Get fishing tips from local experts at Game and Fish Expo

PHOENIX – At age 16, Kyle Pollay of Wickenburg is already a bass tournament veteran with an impressive stack of glittering trophies.

This remarkable young angler is just one of the local fishing experts who will be sharing their secrets during the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s increasingly popular Outdoor Expo 2009 at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility on March 28-29.

Kyle, who started fishing at age 2½ and has won seven state titles so far and even competed in national events, will be joining others (including his dad Kip Pollay) with the Bass Federation Nation to provide you angling tips at the large fish demonstration tank located in the Family Fun area of this event-packed expo.

There will also be demonstrations by knowledgeable local guides from Fisherman’s Choice Pro Shop.

The fishing demonstration tank, which will be loaded with lunker bass and possibly some state-record-size sunfish, is located just a short cast away from the popular Kids Fishing Pond, which will be stocked with feisty hybrid sunfish for youngsters to catch.

“If you love to fish, come to the expo and let me introduce you to these local tournament anglers and guides. They will demonstrate techniques, such as how to rig and work drop shots, and will even share some tips for fishing our local lakes,” said Rory Aikens, the fishing report editor for Game and Fish.

You can also:

• Try out firearms from Sturm, Ruger & Co., GLOCK, and Smith & Wesson in a safe, supervised shooting range setting, witness a mini-gun demonstration or even shoot a Gatling Gun
• See lots of live wildlife demonstrations from birds of prey to amazing reptiles
• Take an archery class or try out 3D archery on a walking course through the desert
• Kids can shoot .22s and air guns while learning more about firearm safety
• Try your hand at different specialty shooting disciplines, such as cowboy action shooting, black powder, tactical pistol, plus rifle and pistol silhouette
• Learn everything you wanted to know about off-highway vehicle recreation. View quads, side-by-sides, and 4×4s, plus see rock crawler, trial bike and ATV demonstrations
• Visit with more than 100 exhibitors—sportsmen’s organizations, conservation groups, shooting clubs, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services
• Hike a nature trail/field course
• View exciting shooting competition by the cowboy mounted shooters at the brand new cowboy action riding ring
• Attend informative workshops on fishing, hunting, and wildlife conservation
• Visit the enhanced Clay Target Center and shoot skeet and trap in a supervised environment
• Learn about all kinds of outdoor skills, including Stone Age camping

Admission and parking are free – bring a little money for food and beverages, or for the nominal ammunition fee if you want to try out firearms on the range.
So you don’t miss a thing, trolley transportation is available throughout this huge shooting sports complex, which is located on Carefree Highway, 1/4 mile west of I-17. Just follow the signs.

For more information, including a link to the event program describing all of the exciting Outdoor Expo activities, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo .

Outdoor Expo features dozens of speakers sharing their knowledge

from Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX — If you are new to Arizona or just interested in learning about useful skills for enjoying the outdoors and wildlife, then mark your calendar for March 28-29.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting two days of informative demonstrations and workshops by dozens of knowledgeable speakers at its annual Outdoor Expo at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

All of the presentations are free and in an outdoor classroom setting, consisting of two large event tents with the beautiful Sonoran desert as a backdrop. The presenters’ demonstrations run the gamut and should offer something for everyone.

“The biggest goal we have for this event is to help those interested in getting involved in traditional outdoor activities but don’t know where to start,” said Information and Education Assistant Director Ty Gray. “These focused demonstrations are a great place to find that ‘nugget’ of information that will give families the confidence they need to start their own outdoor adventure – be it wildlife watching, shooting sports, fishing or hunting.“

There will be two presentation tents in the “Family Adventure” Area. One tent is configured theater style and the other features a large casting fish tank packed with lunker largemouth bass, jumbo sunfish, and other eye-catching warmwater species. Each tent will be the platform for an array of subjects including:

• Outdoor skills - Learn about fire by friction, Stone Age tools, natural rope making and more; knot tying – the 7 basic knots; and wildlife photography
• Hunting – Youth turkey hunting; small game hunting, big game hunting; and wildlife skinning
• Equipment - Backpacks, gear and more; and optics, binoculars and tripods
• Wildlife - Arizona birds of prey; venomous reptiles of Arizona; and a quail calling contest
• Fishing – Fishing 101 basics; bass fishing tips; casting demonstrations; spinner and crankbaits, drop-shot fishing; flutter-down bass baits; and more
• Arizona Game and Fish 101 - Who we are and what do we do

“Last year we had only one demonstration area and it was a huge hit – so we really wanted to expand it this year – and that’s what we did,” said Environmental Education Program Manager Kellie Tharp. “I like all of them, but my favorite would have to be the live wildlife. Where else can you get up close and personal with hawks, owls, and snakes – how cool is that?”

Tharp added that nearly every demonstration will allow participants to walk away learning new skills or information that will allow them to participate, encounter and discover amazing things in the outdoors – all of which become incredible educational and teachable experiences to the next generation.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Expo is open March 28-29 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. To get to the Expo, take I-17 to Carefree Highway (Exit 223). Go west ½ mile on Carefree Highway and follow the signs. Admission and parking are free – but bring a little money for food and beverages, or for the nominal ammunition fee if you want to try out firearms on the range.

In addition to the demonstrations, the event offers attendees a chance to fish in our catch-and-release pond (kids only), shoot a bow and arrow, try out the latest in firearms, have youngsters try out youth air gun and .22 caliber shooting, watch mounted cowboy action shooters performing on horseback, and visit with hundreds of outdoor-related exhibitors and vendors. So you don’t miss a thing, free trolley transportation is available throughout this huge shooting facility.

Gold sponsors for this year’s Outdoor Expo are Pierce Bullet Seal Target Systems, the Weatherby Foundation and the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Get ready for the largest hands-on Outdoor Expo in Arizona

PHOENIX – Want to catch a fish, hike a nature trail, shoot all types of firearms, see live wildlife, watch exciting rock crawler and ATV demonstrations, refine your archery skills or witness exciting mounted cowboy action shooters?

Then get ready for lots of fun and excitement at the largest hands-on outdoor exposition in Arizona on March 28-29 at the 1,650-acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility on Carefree Highway just west of I-17. It’s free.

This year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Expo promises to be the largest and most interesting ever. Last year, this popular outdoor event attracted 26,000 people.

“The word is out – this is the fun place to be on the last weekend in March. Your family and friends will discover a multitude of exciting outdoor activities and interesting booths at the Game and Fish Outdoor Expo. Don’t miss it!” said Information Branch Chief Bob Miles.

You can:

• Try out firearms from Sturm, Ruger & Co., GLOCK, and Smith & Wesson in a safe, supervised shooting range setting
• Have your kids catch a fish at the large kids fishing pond
• See lots of live wildlife demonstrations from birds of prey to amazing reptiles
• Take an archery class or try out 3D archery on a walking course through the desert
• Kids can shoot .22s and air guns while learning more about firearm safety
• Try your hand at different specialty shooting disciplines, such as cowboy action shooting, black powder, tactical pistol, plus rifle and pistol silhouette
• Learn everything you wanted to know about off-highway vehicle recreation. View quads, side-by-sides, and 4×4s, plus see rock crawler, trial bike and ATV demonstrations
• Visit with more than 100 exhibitors—sportsmen’s organizations, conservation groups, shooting clubs, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services
• Hike a nature trail/field course
• View exciting shooting competition by the cowboy mounted shooters at the brand new cowboy action riding ring
• Attend informative workshops on fishing, hunting, and wildlife conservation
• Get fishing tips from local tournament anglers and fishing guides at the huge fish demonstration tank
• Visit the enhanced Clay Target Center and shoot skeet and trap in a supervised environment
• Learn about all kinds of outdoor skills, including Stone Age camping

One segment being expanded this year is the Family Adventure area. This area was a big hit last year. Game and Fish is adding some new attractions, such as a fishing demonstration tank with local experts sharing their secrets on various fishing techniques.

So you don’t miss a thing, trolley transportation is available throughout this huge shooting complex, which is located on Carefree Highway, ¼-mile west of I-17. Just follow the signs.
Admission and parking are free – bring a little money for food and beverages, or for the nominal ammunition fee if you want to try out firearms on the range.

Gold sponsors for this year’s Outdoor Expo are Pierce Bullet Seal Target Systems, the Weatherby Foundation, and the American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter.

There’s still time for “outdoor-related” vendors and sponsors to participate, but time is getting short and space in some of the venues is limited. Vendor/sponsor registration forms can be downloaded (http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/showcase.shtml)at www.azgfd.gov , or by calling Stormi Johnson at (623) 236-7222.

For more information about the Outdoor Expo, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Visit Game and Fish at the ISE show

Be sure to check out the Arizona Game and Fish Department exhibits and activities at the ever-popular International Sportsmen’s Expo (ISE), Feb. 27-March 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Once again, Game and Fish is operating the Youth Outdoor Sports Fair at ISE, with a kids fishing tank, live wildlife, wildlife assets auction, BB-gun trailer, plus many other interesting booths and activities for the whole family.

“In a way, we are kind of overflowing to outside the stadium this year,” said Ty Gray, the department’s assistant director for information and education. “We’ll have some indoor exhibits, but are moving our increasingly popular introductory archery classes outside the stadium but near the Youth Outdoors area so we can handle even more participants. In that same outdoor area, we will also have our boating and off-highway vehicle experts available.”

In addition to the Youth Outdoor Fair, this year’s 9th annual ISE will once again fill the University of Phoenix Stadium with fishing, hunting and outdoor products and destination experts.

You can also increase the show’s value even more by attending seminars, getting personal lessons from expert instructors, entering a contest, and bringing the kids to the Youth Outdoor Sports Fair.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to celebrate the outdoors with family and friends, capture show-priced bargains, and meet face-to-face with guides and lodge owners from nearby and around the world. ISE Phoenix has it all, including:

Freshwater and saltwater rods, reels and gear.
ATVs, Sport-fishing boats and kayaks.
Fly-fishing equipment, try-out areas and instruction.
Weekend getaway adventures and dream vacations to fishing and hunting destinations.
Fishing guides and hunting outfitters.

Outdoor enthusiasts, mark your calendars for February 27th

Nearly 300 exhibitors, the International Sportsmen’s Exposition at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale promises to have something for all anglers, hunters, off-roaders and boaters in Arizona.

The event starts Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 1, and will feature numerous seminars, including the Eastmans’ Journal Adventure Theater and the Aquarium Demonstration Tank featuring the state’s top bass pros John Murray and Brett Hite. The ISE will be home to several competitions, including the Best of the West Fly Casting competition and the Best of the West Elk Calling competition.

International Sportsmen’s Exposition

University of Phoenix Information

Don’t let your campfire turn into a wildfire

There’s no doubt about it, Phoenix is one of the hottest places on Earth. The average July temperatures hover at about 92 degrees. But the Valley of the Sun is also unique, because two hours North, residents can seek comfort from the blistering summer temperatures, and enjoy the cool pines in one of the many camp sites in Arizona.

But, Arizona is also one of the dryest places on the planet as well. Dry conditions + irresponsible campers=trouble. We’ve all seen news stories over the last few years about enormous wildfires that have devastated much of the forest land in Arizona. Many of those fires were caused by irresponsible campers.

Chris Fabri of Camp Arizona offers campers who are heading North this summer some helpful tips on being responsible with campfires…

Check with the local forest ranger office to see if or what kind of camp fires are allowed. Many campfires are caused by ignorance of what the current conditions are in any given area. Low moisture, wind speed, high temperatures and dry fuel sources among other things are taken into account when establishing a fire restriction.

- If no water is available, use dirt. Complelety cover the fire with dirt and STIR. DO NO LEAVE FIRE COVERED IN DIRT. Your fire will continue to smoulder and might re-ignite. Stir the embers while adding dirt until all material is cool. If the remaining fire if too hot to touch, don't leave it.

For more information on camping in the great state of Arizona, checkout Camparizona.com.