Summer is just around the corner, and for many that means increased outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming.

Catalina State Park is a 5,500-acre gem, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. They are drawn by views of the soaring Catalina Mountains, the miles of hiking and biking trails, the overnight camping and equestrian areas and the rich and varied program of activities organized by Park rangers and volunteers.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose the construction of a new international natural gas pipeline west of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, saying the project will create a “de facto highway” that will jeopardize public safety by increasing border and law enforcement security problems.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson will hold a public meeting 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, to hear comments about developing 2013 hunt recommendations for deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bears.

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the appointment of Edward “Pat” Madden to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Mr. Madden has been appointed for a five-year term, effective January 21, 2013.

An adult male jaguar and an adult male ocelot have been photographed in two separate Southern Arizona mountain ranges by automated wildlife monitoring cameras. The images were collected as part of the Jaguar Survey and Monitoring Project led by the University of Arizona. Both animals appear to be in good health. 

In the eyes of archery fans, the Town of Oro Valley just hit the bull’s-eye.  

Mark Frieberg of the Arizona Game and Fish Department holds a baby javelina recovered by a motorist Wednesday morning from the area of Speedway Boulevard and Greasewood Road.

The Governor’s Office is currently accepting applications for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for assistance from deer and elk hunters in monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

A recent increase in calls about recovering ornate box turtles from the wild is prompting the Arizona Game and Fish Department to remind the public that in Arizona it has been illegal to collect box turtles from the wild since 2005.

Applications accepted through Oct. 12 The Governor’s office is currently accepting applications for the 2013 appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

OV Procurement Division wins achievement

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief is offering a $1,200 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case of a decapitated mule deer found off Interstate 10 east of Benson.

Chamber board members selected

The Arizona Game and Fish Department announced an overabundance of captive tortoises has has them looking for residents who are willing to adopt.

MOVIES

Due to the high risk of wildfire in southeastern Arizona, State Forester Scott Hunt today announced that the Arizona State Forestry Division will be implementing fire restrictions for 3.5 million acres of state-owned lands in that region.

MOVIES

MOVIES

The Best of the Northwest received nearly 400 votes

The smell of freshly-mowed grass floats across the rolling golden prairie at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Tucson’s highest peak, Mount Wrightson, stands 20 miles toward the Southwest as the hawk flies. Keith Arnold, a wildlife conservation student at the University of Arizona, shoves a black-tailed prairie dog into an artificial burrow dug nearly 8 feet into the clay soil.

I cribbed the above from Democrat pollster Pat Caddell whose partisan bonafides go back to his work for Jimmy Carter.