HRO Programs / Events

arizona elk society's

New HRO Programs

TWO NEW VETERANS PROGRAMS

HRO News

Arizona Elk Society and the Heroes Rising Outdoors would like to announce 2 new program rollouts for veterans. This summer we will conduct our first ever series of hunting classes. These will be at our offices here in Peoria on Tuesdays July 9, 16, 23, 30 from 2-4 PM. This will encompass everything from gear and scouting all the way to field dressing and everything in between. This class has been very popular and all the spots are taken, but we will do another class soon.  

Next winter we will be rolling out a new set of Primitive Survival Skill classes. These will be held on Mondays at our offices from 2-4 PM on December 16, 23, 30, January 6, 13. You will learn all aspects of survival from shelter making, snare traps, primitive fire skills, and more. We do have one more spot open for this class.

We are also planning a brand new event close to the March time frame. We will be having our first annual HRO Fundraiser Golf Tournament. This will be a 4 man scramble format, and is open to anyone who likes to golf. There will be more info coming on this event as we are in the initial planning stages right now. All funds raised will go towards the Heroes Rising Outdoors Program.

Email Russ Johnson to sign-up

arizona elk society's

HRO Programs

HRO Hunts

Guiding our heroes on a hunt

Our goal is to provide good opportunities for these men and women to get them back into the woods, able to enjoy the Hunting Heritage of Arizona.

Get Started - Request a Hunt

Hunting Classes

Become a better hunter

In July we will kick off our first ever set of hunting classes. This will consist of 4 weeks of in class sessions where you will learn everything about hunting from scouting to butchering meat and everything in between. This is a comprehensive class to make you a better hunter and to help your success rate of harvesting an animal increase. Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays July 9, 16, 23, and 30 here at our offices in Peoria and will run from 2-4 PM each day. We will have knowledgeable instructors. If you are interested in this program please contact russj@arizonaelksociety.org. We will limit this class size to12 and spaces will fill up quickly.

sign-up for hunting classes

Survival Class

Surviving in an emergency situation

Next December and running in to January 2025 we will be offering our first ever primitive wilderness survival class. This class will teach you everything you need to know about surviving in an emergency situation. You will learn such things as making a gill net, primitive fire starting, shelter building, and snare/trap construction. We will also have knowledgeable instructors. Each class will have a hands on session along with an in class portion. We will be offering this class Dec 16, 23, 30, Jan 6, and Jan 13. If you are interested in this class please email russj@arizonaelksociety.org. We will also limit this class to the first 12 participants that sign up.

sign-up for survival classes

HRO Fly Fishing Classes

Learning to flyfish

In 2023 AES partnered with Fly Fishers Arizona to bring an opportunity to veterans to participate in the great outdoors. The program consists of four classes at the AES office lasting about an hour, with a fishing trip to a local lake. The four classes are as follows, Class #1 Introduction to Fly Fishing; Class #2 Learning the three most common knots; Class #3 Learning casting techniques; Class 4# Basic fly tying and casting.
The individuals will truly enjoy the skills they will acquired during our four weeks of instructional classes.

sign-up for notifications on the Fly-Fishing Program

Vortex

VORTEX (Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience)

Arizona Elk Society has been busy expanding our HRO (Heroes Rising Outdoors) program. We have already completed our first fly fishing class and trip and we're planning the next one. We also have bass fishing classes in the works. We have partnered with EmpoweRanch in the past and are doing it again because we have similar goals. We want to help all veterans! With that being said... We are excited to announce a brand new set of dates for this year's VORTEX program. The VORTEX (Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience) program invites veterans who enjoy the outdoors and want to heal through the ranch lifestyle with horses, farm-fresh air, and campfires.  

This is a group recreational therapy program using horsemanship, outdoor recreation, service, and more to improve quality of life for veterans, especially those who may be experiencing depression, isolation, anxiety, PTSD, TBI, and similar.  No riding or horse experience required. This is not a riding program, although some riding opportunities may be offered. The focus is on supporting you in getting more out of life based on your strengths, interests, and abilities, not on limitations.

This is an 8 week session. We ask that you would be able to commit to the whole 8 week session as each week builds upon the last. We are reaching out to our larger base because we want to help as many veterans as possible. If you know someone who could benefit from this please encourage them to fill out the application and/or reach out to us. We are here to help!

sign-up for notifications on the VORTEX Program

Vortex Application