Starting on January 1, 2009, new OHV regulations will be in effect. What’s new, an additional decal that must be purchased and placed on the OHV. Below is an excerpt from the Arizona Game and Fish website.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between a broad coalition of OHV enthusiasts, sportsmen, conservationists, elected officials and the public, new laws that will help better manage Arizona’s rapidly growing OHV use will take effect Jan. 1, 2009. For the complete story and information please visit: http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/ohvFAQ.shtml

Well, this weekend the boys attended a Hunter Education class through the AZ Game and Fish Department. My oldest, Seth, just turned 14 so he only needs the course for a bonus point at this point. His younger brother, Colton, on the other hand needed the course to be able hunt deer this year. I think boy boys were apprehensive, and maybe a little upset when I told them that their weekend would be spent in the classroom. However, they both enjoyed the course and paseed with flying colors.

The class they took was a two-day class, which I really prefer. Although you only have one evening to prepare for the test, it really beats spending several evenings over several weeks in the classroom. In addition, you can always use the nes online course materials to study leading up to the course.

Day One: In the classroom covering topics such as safe handling, wildlife conservation, and hunting ethics.

Day Two: During the field day, students witnessed a shooting seminar performed by the instructors, shot a .22 rifle in three positions, and experienced a simulated hunt. Finally, in the afternoon - the TEST!

As I stated, the boys did good: Seth - 98% and Colton - 96%. Good job guys!

Here is my warning! Since the kids passed, especially the young one who needed the course to hunt; I have fielded every question in the book: When can we go hunting? What tags can I just buy? Can my uncle take me hunting next week? Can we buy a tag in New Mexico? …and so on.

If you are looking for a hunter education class in Arizona, visit their site.

If you love elk, elk-hunting, and want to help ensure the future of elk, please attend our 24th annual RMEF Big Game Banquet this August in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Chapter: Flagstaff
When: Saturday, August 16, doors open at 5PM
Where: High Country Conference Center at NAU, 201 West Butler Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Event Contact: Tim Topell (928) 635-6776

Prizes include the following:
Quad/two-gun raffle
Colorado elk hunt
25+ firearms
Archery gear
Optics packages
Many more

For tickets call Tim at the number above or visit http://www.rmef.org/AboutUs/Chapters/FundraisingEvents/?statemapname=Arizona to get your tickets online.

This is the last week for online sales for the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle.

From the AZ Department of Game and Fish:

Arizona Big Game Super Raffle 
Here’s your chance to hunt big game trophies in Arizona and the price is right! The Arizona Game and Fish Commission in cooperation with various state and national sportsman’s groups will sponsor a raffle for the 2008-2009 hunting season. One tag for nine different big game species will be drawn in this raffle. Tickets range in price from $5 - $25, depending on the species. Mail orders for tickets must be received no later than June 27, 2008. Online sales will end July 13, 2008. The public drawing for winners will occur in July 19, 2008. Every dollar raised through ticket sales of each species goes directly toward management projects that benefit that species in Arizona.

Get your tickets today! http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com/

The Arizona Game and Fish department is looking for individuals with information on a poaching case near Williams, AZ. Contact the AZGFD, if you have any info.

Information needed to solve deer poaching near Whitehorse Lake

News Media
Jun 23, 2008The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a poacher that killed a large mule deer buck on the evening of June 13 or 14. The poaching occurred near Whitehorse Lake along Forest Road 110, southeast of Williams.

The deer had large antlers, and it was shot and left along the road to waste.

See the full story at: http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_868.shtml

Arizona’s hunters and anglers impacts the state’s economy with spending of $1.3 billion annually. Approximately 418,000 sportsmen spend $3.8 million per day, on average.  Several other interesting facts are published in a reprt by several organizations, and posted on Safari Clubs’s website. The full article can be accessed on SCI’s website at: http://www.scifirstforhunters.org/docs/static/EconomicImpactReport/AZ.pdf

Want a chance to win a tag for your favorite big game species and the opportunity to hunt that species for a full year? If so, check out the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle website at: http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com/

Tags are raffled for the following species:
Elk
Mule deer
Coues deer
Antelope
Black bear
Desert bighorn sheep
Buffalo
Javelina
Turkey
and a chance to win a Swarovski Optics package

Don’t miss out; visit today.

Saturday, I spent the day with a few fellow Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation members and the Arizona Game and Fish Department staff working on a water catchment project in Arizona’s famed unit 9. There are several catchments like this one that have been erected in unit 9. The task on this day was to build a metal fence around the catchment. The fence is designed to exclude livestock, while allowing access to wildlife.

John Goodwin, from AZGF was our mentor - since he has worked on more projects like this than one can count. John may retire soon, and we will miss his leadership, if he does. Rex Adams, his wife Christy, and friend, Christain, joined us all the way from Phoenix, AZ for the project. In, fact Rex and his crew stayed through the weekend.

Other than a few issues with the welder (the machine, not Rex), we made fairly good progress, considering. I am sure the fence will be completed in the next few weeks. Thanks for all the work guys!

Get out and get involved!
 

John G. cuts fencing.

Rex welds.

The welding crew: Christy, Christian, and Rex.

I appreciate those who have commented on the work that I, and others have been doing, mostly on “drinkers.” Well, this weekend will be another work weekend to fix a few more drinkers. I believe this project involves repairing some steel fence that surrounds the catchment. I will be traveling up with AZG&F personnel on Saturday. Upon my return I will post a description of the work completed and a few pictures as well. If you are ever interested in helping out please contact me or the AZG&F directly at: http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/edits/volunteer_opps.shtml

A couple of weeks ago, a few of us went out to repair fences around some older USFS water catchments. Clair Harris is really the ramrod, and asked for volunteers. Up to the task were Tom Britt (retired AZG&F), Randy Servis and his daughter Shayla, and myself. I want to take a little time and give credit where credit is due. I have the utmost respect for Clair, he is a retired school teacher, with a lot of time to spend doing whatever he wants. I would venture to guess that at least 50% of the time he is working in the field to help wildlife in some manner. I for one appeciates the work he does. Like I said, I have a ton of respect for the man! Additionally, Tom and Randy are always up to the task.

Anyway, the project was a success; we rebuilt several 100 feet of fence, reparied cuts, installed wildlife jumps, and cleaned the catchments. It was definitely an honest days work, but well worth the effort. As it turned out, the four adults were all local RMEF committee members, but like I have said, “pick the group that fits you and become and active and proud supporter!”

Clair explains to the group the tasks at hand.

A jump installed for wildlife.   

Shayla earns community service credit for a school field trip.

The next week I was browsing the discussion forums on CouesWhitetail.com and came across a couple trailcamera pictures of one of the catchments. I contacted the author, Jeff, and he sent me a picture of a couple bulls in velvet enjoying the cool water. I must say it was a pretty cool ending to some hard work put in by volunteers. I encourage you to get out there and give back to wildlife!