Naughty or nice? Gift ideas for the special person on your list

Christmas is almost here, and with it the question of what to get those who are on Santa’s list. Pretty easy when it comes to items we can purchase for sportsmen, women and youngsters who enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. The possibilities are endless.

For the hunter or angler, how about a 2020 license — single or combo. By getting the combo license for both hunting and fishing, it would be a gift greatly appreciated by any of us who enjoy both sports. If you plan to get a license for a youngster, how about taking him or her to the next hunter safety education class being held at the Yuma Regional office of Game and Fish or at Sprague’s Sports. There is endless information to learn and for those who have already taken the course, the second time around is a great refresher. Be sure to check out all the books and the Arizona Wildlife Views magazine at Game and Fish while you’re there — any of them would be of great value to any outdoors man, woman or older child.

Visit local sports dealers and do some window shopping. There are so many ideas for gifts of value to any of us who venture outdoors even if it’s just a short camp out. For stocking stuffers, check with Game and Fish about a free copy of the 2020 Urban Fishing Program Guidebook as well as a copy of new fishing regulations for your fisherman or woman. Something new again this year is the fishing license for Arizona military families, active and retired, available at Game and Fish as well as license dealers. Also an endless variety of tents, extra warm sleeping bags, clothing (don’t forget thermal underwear or wool socks) and boots for the cold country, sleeping cots, lanterns, cook stoves and utensils, dutch ovens, cast iron skillets, fishing equipment, hunting rifles and pistols, as well as archery equipment. The list goes on and on. If your sportsman enjoys a good hot cup of coffee, Coleman has a 12-cup coffee pot that sits on your camp stove top that makes an excellent cup of coffee.

A nifty gift for any youngster is giving of your time by accompanying him to an outdoor camp. Another gift of your time can include taking your

Jean Wilson youngster to get in on some fishing fun - a world of fun for any child to learn some of the tricks (add that fishing pole and/ or tackle box to a Christmas list of things youngsters enjoy). Remember the trout that Game and Fish plants at local ponds this time of year — ideal fun fishing spots to take youngsters during Christmas break from school.

A great Christmas present for your favorite lady is the BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) gives women (18 and older) the opportunity to learn about hunting, fishing and related activities in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The next camp is Jan. 24. Skills such as gun safety, shooting, angling (including fly fishing), camping, dutch-oven cooking, map and compass reading, marksmanship with rifle and bow being taught. Visit azwildlife.org/ht/d/ sp/i60573/pid/60573 or contact Kimberlee Kreuzer, AZ Wildlife Federation, awf@azwildlife.org, 480-644-0077. Be sure to ask about possible scholarships available from AWF.

Think about a trip to the snow at Flagstaff areas, even Julian, high up in the San Diego mountains or other higher elevation areas for a wonderful event for the whole family at Christmas time.

Hunt happenings

• Outdoor Skills Network: Ever want to try hunting or harvest your own food? Your one-stop resource for events offered by the AZ Game and Fish Department includes a network of partners who conduct hands-on events to teach you the basics about hunting, fishing, trapping, safety, wildlife and other outdoor skills. In addition to the January BOW camp, check the Arizona GFD Outdoor Skills Network that will include — Jan. 13 archery, javelina, deer, small game hunt camp (event No. 88695) at Lake Pleasant Regional Park at Morristown, Ariz.; the BACB Upland Bird Hunting for women and youth (event No. 91577) by the YMCA High Desert Hunt Club in Mayer, Ariz.; Jan. 17 Javelina Hunting Seminar (No. 88696) at Calvary Community Church in Phoenix.

Arizona hunt camps by type: Hunting Arizona’s Small Game by Randy Babb (a good resource for how to get started when hunting with youngsters). The 198-page book is a fantastic resource that provides expert tips for hunting Arizona’s small game birds and mammals, from quail and doves to squirrels and rabbits. Some hunts and some events require participants to have completed hunter education, information classes, online courses and other options are available. Classes are: introductory — no hunting or pursuit of wildlife, shooting lessons, instructional, typically 1-day activity; beginner — basic take of wildlife, 1-day event, pass shooting, species include dove, ducks, squirrel; developing — pursuit of wildlife, overnight events, remote locations, species include quail, rabbit, predator, javelina, turkey; intermediate — pursuit of more challenging species, deer, elk, stalking, remote locations, overnight, lots of field time; experienced — coming soon, minimal mentoring, base camps and “meet ups.”

Camp dates scheduled: Jan. 3, pintail slough youth waterfowl camp with special registration; Jan. 3, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Topock, Ariz., 5 to 11:45 p.m. that Friday plus 2 additional days; Jan. 21, javelina hunting seminar, CHA with special registration at Calvary Community Church, Phoenix; Jan. 23, 37B small game and youth javelina camp, APC, 5 to 11:45 p.m. plus 3 additional days at Willow Springs Hunt Camp, Oracle, Ariz.; Jan. 24, “Becoming an Outdoors Woman Deluxe Camp” with special registration at Saguaro Lake Ranch, Mesa (more on this shortly); Jan. 24, 20C youth javelina, small game & predator hunt camp from 5 to 11:45 p.m. Friday plus 2 additional days at Date Creek, Sunflower Flat Congress, Ariz. More to come in February.

Fish findings

• Invasive New Zealand mud snails discovered in Oak Creek and AZGFD hatcheries near Cornville: The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed the presence of New Zealand mud snails, an aquatic invasive species, in AZGFD’s Page Springs Fish Hatchery. Through environmental DNA technology, AZGFD believes wildlife may have introduced the mud snails from Oak Creek to the Page Springs Fish Hatchery and is conducting surveys to determine the source location. At this time, no adults have been detected in Oak Creek or other nearby locations. As a result, stockings from Page Springs have been halted, yet AZGFD has been purchasing fish from out-of-state vendors to ensure most waters scheduled to be stocked do indeed receive trout. See the latest trout stocking schedule, or visit AZGFD’s Fish AZ site for reports and updates.

Great opportunities for anglers also remain in community fishing program waters, some were stocked this week with rainbow trout (stockings from Page Springs will resume as soon as AZGFD implements a process to ensure New Zealand mud snails are not transported through stockings). AZGFD continues to sample more areas and is conducting a treatment in an effort to eradicate the mud snails from the facility.

The New Zealand mud snail is an invasive snail that is ovoviviparous (live bearing) and parthenogenic (reproduces asexually). These snails were first found in Arizona in 2002 below Lake Powell in Lees Ferry, and then progressively moved downstream through the Grand

Canyon and into Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Since 2008, they have been known to inhabit the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your equipment and gear after every fishing trip.

• Trout planting schedule (save planting dates below) — time to get your bait and poles set up and ready with plans to visit local ponds. With Christmas vacation in progress, it’s prime time to take our youngsters to learn and enjoy catching trout at local areas. Dec. 23, Fortuna Pond, PAAC Pond, Council Park Pond in Somerton and Yuma West Wetlands Pond; Jan. 6, Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond; Jan. 20, PAAC Pond, Council Park Pond and West Wetlands; Feb. 3, Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond; Feb. 10, PAAC Pond and Hidden Shores; Feb. 17, Council Park Pond (Somerton) and West Wetlands Pond. We found last year that it’s a very good idea to get to the ponds right away at planting dates before all the trout are caught. I agree that our winter visitors are welcome and we want them to enjoy themselves, but they actually need to consider other people when they ‘over-fish’ our trout waters this time of year, leaving no fish for locals to try their luck in catching (our sad experience at Fortuna Pond with our youngsters last year). Check next week’s column for some hints on how to catch trout.

Fishing clubs

• Desert Pro/Am Draw Series: The final tournament was held at Fisher’s Landing for the draw series and a great day it was. Robert Murray took first place and first place big fish honors with an 11 lb bag and a 5.03 lb fish. Congratulations to Carl Beach who won non-boater angler of the year and Curt Cernik who won boater angler of the year. Michael Obney would like to thank you for all for your support for the club over the last two years.

• Desert Anglers Bass Fishing Club: Michael and Mardi Obney will now begin the new Desert Anglers club with their Jan. 4 first tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing with early sign-up 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at The Hideaway, launching to fish Jan. 4 at safe light with weigh-in at 3 p.m. There will be a membership drive Dec. 27 at The Hideaway. Annual dues are $20 and $10 for each additional family member wanting to fish. Remember, this new club was put together with a format as close as possible to what Mac and Bobbi McDermott did with Desert Bass for so many years with the hope of interesting those fishermen and women along with other anglers to try it out and possibly continue the fishing fun. Call Michael at 928-750-7081 with questions (Note: ABA will also be fishing out of Fisher’s Jan. 4 at different times). The 2020 tournament schedule is: Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Aug. 29, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 with all tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing except for April 4 that will be at Mittry Lake. Some mighty good fishing coming up! Anglers who have joined the new club so far are “looking forward to this new adventure!”

• ABA Yuma region: The ABA’s ‘8-pound pot’ remains unbroken since last year and we challenge all the fishermen out there to come out and try to break that 8 lb pot which has accumulated to over $1,600. The ABA-Yuma region 2020 tournament schedule is as follows: Jan. 4 at Fisher’s Landing, Feb. 15 at Fishers Landing, March 7 at Mittry Lake, April 18 at Fisher’s, May 16 - Fish off at Fishers Landing. Give Billy Clothier a call at 928-919-0304 with questions.

• 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 the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and other volunteers 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

• 4-H Shooting Sports: The Yuma County 4-H shooting sports is open to any 4-H youth ages 9-19 with an end of the year competition in March. Call the Yuma 4-H office at 726-3904 or Stan Gourley at 344-0740 with questions or if you have a youngster who wants to join a 4-H club.

• The Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: New schedule — Regular shooting matches are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Matches are also held Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. all at the Adair Park trap and skeet range. Fees $1 to sign up with $6 non-member fee per round of 25 targets. Member’s fee $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 $30 per calendar year. Call Bob Avila at 928-919-0622.

• The Yuma Young Guns shooting the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP): The program is open to ages 9-25 still in school with a team of Arizona Game and Fish Department certified instructors assisting. SCTP practice at the range is 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Call head coach H. McNutt at 928-580-4838 or John Gross at 580-1836 for answers to questions.

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: Keep check on this column for news of 3D animal shoots being held by Renegades at the Foothills Archery Range again or call Kevin Wilson at 928-726-0953 if you’re interested in shooting the 3D trail at the range. Range fees are very reasonable and youngsters of all ages, including those new to archery, are welcome and always free of charge.

• 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 will resume shooting now at Adair Park. 2020 silhouette match schedule at Adair Park with $5 shooting fee per gun: 4th Saturdays in January, February, March, November and December — big bore long range pistol; cowboy lever action rifle; pistol cartridge lever action rifle; .22 lever action rifle. These are NRA approved matches, however, NRA membership is not required to participate. 2nd Saturdays in January, February, March, November and December — black powder cartridge, vintage military rifle silhouette or fun match; vintage military rifle is any military rifle built up to 1952. No M14’s allowed. Chickens shot standing, pigs, turkeys, rams shot off of a ground rest. Replicating military positions while shooting. Bench rest 1/2 size targets will also be shot. This is all center fire calibers shot at 200, 300, 385, 500 meters. Other shooting schedules for the week: every Tuesday 8 a.m. Schutzen .22 rifle match on the black powder range. 20 shots bench rest at 100 yards and 20 shots standing at 100 yards. Bench rest match 50 shots at 50 yards. These are shot on alternating Tuesdays. Every Wednesday 8 a.m. informal get together for fun and plinking off the bench or standing. Practice your shooting skills, test your ammo for the gun you want to shoot it in. Every Wednesday 9 a.m. until finished BPCR .22 silhouette, .22 long range silhouette match. Every Friday 8 a.m. .22 and pistol cartridge caliber rifle and pistol silhouette fun matches. Informal get-together for .22 rimfire rifle or pistol and pistol caliber lever rifles or pistols. In addition, there will be some monthly NRL (National Rifle League) on the 3rd Saturday of the month throughout the year. Everyone is welcome. Club business meeting 2nd Tuesday November through March 7 p.m. at Villa Alameda RV Park, Avenue 5E. Qualifications: Open to the general public. Instructions will be provided as necessary. Firearm limitations: All firearms must comply with NRA guidelines for each event. Cartridge limitations: Cartridges must not result in damage to the targets (i.e., no belted magnums). Small bore is defined as .22 long rifle ammunition (no .22 magnums). Start times: Sign-up at 8 a.m.; shooting starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Call president Rick Kelley at 928-502-0736 or visit rickinyuma@gmail.com.

• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: All shooters are always welcome to shoot with the club. Call Joseph Murek at 928627-4556 with questions. Shooting activities are also available for club junior “Whipper Snipers” for all ages. Check club matches along with other club news listed on the club website at hprifleyuma.com.

• 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. Call Ronnie Gissendaner at 726-0022 to check fall matches. Interested in cowboy action shooting? Call Irene Snyder at 920-613-4598 or Bob Wiles at 920-2158.

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