Take necessary precautions to prevent problems with wildlife
Don’t become bear bait while hunting or camping. Whenever we head for the hills for a long awaited hunt or vacation time camping, it’s always a must to take necessary precautions when it comes to preventing problems from bears as well as mountain lions.
Keep in mind that bears, even small ones, are powerful animals and capable of ripping apart large fallen trees (even cars and camp trailers). Although bears are omnivorous (eat fruit, nuts and berries as well as meat), they can be and often are predators with a keen sense of smell and excellent eyesight.
Be aware also that, for a short distance, a bear can outrun a horse or deer, even uphill (so, where does that put you?). Bears may be big and appear clumsy, but they can be surprisingly quick and agile. Just because a bear looks docile or uninterested one minute, does not guarantee the bear will not radically change it’s behavior the next minute and become a threat.
When in bear country in Arizona, be alert. Look for signs of recent bear activity such as droppings, tracks, evidence of digging and claw or bite marks on trees. Make your presence known by talking loudly, clapping, singing or occasionally calling out. Be aware of your surroundings, it doesn’t pay to surprise a bear.
While bear-human conflicts are mostly foodrelated, they can, and do, happen. By using common sense at removing the food problem possibilities, you can probably avoid bear problems. Mountain lions, however, are meat eaters and can mistake a human as a food item — their normal prey, so the same precautions as with bears should be practiced when you’re in the field. Bearproof containers for food, kept away from sleeping areas and strung up in a tree at least 8 to 10 feet off the ground and away from camp are suggested. Jean Wilson Be sure to clean up camp following meals, including crumbs or scraps and never sleep in an area used for eating. Be sure to wash following meals so food odors do not linger on your body — do not wear those clothes to bed or even have them in your sleeping area (same goes for clothing you wear while cleaning fish or game animals — vinegar or anti-bacterial hand soap can help.
Other precautions to take include: Keep toiletries such as toothpaste, soap, deodorants and shaving cream away from the sleeping area — they are animal attractants. Never wear perfume. Wash off ointments such as sunblock or mosquito repellent, that also could be an attractant. If you are packing out a game animal, avoid carrying it in such a way that a predator can mistake you for one of it’s normal prey. Don’t run. It may trigger a natural predator response to attack. Face the animal. Don’t turn your back, however, you can try backing away. If that draws the animal toward you, stop, try to look as large as possible. You might even stand up on your toes to appear taller. Don’t bend down or crouch and lower your profile. You can even bang on pots and pans to make noise. Wave your arms and speak in a loud but firm voice. Let it know you are human. Most wildlife have a fear of humans so do anything you can to give them a way to escape. If you have a stick or rock, throw it at the animal to possibly scare it off. Fight back if attacked. Use caps, jackets, anything at hand. Mountain lions and bears will most often go for the head or back of the neck, so protect yourself there.
Pepper spray has been proven to ward off an attack, especially from bears, so carry a container with you at all times so it’ll be handy if needed (don’t breathe the spray from the pepper — it can cut off your breathing capabilities).
Hunt happenings
• Hunter education reminder: There will be a class at Sprague’s Sports Shop June 19-22. Sign-up at www.azgfd.com. Also 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.
• Prairie dog shoot reminder: If you plan on going to the annual Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club event in Seligman, Ariz., July 8, it’s necessary to reserve a room by calling the Stagecoach 66 Motel in Seligman at (928) 422-3470 and book a room prior to going, you’ll receive YVRGC discounts.
• Application deadline for fall hunts: If you want to apply to hunt fall deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison and pheasant, the deadline is June 13.
• Congratulations to Shirlie MacDonald on catching her 4.62-pound largemouth bass from Colorado River waters. If you’d like to get in on fishing tournaments launching out of Fisher’s Landing at Martinez Lake, visit fisherslandingresort.com/pages/ fishingtournamentschedules.aspx.
Fishing clubs
• Reminder to all anglers: Be sure your livewell is working properly and 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 the day. Be sure to carry lots of water and sports drinks, towels, long sleeve 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.
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Hope you got in on the last Shoot Bang derby at Mittry Lake that ended this year’s big bass qualifying with the big bass dinner Friday followed by the big bass derby Saturday launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Mark your calendar to include the July 15 Bob Hefner Memorial derby season finale at Mittry Lake. Costs and options: $40 per boat, $5 big fish option and $5 for the 2-pound pot option, totaling $50 in all with three places paid/100 percent paid out.
A very good reason to join the YVRGC to get in on all the fishing fun and super great practice on the water. Call Becky Mae Pope at 5020121 or email maybhunting@gmail. com or attend any club meeting at 7 p.m. the 1st Wednesday each month at American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Drive.
• 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/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 2017-18 year’s project. At that time, the 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: Plan to be at the Foothills Archery Range by 8 a.m. today to shoot a 3D trail shoot, open to all archery enthusiasts. The practice range is also 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. Shoot fees are $3 for adults, youngsters free. Call Jean Wilson at 247-4450 or Kevin Wilson at 726-0953 for directions to the range, answers to questions, or to let us know you need the use of shooting equipment (for those who don’t have their own bow and arrows).
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet can shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays. It’s summer hours now so no weekday matches until fall. Call Bob Avila at 910-0622. Youngsters in school 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. .22 matches are held the 1st Tuesday as well. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453.
• Cholla Gun Club: A full schedule of shooting is available at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range, 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: Scheduled shooting matches at the Adair Park big bore (high power) range are done until Sept. 9 when the club will begin fall matches with NRA conventional pistol matches, followed the next day with across the course matches. Vintage service rifle matches will begin again Sept. 16 at the Adair Park range. 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 visit Joseph Murek at umpire1@gmail. 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, 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.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.