Tracker Fall 2007

F a l l 2 0 0 7

Photo by George Andrejko

Prior to March 17, 2002, AES Founding Memberships were available. These individuals and couples came forth to show their support for the AES in it’s early stages of development. During the formation

of the AES, administrative funds were needed to pay for organizational costs that led up to the first fundraising banquet on March 16, 2002. Founding Members paid a premium membership fee to help make the first year a success. For their support and dedication, the following Founding Members will

receive permanent recognition by the AES.

+ Membership upgraded * Deceased

Founding Associate MembersDouglas Sr & Donna Obert

Founding Life MembersKen Alexander+

Michael J Anderson Ernest Apodaca, Jr+

Randy BeckKeith Berger

Esther CadzowJohn CadzowHarry Carlson

Randy A Cherington+ Pete Cimellaro

Steve Clark Todd A Coleman

Richard CurrieDon DavidsonKay Davidson

Sharon EichelbergerRon Eichelberger

Peter EkholmDaron Evans

Ed Hightower Michael Horstman+

James JohnsonEarl C Johnson

Edward E Johnson Richard Johnson+

Mitchell JonesSandra G Kauffman

Richard E Kauffman, SrBill Kelley

Peter S Klocki+John Koleszar+

James LaraTim Littleton

James Lynch Jr+Don Martin

Russ McDowellWilliam D Meredith

Anthony NicholsCookie NicosonWalt NicosonMark Nixon

Donna ObertDouglas Obert, SrShawn Patterson

Jan PurdyForrest Purdy

Mel Risch+Tom Schorr

Gregory StaintonDouglas Stancill

Vashti “Tice” Supplee+Dan TaylorJohn Toner

Corey TunnellRick Vincent, SrDon Walters, Jr

Dee White Larry White+

Mark WorischeckJoseph Worischeck

Chuck Youngker

Founding Sustaining MembersBridgid & Ron Anderson+ Everett & Joyce Nicoson

Founding Couple MembersJohn & Patty AndersonDenny* & Paula Bailey

Robert F & Shirley J BanksJohn & Taina Beaty

Robin & Billie BechtelBrad & Shelley Borden

Philip* & Jamie Brogdon+ Mark & Shanna BrooksShawn & Lisa Carnahan

Kim & Lynn Carter, SrDanny R Cline & Pat Thompson

Will & Fran GarrisonTim & Patti Garvin

W Hays & Suzanne GilstrapDon & Gwen Grady Steve & Bobi Hahn

Igor & Christy IvanoffDaniel & Danny Johnson

Glen & Tracey JonesRichard & Wendy Kauffman

Bill & Mary KeeblerMark & Lynda KesslerMel & Diane Kincaid

Richard & Christine KrantzDick & Nancy Krause

Eric & Wendy KruegerRon & Lisa Lopez+

Gary & Lin Maschner Shane & Tiffany May

Kevin & Donna McBeeRoger & Micaela Mellen

Denny & Pat MossRobert & Diana Noel

Richard Oberson & Bonnie McAuley William & Vera Rezzonico

Clarence Rodriquez MDRichard & Anna Schmidt

David Scott & Rosemarie NelsonBruce & Lisa Snider

Macey & Becky StarlingEd & Ace Stevens

Tim & Ellena Tanner Craig & Susan ThatcherTom & Kristel Thatcher

Marvin & Margo Thompson+ Keith & Lois Zimmerman

Founding General MembersKendall Adair

Gary R AndersonJim Andrysiak

Denny AshbaughRon BarclayDavid BarilCal Bauer

John F BauermeisterRobert BaughmanManny Bercovich

Dr Tom Boggess, III Tom BrownTom Carroll

Steve CheuvrontCarolyn Colangelo

Mike CupellJack Daggett

Kyle Daggett+Bob Davies

Gary A DavisLarry Day

Nathan Day John W Decker*Chris Denham

Neal E DialCraig Dunlap

Jennifer EvansBobby Fite

Chris FlandersLorenzo A Flores

Roger GibsonCourtney Gilstrap

Floyd Green Jon Hanna

Douglas HartzlerArt HathawayDean Hofman

David J HofmanNorma E Hook

Russ HunterDavid Hussey Rick JohnsonMike JonesDoug JonesTodd Julian

Charlie KellyCharles A Kerns

John Krause Joseph M Lane

Robby LongAaron Lowry

Rick MacDonaldJoe Makaus

Daniel MartinMichael L MasonMike McCormickDonald Meakin

James O MeeksJason Mercier

Jim MercierTracey Miner

Ken MossRonald J Nadzieja

Mike N OliverCraig Pearson

Kenneth B Piggott Bethena PughCarlos Quihuis

Mark RabyRobert L ReadNeal ReidheadKyle SanfordCraig SanfordTony Seddon

Arnold SheltonDennis Shipp

Tom SiscoBruce Sitko

M. Scott SouthCarl Staley

Randy StoutKenneth K Stringer

John W Stuckey Dave Swayzee Troy TartaglioGary TeBeest

Todd ThelanderCharles B Thompson

Stan ThompsonThom Tokash

Brian Van KilsdonkRick Vaughn

Kathy L VincentRick Vincent II Don R Walker

Douglas WatsonVince WattsTodd Weber

Donald D Weber Jr Tom Wooden

Douglas Woodward

Founding Junior MembersTyler GetzwillerKevin H Knight

Daniel RabyNathan RabyJames Rawls

Sheena SmithBlake Tartaglio

Alexandra TartaglioAlexis TartaglioTravis Thatcher

Clayton Thatcher Nathan ThatcherWayne ThatcherTaylor Thatcher

Alexandra Vincent Emma C Vincent Justin M Vincent

2 The Tracker - Fall 2007

Arizona Elk Society 3

President’s Message by Steve Clark ...................................... 4

Special Tags...and the Bene�t We All Enjoy by John Koleszar ................................................................ 5

In the Crosshairs: Winds of Change are Coming for Sportsmen by John Koleszar ............................................... 6

Braggin’ Board ................................................................... 7

Why Non-lead Ammunition? by Kathy Sullivan .................. 8-9

Unit 9 Water Catchment Rebuild Project by Steve Clark ........ 10

My First Coues Whitetail Hunt by Jacque Hendy................... 11

BB’s Column by John Koleszar ...................................... 12-13

Upcoming Events .............................................................. 13

2007 Annual Meeting by Steve Clark ................................. 14

2007 Elk Hunting Clinic by Steve Clark ............................... 15

AES Supports Kid’s Fishing Day Program by Don Martin ....... 16

Don’t Forget the Junior Elk Hunt Camp ................................ 17

Two Commissioners Con�rmed This Year by John Koleszar ... 18

A Change in Focus by Paul Ferry ......................................... 19

Unit 9 Water Haul Project July 2007 by Steve Clark .............. 20

On Target by John Toner .................................................... 21

Antler Development by Steve and Gloria McInelly .......... 22-23

A Life-changing Experience by Christian Wol�..................... 24

Hunt of a Lifetime Winners................................................. 25

Habitat Partners of Arizona ............................................... 26

Cover photo courtesy of George Andrejko. View more of George’s photos at http://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/wildlife_photo.shtml

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President .................................Steve Clark

Vice President............Ron Eichelberger

Treasurer.........................Cookie Nicoson

Secretary....................................Tim Evans

Past President ..... Sharon Eichelberger

You may contact any officers, board members or committee chairs

at [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORSShawn Carnahan

Chuck Decker

Carl Hargis

Glen Jones

Steve McGaughey

Jim Mullins

Gary Maschner

Tom Schorr

Greg Stainton

John Toner

COMMITTEE CHAIRSBanquet ..................Sharon Eichelberger

& Cookie Nicoson

Grant Writer....................... Lin Maschner

Membership...............................Dee Clark

Projects .........................Ron Eichelberger

Newsletter................... Maria DelVecchio

Website ................................Leo Balthazor

Wapiti Weekend................Shelly Hargis

Scholarship................ Wendy Stressman

& Shelly Hargis

Some of the lucky raffle winners at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Article on page 14.

IN THIS ISSUE

hunters know the changes that are down the road.TheArizona Game & Fish Commission and Department aremaking some drastic changes to the hunt structures afterignoring the many concerned hunters who attended the2008-2009 Hunt Structure Commission meeting in Flagstaff.Their reasoning was that they surveyed the huntingcommunity and they were going to make changes basedon the results of their limited survey.When I spoke withthe hunters in camps and relayed some of the changesbeing made, hunters were astounded that the AZGFDwould even think of moving archery elk hunt tags out ofthe early season to a late November archery hunt in everyunit. It seems that to satisfy the “average” hunter AZGFD iswilling to sacrifice quality of the hunt for quantity of tags togive more opportunity. Many of the hunters I have talkedto who took the survey had no idea that asking for moretags would result in the conversion to low success and lowquality hunts to get more tags.The other conversation thatshows that hunters are very unaware of what’s happeningin the woods was when we mentioned the upcomingnew rules in the USFS Travel Management Plan.Very fewhunters know of what the USFS is planning on doing.Theydon’t know that the USFS is proposing to do away withoff- road big game retrieval.The other contentious issueis the fact that hunters will be losing the ability to campaway from the main roads – camping will only be allowedin designated camping areas. Please read the articles in ourpublications and go to the local forest websites and read

up on their plans.You may beamazed at the proposed changes.Sportsmen are one of the few groups that have beenmissing at the table when it comes to the USFS TravelManagement Plan.

On a positive note, the AES projects committee hasattended many meetings with the AZGFD, USFS and thelocal Wildlife Managers throughout elk range in Arizonaand we are very impressed with the landscape planningfor wildlife habitat projects that are in the works. Fromeastern Arizona to Seligman, there are some great habitatenhancement projects being proposed.With the $$$sthat the AES, other wildlife groups and the Arizona BigGame Super Raffle have raised, along with matching grantmoney being put into these large habitat projects, and thecooperation that we are seeing with other agencies such asthe USFS, there will be some great habitat improvementsdown the road. Hopefully, this will allow the AZGFD toincrease the number of elk and other wildlife to give thesportsmen in this state a better chance at tags that theydesire. Regretfully, it may be too late to keep the qualityhunts but maybe the Department will pull back on ruiningthe best quality and most desirable elk hunts in the U.S.

I’d also like to mention that on August 24th, the Arizona ElkSociety received a very special honor – induction into theArizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.This award was establishedin 1998 by the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation torecognize those who have made outstanding contributionsto the benefit of Arizona’s wildlife and their habitats. AllAES members can be very proud of this award which wasbased on our public outreach efforts, habitat improvementprojects, activities for youth and fundraising efforts tobenefit elk and their habitat.

And recently, President George W. Bush released the order,entitled “Facilitation of Hunting and Wildlife Conservation.”It directs all relevant federal agencies to facilitate theexpansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities,wildlife management and habitat.


I’m writing this column in the middle of an archery elk hunt. In the unit I’m hunting, one very disturbing thing I’m learning from hunters in the woods and in camps I visit, is that very few

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Steve Clark

may bechanges.

AES MISSION STATEMENT

The Arizona Elk Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife organization. Our mission is to raise funds to benefit elk

and other wildlife through habitat conservation and restoration and to preserve our hunting heritage for

present and future generations.

NATIONAL FOREST WEBSITES

Tonto - www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

Apache/Sitgreaves - www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf

Kaibab - www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/

Coronado - http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado


ForsomefolksitcanbeassmallasapizzaonFridaynights.Forothers,itcanbeadinnerata4-starresort.Thentherearethosefewindividualswhocanvirtuallybuyarestaurantforanight,closeitdownandinvite500oftheirclosestfriendsforaparty.Ipersonallyrankclosertothepizzathansendingoutinvitesto500friends,butIthinkyoucatchmydrift.Since1985,theArizonaGame&FishCommissionhasawarded2tagseachyear(now3)tobeauctioned/raffledtothegeneralpublic.Duringthatperiodoftimethesespecialtagshaveraisedover$3,500,000.Alloftheauctiontagsshouldbeconsidered“discretionary”income.Iknowalotofspousesmightraiseaneyebrowifwecamehomeandsaid“Hihoney…guesswhatIboughtatthebanquettonight?”

Forthepast20+years,aselectfewindividualshavecomeforwardandoftenbidinexcessof$100,000fortheprivilegeofhuntingforthatonemagnificentbullinArizona.ThatkindofmoneyisnotinmypersonalrealmandIdonotbegrudgethemtheirsuccess.IlookathowhardallofushaveworkedatpastbanquetstoraisethatkindofmoneyandIknowthenumberofhoursthatgointoraisingjust$300,000inonenightismindboggling.SowhenIthinkofthefactthatsomeoneplunksdownover$100,000foronehuntItendtothink“ThankGodsomeonewantstohelpwildlifethatmuchthattheyarewillingtobecomeinvolvedinthebidprocess.”Mostalloftheseindividualscouldgoonprivatelandandhunttotheirheartscontentatafractionofthecost.Instead,theychoosetohelpwildlifeinArizonabybiddingontheelktagsthatareavailable.

Ifthetotalamountofthespecialtagswas“just”$3,500,000,wewouldallwalkawayimpressed.Butwhenyouunder-standthatwiththeadditionofmatchingfundsleveragedoverseveraldifferentprojects,the“true”impactiswellover$12,000,000…wellfolks,thatkindofimpactisincredible.Oneofthekeybenefitsisthatthismoneygoesdirectlyinto

elkhabitatandelkprojectsdirectlyontheground.Itdoesnotpayforsalaries,vehiclesoroffices,butspeciesspecificwork.Thatlittleknowfactiswrittenintothelawthatwaspassedbythelegislatureinregardstoalltheauctiontags.Soifyouwereconcernedinthepastaboutwherethemoneygoes…restassureditgoesdirectlyintoelkprojects.Notonlydoelkbenefit,butlookatthebenefitstheaverage“JoeHunter”getsfromallthatauctionmoney.Thepriceofourtagshaslongbeenatopicaroundcampfires.TwoyearsagosportsmenralliedaroundtheArizonaGame&

FishDepartmentandagainrequestedthattheLegislatureofArizonaincreaseourtagcosts.Thedepartmentneededmoneytooperateandwecameforwardtocarrythebulkofthecostsasalways.Ilookatthefigureof$12,000,000andIthink…”Whatwouldourcostsbeifwedidnothaveauctiontags?Whatprojectswouldnotgetfunded?Whatareaswouldsuffermoreforthelackoffunding?”

BoththeArizonaElkSocietyandtheRockyMountainElkFoundationhaveaseatatthetabletoworkwiththedepartmentindirectingwherethefundsgoandwhatprojectsaredeemedmostimportant.Iknowthatsomepeoplethinkthatitcanbeelitistifsomeonebuysatagandalltherestofusneedtotryandgetdrawn.TheNorthAmericanModelspecifiesthat“opportunityforall”mustbeadheredto.Iagreewiththatconcept,noquestionorargument.ThenIlookatthebenefitsofthetwoauctiontagsandIdoalittlementalbalancing…$12,000,000…ornoauctiontag?Personallyforme,Iamdarngladthattwopeoplegettohunteachyearforaspecialbull.Their“discretionary”incomegoesalongwaytowardsthebottomlineofwildlifeandtheconceptof“opportunityforall”stillmanagestostayintact.Theirdeeppocketsandtheirspendingdirectlybenefitsallofus“JoeHunters”.IhopethatyoujoinusinthankingourfriendswhokeeptheirwalletsandheartsinArizona.

spEciaL tags… and thE BEnEfit

WE aLL Enjoyby John Koleszar

Almost all of us have what we call “discretionary” income. Put simply, it is money that we can feel free to use however we want and when we want.

comessomeunprecedenteddemandsforrecreationandland.Quitefrankly,IcompareArizonatotheproverbial5poundcoffeecanwhichwearetryingtofillwith7poundsofmaterial…anditjustisn’tgoingtowork.

Forthosewhoarenotaware,theUnitedStatesForestServiceisundergoingtheirTravelManagementPlan.TheplanisanundertakingtodecidewhatareasoftheNationalForestswillhaveroads,whichroadswillstayopenandwhichroadswillbeclosedtocertaintypesoftravel.Dependingonwhoyoutalkto,theplanstrikesfearintotheheartsofsportsmen;somesaythatitisanactionthatiswayoverdue;andsomesayitwon’thavemuchofanimpact.ThecommonthreadhereisthatEVERYONEhasanopportunitytovoicetheiropinionandbeheardbytheForestService.Whilethatmaysoundgreattothoseofyoureadingthisarticle,thebadnewsisthatthiswholeprocesshasbeentakingplaceoverthepast6months…andsportsmenhavebeenvisiblymissingfromthecommentstages.Policydecisionsarebeingmadethatdirectlyaffectsportsmen.Itemslikebiggameretrieval,dispersedcamping,roadclosuresandseasonalclosuresareallpartofissuesbeingaddressed.

Arizonaisthelonestatethathasbeenfightingforbiggameretrieval.Iknowthatmanyofushavetakenelkinthepast,andwithouttheuseofsomesortofvehicleduringtheearlyhunts,spoilageofmeatwouldbeahugeissue.PartoftheForestServicelogicisthatwaytoomanywildcatroadshavebeencutthroughtheNationalForests,crosscountrytravelhasbecomerampantandmanyfolkswillnotwalkanywherewhentheycanrideandifthereisnobiggameretrieval,thentherewillbenoissueswithpeoplecuttinga“new”trailinanareawherethereshouldnotbeone.

Dispersedcampingisanothersourceofconcern.Like

manysituations,afewindividualshavecreatedaproblemscenariothattheForestSupervisorsmusttakealookat.Manytimes,Ihavetakenabackroadtoaspotthatseemedremote,parkedwithin30yardsoftheroadandsetupcamp.Whenyouhavethousandsofpeopleventuringupnortheachsummerweekendwithsomeofthosefolkssettingupcamp100,200yardsandevenfurtherfromtheroadtocamp,itsoonbecomesagreatsourceofconcern.Thencompoundthatproblembyhaving3,4ormorequadsridingalldayfromthatcampingspottotheroadandbackandforth–suddenlyinoneweekenda“new”roadhasbeencreated.Howdoyoucontrolthatboominlanduse?Someofthesolutionsthathavebeensuggestedare1)campgroundcampingonlyindesignatedareasor2)dispersedcampingnomorethanthelengthofyourvehiclefromtheroador3)controlledstagingareasoffrequentuse.Howdothesesoundtoyouasahunter/sportsman?

Theissueofroadclosuresshouldbekeptinmindaswell.Manyroadsthatweusetodaymaybeclosedinthefuture.Werethoseroadstherein1990?1995?2000?Certainlyifyouhavehuntedconsistentlyinanyareaoverthelast15years,youhaveseennewroadsthatwerenottherebefore.Howcanyouguaranteethatyourfavoriteroadwillnotbeclosed?Forsomepeopletheissueishowcanwegetsomeroadsclosed?TheonlyansweristoattendtheUnitedStatesForestServicepublicmeetings.Goonline(seewebaddressesonpage4)orcallyourfavoriteNationalForestandfindoutthedatesandtimesofthemeetings.Themeetingsthatwereheldlastfallandduringtheearlypartofthisyearwereforthecommentstages.Theinitialdecisionsarenowcomingout,andfolkswillhaveanopportunitytovoiceconcerns,objectionsorpraiseforthepotentialplannedmoves.Manypeoplewhoattendedtheearliermeetingscameawaywithsomeverydistinctobservations.

in thE crosshairs: Winds of changE

arE coming for sportsmEn

by John Koleszar

With each passing year Arizona continues to explode in terms of population growth. The city of Phoenix recently became

the 5th largest city in the United States and with this growth


BRAGGIN’BOARD

Lori McGaughey

The OHV crowds were there en masse and they made theirfeelings known.They would like to see wide open travel,including cross country travel as part of the agenda.Theydo not want to see any closures and in fact would like to seemore roads open. A very vocal large portion of our societyis being represented at these meetings. If you and I are notthere, then we only have ourselves to blame if the decisionsare not to our liking. As far as being concerned with elkhabitat and protecting the hunting heritage, it would seemthat we have much work to do.You cannot hunt from roads

and with wildlife needing calving grounds and quiet placesin order to thrive, we need to make sure we go to thesemeetings and make our opinions and feelings known.

The next two years will see many changes for sportsmen. Ifervently hope that all of us put aside some time to makeour thoughts and desires known to whatever agency isplanning any strategic moves.The future depends on theactions of the present. I hope all of you will be a part of it.

David MyrickDavid Myrick


Steve McGaughey

Cory Worischeck and his dad Mark, both AES Life

Members, at 7am opening morning 2007.

Cory Worischeck and his dad Mark, both AES Life

Members, at 7am opening morning 2007.


WHY NON-LEAD AMMUNITION?

TO HELP CONSERVEOUR WILDLIFE

by Kathy SullivanCondor Coordinator, Arizona Game and

Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and our partners,the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Elk Society, ArizonaAntelope Foundation, Arizona Bighorn Sheep Society, andArizona Chapter of the National Turkey Federation areasking hunters to continue their proud tradition of wildlifeconservation by using non-lead ammunition when theyhunt in Game Management Units 9, 10, 12A/B, 13A/B.“It’ssimply part of being a good sportsperson.”

Since 2005, up to 60% of Arizona hunters have used non-lead ammunition during their hunts on the Kaibab Plateauand Arizona Strip.Why? Because scientific evidence hasconcluded that California condors are dying from leadpoisoning when they consume lead bullet fragments andlead shot found in game carcasses and gut piles left in thefield by hunters. Arizona hunters want to help:

“I felt it was my responsibility as a hunter.”

“If it is better for the wildlife, I support it.”

“It’s my responsibility to protect our wildlife as needed. If it takes me to change my ammunition, I will.”

“Dropped deer right in its tracks – excellent performance on game.”

Arizona hunters praise the performance of these non-leadbullets (100% copper Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullets). Copperbullets are less toxic but most importantly do not fragment like lead, so toxic metal fragments are not left in gamecarcasses and gut piles. 93% of hunters said the non-leadbullets performed as well or better than lead bullets ongame:

“I loved it! It sighted true and was a one shot perfect harvest.”

“Barnes Bullets, especially the Triple Shock are the best bullet made.”

“Great performance, mass retention, and penetration”

“I was very happy; I will use lead-free ammo forever.”

“Barnes bullets out perform any lead bullet.”

“I saw five condors and one was feeding on a gut pile. It brings home the importance of less toxic ammunition.”

Since 2005, education efforts and a free non-leadammunition program sponsored by the Departmenthave resulted in up to a 60% reduction in the amountof lead available to condors during the fall huntingseason.The hunting community should be proud of thisaccomplishment.With more support from the huntingcommunity, we can all but eliminate lead poisoning incondors.

E

Condor Coordinator,


“I believe educating the hunters about the problem is the answer.”

Fiveyearsofscientificstudieshaveconcludedthatspentleadammunitionisthemajorsourceofleadexposureincondors.Testshaveconfirmedthatatleast12condorshavediedfromleadpoisoningandalmost300casesofknownleadexposurehaveoccurredsince1999-mostcondorshavebeenexposedmultipletimes.Over30condorshaverequiredmedicaltreatmentforleadexposure,andsomebirdshavebeentreateduptosixtimes.Leadshotandbulletfragmentshavebeenremovedfromthedigestivetractsofcondors16times.

Thehighestlevelofcondorleadexposureoccursduringthefallhuntingseason.Duringthistime,condorsconcentrateontheKaibabPlateauandsurroundingareas,foragingongutpilesandwoundinglossanimals.

Thetypicallead-basedbulletretainsabout60%ofitsweight.Theremaining40%ofthebulletisdepositedalongthewoundchannelingame,resultinginupto700leadfragmentsleftingamecarcasses.Sincemosthuntersharvestbiggamewithvitalorganshots,manyoftheseleadfragments(upto500)remaininthegutpilesleftinthefield.

AleadisotopestudyfundedbytheArizonaGameandFishDepartmentconcludedthatleadfoundincondordigestivetractsandbloodmatchestheleadfromammunition.Thisstudycombinedwiththeotherdataleaveslittleroomtodoubtthatleadshotandbulletfragmentsfromgamecarcassesandgutpilesaretheleadingcauseofleadpoisoningincondors.

“Good program – will reap results in the future.”

Arizonahuntersoverwhelminglysupportvoluntaryleadreductioneffortswithinthecondorrange.83%ofArizonahuntersstatedtheywouldbewillingtousenon-leadammunitiontohelp.TheDepartmentandourpartnersarenowaskingallhunterstotakeaction.ThisisanopportunityforArizonasportsmentoprovetheirdedicationtoconservingwildlife.It’salsoachancetoshowcriticsthatwecansolvethisproblemonourown,voluntarily!

Considerthisyoureducation-nowit’stimetoact!Ifyouaredrawnforahuntwithincondorrange(Units9,10,12A,12B,13A,or13B),pleaseusenon-leadammunitiononyourhunt.TheArizonaGameandFishDepartmentandArizonaElkSocietyarecountingonYOU.

California Condor Program Info:

•CondorsareanativespeciesofArizona.

•Captivebreedingandreleaseeffortsincreasedpopulationfromlowof22birdstocurrenttotalof285(59inArizona).

•Condorreleasesbeganin1996inArizona

•Wild-breedinghasbeensuccessful.

•Condorleadreductioneffortsarefundedbystatelotteryandgamingrevenue.

Allquotesinthisarticlearefroma2005surveyofArizonahunters.Toreadthissurveyandlearnmoreaboutcondor-leadresearchandnon-leadammunition,goto:azgfd.gov/condororcontactthecondorprogramcoordinator,KathySullivan,[email protected].

Condor with ingested lead bullet fragments.

Deer carcass with lead bullet fragments.

twoupgradedwatercatchments.Manyofthewildlifedrinkersthroughoutthestatewereconstructed50ormoreyearsagotoaccommodatethegrowingwildlifeherdsatthattime.InArizona,elkwerejustcomingintotheirownandthemainanimalinneedofwaterwasthemuledeer.Thecapacityoftheseoldconcretetankswasonly2000-2500gallonsandbecauseelkherdnumbershaveincreased,thereisaneedtoincreasethecapacityofthetanks.Notonlyareoldtanksandconcreteapronsindisrepairbuttheyweresmallincomparisontothewatercatchmentscurrentlybeingbuilt.Thenewcatchmentsholdfrom20,000

–30,000gallonsofwater.Thenewapronsareverylargeandcatchlargeamountsofwaterinashorttime.

CoordinatingwithJohnGoodwinfromtheAZGFD,GregStainton,JimandMattMullinsandapproximately20othervolunteersfinishedmostofonetankandstartedworkonanotheroverthecourseoftheweekend.

GregStaintonupheldtheAEStraditionofsupplyingsomeofthebestvolunteercampmealsever.Greggrilledupsomeofhisfamoustritipbeefandmanyothergreatmeals.Eventhoughprogresswasslowedbyrain,theworktheAESperformedhelpedgainsomegroundonthetankrebuildshappeninginUnit9.

TherewillbeongoingprojectsinUnit9fortheremainderofthisyearwithmoreprojectsandstartingbackupinAprilorMayofnextyear.KeepaneyeontheAESwebsiteforthedatesofupcomingprojects.TheAESwouldlovetoseenewvolunteersatanyoftheprojectsweareworkingon.

ThankyoutoallthevolunteersandtheAZGFDcrewsforworkingontheseandotherprojectsthroughoutthestate.


unit 9 WatEr catchmEnt

rEBuiLd projEct

by Steve Clark

from August 24 - 26 200�, AES volunteers teamed up with work crews from the AZGfd

in Unit 9 to work on the building of


Send us your story and we’ll include it in a future issue of The Tracker. Email your

story and email or mail your photos. Materials mailed for publication will not be returned to the sender unless accompanied

by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Send to Steve Clark at [email protected]

Arizona Elk SocietyP.O. Box 190Peoria, AZ85380

SEE YOUR STORYIN THE TRACKER

Send to Steve Clark at [email protected]

The prior 2 weeks we hadn’t spotted anything but severalgroups of doe.We pulled in and started to glass as usualwith nothing to be seen until right about sunset. I spotteda couple of deer but being almost dark,foggy and the kidswere freezing cold we decided to pack up and head homeand try again tomorrow.On Saturday our good friends andneighbors Mark Nixon offered to help my husband and Iglass while his fiance Kathi Thompson watched our kidsfor the day.We greatfully accepted. Knowing that Mark hadtaked some nice bucks in this unit.

Saturday morning we set up our Swarovski 15x56 andstarted glassing as soon as we could see. About an hourlater,Rodney had spotted bobcat and being that none ofus had a tag we got back to business looking for bucks.Just as the sun had crept halfway down the mountain,Mark stated that he had what he thought to be a couple ofbucks in his sights about 100 yds away from where I hadspotted them the night before. Not 100% sure because theywere about a mile and a half away,he offers to hike to getcloser to check them out.We kept our glasses on the buckswhile Mark hiked closer to get a better view. After about 45minutes, Mark confirmed they were definately bucks andthat one was a possible 3x3 and asked if I wanted to go forit.With the wind blowing hard on us, Rodney and I packedup our gear and headed up the mountain to south of theMark and the bucks.What we thought would be an easierroute, turned out be a quite a hard hike.Iit seemed likeit took us an hour to reach the point where Mark waswatching these two bucks.When we got there it wasan amazing view.This buck was napping in the sunon a small ridge right out in the open While the otherbuck was feeding in a bush behind him.This was “ThePerfect Opportunity.”Mark had already ranged the buck

at 200yds.Rodney took out our HandyCam while I got inposition with the 30-06 with 150grain Core-Loct.Mark satto the right of me holding the converted binocular tripodas a gun rest and Rodney was behind us filming. After aminute or so, still trying to catch my breath from the longhike I took the shot.It was perfect! The deer just rolled overand expired.My husband hollered “That’s my Momma! “which makes us all laugh and we do all our congratulationsand Thank You’s . On the hike back ,after packing up thedeer I found an old horseshoe and decided to call this spotHorseshoe ridge.My first coues whitetail,“What a thrill.”

MY FIRST COUES

WHITETAILHUNTby Jacque Hendy

It all started on December 22, 2006 we drove to our area to see if we

could glass up any bucks.

BB’s coLumn

by John Koleszar

The collect phone call came in after 2:00 a.m.


BBwasfeelingfullofhimselfandhadmanagedto“tinedial”myphonenumber.HebrokeoutlaughingwhenIansweredandacceptedthecall.“Heyboy,itonlytookmethreetriestopunchinyournumberwithmybrowtines–notbadhuh?”Iwasalittlegroggy,soIforgottoaskifhehadconnectedwithanyoneevenclosetomynumberonhisearlytries.Hesaidthathewantedtoseemeearlierthanwehadplanned,soheinvitedmeupforanearlySeptembermeeting.Isuspectedthathewasfeelingalittlelonely,ashetoldmethatallthebachelorbullshadstartedgoingtheirseparateways.Allthebigbullshadrubbedofftheirvelvetandwerestartingtofeelmorethanalittleanticipationandexcitement.HeacceptedtheoffertomeetattheBugleInn,andweagreedonthedateofSeptember4th.Inoticedthathisvoicewasalittleraspy,andhisonlyresponsetomycommentwasadeepchuckle.Iknewhewasreadyfortherutandprimedtogo.

TheridetoForestLakeswasanabsolutedelugeofrainandIfeltmorethanalittlereliefasIopenedthebardoorwiththesparekey.Iwanderedovertothebarandstartedpouringmyselfaglassofcabernetwhenthesmellfinallyregistered.BBIsaid“Iknowyou’reinhere–nothingelsecomesclosetosmellinglikeyoudoinrut.”Aboomingbugledamnneardeafenedmeintheenclosedspace.BBhadhiddenbehindacoupleoftables,andhisheadandantlersblendedintotheheadsandantlersthatwereonthewall.

“Isthiscoolorwhat?”hefinallysaid.“Youhumanswearthosefunnyclothesinthewoodsthatlookliketrees,andIusedmybodytoblendrightintothewall…callitanimalcamouflage.”Bynowthe“aroma”ofBBhadsaturatedtheroom.IfIclosedmyeyesandwasnotdeadsureofwhereIwas,IwouldswearIwasintheforesttrailingafterahugebullwithhissprayedscentalloverthegrassesandtrees.

“BB”Isaid,“itmaysoundstrangetoyou,butIreallylikeyouruh…aroma.”

BBjustsnickered,“Yeahboy…guessyou’vefinallycomearoundhuh…youandallthecowsin3C,4Band4Ahavesomethingincommon–youcan’tresistme.”

“NoBB,it’snotlikethat,”Isaid.“It’sjustthatyoursmellbringsbackgreatmemoriestome.”

BBnarrowedhiseyesandsaid,“Youmeanlikemy“aroma”remindsyouofapleasantexperience?”

“Yeah”Isaid.“Justsmellingyou,remindsmeofallthethingsthatarerightaboutthefallandhunting.”BBgotthatelkintheheadlightslookandthenslowlythelightbulbcameon.

“Okay,okay”hesaid.“Ijustthoughtmaybeyouweregettingalittlestrangeonme.”IassuredBBthatIwasnotgettingstrange,justthatcertain“aromas”carrymessagestothehumanbrain.Imentionedtohimthatcertainanimalscarrycertain“aromas”,andthatweashumanshavecertainidentitieswiththosesmells.BBstartedlaughing.“Well,ifyoulikeelkaroma,thenyousureashellwon’tlikehorse’saroma.Youeversmellwhatthey’relike?Besides,wehaveanoldsayingintheforest…“Wherehorsesgo,nothinggrows.””IassuredBBthathorse’saromawasnothingtobeexcitedaboutanditremindedmeaboutthehorseprobleminunit3C.Iaskedaboutcoyotesandhesnorted.“Ifyouevertravelnexttoacoyoteyournasalpassageswillbedyingtobegluedshutforaweek.Thosecrittersareflatoutnasty,andbearsarenextinline.Iswearbeingavegetarianhasitsbenefits.Thosemeateatersarereallynasty,andbearseatdamnnearanything.Youmightthinkthatskunksarebadwhentheyspray,buttheydoitasadefensemechanismandthereforedoitveryseldom.”ImentionedtoBBthatwhenIhadharvestedhisuncleWhiteRump,hehadbeenverybusythatdayspraying,andconsequentlythe“aroma”wasallovermeafterwefinishedthepackingoutprocess.Mysonswantedtothrowmeintothebackofthetruck,andmademeshowerandthrowallmyusedclothesoutsideinthebedofthetruck.BBlaughed.“Yoursonsneedtospend


more time up here in the hills. If you hike around enough,you get that aroma every so often while just hiking around.”I nodded my head “Yep BB, I can remember countless timeswhen all of a sudden that aroma drifts up and I start lookingfor bulls.”We both stood there for a second lost in our ownthoughts.

Then BB asked what was going on in the Valley.“Any newson the OHV front?” he asked.“And how about this so calledTravel Management Plan that the National Forest is workingon?” Sadly I looked at BB and started discussing the newsthat would ultimately affect him.

“BB” I said, “the state legislature defeated the OHV bill thatwe all worked on, and the Travel Management Plan is still inthe works, but I have to tell you, people just flat out do notlike walking anymore. If you look at any of the maps, thereare mapped roads everywhere and that does not includeall the wildcat roads. Any suggested closings are being metwith a lot of resistance.”

BB just stared at me and then let loose with a string ofunmentionable language.“How the hell are we supposedto live up here when you have a road every mile? You wrotean article over 4 years ago about how bad it was gettingthen, and now the quads are coming every single weekendof the summer plus other times of the year. It seems likeyou humans are just going to love us into extinction.Whycan’t you give us an area where we can grow our young andmaybe rest a little during the year?”

I suddenly had a bright idea.“BB” I said,“why don’t you geta letter-writing campaign going among the elk herd? Youcould send a boatload of comments to the Forest Serviceand maybe they would listen.They are required to takecomments from the public and I think you count as thepublic. Imagine if every elk was able to voice their concerns.That would be over 20,000 letters that they would receivecomplaining about too many roads and I bet that would bemore than 19,000 more than they receive from the huntingcommunity.”

BB looked away and then sadly said,“Wish we could all writeboy. Since we can’t, I wish someone would represent usand that people would use some common sense. I thoughtthat was what the Arizona Elk Society was supposed to beall about – protecting habitat for us and making sure thatthere will be a future for us. I hear even your members arereally divided on the use of OHV’s. Closing roads for quietareas would help the habitat because we don’t destroyhabitat, people do.We just use it and left to our own deviceswe do pretty well, besides, the department issues enoughtags to make sure that there we don’t eat ourselves out ofhouse and home.”

I sensed that BB was as frustrated as I was, and I did notwant to let the night finish off on a bad note.“BB, I want youto know that not all humans are trying to ride everywhereand even though it is a tough subject with a lot of ourmembers, most folks want to protect you and your relatives.I want you to take care of yourself this season.You lookawfully good with that big rack and I’m sure that more thana few hunters will be flinging arrows and bullets your way.”

BB snorted,“Think I’m going to show this beautiful rack andbody during daylight hours boy? By the time daylight hitsI will be resting on a canyon bench about 50 yards fromthe bottom. If someone is willing to close in that deep to acanyon he deserves a shot, but remember, I can smell youraroma a lot further than you can smell ours.”

I broke out laughing,“Yeah BB, I guess we didn’t cover thatside of the issue, how is our aroma?”

BB grinned and said “Worse than coyotes to us boy.”Witha deep chuckle he jumped onto the bar and sprayed abrief burst.“Let’s see what the customers think about thistomorrow!”With another jump and a crash he boltedthrough the door.“Lock up boy, and see me when thesnow begins to fly. I have to hear how your hunt goes inunit 23…just don’t be looking for me, I’m heading to awilderness area for some rest after this.”With all my heart Iwished him well, and drew a deep breath of his magnificent“aroma”. I thought of his life and how fragile his existencewas becoming. I thought to myself, be well my friend, bewell – and breed as many cows as you can for tomorrow isguaranteed to no elk.

UPCOMING EVENTS10/3 YVRG Club Member Meeting

10/8 AAF Board of Directors Meeting

10/9 ABA Board of Directors Meeting

10/10 ADBSS Board of Directors Meeting

10/12-14 AAF Work Project

10/13-14 Coyote/Quail Hunt

10/16 ADA Board of Directors Meeting

10/18-21 AES Junior Hunt Elk Camp

10/20 AAF Work Project

10/23 WCC Meeting

10/24 YVRG Board of Directors Meeting

10/19-10/20/07 AG&FD Commission Meeting-Phoenix

12/7-12/8/07 AG&FD Commission Meeting-Casa Grande

AES members and a few non-members met on August 5th atEl Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix. After some status reports

and updates, new executive positions as well as the board were filled.

This year there was little turnover of the executive positions and board members.The AES wouldlike to extend a heart felt “Thank You” to outgoing Board members John Koleszar,Tice Supplee,and Harry Carlson.These three board members have made a lasting impression and have movedthe AES forward with their help on issues of elk habitat, youth programs and wildlife education. Iknow that we will see all of you at meetings and projects in the future.Thank you for your time anddedication. by Steve Clark

AES members and a few non-members met on August 5th at

A N N U A LM E E T I N G

E X E C U T I V EB O A R D

John Toner,Board Member

Gary Maschner,Board Member

Sharon Eichelberger,Immediate Past President

(Photo not available)Tim Evans,Secretary

Carl Hargis,Board Member

Cookie Nicoson,Treasurer

Ron Eichelberger,Vice President

Steve Clark,President

B O A R D O FD I R E C T O R S

> >


Shawn Carnahan,Board Member

E L K H U N T I N G C L I N I C

20

07

The 2nd Annual AES Elk Hunting Clinic was a hugesuccess. Speakers included Primos Pro StafferSteve Chappell, World Champion Elk caller DanWhitmus, Mike Miller of Millers Southwest MeatProcessing, USFS, AZGFD and more.The crowd wasvery impressed with both Steve Chappell and DanWhitmus. Dan brought his sense of humor outand really entertained the crowd while teachingelk calling techniques. Many of the attendeescommented that the clinic was “Awesome”.

In another room vendors were on hand to sell elkhunting gear. Every thing you needed for hard corehunting was there.The USFS, AZGFD, Dan Whitmus,Steve Chappell and others were on hand to answer

questions and give hints and suggestions to makethe attendees elk hunt successful.The Primosbooth was crowded the whole time. Snacks of elkmeat sausage and snack sticks were provided byMiller Southwest Processing and were a hit.TheNavajo Guides were on hand again this year togive info on hunting the Navajo Reservation for Elkand Deer.

If you are a new or beginning elk hunter or even aseasoned hunter that would like to learn what isnew for hunting elk you need to attend next year.

Thanks to all the attendees, speakers and vendorsas well as all the AES volunteers that worked allday to make this a successful event. by Steve Clark

A N N U A LM E E T I N G

Jim Mullins,Board Member

Steve McGaughey,Board Member

Tom Schorr,Board Member

Chuck Decker,Board Member

Greg Stainton,Board Member


Glen JonesBoard Member


TheeventwastheMohaveSportsmanClub’sannualKidsFishingDay.Forthekidsandover400fathers/mothersandevengrandparentswhoattended,itwasadayofmemory-makingatitsbest.

Formanyofthekids,itwastheirfirstopportunitytogofishing,andifthenumberoffishcheckedinwasanyindicationofthelucktheyhad,itwasindeedagreatday!

TomaketheKFDsuccessful,theeffortsandhardworkofanumberofMSCmembersalongwithotherKingmanresidentsandbusinessesarealwaysneeded.Thisyear,however-itwasthesupportofArizonaconservationgroupssuchastheArizonaElkSociety,WildlifeConservationCouncil,ArizonaMuleDeerAssociationandtheArizonaPredatorCallersthatwasthefinancialbackbonefortheevent.Thisyear’seventcostover$4,000toputon.

Thisyear’schairmanfortheeventwasWalt“Rooster”Rughandwhenitwasoverhewasverytiredandpleasedattheendresult.Besidestheresponsibilitiesofbeingthechairman,Roosterheldthepositionof“ChiefCook”;andheandhisstaffwereresponsibleforallthehamburgersandhotdogsthatwerepreparedforthehungrykidsandtheirparents/guardians.

MikeMillerofthelocalBashas’storeprovidedallofthefoodandmostofthedrinksfortheevent.

MSCPresidentDaleLentwhowasattendinghisfirstKFDeventwasalsotiredbutpleasedasthelastpieceofequipmentwasloadedintohispickup.“Allinall,itwasagreatevent,”Lentsaid.“Theresurewerealotofhappykidsoutthere.”

Thefirstgroupofkidsstartedfishingjustafter6a.m.anditdidn’ttakelongbeforethesoundof“Igotone!”rangoutacrossthehalf-acrepond.

Afterthesecondflighthadfinishedfishing,FrankandSuePatterson–theofficialweigh-mastersfortheevent–breathedasignofrelief.Theyhadweighedinover150catfishduringtheday,ranginginweightfromonetofivepounds.

aEs supports kid’s fishing day program

by Don Martin, Outdoors Writer

It was a Saturday morning that was full of squeals of delight as almost 200 kids ages

5-14 matched their skills against some hard fighting channel catfish in a pond located

26 miles north of Kingman.


The catfish that had been stocked in the pond a few daysearlier cost almost $1,300. In addition, the Arizona Game& Fish Department (Region III) donated a number of thewhisker fish for the event.

Doug Lent, Smith’s Food and Drug and RAW Sports donatedthe bait for the kids to use.

Gary Martin ran the Kasting Kids event with the help of JoeHererro, Matt Snay and Geno Sprofera, who lives in WillowBeach and is a member of the Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club.

Andy Clark, the Region III Fisheries Program Manager andhis staff, along with wildlife manager Gunnar Erickson, rantwo interactive hunting/fishing programs that are always abig hit with the kids.

Bill Yarnell once again headed up a group of volunteers thatcleaned the good-eating, pond-raised catfish for the kidsand had them ready for the frying pan.

The MCSO Explorer group helped with the parking, passedout water that was donated by Jim McMilon at ByersLiquors and kept the pond free of trash.

Several local VIP’s attended the event. Mohave CountySheriff Tom Sheahan, who is along time supporter of theKFD program, was on hand with his grandson. Sheahanalso presented his Sheriff’s Trophy for the largest stringerof fish to both the junior and senior division winners.Representative Nancy McLain R-Bullhead City, anotherstrong supporter of family values and sportsmen, was onhand and passed out trophies to winners of the fishing andKasting Kids events.

Events like Kids Fishing Day are a great opportunity forparents and kids to spend some quality time together inthe great outdoors.With the continued support of groupslike the AES, kids will see that there is a lot more to life thanjust video games, ipods and computers.

CAMPING: The Happy Jack RV Park is next to theramada. Spaces with full hookup are $25 a day.Tentcamping is $12 a day.There is National Forest campingall around near the Lodge.

The AES will provide hamburgers and hot dogs onThursday night and throughout the weekend to huntersand their parents. Hunters and parents are welcometo stop by throughout the weekend for food andrefreshments or to ask for help locating or retrievingdowned elk.

The AES will be holding seminars for youth hunters andtheir parents on Thursday evening. Representativesfrom Arizona Game & Fish as well as the CoconinoForest Service will be on hand. A representative willalso give a short seminar on meat care and preparation.The AES – with sponsorship from Cabela’s, Sportsman’sWarehouse, Bass Pro Shops, Primos and more – willhave door prizes and give-aways for youth huntersparticipating in the seminars.

SEMINARS: Hunting safety.Wearing of orange isrecommended • ATV or OHV rules and regulations andsafety issues • Information from the AZG&F and USFSabout hunting rules and regulations • Proper meat care,gutting and skinning techniques • Locating elk in thefield; proper use of elk calls.

HELP NEEDED: Thursday Oct. 18th, we need helpsetting up tables and grills in the afternoon, cookingand meal prep before the seminar.

Fri. Oct. 19th, Sat. Oct. 20th and Sun. Oct 21st: Wecould use a few people at the Ramada throughout theday in case hunters stop by and would like food andrefreshments. Also in case a hunter needs assistance inthe field.

Sunday Oct. 21st: We’ll need help packing up at noon.

Contact Steve Clark if you can help. 602-885-0835 • [email protected]

DON’T FORGET THEJUNIOR ELKHUNT CAMP!

OCTOBER 18 - 21, 2007

2007 JUNIOR ELK HUNT CAMPin Hunt Unit 6A at HAPPY JACK LODGE AND RV PARKat the Ramada next to the baseball field.

DIRECTIONS: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy 260 (at Camp Verde). Go east 36 miles to Hwy 87. Turn North (left) 11 miles to Lake Mary Road, just past Clint’s Well (FH-3). Turn left, go 2 miles to Happy Jack Lodge on left.

RESERVATIONS: Call 1-800-430-0385


CommissionerJenniferMartinwasconfirmedthispastsessionbytheArizonaStateLegislature.Thepreviousyearshewasthecenterofafirestormofconflictthatcenteredaroundtwodistinctcampsofsportsmen.Whilethefirestormfinallydieddown,CommissionerMartinwasappointedlastyearandfinallyconfirmedthisyearasanArizonaGame&FishDepartmentCommissioner.Forthosewhohavehadtheopportunitytowatch,CommissionerMartinhasoftenbeencreditedwithbeingastableinfluenceonwhatmanysportsmenarecallinga“difficult”commissiontoworkwith.Whileveterancommissionwatchersmaybereluctanttocallthiscurrentcommission“approachable”,CommissionerMartinhasalwaysbeenoneoftheeasiestCommissionerstoworkwith.IpersonallyhavehadseveralinstanceswhereIneededtoaskquestions,andshehasalwaysmadetimetoeitherdiscusstheissuesorhearwhatsportsmenwanttosay.Lastyear,wehadacoupleofinformalmeetingsandonceherconfirmationprocesswascompletethisyear,Icontactedherforaninterview.

Iaskedheriftherewasanythingthatsurprisedher,andshesaidthateverythingwasexactlyasshehadanticipated.Shenotedthatthereisalwaysamountainofpaperworktogothroughtounderstandtheissuesthatthecommissionmustaddress.Mypersonalobservationsaside,shehasreceivedkudosfrommanyinthesportsmen’scommunityforherin-depthunderstandingofmanycomplicatedissues.Overthepastyearandahalf,shehasbeeninvolvedinsomeofthemostcontentiousmeetingsthatmanyofushavewitnessedyetshemaintainsaprofessionalandresponsibledemeanoratalltimes.ThecommissionhascertainlybeeninterestingtoobserveforthepasttwoyearsandithasbeenrefreshingtowatchCommissionerMartinbecomeasourceoflogicandreasonthatweassportsmencanrelyon.WhileIamsuretherewillbedifferencesofopinions(andwehavehadafew),theconversationshavebeenaboveboardandevenkeeled.IhopethatallofyoujoinmeinwelcomingCommissionerMartin,andwishherwelloverthenextthreeyears.

CommissionerRobertR.WoodhousewasthesecondCommissionerapprovedbytheArizonaStateLegislaturethisyear.ThisappointmentbyGovernorNapolitanofacedzeroresistancefromallparties…afirstinawhile.RobbiewasgraciousingrantingsometimetogooverhishistoryandviewsontheCommission,theDepartmentandsportsmen.

HisfamilyfromRoll,Arizona(45mileseastofYuma)hasbeeninfarmingalltheirlives,raisingthestaplecropsofArizona–cotton,alfalfaandwheat.RobbiehasalwaysbeenasportsmanandlovestheSeptemberarcheryhuntsforbullelk.(Don’twealllovetheSeptemberhunts?)TheWoodhousefamilyconsistsofRobbie,hiswifeBlancaandtwosonsWestonandKellen.Hehasbeenhappilymarriedforover31yearsandrelishestheperspectiveofthenext5yearsasacommissioner.Hisinitialimpressionofthepositionisthatthereareincrediblecomplexitiesinalmostalltheissuesandthatthescopeofworkdonebythecommissionersiswiderthanevenhehadanticipated.CommissionerWoodhousealsosaidtheheviewssportsmenasthebackboneoftheArizonaGame&FishDepartment.Heinsistedthatsportsmenneedtokeepattendingthemeetingssothattheyalsounderstandthecomplexitiesandthatourvoicemaybeheardonissuesthatarecriticaltoallofus.WediscussedtheKofaissuebriefly,andasamatterofpoint,heagreedthatifwehadfollowedthe“paperworktrail”togettingthewatersintheKofa,theprocesswouldhavetakenyears,andbeentoolatetobeeffective.MypersonalexperienceswithCommissionerWoodhousehaveleftmewithacoupleofdistinctfeelings.HedoesnottalkATyou,butrathertoyou.Heisnotinterestedinhearinghimselftalk,butratherhisinterestisinfindingoutwhatthekeystotheissueareandhowbesttosolvetheproblem.Forsportsmen,wecanbreatheacollectivesighofrelief.ThisCommissionerissomeonewhounderstandsus,ourheritage,ourneedsandmostimportantlywillletusconveyourmessage.Wemaynotalwaysagree,butthepolicyofcordial,respectfuldialoguecertainlyseemstobecomingbacktothecommission.

tWo commissionErs confirmEd this yEar

by John Koleszar


That’sright,onepoint,noexperience,andawholelotofheartanddetermination.InsevendaysIlogged20milesonfoot,10hoursonaRanger,and200milesinthetruck.Fridayafternoon,Icameacrossawaterholeoffofthe76Road.Directlyacrossfromit,were8broken50poundbagsoflimewithsomeotherdiscardedhouseholddebris.Whatreallyconcernedmewasthelimewasinanaturalwaterwayheadeddirectlyintothiswaterhole.Mondayeveningwascallingforsnow,sotimewasoftheessence.

OnFridayIcontactedseverallocal,state,andfederalagenciestoremovethepoison.OnMondayafternoonIdecidedtoremoveitmyself.Withmytruck,3-milgarbagebagsandashovel,IremovedasmuchofthelimeasIcould.TheForestServicehadalreadybeentheretotakepicturesandstartaninvestigation.

Veryclosetothatwaterholewasanotherillegaldumpin-progress.ThissitecontainedshotupVideoGames,householdtrash,andmostrecent-apileofnewlydiscardedconstructiondebris.Thereiscurrentlyanongoinginvestigationintothissite.

VolunteerSheriffHerbJohnsonisalocalfromParks.Hemanagedtogeta10-YardDumptruckandsome‘Detainee”volunteersfromCoconinoCountyandremovedthetrashandtheremaininglimefrombothsitesaswellassomeothersmalldumpsnearby.ManythanksgoouttoSheriffJohnsonforallhisworkhere.

Thoughmyhuntwaswithoutatrophy,IfeelIhelpedouttheWildlifeandbroughtattentiontogrowingprobleminourarea.I’velivedinArizonafor24yearsandIlovethisstate.Whatreallyconcernsmeishowpeoplecanactwithoutthinkingandwithoutaconscience.

a changE in focus

by Paul Ferry

In 2006, with one point, a bull elk tag and a rifle, I entered my first hunt.


unit 9 WatEr hauL

projEct juLy 2007

by Steve Clark

ThispastJulytheArizonaElkSocietyteamedupwiththeAZGFD,RobertPetzoldt&theSouthGrandCanyonSanitaryDistrict,tohaulwatertothewildlifedrinkersinUnit9aroundTusayan.ManyofthewatercatchmentsweregettingclosetobeingdryandtheAESdidnotwanttoseearepeatof2002whenanimalswerehavingahardtimefindingwater.After8daysofhaulingand100,000gallonsofwaterweweregettingahandleonthesituation.

MostofthewildlifewateraroundTusayanisavailableinwatercatchmentsandolddirttanks.Unit9wouldbedryas

aboneifitweren’tfortheman-madedrinkers.TheAES&AZGFDareinthemiddleofamulti-

yearplantoupgradethewatercatchments,cleanoutthedirttanksandinstallapipelinetohelpalleviatetheneedforwaterhaulinginthefuture.

ManythankstoRobertPedzoldtandtheSouthGrandCanyonSanitaryDistrictforsupplyingthewaterthatwashauled.Theyhavecomethroughinthepastandsuppliedmany100softhousandsofgallonsofreclaimedwaterthroughouttheyears.


tune your bows and put new feathers on your feather sticks, because it’s all about to happen again…HUNTING TIME.

Just a few short notes from some of my recent adventures…

I went to Branson Missouri and made a stop at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield. My wife and I walked for 3 and ½ hours to see the store and the Wonders of Wildlife Museum. I decided I really was 65 years old by the time we finished and I’m still not sure we saw it all.

We moseyed on down to Eureka Springs, Arkansas where we saw the largest statue of Christ in the U.S. (seven stories high and arms outstretched 65 feet) As we were leaving, I looked into the woods and saw 2 squirrels – one of them an albino squirrel. That was a sight we probably will never see again. Our camera had just taken its last picture, but another group of tourists had a video camera, so the lady kicked off her shoes and ran after the squirrel trying to get its picture.

While driving through New Mexico, we were listening to the radio. The news was reporting the 30% drop in the number of hunters from 2001 to the present. The only tag that hadn’t dropped was the elk tag. They are starting to feel the squeeze to run their Game and Fish Department. Just like in Arizona, by the year 2030 there may be no more sportsmen here. I feel there is so much indoctrination in schools, and from animal rights groups that is turning our kids away from the centuries old tradition of hunting and fishing.

I took my grandson out for his first dove hunt, and I hadn’t shot my shotgun for a long time. My grandson was missing the doves. I said, “Here’s the way you do it” and the dove kept on flying.

Shane said, “Grandpa, you missed.” I told him I had blanks with no bullets in the shells. That’s the best answer I could come up with.

I set up to sell my knives at several sport shows each year. One of the things we enjoy is reading all the crazy t-shirts the sportsmen are wearing. One of our recent

favorites is “If God didn’t want us to eat animals, He wouldn’t have made them out of meat.”

Now, all joking aside, for all of you who are in the NRA, be sure to read the letter about the Second Amendment legal action pending for the United States Supreme Court. If you are not an NRA member, please consider joining, because it is all about numbers. This is the big one, which will have a huge impact on you, your children and every American gun owner for generations to come. The NRA needs all the help it can get.

Good hunting, good fishing and may the Good Lord take a liking to you.

hi, it’s me again, JT. It’s time to get out the cleaning rods, clean the rust out of your barrels, be sure you have powder and primer in your bullets to avoid misfires,...

on targEtby John Toner

Some of the lucky raffle winners at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Article on page 14.


antLEr dEvELopmEnt

by Steve and Gloria McInelly of Lakeside, Arizona

These photographs of a single bull were taken over a time period of almost 1 year. They document the

fascinating development of the bull’s antlers.

February 2006

May 7, 2006April 2006

May 31, 2006May 22, 2006

June 9, 2006 June 17, 2006


2007 ELK HUNTING

CLINICSee article on page 15.

July 26, 2006 August 10, 2006

August 19, 2006 August 23, 2006

NotexpectingtogetdrawnforanythingIwasshockedtoherethewords“Youweredrawnforelk.–youweredrawnforhuntnumber3132.”AtthispointIstartedtofreakoutandcouldnotbelievethatIhaddrawna7Warcherybulltag!

AfterthebanquetIwasabletoreallygetagrasponthefactthatIhaddrawnoneofthemostcovetedelktagsinArizona.Iimmediatelystartedtoplanthefirstofmanyscoutingtrips.Stevecameoverandgavemeatonofinformationabouttheunitandsomegoodrutareas.IwasabletotalkwithJimmyMullinsandhealsogavemealotofgoodareastocheckout.Itooktheinfowithopenarmsandcannotthankeitherofthemenough.

Aftermuchscoutingandwiththehuntuponus,Iwasready.WednesdaybeforetheseasonIheadedupwithmymomtowherewehadplannedtocamp.Whenwearrived,Manny,hisfamilyandmydadwerealreadythere.Ispentthedaybeforetheseasonglassingandwatchingsomegoodbulls.DuringthemiddleofthedayGaryWilliamsshoweduptocampwithuswithhisfriendsKeithandDan.GoingintothehuntIhad37daysofscoutingandtonsofconfidence.

Ontheeighthdayofthehuntwewentintotheareawherewehad

beenglassingthelast2afternoons.WiththisbeingManny’slastdaycallingIwasnotgoingtobepickysincehehadputinsomuchtime.Wegotinthereandweren’thearinganybugles.Mannyspotteda5x5goingupovertheridge.WhileworkingmywayupthehillsidewithMannyIspottedaraghorndowninthebottom.Weworkedtheraghornandaspikeforanhourorsowithnogoodshotopportunities.Whenwegotdownintothebeddingarea,Mannywasabletogetabulltorespond.Thebullcameinonastringandwasafunky6x1.Idrewbackandtriedtogetasmokershotat12yardsbuthitabranchandhadacleanmiss.Anotherbuddyshowedup(Rob)tohelpoutfortheafternoonbeforehewenttohelpanotherfriendinadifferentunit.WewentintowherewegotonHeadshotandgotsomebuglesaround5:00.Wetriedtofollowbuglesbutthewindwasblowinginalldirectionsitseemed.Wedecided

tositbythemeadowandwaterholehopingthebullswouldfunnelthrough.Wehadabout7bullsbuglingaroundusandwesetuponareallydeepgrowlingbull.Westartedcallinganditsoundedlikehewasworkinghiswayin.Iwasabletoseehiscowsbutneverhim.Thenallofasuddenwehadaweakerbuglecomingin.WeallthoughtitwasgoingtobearaggybutIwaswillingtoshootanythingatthispointsinceitwasManny’slastafternooncallingforme.Thebullstepped


a LifE-changing ExpEriEncE

by Christian Wolff

After picking up my first bow in September the year before and helping some friends on there archery bull hunt in unit 10 I was hooked and

wanted a chance at an elk with my bow.

AES 2007

RAFFLE WINNERSby Steve Clark

HUNT OF ALIFETIME ra

ffle

1ST PRIZE - GRIZZLY BEAR HUNTRICHARD WICK, INGLESIDE, IL

2ND PRIZE - CARIBOU HUNTJAMES VOGT, WINTER HAVEN, FL

2007 OPTICS PACKAGEJERRY VORDENBAUM

At the Annual Meeting, this year’s Hunt of a Lifetime winners werechosen.Tickets were drawn and the lucky winners got a cell phonecall with the good news. Because of where the winners werelocated, most were sound asleep and had to be awakened to hearthe news.The common phrase each exclaimed was “I never winanything!”

The AES thanks all the entrants that bought raffle tickets for thisyears’ drawing.The Elk Habitat in our state will be much improvedwith the money raised. Check out the funded projects page onthe website for information on how we spend the money weraise. As always this money will be matched with other groups,organizations and Agencies to get the most bang for the dollar.


out and we were all surprised to see a 6x6 that had darkantlers and ivory tips.The bull was coming in on a string.He dropped down through a drainage which was myopportunity to draw. He came up out of the drainage andstopped at 22 yards facing me. I held at full draw for overa minute when he bugled. I then decided at 22 yards I wasconfident I was going to be able to put the arrow whereit belonged. After holding back for around a minute anda half, I took a deep breath and released. I watched as thearrow hit its mark and sunk in about 16 inches.The bulltook off running and I saw him stop on a ridge about 100yards away and lay down. He got up one more time, walked4 steps and laid down.We decided to back out and come

back after dinner.When we got back to camp I told my dadand he wanted to go back right then.Then Pops showed upto hang out for the night and have some ribs that Gary hadmade.We ate some of the best ribs, if not the best ribs of mylife.We went back out to find the bull about 2 ½ hours later.We went to where we last saw him and he was laying rightthere! I could not believe it – after 37 days of scouting and 8days of hunting I finally was able to harvest a great bull.

This hunt was a life changing experience and I could nothave done it without all the help of all my friends. I wouldlike to thank them all – Manny, Steve, Jimmy, Matt, Ryan,Tyler, Nate, Brad, Cody, Kit, Gary, Keith, and to my Dad.

The Tracker is a quarterly publication for the members of the Ari-zona Elk Society. Letters, comments, news items, articles, picturesand stories are welcome and will be considered for publication.

You may mail or email any such items. Materials mailed for publi-cation will not be returned to the sender unless accompanied by

a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Arizona Elk Society, P.O. Box 190, Peoria, AZ, 85380

[email protected], 602-885-0835

ADVERTISING IN THE TRACKERGet your product information in front of thousands

of Arizona outdoor enthusiasts and hunters by placingyour full-color ad in The Tracker.

Ad Rates for interior pages:Quarter page: $100; Half page: $175; Full page: $350

Ad rates for inside back or inside front cover:Full page: $500

Discounts for 1 year+ contracts. Accepted format is high resolution PDF. For more information, email [email protected].

The Tracker is quarterly publication for the members of the Ari


With the rapid loss of open spaceto development, wildlife habitatis being reduced at a rate of 7square miles per day. Arizona’selk herds are loosing traditionalmigration corridors, calvinggrounds, forage meadows andother important habitat.The new“Habitat Partners of Arizona”program is designed to helpprotect that land.The main focusof this program will be to preserveland and prevent the rapiddecline of Arizona’s elk habitat.

HOW WILL MONEY BE USED?

Conservation Easements:An agreement between land-owners and a qualified conservation organization inwhich the owner of the land agrees to place restrictionson the type and amount of development that can takeplace on the property.

Land Donations:A gift of land or real estate from a corporation or privatelandowner.

Bargain Sale Purchase:The purchase of property with a portion of the pricebeing discounted as a property donation.

Possible Land Use Changes:By partnering with ranchers, landowners and govern-ment agencies the Habitat Partners of Arizona programwill be able to maintain forage-rich grasslands, critical elkwinter and summer ranges, migration corridors, calvinggrounds, natural water sources such as riparian areas and

increase wildlife habitat. Afterthe land has been designatedsaved, the AES can then planprojects to restore and improvethe habitat.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:Become a Habitat Partner withyour tax deductible donationstarting at $2500 ($1000 for17 and under).

Payment Plan Available: $500 minimum commitment peryear.You will be recognized for adonation level once your pay-ments reach that level for eachlevel you attain.

All program participants thatreach the $2500 level and above ($1000 for youth) will berecognized in literature and on the AES website and willreceive a plaque at each level.

If you are interested in donating property or a conservationeasement, the AES will work with you to designate theappropriate level based on the value of the donation.

DONATION LEVELS:

Legacy Partner $500,000

Habitat Guardian $250,000

Monarch Partner $50,000

Imperial Partner $25,000

Royal Partner $10,000

Supporting Partner $5,000

Sponsor Partner $2,500

Spike Partner (17 & under) $1,000

Habitat Partners of Arizona

TO DONATE:

Complete the HabitatProgram donation formon the AES website andmail to:

Arizona Elk SocietyP.O.Box 190,Peoria, AZ 85380

Walt and Cookie NicosonSupporting Partner Level

Steve and Dee ClarkSponsor Partner Level

Ron and Sharon EichelbergerSponsor Partner Level

AESHabitat Partners Cabela’s

Sponsor Partner Level

Harry CarlsonRoyal Partner Level with goal of

Imperial Partner Level

Sportsman’s WarehouseSponsor Partner Level

Pacific West RepresentativesSponsor Partner Level

Arizona Elk SocietyP.O.Box 190, Peoria, AZ 85380

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPhoenix, AZ

Permit No. 5572

Tracker Fall 2007

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Transcript of Tracker Fall 2007