor those who have

Jean Wilson made significant contributions to Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage. Previous inductees include the likes of Senator Barry Goldwater, Congressman Mo Udall, sportswriter Ben Avery, outdoor writer Bob Hirsch, the Phoenix Herpetological Society, Senator John McCain, and many other men, women and organizations that have served selflessly and continuously for the success of conservation of Arizona’s precious wildlife resources. Wildlife For Tomorrow is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate. For more information, visit wildlifefortomorrow.org.

• Arizona Game and Fish Report: Do you want to see your photo on the cover of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine? Do you have a knack for capturing great photos of Arizona’s wildlife? Then you won’t want to miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 13th annual Arizona wildlife photo contest.

One best in show and 11 first-place winners will be showcased in the 2020 calendar, which is published in the November-December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views, an award-winning magazine about wildlife and outdoor recreation. Arizona’s diverse wildlife provides ample opportunities to snap photos of deer, elk or bighorn sheep minding their own business or a colorful hummingbird hovering for a moment to feed on a flower. You might also see a great blue heron landing in a local pond or feeding on a dragonfly.

The judging process is “blind,” meaning entries are assigned a number and evaluated anonymously. Personal information is not attached to images or revealed during judging. Photos are evaluated solely on creativity, photographic quality, effectiveness in conveying the unique character of the subject, and whether or not submitted images meet the basic size and formatting requirements.

Entries are accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 9 MST. Cash prizes will be awarded, and prize money is funded through publication sales.

As always, the contest is free to enter. It’s also easy. People can enter via email or through a file-sharing website. The official rules are posted at photocontest@azgfd.gov.

Outdoors VIPs in Yuma

• Elaine Griswold, an avid fisherwoman as well as a super hunter lady, as a lot of us knew, has left us and is at peace. Elaine was a good friend to me through the years and I will always be grateful for knowing her. We both, along with many other ladies, belonged to the Yuma Women’s Reel and Rifle Club for years enjoying what the outdoors had to offer until we were finally able to get together with the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club to continue our outdoor activities and responsibilities with there’s. Elaine was what I call “a doer,” accomplishing a lot of good things during her long life. Thank you, Elaine, for being a part of my life and that of my family members. You have been a true friend.

• Mac McDermott (for those who might not know) passed away the evening of June 25, 2019. Mac will be sorely missed. Last week, I wrote about a few of the many comments bass fishermen who fished with Mac. I’d like to continue with other comments from many bass fishermen:

• Post by bassnmanjim, “Mac will be well remembered. He was blessed with many days of fishing.”

• lasflores wrote, “I did not know Mac personally, however, heard many great stories about him. My condolences to Mac’s family and friends.”

• Post by Tito1, “Very sorry to hear of Mac’s passing. I didn’t know him personally, but he seemed like a great guy to know. I have come across him while fishing and he will surely be missed, my condolences to Bobbi and the entire family.”

• Comment by Bob La Londe, “Please come celebrate his life on July 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Drive, in Yuma.”

• FJ SMITH, the Blind Squirrel wrote, “He will be at the celebration of life for Mac on July 12.”

• Jim Laumann wrote, “Prayers said.”

• Triton176 wrote, “I’m going to miss Mac greatly. I fished Desert Draw tournament with him just a couple weeks ago. Whenever we would run into each other in town or on the water, he always greeted me with “hey, Ricky.” We shared a lot of our past life experiences but my 30year military career was a cake walk compared to his many experiences. He was a true hero and a legend in the military as well as afterwards in the civilian and military communities in Yuma.”

The question has been asked, “Has anybody discussed the future of Desert Bass?” This is something for us all to discuss so we can help in some way. It’s only been mentioned in passing. Personally, I don’t think anybody could take the place of Mac. Whenever Bobbi is ready to think about it or maybe never ... it’s entirely up to Bobbi.” Other comments, “The Desert Bass Club became an institution due to Mac and Bobbi’s 30-plus years devotion to providing a great and fun fishing venue on the Colorado River. Desert Bass meant a lot to me personally as it has to many others. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye personally. Rest in peace, Mac. We will all miss you.”

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: A lot of bass fishermen in Yuma wonder about the future of Desert Bass Anglers. We all hope it can continue. I’ll gladly share any news I get about this great organization.

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Check next week for results of this year’s Big Bass Derby or call Robby Ballew at 919-2453.

• Desert Pro/Am Draw Series: Our next tournament will be July 20 so keep fishing to stay in practice to catch the big one. Tournament details will be forthcoming or call Michael at 928-750-7081.

• Visit the Hideaway (previously Sportsman’s Hideaway): The shop is now located where Mitch’s Bait Shop had been — you’ll be surprised at all they have. Meet the new owners Danny Woods and Blake Hash as well as Edgar, who’s on hand to assist with your every fishing need. Check out the YVRGC bass board while there — you might decide to join the club and get in on the fishing action.

• Yuma High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any high schooler, both boys and girls, to learn about fishing for bass with members of both the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and Desert Bass Anglers assisting the kids in providing them with boats and equipment as well as guidance as they learn — it is an exciting year so far for our next generation of anglers at Fisher’s Landing/Martinez Lake. Interested high schoolers can call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started.

Shooting sports

• Bowhunter happening 3D shoot at Mormon Lake July 19-21: Family fun 3D animal target archery shoot with 7 courses including 1 extreme and 1 kids course. There will be raffle prizes for both the novelty long shot and aerial archery trap shoot plus many general raffle items (bows, backpacks, optics, coolers) at the Mormon Lake Rodeo Grounds, hosted by AZ Bowhunters Association. Pre-register online at arizonabowhunter.org. Information, Hunter Wall 480-529-3781, hunter. wall@cox.net.

• 4-H Shooting Sports: The Yuma County 4-H shooting sports is open to any 4-H youth ages 9-19. Call the Yuma 4-H office at 726-3904 or Stan Gourley at 344-0740 with questions or if you have a youngster who might want to join a 4-H club and get in on the shooting sports at the Ware Farm in Gila Valley.

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: Archers are always welcome to shoot with the club so let me hear from you if you’d like to enjoy shooting the 3D trail shoots. Call 726-0953 and we’ll be glad to set up the trail for your shooting enjoyment. We are glad to assist anyone in their learning as well with free archery instructions. The practice range area is open (use is free) daylight hours all week for archers practice and enjoyment. It is best to bring your own target for use at the practice range.

• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet? Shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at Adair Park, located off Highway 95, 15 miles east of Yuma, turning west onto Adair Range Road, 1st range on the right. Range fees are $1 to sign up with $6 nonmember fee per round of 25 targets. Member’s fees are $4 per round with 5 shooting fields available — field 1 & 2 skeet, field 3 wobble trap, field 4 & 5 trap. Eye and hearing protection required. Annual dues are $30 per calendar year. Call Bob Avila at 928919-0622.

• The Yuma Young Guns with the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP): The program, open to ages 9-25 still in school, will continue with a team of Arizona Game and Fish Department certified instructors assisting. Call head coach H. McNutt at 928-580-0918 or John Gross at 580-1836 if with questions.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Get in on the open black powder matches at the Adair Park range, 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453 with questions or to ask about .22 matches.

• Cholla Gun Club: Club NRA approved matches (NRA membership not required) will resume in November at Adair Park. Call Rick Kelley 928-502-0736. The range will remain open to the public for safe shooting practice through the summer.

• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: All shooters are always welcome to shoot with the club. Call Joseph Murek at 928-627-4556 with questions. Shooting activities are also available for club junior “Whipper Snipers” for all ages as well. Check club matches as well as Whipper Snipers news listed on the club website 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 the 2nd Sunday with the cowboy fast draw the 3rd Saturday. SASS cowboy fast draw matches have moved from Saturday to the 4th Sunday. Interested in cowboy action shooting? Call Irene Snyder at 209613-4598 or Bob Wiles at 920-2158 with questions.

• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club at Adair Park: Archery is offered Sundays with the practice range open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 782-1086 with questions.

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