Downstream Events Calendar May 2021

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May Events Feature Boating Safety, Moms, And Memories

BOATING

National Safe Boating Week Is May 22–28

Downstream Events Calendar May 2021 — SAFETY FIRST — Some new engine cutoff devices are wireless and don’t require the wearer to connect a lanyard to their body.
(credit: National Safe Boating Council)

How Can You Make Boating Safer This Season?

Here are three tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

The nation’s biggest recreational boating safety event of the year, National Safe Boating Week, is right around the corner, May 22–28. The annual event helps remind boaters to keep boating safety front and center all season long. How can you be a safety hero aboard your boat? Here are three tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

The best life jacket is the one you will wear, meaning one that’s comfortable. There are many lightweight inflatable life jackets that fit the bill. Check the jacket’s label to ensure it’s approved for your type of boating. If the kids are visiting, don’t be tempted to put a child in an ill-fitting adult life jacket. The BoatUS Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner program for kids offers a free and easy way to borrow an infant, child or teen life jacket for the day or weekend with locations at nearly 600 marinas, boat clubs, and other waterfront locations across the country.
Learn from what the U.S. Coast Guard boating safety reports tell us: Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents. This summer, recreational boaters can focus on these factors by putting down the cellphone, practicing using S.C.A.N. procedures to avoid distracted boating, taking a free boating safety course, slowing down, and driving more defensively, especially in congested boating areas. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, so save the celebration for after the boat is safely tied up for the night. Boat operators also need to recognize they are responsible for the safety of their guests, including inebriated ones.
Remember to wear an engine cutoff switch if your boat is less than 26-feet, traveling on plane or above displacement speed. Some exemptions apply to this new rule went into effect April 1, including if the vessel has an enclosed helm. Engine cutoff switches can prevent boat strike injuries after an operator has been ejected from the vessel or displaced from the helm.

SHOOTING SPORTS

First Annual Sporting Clay Fun Shoot – VOTSQF: May 15

All shotgun enthusiasts and beginners are welcome. Basic shotgun training available. Shotgun raffle & drawings. Meet others with wildlife and habitat conservation interests.

Location: Ben Avery Clay Target Center, Phoenix
Hosted by: Valley of the Sun Quail Forever
Register: www.votsqf.com

Women’s Beginner Dove Hunting Series: May-September

Monthly sessions by experienced mentors will teach adult women about shooting clay targets, firearms, hunter safety and then a live dove hunt.

Location: Yuma, Ariz. — multiple locations
Hosted by: Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, AZGFD, Yuma Trap & Skeet Club, Sprague’s Sports
Contact: Catherine, (928) 341-4060, cthompson@azgfd.gov

Her Handgun Firearms Safety Course For Women: October 3

HerHandgun (www.herhandgun.com) is firearms safety for women, by women. They cover the greater Phoenix, Mesa area and they have a variety of courses including outings for churches, schools, corporate outings, etc. Their Annual Ladies Day will be October 3, 2021 and costs just $25, which includes ammunition and firearms to use.

There are multiple start times so register early to get the time you want. Foam ear plugs are provided, but bring your own eye protection and ear muffs if you have them. Do NOT bring your own gun. You’ll be able to shoot shotguns, rifles, revolvers, and a variety of semi-automatic 9mm and .380 pistols. Registration is limited to the first 100 women 18 years and older. Go to www.herhandgun.com and click Annual Ladies Day on the top menu lines.

FISHING

Deadline To Think Of A Better Way To Recycle Fishing Line, Soft Bait: May 14

$30,000 in prize money is at stake.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and Berkley have teamed up with the Recast and Recycle Contest to offer $30,000 in prize money ($15,000 first place, $10,000 second place, and $5,000 third place) for new and innovative ideas that could improve the process, increase the amount of fishing line and soft baits that can be recycled, create new recycled products, or offer a technology breakthrough in the way line is recycled and reused. See details on page 5 of this issue.

Fish Camp – TU / BSA: May 29-June 18

A week-long, high-end angling and conservation program for youth 13-18. This is not your grandfather’s cane pole fishing experience. Non-Scouts welcome.

Location: R-C Scout Ranch, Payson
Hosted by: Grand Canyon Council BSA,Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited
Contact: Alan, president@zanegreytu.org, (925) 785-5583; www.campgeronimo.org/summer-camp-fish-camp/

Becoming An Outdoors Woman: May 14-16

A complete list of courses which you may find at BOW can be found athttps://azwildlife.org/BOW/ by clicking the link that says BOW Class Descriptions. It may be too late to get in on the May 14-16 session, but you can join the waitlist and make sure you keep an eye on the site and like their Facebook page so you get a heads up for the next session, but you can join the waitlist and make sure you keep an eye on the site and like their Facebook page so you get a heads up for the next session.

Finally, and possibly the thing Mom will love most: spend some time with her. Take her out to the Sporting Clays range, or an indoor range and just have fun shooting together. Try not to take it too hard if she out shoots you.