Sportsmen's Alliance fighting to maintain land management

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (USSA) has been granted the opportunity to defend sportsmen in a lawsuit that threatens to eliminate wildlife management on federal land.  

Affecting those of us in the Yuma area will be the suit brought in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona by the Wilderness Watch group claiming the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is violating federal environmental policies and wilderness statutes by constructing, restoring and maintaining watering devices on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The watering devices are critical to the survival of bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife, as we in the Yuma area are well aware of. 

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation has argued in previous lawsuits that a Wilderness designation does not preclude wildlife conservation (which is very much necessary here in our area because of our extreme weather conditions - without the water, wildlife populations could not survive).

The USSAF is joined in the suit by Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. Plaintiffs in the case against the FWS include Wilderness Watch and Arizona Wilderness Coalition.

One thing you and I can do to assist in this effort is to support these organizations in any way possible so this job, that will benefit each of us, can succeed. To learn what you can do, contact USSA at (614) 888-4868 or Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club legislative chairman Nick Heatwole at 783-0720, or president Jim Ammons at 726-6841.

Hunt happenings

*Hunter Education Class: Attend the April 14-26 class being held at the Yuma office of Game and Fish - a super learning opportunity for adults who may just want to review all the do's and don'ts of successful hunting  in Arizona, and mandatory for youngsters 10-14 years of age who want to hunt big game. Free classes will be held 6-9 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis so plan to arrive early. Call 342-0091 for details.

*Fall elk hunts: To check on the draw for elk hunts, call the Game and Fish automated service at (602) 942-3000, press 2 and follow voice prompts or visit www.azgfd.gov - have your ID number and birth date handy.

*Turkey hunters: You'll be pleased to know that 55 Rio Grande wild turkeys have been released into a remote section of northwestern Arizona to establish a new population of the Rio Grenade subspecies, making three subspecies of wild turkeys now resigning in Arizona - the Merriam's , the Goulds's and the Rio Grande. More Rio Grande birds are expected to be released at a later date. I'll report further on this as news becomes available or contact NWTF's Brian Dowler at (803) 637-3106 or bdowler@nwtf.net.

Fish findings

*In case you missed the announcement in Tuesday's paper, the Phase II construction of improved recreational access to Mittry Lake has begun again to pave the boat ramp, improve the lower and upper parking areas and install a American's-with-disabilities-Act approved restroom. Boat access to the lake and parking areas are limited through April 31 but the old boat ramp is still open and has been improved to ease boater access while the main ramp is closed. Watch for signs along the way.

Fishing clubs

*Yuma Pro/Am Series: Check next week's column for latest Mittry Lake tournament results or to learn more about the club that works with both amateurs and experienced fishermen, call Bob La Londe at 580-1270. To make last week's fishing tip about flipping and boat control a bit more clear, La Londe explains that you can't typically "secure" your boat when flipping, but you can be in control when you're fishing. Most bass fishing techniques use the trolling motor to constantly move or position the boat while casting or flipping to targets. La Londe says, "It's almost always easier to control the boat when pulling into the current or pulling into the wind for better boat control. The only time it can be tricky is if the wind is blowing one way and the current is going the other way. Of course you have to have a big enough foot control trolling motor to do it". So, there are times you may have to do more than one thing at a time - you just need to practice it enough to be in control of what you are doing.

*Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Results of yesterday's Mittry Lake competition will be reported next week. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984 for information on club events put together to benefit all anglers and their families.

*Yuma Bassmasters: Be sure to fish the April 12 Open Charity Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing with proceeds going to benefit Saddles of Joy. Call Curtis Cernik at 941-2993 or any of the guys at River Marine at 783-6502.

*Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Members are reminded to fish the April 13 IRS Bass Derby  with all fishing at Colorado river waters above Imperial Dam. Weigh in at 3 p.m. at Fisher's Landing - your final chance to get on the board to qualify to fish the May 4 Big Bass Derby. Check the board at Sportsmen's Hideaway or call Lanny Brock at 210-8128.

*Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club: Members are reminded to bring your family and friends to the club's 60th Anniversary Potluck Dinner (bring your favorite food dish to share) being held at 6 p.m. April 17 at American Legion, 2575 Virginia Dr. All ladies and their young gals who are interested in fishing or hunting are also most welcome. Call me at 726-0953 or June Wolfe at 210-7770 for details. Be sure to get your Raffle Tickets ($1 or 6/$5) from any club member for a chance to win $500, a Hunting Package, Deep Sea Fishing Package, Local Fishing Package or Nite on the Town with the drawing May 22.

*Want to learn how to fish for bass? Get together with Dave Willhide for his Bass Class on the Water - call Willhide at 782-2621.

Watch next week's column for a full report on Shooting Sports in Yuma. Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@outdrs.net or call 726-0953.