Your donation dollars at work! This picture is from August 19th in Northern Arizona. AES volunteers are the boots on the ground delivering water throughout Arizona. Please consider volunteering or donating today. We live in the desert. It's all about the water! 
Water during the birthing season keep the mothers healthy and helps the mothers produce better quality milk and more of it for the newborns.
Water helps distribute the Elk herds and other wildlife for better utilization of the available forage. Insufficient water distribution causes wildlife to gather in specific areas, leading to excessive habitat use. This overutilization results in habitat degradation and a depletion of available food resources.
There are many areas with great habitat for wildlife but no water to sustain them. If we could increase water in areas of quality wildlife habitat and forage we can sustain more wildlife. Higher herd numbers equals more tags for hunters.
Do you love cooking and want to make a real impact for wildlife, veterans, and youth? Join AES’s Chuck Wagon Team! We provide the food, a full camp kitchen, and everything you need—just bring your passion for feeding hungry volunteers, families, and heroes in the field. Whether it’s at youth camps, HRO hunts, or big work projects, your skills help fuel our mission. Interested? Email Lindsay at lindsayl@arizonaelksociety.org today!
October 10th-12th - looking for 2 teams this weekend, many hands make light work
October 24th-26th
If you have questions, please email Russ
Russj@arizonaelksociety.org or click below to sign up
Location: 34.32829 N, -1110.20478 W, Elevation 6438 ft.
History: This catchment was constructed in the mid 1960’s, in Unit 3C near the Capps Ranch (off Pinedale Road). It is a very active Wildlife water source. Game & Fish Unit managers have worked to maintain the perimeter fence, restricting livestock access. The catchment surface (32’x40’) is currently non-functional and G&F is hauling water on a regular basis.
Phase II (August 8-9)
After a brief project scope meeting and safety talk, the volunteers were divided into two groups. Even with an early (8:00 AM) start, the temperature quickly rose to 85-90 degrees. With two 14’x14’ shade pop-ups, lots of water, and breaks, the temps took a toll on everyone. At the end of day one (Friday), the project was 85% complete. 
I had kept both G&F and the Forest Service in the loop as we planned this project. I received a call Friday night from Ron-Forrest Service, asking if we could use some help (Sat) wrapping up the project, I graciously accepted his offer. Ron (Engine 671) arrived on site with a crew of 3, but could only stay until 10:30. At 10, he stated a second engine with a crew of three was on the way. As the AES volunteers finished the panels, the first FS team wrapped up the site grooming (raking-shoveling), hung the gate and started loading leftover materials. When the second FS engine arrived, they assisted the perimeter and catchment 10’ fence crew. The project wrapped up at around 11:30 just in time for lunch (pulled pork, baked beans, chips and lots of water). The project catchment was tested with 500 gallons of water from the FS truck. Everyone had the opportunity to hold the hose.
I thanked all the volunteers for helping. The FS and G&F stated this was an example of working together for Wildlife.
Catchment Fence
Catchment Surface
Apache Maid 8/1 & 8/15 Weekends
On Friday, August 1 the Arizona Elk Society returned to Apache Maid to continue work on the log worm fence. We had 8 volunteers show up on Friday to help us out. We set up camp and then went out to the project site to get started on the work. We decided to not build any fence on Friday, but instead to move logs that were left over to the end of the project in case we needed more further down the line. We also decided to build some tabletops, which is essentially the bottom of the fence. After 6 hours of work, we headed back to camp and grilled up some burgers for supper, and in addition cooked some French fries for the first time ever at a project. We had EmpoweRanch joining us led by Jessica Voss for their annual Veterans campout. As each one of them arrived, we sat around camp for some great conversations.
Saturday we woke up to breakfast burritos before our weekly safety meeting and paperwork, then headed out to the jobsite. As part of their weekend, the veterans joined us
on the project site for half a day. We were able to build ¼ mile of fence before lunchtime, then retired for some brats/hotdogs. After lunch, just our project team headed back out, and the veterans camp did their own activities. It was quite hot in the meadow, which offered no shade, so we did not get a lot done for the rest of the day. We built about another ¼ mile of fence. Total fence build for the weekend was ½ mile. After working for the day, we retired to camp to have cowboy beans and garlic toast. Then we sat around in a huge circle and everyone got to tell what they got out of this weekend, and got to thank one person for an act of kindness or something else they had done on the weekend. This was an EmpoweRanch activity that we all took part in, and it was a great time listening to each person. We have one more day left on this build, and in 2 weeks the AZGFD has scheduled the Friday as a work day, so we should be able to get the fence completed.
Sunday morning, we woke up and had some great breakfast of French toast, sausage, and eggs, and then packed up camp before heading back down the hill. We would like to thank each veteran and EmpoweRanch who came up to share our camp this past weekend. The camaraderie, conversations, and amount of work accomplished were great and made for an amazing weekend in the pines.
On August 15, the Arizona Elk Society, along with the AZGFD, met up at Apache Maid for our last work day of this project. The AZGFD had planned a work day for themselves to work alongside of AES for our last boots on the ground day for this project. We needed just 1500 linear feet of fence to be built before we finished. Several of our regular AES volunteers also showed up to help out. We met at our campsite we had utilized the previous couple of weeks during this project and held a brief safety meeting with everyone, before heading out to the work site.
When we arrived, we gave a brief demonstration of how the fence is built, as many of the AZGFD had never built a log worm fence. We then broke into teams and got to work. It was a pleasure working with these guys and gals and putting faces to names we had talked to over the phone or just emailed with. As we got settled into a routine, the fence was built quickly, and by early afternoon it was completed. We then headed back to the campsite and ate lunch together as a group. Overall, in the 3 weekends, we built 1.8 miles of fence. As we were there Friday, we even saw some antelope and a deer out in the meadow.
We would like to thank everyone who helped us out with this project. The Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, EmpoweRanch, and all of our AES volunteers that came to help out. This was the longest logworm type fence that we have built to date, and with the help of each of those mentioned, the build went very smoothly and efficiently.
On Friday, August 22 the Arizona Elk Society started a new project up at Coleman Lake. Because of camping encroachment on the meadow, we needed to block off some of the campsites that extended too far out into it. We did leave several camping spots open on the NW and NE corners, the SE corner, and on the East side along the 108 Road. We also blocked off 2 user-created roads across the meadow to deter further travel and damage that had been done. Our volunteers all showed up around noon or a little earlier, and we got to work setting up camp. We knew there was a big chance of rain on Friday evening and Saturday, so as soon as camp was complete, we headed to the far
SE corner to begin construction. Not 10 minutes into building, there was a huge downpour to the point we were all getting soaked, so we had to head back to camp. After it cleared up, we went back and worked on a different section closer to camp. By the time the day had ended, we were able to build 2 of the 4 sections of fence. We returned to camp, and one of our volunteers’ wives had cooked some homemade chili and cornbread at their camp for us, but we also grilled a few burgers up. Made for a great supper on a cool evening.
Saturday morning, we got up to breakfast burritos and hot coffee and cocoa before heading out into the field. We had a few more of our volunteers show up, and we had a great crew. We went back to where we had started the night before and got our 3rd section of fence done before lunch, and had started on our last and longest section. We had to run into Flagstaff to pick up some more screws during lunch, and had chili dogs and chips. After we ate, we got back to work as the skies were starting to turn darker. By mid afternoon we had finished the fence build. This made for a great relaxing evening sitting around the camp and chatting the rest of the evening. We made Mexican Chili for supper and Mrs. Sutton brought us some homemade banana bread that she had made at her camp.
Sunday morning, we woke up to a pancake and eggs breakfast before packing up camp and heading back to the valley. Luckily, we were able to for the most part dodge the forecasted rain over the weekend. We would like to thank the AZGFD, Kaibab National Forest, and all of our volunteers who came up for this weekend’s project. It will make a huge difference in the restoration of this meadow and regrowth of native grasses.
Our project season is starting to wind down for 2025. Our 2026 season is shaping up to be a busy one, but we have no dates set yet. We have 2 weekends left in October at Houston Draw. If you would be interested in helping out at either of those, please email russj@arizonaelksociety.org for more information.
Click the Image Below and Register NOW thru September 5th to win a $100 SCHEELS GIFT CARD! This is a special raffle just for Arizona Elk Society so please share this newsletter with your friends and family. Good Luck!
Arizona Elk Society once again teamed up with Phoenix Varmint Callers Inc. (PVCI) for a weekend of hands-on hunting education, skill building, and great food at the annual PVCI Bootcamp. Held in a primitive camping area near Woods Canyon Lake, this event brought together about 70 participants, including eager hunters, their families, and dedicated volunteers.
While PVCI led the educational side of the camp—teaching small game hunting techniques, firearm safety, and field skills—Arizona Elk Society kept everyone fueled and comfortable. AES arrived with the full camp kitchen, tents, and seating areas, creating a welcoming hub in the rugged outdoors. Our cooking crew worked tirelessly all weekend to provide delicious, hearty meals for everyone, ensuring participants could focus on learning and enjoying the experience.
Mentors from PVCI took the young hunters into the field, giving them real-world hunting opportunities and one-on-one guidance. For many of the youth and adults alike, this was their first chance to experience hunting firsthand, making the mentorship and instruction invaluable.
Of course, no AES-supported camp is complete without a memorable meal—and this year’s highlight was Saturday night’s feast of tender brisket paired with creamy mashed potatoes. After a long day in the field, the smell alone brought smiles, and the meal brought the whole camp together around the tables for stories, laughter, and camaraderie.
Events like PVCI Bootcamp showcase what can be accomplished when organizations join forces. With expert instruction from PVCI and steadfast support from AES, young hunters walked away with new skills, great memories, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
If so you'll want to sign up for our youth hunt camp. The hunt number was 3067.
Below is the link to register for the learn to hunt camp
Do you know of a youth that got drawn for Unit 6A & 5BS? Come join us for our youth camp. We are also looking for volunteers to mentor or help in the kitchen to keep our hunterswell fed. Please click below for more info.
Wild in the City will be here before we know it. We're planning on opening registration the first week of September. Please consider volunteering for this wonderful day where we 
get to inspire our youth to love to the outdoors! If you would like to be notified when registration opens, click below to email Jessie to get put on that list.
What to Expect: During this one-day program, participants will engage in a variety of activities, including:
If you are a veteran who would be interested in our summer hiking series, or know a veteran who may be interested, please email russj@arizonaelksociety.org for more information. Below are our scheduled hikes for the summer:
We are excited to announce a new program for our Heroes Rising Outdoors. We are looking to start a summer/winter hiking series in 2025.
August 28th - Red Mountain
September 25th - Bill Williams Mountain
Please email Russ if you're interested in joining the adventure! russj@arizonaelksociety.org
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