Become a mentor! Share time, knowledge with youth
Why is being a mentor so very important to the tradition of hunting and fishing? Because it gives you an opportunity to assist a youngster in learning the skills and gaining the interest to become a hunting or fishing person and to continue those great traditions that we have learned to enjoy so much from our forefathers.
What is a mentor? A mentor is someone who has acquired a good share (even a little is good) of knowledge about the outdoors through the years by doing the things himself (or herself) and can now assist a youngster in learning from the beginning what this great tradition is all about so in time that same youngster can share what he/she has learned to ensure our hunting and fishing traditions can continue through the years. A mentor is someone who loves what they do in the outdoors and is willing to share.
Whether you fish or hunt, hike or go rock hounding or just enjoy doing things in the outdoors — anything done (a little or a lot) can be shared with others, and this is where mentoring comes in.
Most outdoors organizations — and there are a share in Yuma, such as the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club — are made up of members who thoroughly enjoy doing outdoors activities for and with youngsters and are always on the lookout for those needed mentors to come to the youth events to assist youngsters who are so eager to learn anything and everything outdoors. Some of these youngsters have never been outside their homes to do much of anything, have never pitched a tent, have never been camping and need to learn all the basics.
There are youngsters who have never been fishing but they can attend the free fishing and outdoors clinic at Mittry Lake in March every year where they will be given a fishing pole so they can learn to cast a line in the water to try to catch a fish, learn some tricks of the trade such as what to do with a reel, how to thread a worm on a hook or fish with a artificial bait, how to unhook a fish and, if the fish is too small to keep, how best to return it gently to the water and work with it until it can swim off by itself to grow and be caught again down the road.
The Rod and Gun Club also hosts outdoors camps for youngsters who want to learn about wildlife animals they might one day get to hunt where they also learn to pitch that tent, to sleep in a warm sleeping bag for the first time and get to try out the various shooting sports in a safe environment along with the learning of other outdoor activities going on as well, always with a share of adults experienced in the outdoors, who are there to assist. To see a child learning about the outdoors and all it has to offer is fascinating to be a part of. This can be enjoyed by becoming a mentor.
These youth camps can also include adults who attend, possibly parents of the youngsters, who also want to learn about the outdoors but have never had the opportunity. There may be adults who have never been fishing or have learned about hunting no matter what their age but would like to begin that learning. You are never too old to learn something new and the outdoors has so much to offer — any adult would cherish all the possibilities for learning something new and could spur the interest of any youngster just by being there.
To answer a question: The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club is not a shooting club. Yes, there are members who relish their opportunities to legally hunt wild game animals on their own just as there are members who almost live with a fishing pole in hand.
If you are interested at all in the outdoors, learn more about the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, they meet the first Wednesday of each month at the American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Drive, with a reasonably priced dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the monthly meeting at 7. Visitors are always welcome. And if it’s wildlife conservation, habitat and water for wildlife, activities to interest youngsters in the outdoors, hunting and fishing you might be interested in, come listen and talk to members of the organization.
Know you are always welcome to join as a member and get in on all the good stuff in the outdoors. Who knows, you might decide to become a mentor with the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to a youngster.
Hunt happenings
• HAHWG winter meeting was a great success: With their 10th year anniversary of working together to benefit hunting and fishing retention and recruitment under their belt, it’s huge thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to see it succeed with so much great work
DESERT DRAW PRO/AM
accomplished to benefit the outdoors and Arizona wildlife. As a result of attending the meeting, the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club is planning a “Mentors get-together” for anyone who might be interested in learning about becoming a mentor — will let you know the particulars on this soon with date, time and location in the Yuma area. Or come to the Wednesday club meeting mentioned above and ask president Doug Beach about it.
• Big javelina contest 2019: The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club members who have been drawn for a javelina hunt this year should call Dennis or Linda Florence at 581-0825 for a weight slip that you will turn in once your hunt is successful or call them to pick one up at the Wednesday meeting held at American Legion Post 19.
• Mentored javelina hunt camp: The camp Feb. 21-24 for hunters who are learning by practical experience under skilled workers of the trade or call. Registration is required with space and mentors limited. Location is the Cordes Junction area, Units 19A, 20A, 20B and 21 hosted by Christian Hunters of America, The AZ Elk Society and Phoenix Varmint Callers. For information, contact David at davidmyrick@christianhuntersof america.org or call (602) 309-3430.
Fishing clubs
• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: If you missed Saturday’s bass team tournament at Mittry Lake, check this column for results soon or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. Club dues are still $15 with additional members of immediate family $10 each. New members are always welcome.
• Desert Draw Pro/Am Fishing Club: Congratulations to January
place honors to Curt Cernik/Bob LaLonde with their 10.43 lb. bag as well as on taking second place big fish honors with a bass weighing 4.31. First place big fish honors went to team of Joseph Williams/Kyle Kitka with a 4.61 lb. bass. Check with Michael Obney at (928) 750-7081 for details about the Feb. 23 tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Member dues are $20, fees: $30 each boat, $10 big fish, $5 8-lb. pot, $1 junk fish. Points awarded to each participant the same for both boater and non-boater according to their ranking in each tournament. Michael Obney encourages non-boaters to sign up for tournaments as well as boaters.
• ABA — Yuma region: Jan. 19 found the ABA on the water with 14 two-man teams competing at Colorado River waters launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Keith and Jacob Lute teamed to take first with their 23.74 lbs. total weight while Simon Apodaca/James Gerber took second with a total of 20.64. Placing third was Billy Clothier/Charles Lechner team with their 15.45 total followed in fourth place by Jimmy Waits/John Turner with their 13.16 total weight. In fifth place was Greg Gilbert/Candi Rojas with 12.32. Simon Apodaca and James Gerber placed first for big fish honors with his bass weighing 5.47 while the Lute team placed second with their 5.27 pounder. The No. 3 big fish was taken by Billy Clothier/ Charles Lechner with a weight of 4.09. The 8 lb. pot was not paid out and will roll over once again to the next tournament taking place Feb. 16 at the Colorado River with sign ups on Feb. 15 at The Hideaway. Call Billy Clothier at 919-0304 for details. Sign ups will also be at the Landing the morning of the tournament about one hour before safe light. Many thanks to sponsors FTS Automotive & Diesel Service, A Touch of Glass, The Hideaway, Transmissions Plus, Adobe Eyecare, Village Inn Pizza, Rock Pile Fishing Co., DB Ranch and Bad Influence
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: The Big Bass Qualifying began Jan. 1, ending May 19 so keep your lines in the water and weigh in your bass at The Hideaway. The next tournament, the All Member Bass Derby, will be held Feb. 9 launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Call Robby Ballew at 919-2453 or Edgar at (928) 2572604 with questions.
• Yuma High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any high schooler 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 them with boats and equipment as well as guiding the youngsters, both guys and gals, in gaining a good share of fishing know-hows. 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.
• New owners of The Hideaway: Danny Woods and Blake Hash are the new owners of the Hideaway with Edgar still on site to help with tips along with helping with your fishing needs. Visit them at their new shop where Mitch’s Bait Shop used to be, a bit east on 16th Street from where they’ve been behind Baron’s Fuel.
• Fishing Arizona and the Colorado River: Bob LaLonde, Yuma Bass man, is putting plans together for this year’s tournament — visit http://yumabassman.com/forumsnew/index.php/topic,9542.0.html. Let LaLonde know about food preferences for the dinner following the fishing competition. Complete information will be forthcoming.
• Fish stocking schedule Monday: Game and Fish will plant fish (trout or channel catfish) this Monday at Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond, on Feb. 11 at Hidden Shores, Imperial Dam, Somerton Council Park Pond and Yuma West Wetlands.
Shooting sports
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: The annual 2019 Black Powder Rendezvous at the Adair Park black powder range was held in January with the following match results — 40 shooters signed up: Black Powder Rifle: Men — 1. Bruce Schwindt 343 1x; 2. Paul Wells 318 2x; 3. James Ingram 318 0x; Women — 1. Glenda Graves 328 2x; 2. Teri Schwindt 308.2x; 3. Kelley David 274.0x; Jr. 1. Amber Perkins 179 0x; 2. Isaac Perkins 165 1x; Pistol: Men — 1. Bruce Schwindt 278 2x; 2. Dennis Hansel 261 3x; 3. Claude Tyrrel 251 5x; Women — 1. Glenda Graves 230 4x; 2. Teri Schwindt 230 3x; 3. Bonnie Roher 144 0x; Flint Lock Rifle — 1. James Ingram 108 1x; 2. David Phillips 107 1x; 3. Bob Stevens 95 2x; Squirrel Gun — 1. Teri Schwindt 131 5x; 2. Syd Yates 114 4x; 3. Dennis Hansel 112 4x; Smooth Bore Rifle — 1. Ron Johnson 158 3x; 2. Tassi 151 1x; 3. James Ingram 145 0x or call James Ingram at 580-9888 or Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or 928 247-4450.