Plenty of gifts to lovers of outdoors

If you're in a quandary about what Christmas gift to get for your favorite outdoors guy or gal, think about getting something they can use in the outdoors either for fishing or hunting - or both.

If they like to cook, check with Game and Fish on their cook book, with some great recipes, that includes a section on the care and processing of wild-game meat and fish plus camp cooking tips for everyone. A new propane cook stove might be an excellent gift to accompany the cook book.

The very affordable family fishing license is also something the whole family could enjoy - or the regular or youth license for an individual. The combination licenses would be a real treat. For the visitor, ask about the four-month nonresident fishing license, valid for all species (it doesn't require an additional trout stamp) so they can enjoy themselves in Arizona's great outdoors.

Check into the Arizona Wildlife Water Map, another great gift to help locate game. Arizona Wildlife Views magazine is great for anyone interested in the outdoors with pictures and information about all species of animals in Arizona.

A new tent (preferably for all weather), a lantern, warm sleeping bag, long johns, waterproof boots or the inexpensive hand and body warmers would all make any outdoors man or woman sit up and take notice.

Stuff their stocking with a two-pole stamp or the Arizona fishing Hold guide. The trout stamp would be another delight for any angler.

If you plan to get a firearm or bow and arrows for your youngster, seriously consider signing him/her up for the next Hunter Safety Education Course offered by Game and Fish (give the Yuma office a call at 342-0091 for dates or other information) and consider taking the class along with your youngster. The learning is endless. If you are new to hunting, the course is great for learning safety and ethics, the key to anyone becoming a good hunter. The class is "free" and open to anyone 10 years old and older wanting to hunt big game in Arizona. Even if your youngster may not plan to hunt, the course teaches firearm and archery safety for recreation and enjoyment - the education is great even if someone doesn't plan to hunt.

For that much needed practice, local shooting ranges are available at Adair Park and the Foothills Archery Range. Open to the public, the ranges are ideal for anyone even considering going hunting with a firearm or bow and arrows, from the experienced hunter to the beginner to the family or individual who might like to practice shooting for recreation.

FISHING CLUBS
• Desert Bass Anglers "the fun way to fish": The club enjoyed their annual "President's Choice" Tournament of Champions - a four-fish limit - with Lynn Damby taking the top spot with a total of 9.71 as well as second place Big Fish with a 3.63-pound bass. Joe Mayerchik and Jeff Cotten teamed to take second place as well as Co-Anglers of the Year with 9.17. Third place was earned by the team of Ron Terhark and Harold Wah with 7.67 pounds followed by John Lekan/Jack Cooper  in fourth place with 7.57. Richard Gill/Brenton Lute weighed in a 5.10 largemouth to capture first place Big Fish honors. The father/son team of Dave and Krys Lekan caught a 3.83-pound flathead catfish to take the Junk Fish award. January 9 will find club members back on the water for the first Team Tournament of 2010 launching out of Fisher's Landing, open to anglers with tournament approved boats. Club dues are $15 with additional family members $10 each. Tournament entry is $30 with options available. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

• Yuma Bassmasters: Check next week's column for latest results and other club news or call Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or visit jpacewic@msn.com.

• Yuma Pro/Am Series: Hopefully you took part in the latest fishing tournament to benefit Yuma's Toys for Tots program. Check this column next Sunday for results of call Bob La Londe at 520-1270. Membership is $15 and basic tournament entry is $25 with another $25 in options available. Visit www.YumaProAm.com.

• Bass Class on the Water: Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 and ask about learning to catch bass like the pros in all seasons and conditions at Yuma area waters. A fully rigged bass boat with all gear are provided. Seminars are available to RV Parks and home groups.

SHOOTING SPORTS

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range - call me at 726-0953 for exact directions to the range that is also open all week to archers for practice and recreation. Adult shoot fees are $3 with the $15 membership or $5 nonmembers with the first shoot free. All youngsters are always free of charge.

• Southwest Bowhunters: Results of the latest Walk The Trail Invitational will be reported next week or call Uschi House at 345-3770. Shoot archery at the Adair Park range at 9 a.m. Sundays with the practice range open all week.

• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Adair Park. Call John Gross at 580-7837.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: The Annual Rendezvous is January 14-17 at the Adair Park black powder range with primitive and tin teepee camping available. More information will be forthcoming or call Glenda Graves at 314-1029. Regular black powder matches held the first and third Saturdays each month at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickle at 726-7453 about .22 Rifle Schutezen matches being held 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.

• Cholla Gun Club: Open Lever-action Matches at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range include: Snowbird silhouettes on Friday, Practice and shooting on Wednesdays, Silhouette Matches the 4th Saturdays and Sundays with sign up at 8:30 a.m. Call Graves at 314-1029.

• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: High Power Rifle Match Dec. 20 open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters at the Adair Park big bore range. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.

• Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC Combat Match at 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park small bore range. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

Jean Wilson can be reached at jeanrenegade@yahoo.com or call 726-0953.