Eagle Scout 29 Mile Tank Project
Eagle Scout 29 Mile Tank Project Friday, September 27 the Arizona Elk Society started and finished a...
AES is dedicated to benefiting elk, advancing wildlife conservation, and preserving outdoor recreation traditions for present and future generations.
Habitat Project Update by Russ Johnson
Finished Buck Springs!
Friday, September 6 we returned to Buck Springs for our final weekend of the fence build. After setting up camp, we loaded up some supplies and materials to head up to the job site. One of our workers decided to walk up and was greeted by the sight of a bear. We knew there were bear in the area due to fresh scat we had seen, but this was the first sighting we had seen of one. We continued up to the jobsite and started where we had left off 2 weeks ago. By the time we ended we had finished the top rails on the 3rd side of the fence and had a good start on the last side. Friday night a few of us decided to hike back up to the meadow and were treated with watching a big bull elk and his small harem he had gathered. It was a fun time watching him bugling and keeping the cows in order and herded up.
Saturday morning after breakfast we headed back up to the fence and started working. We broke into 2 teams and the installation of the top rails went really quick. By the time lunch had arrived we only had around 100 yards of rails left to complete. After lunch we heard a little thunder but didn’t think it looked too menacing, so we went back to finish up. We figured we had roughly an hour left to finish. As soon as we got to the site, it started raining, then the rain starting to get harder, then it turned to hail which kept increasing in size. We thought it may be a quick shower so we took shelter under the fir trees. And we did learn that fir trees do not stop marble sized hail very efficiently. We waited as long as we could, and we were all soaked to the bone, so we decided to hike back to camp. The ground had gotten covered by hail at this time and we were walking back through slush. We put on some coffee and water, because the temp had dropped to the low 50’s if not cooler. It rained the rest of the evening so we couldn’t finish the fence. Let’s just say we had a huge campfire Saturday night to dry out.
Sunday, we headed back out to the fence and within an hour had finished up the entire fence build. We are so thankful for all the volunteers who came out and helped us over this 7-weekend period. We also would like to thank the Coconino National Forest and the AZGFD who brought this project to our attention. It feels great to get another big project finished!
If you are interested in helping out at one of our projects, please email me russj@arizonaelksociety.org
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If you are interested in any of the fishing or above events, please feel free to contact russj@arizonaelksociety.org for more information.
Eagle Scout 29 Mile Tank Project Friday, September 27 the Arizona Elk Society started and finished a...
The Arizona Elk Society (AES) recently teamed up with the Phoenix Varmint Callers Inc. (PVCI) to host an exciting and educational event for beginner hunters. This year's event, known as the Predator Boot Camp, was open to participants of all ages, providing a unique opportunity for families and individuals to learn the ins and outs of predator hunting in a supportive environment.
Set in the rustic, primitive camping area near Vincent Ranch, the weekend was all about immersing participants in the outdoors while teaching them valuable skills. With over 100 campers, volunteers, and mentors attending, the AES team had a big task ahead, especially when it came to preparing and serving meals for the entire group. But our dedicated AES volunteers were more than up to the challenge. They arrived at the campsite around noon on Friday and immediately began setting up with the help of many eager hands. The teamwork and camaraderie among volunteers and participants were heartwarming, demonstrating the spirit of community that AES events are known for.
Throughout the weekend, participants learned the basics of predator hunting from PVCI experts. From understanding the behavior of various predator species to learning thetechniques and tools needed for a successful hunt, campers were engaged and eager to learn. The hands-on demonstrations and guided hunting sessions provided invaluable experience, especially for those new to the sport.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, creating an ideal backdrop for the weekend’s activities. As always, the meals prepared by the AES team were a highlight, with many attendees commenting on the quality and taste of the food. It's no small feat to cater to such a large group in a remote setting, but our volunteers pulled it off with flair and enthusiasm.
The weekend was filled with stories of first-time experiences and successful hunts, adding to the excitement and joy of all involved. Below, we are pleased to share two testimonials from participants who walked away with not just new skills, but also cherished memories.
A couple weeks ago, I went to the Predator Bootcamp, and I had a great time! When we arrived, we already knew people from other AES events. After setting up camp, we went down to meet everyone. We saw other kids our age and made new friends quickly.
The next morning, AES made us breakfast. Then, we were taught about hunting stuff. Then, we had lunch. Then, it was time for my very first hunt. We gathered our gear and set out with our friends. We went to lots of areas, but we got nothing. Then, it was nearing dinner. We were heading back, but we wanted to go to one more stop.
We all got out of the truck. We set up. We waited, but nothing came. Then, when we were all about to leave, I saw a coyote standing about 75 yards away. I showed it to my partner. Soon, everyone saw it. I raised my gun and then I shot. My friend also shot at the same time. It fell and we jumped up so excited and ran over to the coyote. It was dead. I had done it. My first kill. We loaded it up and headed back to camp so excited. We rolled into camp yelling “we got a coyote.” We hopped out. People came over and admired the kill.
We were the only group to get a coyote. That night, we talked about that memorable hunt. The next day, we had breakfast, then we sadly departed from camp. All thanks to Arizona Elks Society, it was a successful hunt.
September 6-8 Buck Springs
September 27-29 Beaverhead Tank (Unit 6A)
October 4-6 Leonard Canyon (Unit 5A)
October 1, 8, 15, 22 HRO Bass Fishing Class
October 10-13 Jr. Elk Camp
October 18-20 Leonard Canyon
October 25-27 HRO Bass Fishing Trip Bartlett Lake
November 1-3 Leonard Canyon
November 17 Wild in the City
December 14 Volunteer Lunch
December 9, 16, 23, 30, Jan 6 HRO Survival Skills Class