History

71 years ago, it is said that a group of local farmers in Yuma County got together and wanted to have a "big bass" fishing derby and a "big deer" contest amongst themselves. From there the YVRGC became incorporated in 1939 and began expanding it's activities both for the membership and the community including a "Father and Child" fishing derby and a "Handicapped Children's River Cruise" These four events have occurred annually for over a half century. The YVRGC is also very involved in the hunter education program, holding at least five classes per year. The class size is 30 students per class and free to all participants

Today the YVRGC is over 500 members strong and holds over 28 events annually. Along with our events, the YVRGC has become a very dedicated and aggressive conservation partner with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (department), ensuring wildlife, wildlife habitat and wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation remain as the department's major management focus. The YVRGC has aggressively assisted the department with many wildlife conservation activities especially providing water for wildlife. In southwest Arizona, our goal is to assist and support the department in redevelopment of over 100 existing water catchments over the next decade to ensure wildlife, (particularly mule deer) has water to drink. Since 1995, the YVRGC has assisted the department in construction of over 20 new catchments in Region IV which have operated basically maintenance free and required very minimal water hauling if any. Due to these efforts, the YVRGC is now honored to be an affiliate member of the Arizona Deer Association and look forward to assisting ADA in accomplishing their mission of enhancing habitat for deer in Arizona

In support of aggressive Wildlife Conservation in Arizona, the YVRGC has always been very politically involved at the local, state, and national levels. Because of all the attempts to reduce and or eliminate wildlife management and wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation, the YVRGC continues to aggressively protect this heritage for all children and their children. We have become a strong voice for the sporting community ensuring that sportsmen and women across Arizona have the right to enjoy the outdoors. Our organization is well respected by the federal land managing agencies, as well as the Arizona Game and Fish Department.