Tracker Spring 2009

S p r i n g 2 0 0 9

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

Larry DaySharon Eichelberger

Ron EichelbergerPeter EkholmDaron Evans

Will & Fran Garrison*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 Nicoson*

Mark NixonDonna Obert

Douglas 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 YoungkerFounding Sustaining Members

Everett & Joyce NicosonFounding Couple Members

Bridgid & Ron Anderson John & 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

Tim & Patti GarvinW Hays & Suzanne Gilstrap

Don & 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 DavisNathan 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 Read

Neal Reidhead*Kyle 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

Arizona Elk Society 3

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

ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY FOUNDING MEMBERS

One of the current undertakings in Arizona and most other states is the effort to inform the public about the good that hunters do and to recruit more sportsmen to become hunters. This effort is raising the ire of the anti-hunters that tout hunters as a threat to the well-being of wildlife in our states. Nothing is further from the truth. In fact, throughout history no other segment of society has contributed more to the conservation of wildlife than hunters.

Little to no state general fund monies are used for wildlife conservation in Arizona (general taxpayers usually do not pay for wildlife conservation). The state’s sportsmen, however, do contribute*:

• Arizona hunters and anglers spend $1.3 billion a year.

• Their spending directly supports 21,000 jobs and generates $124 million in state and local taxes. This especially benefits rural communities.

• Sportsmen support nearly twice as many jobs in Arizona as Raytheon, one of the state’s largest employers (21,000 jobs vs. 11,000 jobs).

• Annual spending by Arizona sportsmen is nearly three times more than the combined revenues of The Go Daddy Group, Sprouts Farmers Market and Cold Stone Creamery, which are some of the state’s fastest growing companies ($1.3 billion vs. $481 million).

• The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equates to $3.8 million a day being pumped into the state’s economy.

In addition to the cash influx, hunters donate thousands of hours throughout the year as volunteers on projects which

benefit wildlife. The value of these hours total millions of dollars that are used as matching funds to add more money to wildlife conservation efforts.

Much of the conservation work that the AES, other wildlife organizations and hunters do not only benefits the game species but more times than not, these efforts greatly benefit non-game species as well as threatened and endangered species. A great example of the many benefits is the Arizona Elk Society’s retiring of the Buck Spring allotment that contains one of Arizona’s most diverse habitats for all game and non-game wildlife.

The other facet of the current efforts, is introducing and teaching Arizona’s youth about the outdoors and hunting here in Arizona. The AES was a proud sponsor of the first ever Big Game Camp during the recent OTC Turkey hunt and we had a blast helping youth hunters and their families enjoy the hunt.

If you have some time and want to help, we could use more volunteers for wildlife projects and mentors to introduce kids to the outdoors and hunting in Arizona. The AES was just awarded a AZGFD grant to purchase a system that will allow us to design introductory and advanced courses for youth interested in learning about hunting. What we need now are volunteers to get involved and help.

* “Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors” (2007). Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

4 The Tracker - Spring 2009

pRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Steve Clark

ExECUTIvE BOARDPresident ..........................................Steve Clark Vice President ..................................Carl HargisTreasurer................................. Cookie Nicoson Secretary ....................................Chuck Decker Past President ..............Sharon Eichelberger

You may send a message for any officers, board members or committee chairs to

[email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRon Eichelberger

John Toner

Jim Mullins

Tom Schorr

Steve Mcgaughey

Matt Mullins

Greg Naff

Kathi Thompson

John Koleszar

Gary Maschner

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


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

Upcoming Events ..................................................................... 5

In the Crosshairs by John Koleszar ...........................................6-7

Youth Turkey Camp 2009 by Eddy Corona ..............................8-10

BB’s Column by John Koleszar .............................................11-12

Arizona Elk Society Conserves 73,000 Acres of

Important Wildlife Habitat by Steve Clark .........................13-15

AES 8th Annual Banquet by Steve Clark ...............................16-21

It Sucked Me In by Patrick Weise .........................................22-24

Habitat Happenings .............................................................. 25

Quality Time by Nick McMullen ...........................................26-27

For the Book by Bill Keebler ..................................................... 27

New Commissioner Jack Husted by John Koleszar ...................... 28

My First Javelina by Austin Trimm ............................................ 30

Habitat Partners of Arizona ................................................... 31

IN ThIs IssUEAEs 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.

AEs WEBsITE

www.arizonaelksociety.org

AZGFD WEBsITE

www.azgfd.gov

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

AZ spORTsMEN FOR WILDLIFE WEBsITE

www.arizonasportsmenforwildlife.org

UpCOMING EVENTs

Cover photo by : George Andrejko of the Arizona Game & Fish Department.

Photo by George Andrejko of Arizona Game & Fish Department.

June 13 & 14 Arizona Elk Society Burro Creek and

26 Bar Adopt-a-Ranch Project

June 19-21 Arizona Elk Society Wapiti Weekend

June 24th, 2009 General Membership Meeting

July 18 & 19 Arizona Elk Society

Buck Springs Project

August 8 Arizona Elk Society Annual Meeting

August 22 Arizona Elk Society Elk Clinic

October 15-18 Arizona Elk Society Unit 6A

Junior Elk Hunt Camp

For all the event details, see the back of the newsletter.


There is a lot of information to pass around this issue, so the normal single topic style will be abandoned to give snippets of information that I suspect will be beneficial to all.

First and foremost is the news that we have a new Commissioner. Jack Husted from Springerville, Arizona was nominated and approved by the legislature. Friday, April 17, 2009 was his first meeting as a commissioner. There is an article about Jack in this issue on page 28 with more personal information. The good news for sportsmen is that he brings a style and ethic that we can appreciate. He is a staunch friend of the hunting community and his first meeting showed that he will not be a pushover regardless of where the issue lies. I suspect that he will be an interesting person to watch since he appears to be more folksy and less political than the other members of the commission. From our conversations, he has indicated that he wants to support the core issues of hunting and fishing and that in itself is refreshing. Unabashed and certainly not intimidated, he weighed in on his opinion on several issues. This leaves the commission in a rather interesting situation. There will probably be many issues that will be divided by Jack and Robbie on one side with Jennifer and Bob on the other side. Clearly

Commissioner Norm Freeman will be the swing vote. Stay tuned for his decisions and how they affect sportsmen.

Most folks associated with the Arizona Elk Society know that I worked on helping to pass the OHV bill. At one time, I assured everyone that they would indeed be paying less than they had paid in previous years if they had registered their vehicles. I also made the comment after the bill passed that if the rates were higher I would probably move out of state rather than face the ire of sportsmen. Well at our last board meeting John Toner reminded me, in no uncertain

IN ThE CROSShAIRS by John Koleszar

Phot

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The Arizona Elk Society is a 501.C.3 non-profit

organization. For more information, please visit

our website at www.arizonaelksociety.org

MEMBERShIp AppLICATIONDate:

Name:

Email: Address:

City: State: Zip: Day Phone: Evening Phone:

Membership Category (select one):

m Junior - $20 Annual (17 & under) m General - $40 Annual m Couple - $65 Annual m Family - $100 Annual

m Sustaining - $250 Annual m Life $750* (Jacket size:_______) m Associate $2500*

* Payment plans available.

Payment Method: m Cash m Check m Visa m MasterCard m American Express

Card#: Expires:

Signature:

Mail To: AES Membership, P.O. Box 190, Peoria, AZ. 85380 • Phone: 623-594-7074 or 928.635.1074 Fax: 623-594-7074

terms, that I could hitch up my wagons because Pete and I had assured everyone they would pay less and he had to pay more! Not so fast there old cowboy. While I do not own an OHV, I have certainly tried to stay on top of the issues regarding them. Since I don’t own one, I was not aware that there were some issues regarding procedural problems with MVD. As with any new program, there are bugs that need to be worked out. I was made aware of some inconsistencies and immediately went to the OHV enforcement section of the department and talked with Joe Sacco. He outlined to me that there have indeed been some problems with the new program, but if anyone felt that they had been overcharged all they needed to do was contact him and fill out some paperwork to get a refund. It isn’t going to be free, but the initial figure of $23-$25 still holds true. There may be a license plate fee of $7–but I think that may be the only minor change. I have requested that the department try and put out bulletins regarding this new issue and how to handle any new problems. When in doubt, call the OHV department of the Arizona Game & Fish offices. They can certainly help...and I can keep residing in Arizona. The laws are new, but the prices are pretty much what we can all live with.

After many years of listening to many different groups, I have come to the conclusion that we need to have better descriptions of what each particular group does or how they are defined. Sounds simple but in reality, there is a blur and many misnomers attached to groups. How would you define the Arizona Elk Society? To many of us it sounds simple–we are a conservation group that utilizes the many men and women who donate their thousands of hours yearly to projects that place money on the ground for the betterment of wildlife and the hunting heritage. How would

you define the Sierra Club? The Grand Canyon Wildlands Council? The Center for Biological Diversity? After much thought and plenty of research and readings I think I have come upon an answer. The aforementioned groups should be called Environmental Activists. They share a common belief that wildlife and wildlife habitat is not being handled with the best interests of wildlife and said habitat in mind. Instead of spending their vast financial resources on the ground, they utilize any means possible to inform the public of their agenda and then work the legal system based on the perceived merits of their case. Litigation is a tool that they feel buys them time at the least and victory at the optimum to press their agenda. In many instances the conservation groups and environmental activists are on the same page.

Sadly however, we are also at complete opposite sides on too many issues. Commissioner Martin has had several meetings of what is called her conservation workshops. The goal was to try and find the common grounds that we have and to work together on those issues. The bottom line after said meeting,s is that we will always have differences of opinions, some to the core of who we are. While lawsuits are abhorrent to conservation groups, the environmental groups thrive on that methodology. The meetings reminded me of a gathering of Catholics, Jewish, Muslims and Buddhists all discussing religion. Each respects the belief of a god–just could not decide who or what was better. I would hope that in the future we can delineate through the terms conservationists and environmental activists what side of the fence we are on. It is time to call a spade a spade.


This was the first year that the Arizona Game and Fish Department had offered over the counter turkey tags for youth. Getting together with the following groups, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Deer Association, and The Outdoor Experience 4 All, National Wildlife Turkey Federation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department working together we were able to put on a very successful youth turkey camp.

The planning started in January working with Craig McMullen from AZGFD Payson office as our point of contact and using today’s technology with numerous emails and phone calls we all met for the first time at the AZGFD Expo to plan things out. Through the donations for food, give away items and man power our camp was well on its way.

Thursday April 16th we all headed up to Colcord Camp Ground to set everything up. Mother Nature has the winds blowing and clouds coming in that dropped a few snowflakes on us but nothing stuck. The temperature was cold and the wind was not letting up. The camp was finally set up and our guest started to roll in. Friday at 3:30am came fast and the coffee pot was brewing. The wind had calm down some but it was still cold or at least I was cold. Our young hunters started to come in for some hot chocolate and a bite to eat before heading out into their hunting grounds. Shawn Warner from AZGFD had Richard Owens of Hunter’s Lair Taxidermy in Show Low donate a

YOUTh TURKEY CAMp 2009by Eddy Corona

Donors and Volunteers:Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Elk Society, Chandler Rod and Gun Club, National Wildlife Turkey Federation, Arizona Game and Fish Department, The Outdoor Experience 4 All, Performance Suspension, Western Hunter Magazine, The Outdoorsmans, Timber Creek Art Works, Zeiss Optic, Swarovski Optik, Hunter’s Lair Taxidermy, Archery Head Quarters and The Grand Canyon Wildlands Council.

A special thanks to all the volunteers from these groups that came out to help.


turkey fan plaque that was given to the first successful turkey hunter to come into camp. The recipient was Garrett Moore, who harvested his first turkey.

For Friday and Saturday we had the infamous Steve Sams giving a top notch turkey information and calling seminar for our guest to enjoy and learn from. Bruce Sitko from AZGFD was our lead contact for all our young hunters. Bruce gathered information and gave information for anyone who asked. He also helped find hunters who needed help out in the field team up with our many volunteers for their hunts. Steve Sams went over so many different things that I was paying attention because an old guy like myself was picking up a few things I did not know. After each seminar we gave each of our guests a goody bag filled with information about all organizations, a Western Hunter Magazine, Turkey calls (donated by National wildlife Turkey Federation, Performance Suspension, The Outdoorsmans and the Arizona Elk Society), Zeiss ball caps donated by The Outdoorsmans, lanyards and lapels from Swarovski Optik and lapels from Zeiss Optic.

Saturday night after dinner we had Kirk Burnett from the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council play his banjo, guitar, harmonica and fiddle. He was joined by Reuben Teran from AZGFD and one other person from camp around the camp fire with the sing along. Over all we had 105 young hunters, about 75 parents and around 25 volunteers. We also had some donations to be used for fund raising to put on these types of camps for the future from Timber Creek Art


Works. Without everyone working together as a team this camp would have not been as successful as it was. The smiles on everyone involved said it all for me. All I could do is smile and high five the people involved in putting this together.


The warm winds of spring took a temporary detour as I made my way up to the Big Lake area recently. Winter dies hard in that part of our state and the difference from Phoenix to Big Lake is marked by dropping temperatures. I had a message from “BB” that he was back in his element and feeling ready to talk again. I knew that my deadline for the quarterly interview was coming due so we arranged for a quiet meeting near the marina.

As I headed up the road, I was surprised to see patches of snow on the north face of many of the craggy peaks. When I parked my truck and got out, I felt that damp chill that most of us in the Valley forget about after January. Armed with layers of clothing and my backpack, I wandered over to the spot “BB” had described for us to meet. After maybe a 20-minute wait, I watched as several bulls made their way from the dense woods into a small clearing. They had all lost their antlers and looked like old bald men with little nubs in place and growing for the coming year. I could tell which one “BB” was by the way he immediately started to look for me. He grazed his way over, munching on the grasses in the meadow.

Finally deciding that he was full, “BB” started out with his typical greeting. “Hell boy, I hear some bad things have been going on in the state and that you were no help.” I could not help myself and responded back, “Nice to see you too “BB”, and I have no clue what you are talking about.” In his typical fashion, “BB” barked out a laugh and got to the point in a heartbeat. “I hear tell there was an ugly hunt up in Round Valley. Word has it that some are calling it the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.” I frowned at the prospect of talking about

that miserable day but figured at least I could clear the air. “BB”, there was no massacre. Jimmy shot that bull and he tried damn hard to do it in a humane manner. We sure as hell did not tell him to head for the houses and it was his choice to just stand there and pop his ivories at us for that long hour.” Now it was time for “BB” to be surprised. “He popped his ivories at you? Boy, he must have been really ticked off. I doubt if many of you humans have ever heard us pop our ivories. We usually only do that amongst ourselves. Word has it that he has a terrible limp but he is starting to heal. Why in the hell didn’t you guys do the right thing and put him out of his misery?” It was my turn to be indignant and I let “BB” have it. “Ok Mr. Big Bull, what were we supposed to do? We were within 200 yards of a dwelling and could not legally fire. Just three months earlier we all watched the commissioners fine a guy over $15,000 for doing the same exact thing. I sure as hell did not want to loose my hunting privileges for five years because we were trying to be humane. We tried to reach the Wildlife Managers who were working the hunt, but no one responded. Since it was after 5:00 p.m., I think that they were entitled to a little romance with their significant others. We tried finding the bull the next day as well, but his blood trail dried up. I have talked to a lot of folks in the department about that event and they all agreed…Jimmy did the right thing by not shooting.” “BB” mulled the news over for a minute and then changed the topic. “It seems like there are a whole lot of openings in the state for Wildlife Managers. Why am I not seeing those trucks around as much anymore?” I thought about that had told “BB” the bad news. “Well “BB”, there are currently 10 open slots for Wildlife Managers, but those spots are being filled

BB’S COLUMNby John Koleszar


pretty quickly. The hard part is that they are in an academy for their first year, and then will be placed in one of the open districts. So there will be a bit of time where some of the districts do not have an experienced person working the unit.

I have talked with the department and I know that Larry Voyles and a whole bunch of others are really working hard to bring some quality people into the department. The problem is that we have had a hard decade prior to this and have lost a lot of people. There are a lot of units that do not have an experienced Wildlife Manager handling the heavy load. I actually know that close to 40% of the wildlife managers have had less than three years in their current assignment and that is really kind of sad.” “BB” looked at me as if I was a complete buffoon. “What are you telling me?

If 40% of the Wildlife Managers have less than three years in their current assignment, how the hell can you expect them to do a good job? Hell, they haven’t even lost their spots yet and you have them trying to take care of us?” I was having a hard time following “BB” at that point. “What do you mean “lost their spots?” “BB” just glared at me. “You ever see a new fawn dummy? They have spots and don’t loose them until they have gotten big enough to leave their mammas. These Wildlife Managers are still babies. They don’t know their district. They have no clue about what the history is for that unit and they sure as hell can’t speak from experience on anything…they haven’t lost their spots!” I finally understood what “BB” was trying to convey and I had to agree with him. The department had taken a big hit with retirements and losing people to other agencies. You cannot change the facts as they are, but after meeting

with the HR staff at the department, I walked away feeling that at the very least, we were finally on the right path. It may take some time to grow these people into their jobs but we have no other alternative. I hope that the public at large realizes the difficulties in trying to place quality people in these hard economic times. “BB” had wandered away during my mental debate and seemed intent on consuming as much food as possible. He glanced over his shoulder and asked “You coming out for the projects this summer? Maybe we can sneak away one night and have a few beers. Besides, I heard that no one from your clan was drawn for an elk tag, so you can just relax this year and forget about any hunting again.” Leave it to “BB” to be such a warm and compassionate elk. I thought about the work projects and the long hot hours and grunted my reply. “Yeah “BB”, I will be here and we can down a few together. Maybe we can take a few pictures together…by then you might start looking like a bull again.” With that I took off laughing – I had finally gotten the last word in on “BB” and he had no comeback. I was getting near my truck when I heard that braying laugh of his. “Good one boy…at least mine grow back every year.” Nope. “BB” had the last word again.

As soon as the Big Lake Allotment reconfiguration was finished in Eastern Arizona, the Arizona Elk Society was back to work with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service on our largest-to-date grazing allotment project. On March 27, 2008, the Projects Committee of the Arizona Elk Society started negotiations with Karin Knight, the owner of Buck Springs Ranch and the Buck Springs Allotment grazing permit in central Arizona, Unit 5A. Almost a year later on Feb. 9, 2009, the parties to the Memorandum of Understanding, the Arizona Elk Society, Karin Knight and the U.S. Forest Service signed the agreement for the purchase and transfer of the grazing permit at the Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters.

The Arizona Elk Society, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Karin Knight along with the Knight family, made major strides for wildlife conservation by setting aside over 73,000 acres of diverse wildlife habitat in the Coconino National Forest. The wildlife of the region includes socially and economically important game species such as Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer and Coues White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bears, and

several small game species. The elk population in Game Management Units (GMU) 5A, 5B, and 6A are managed as one herd due to their interactions. These GMU’s provide the majority of elk hunting opportunity in the state. For example, in 2008, 8185 elk permits were offered for this herd, including 765 junior’s permits, 650 muzzleloader permits, and 1695 archery permits. The habitat within the Buck Springs complex is prime summer habitat which is vital for overall herd health and calving. In addition to supporting this herd, many elk from GMU’s 22 and 23 summer in this area due to the high quality of the habitat.


ArizonA Elk SociEty conSErvES 73,000 AcrES of importAnt wildlifE hAbitAtby Steve Clark

The elk population on this allotment represents one of the most important populations in the state and provides considerable use and enjoyment by the public, which in turn provides considerable economic benefit to state and local economies.

The Buck Springs property and allotment comprises several different habitat types such as head-water meadows, mixed conifer, ponderosa pine/oak, and transitions zones covering approximately 73,000 acres. These rich habitat types include vital calving and fawning, summering and wintering grounds (depending upon the winter) for a large number of elk. The allotment includes 144 miles of streams with headwater springs and riparian areas important to Elk and other big game species. The AES is already planning for work projects that will remove much of the 90 miles of mostly degraded fences that are a hazard to wildlife.

In addition to elk, this allotment supports high wildlife species richness. Game species include Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, turkey, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, and squirrel. GMU 5A is well known for its quality turkey and bear population. There is also a current AZGFD project to translocate Blue Grouse to suitable habitat within this area to offer more

hunter opportunity. Non-game species abound in this area. This region is important to forest-dwelling avian species, with 13 species being identified as priority species in the Arizona Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan. This habitat is also key to recovery efforts for two federally-listed aquatic species, the Little Colorado River spinedace and the Chiricahua leopard frog. This area is home to many Mexican Spotted

Owls, another federally listed species. The purchase of this property would lead to improved habitat quality, which would benefit all wildlife.

The Game and Fish Department has been under pressure to reduce the elk population in this GMU for years largely due to the impact of elk and cattle on headwater meadows. We believe our purchase of this allotment will eliminate competition by cattle for forage and improve the ability of the allotment to support the elk population. In addition, with the removal of cattle, the Department expects a quick, positive improvement of turkey and deer. Over time as the headwater meadows recover and become fully functional, carrying capacity for all wildlife should increase thus benefiting all sportsmen, whether they are small game, turkey or elk hunters.

Approximately 96% of this allotment is contained within the East Clear Creek Watershed, which is one of the most ecologically unique regions in the Southwest. This area is topographically diverse with relatively flat areas dissected by a multitude of deeply incised canyons. Within these incised canyons, there are a total of nearly 66 miles of


This project will help restore these sponge meadows which are important to the maintenance of stream flow which is vital to the diverse wildlife community of the region.

The Tracker • 15

perennial or interrupted perennial streams that amplify the ecological importance of the area. One of the key ecological components are the sponge meadows that once existed in the area but have largely become dry, upland meadows. In the past, when these meadows were more functional, they acted as sponges, holding water which in turn flowed into streams and provided important riparian habitat for the plethora of species that call this region home. This project will help restore these sponge meadows which are important to the maintenance of stream flow which is vital to the diverse wildlife community of the region.

The Arizona Elk Society used monies raised at their fundraising Banquets by sportsmen and women in support of elk conservation in Arizona, coupled with funds raised through the AES Habitat Partners of Arizona program, to compensate the grazing permit holder for waiving the grazing permit back to the Forest Service with a Memorandum of Understanding that those portions of the allotment with high wildlife value be managed for conservation purposes. Areas with low value to wildlife but suitable for livestock production may be made available for livestock production after habitat conditions have improved.

The partnerships developed between wildlife and habitat management agencies and the Arizona Elk Society will allow this special area to be managed for current and future generations to visit and enjoy. This action also serves as a model approach where outdoor sporting conservation groups, such as the Arizona Elk Society, work with livestock operators and agency personnel to conserve ecologically sensitive portions of Arizona’s landscape.

Approximately 96% of this allotment is contained within the East Clear Creek Watershed, which is one of the most ecologically unique regions in the Southwest.

AZGFD Director Larry Voyles, Karin Knight and AES President Steve Clark


March 21, 2009 the Arizona Elk Society proudly held our annual banquet. The economy threw us a curve ball but the banquet attendees, donors and volunteers pulled off an all-around successful event. This year’s Banquet raised a net total of over $312,000. The highlight of the banquet was the auctioning of the Arizona Game and Fish Commissions’ Elk Tag for the second highest amount ever at $140,000.

Again this year, we had many one-of-a-kind items that were auctioned off to the highest bidder. One of the most beautiful items was a handcrafted John Toner Original Steak Knife Set with elk antlers inset with malachite. The stunning set auctioned for $2,200. Jo’le, a pretty molly mule from Mule Barn Farm of Yuma, was paraded around the hall to the delight of the attendees. She was completely calm while the handlers picked her up and had her do tricks between the tables. Jo’le sold for $5,000. For the AES Banquet Rifle, we had a Christiansen Arms .300 RUM rifle with a Swarovski 4-12X50mm scope. The Banquet Rifle auctioned off for $4,700.

ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY

8Th ANNUAL BANqUET

by Steve Clark


At the banquet, we had new auctioneers Dan Turley and Justin Hargrave. These two gentlemen did a fantastic job all night. Lots of laughs were heard in the southeast section of

the hall during the live auctions aimed at John Cadzow. Not to be left out as an auctioneer, John jumped right in and helped as one of the ring men out in the audience.

John was one of the recipients of the President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the AES over the years. Cookie Nicoson accepted Walt Nicoson’s President Plaque, given to Walt for his many contributions and instilling ethics in youth and others he had touched throughout his life. Ron and Sharon Eichelberger also received a Presidents Plaque for their many years of contributions to the AES. Without these volunteers and the time and effort they have spent to benefit the AES, we would never be where we are today.

Kianna Martinez helped us start off the banquet right by singing the national anthem. It was a good way to remember how fortunate we are to live here and the many freedoms we enjoy. Kianna did a fantastic job.

The AES scholarships were awarded to three deserving high school students from around the state. The $1,000 scholarship went to Britney Watkins of Flagstaff High School. Britney learned to hunt from her dad and has been hunting since she was 10 years old. What she enjoys the most is the total hunting experience whether harvesting an animal or


not. She feels that hunting is about respect, sportsmanship and family. One of her biggest challenges is being a female and defending her hunting tradition in school. Britney is very proud to have harvested an elk which provided meat to her family during hard times. The $750 scholarship went to Clay Hathaway of Showlow High School and the $500 Scholarship went to Hillary Hibbard from Gilbert High School.

Many thanks go out this year to all the attendees, especially our Corporate tables that provided Banquet support. We also really appreciate all the donors that helped made this year’s banquet a success. Most of all myself, the AES Board and Sharon Eichelberger, Banquet Chairman, would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who worked very hard for the three months it takes to prepare for the banquet. Without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, the AES wouldn’t be able to have The Best Banquet in the Southwest. On page 20 is the list of donors that supported the 2009 Arizona Elk Society Banquet. Please take a minute and familiarize yourself with the name of their businesses. By remembering and frequenting these businesses you are helping the AES form a relationship that goes far beyond the banquet. Without their support we would have a difficult time raising the money for Elk Habitat in Arizona.

The Tracker • 19

Captions for pages 16-17 starting top left going clockwise: Jo’le meeting banquet goers; Balloon raffle; Rifle winner; Kianna Martinez singing the National Anthem; Karen didn’t want to give up the puppy after showing him off; 2009 AES Banquet; Happy winner of the Swarovski 15x56 binoculars.

Captions for page 18 clockwise from top left: 2009 AES Banquet; MC Doug Stancill and one of the auctioneers; Jim Mullins very excited; Tom and Janet Bowman with their VIP guests; Handmade cigars from Habaneros Torres Cigar Factory with a custom John Toner Cigar Cutter; $500 Scholarship winner Hillary Hibbard.

Captions for page 19 clockwise from top left: Banquet rifle auction winner; Three happy banquet attendees; Jenny with a #9 Kasey Khane Remington 22.250 auctioned off for the AES Walt Nicoson Scholarship Fund; 2009 AES Banquet; A happy rifle winner; Harry Carlson receiving his Imperial Level Habitat Program plaque.


Thank You!!!

Thank You!!!

Than

k You!!!

Thank You!!!

4 Peaks Game ProcessingAntler ArtAnton SportsArizona CardinalsArizona Diamondbacks Arizona Game & Fish CommissionArizona Line-XArizona Mountain AdventuresArizona OriginalsAZ Wildlife FederationBaldwin Log HomesBass Pro ShopsBear Mountain SportsBear Wallow CaféBest of the WestBig O TiresBob ReadBrad BradleyBrian CrawfordCabela’sCarl HargisCharles HavronekChasin’ Tail Guide ServiceCherry Creek LodgeChuck FoyleContinental Divide KnivesCookie NicosonCruise AmericaCrystal Clear PoolsDan HunterDavid BarilDebbie SampsonDesert Pheasant RecreationDesigns WestDiane WilliamsDisc-It GrillDiscount TireDoug ParishDoug StancillErnest Apodoca Jr.Embroidery UnlimitedExecutive Outfitters Inc.Four Peaks Landscape Mgmt.,Inc.Francisco DenogeanFraser Safaris New ZealandFred CampbellGabe Diaz & Wayne KirkpatrickGame GuardGame Trail TaxidermyGanado GroupGary & Lin MaschnerGary WilliamsGeorge Lockwood StudiosGregory NaffH&M LandingHabanos Torres Cigar FactoryHarry CarlsonHeadquarters WestHeritage MetalworksHunt Map by MaptrexHunt Tek LLC

Ideas in StoneGrid SpotterIron & AntlersIron Art & Wood PaintingsJason LewisJim & Suzy CarneyJim ViersenJohn & Esther CadzowThe ClawKeepsake Trophy & EngravingKenetrek BootsKunaka SafarisLee & Susan TinsleyLeo BalthazorLonestar SteakhouseLori & Steve McGaugheyMacayo’s RestaurantsMark & Kathi NixonMillers Southwest ProcessingMountain Hi LodgeMountain Tool & SupplyNolin Fire Sprinklers Inc.North Core Adventures LLCOak Bay Marine GroupOrangewood WinesPack-n-HornsPerformance SuspensionPeter EkholmPonderosa OutfittersPrimosPSE ArcheryPurdy in the Pines Reflections in MetalRenee MontrachetRichard KauffmanRichard Ziert

Rockin H OutfittersRon EichelbergerMule Barn Farm of Yuma AZRoss OutdoorsSan Carlos Apache TribeSan-Cor PlumbingSavage ArmsScott TrimmShelly HargisSignature FurnishingsSimpson OutfittersSportsman’s WarehouseSteve & Dee ClarkSteve LewellenSuzanne B. Gilstrap & AssociatesSwan Mountain OutfittersSwarovski OpticsThe Don’s Sport ShopThe Outdoor ExperienceThe Pork ShopThe Treat CenterThe Ultimate Game BagThomas Barry Tire ProsThunder Ridge OutfittersTom & Janet BowmanVan JacksonVon Hanson’s Meat & SpiritsVortex OpticsWalt Nicoson Original Metal ArtWayne BellWhat Ales Ya!William Christian/Sandra BarkerYe Olde TavernYellowhair BucklesYolinda & Kendall Davenport

AK-SAR-BENBig Dog Pool ServiceC & W Sons DemolitionChasin’ Tail Guide ServiceClear Creek Development, Inc.FNF ConstructionGeneral Metals/ San-Cor PlumbingHigh Desert CommunicationsKauffman Enterprises LLCLayke IncorporatedLeister FarmsMichael PagelerOcotillo Animal Hospital

Pacific West Reps, Inc.Petra ContractingPrime Time ThermographicsPurdy in the PinesRainshower Apiaries, Inc.Ramsey Electrical CompanyRonning Landscaping, Inc.Southwest Urologic SpecialistsSun Country Lawn ServiceSuperstition Concrete, Inc.T&T Concrete Contractor, Inc.Tire Pros

2009 BANqUET DONORS

To the donors: If we missed your name please let us know. Every AES donor is a very important part of what we accomplish in Arizona. If you go to the AES website, www.arizonaelksociety.org, you will see the programs, projects and habitat accomplishments that you helped make a reality. ThAnk You for Your SupporT.

CORpORATE TABLE DONORS


?

David Baril

Leo Balthazor

Bobbie Balthazor

Don Brown

John Cadzow*

Jim Carney

Suzy Carney

Pete Cimellaro*

Cathy Cimellaro

Chip Church

Dee Clark

Steve Clark*

Todd Coleman

Tim Coonan

Chuck Decker

Julie Decker

Bill Didio

Ron Eichelberger*

Sharon Eichelberger*

Ryan Ferginga

John Feuerherd

Suzanne Gilstrap

Walt Godbehere

Tyler Goodman

Carl Hargis

Shelly Hargis

Hunter Haynes

Glen Jones

Jared Johnson

Mike Kennedy

Brandon Kenney

John Koleszar

John Krause

Manny Madrid

Tiana Madrid

Bill Manley

Lin Maschner

Gary Maschner

Steve McGaughey

Lori McGaughey

James Mingus

Shane Mingus

Susan Mingus

Jim Mullins

Jimmy Mullins

Matt Mullins

Annette Naff

Gregory Naff

Norman Naff

Meagan Naff

Jack Nelson

Becky Nicoson

Cookie Nicoson*

Paige Nicoson

Mark Nixon*

Mike Norburg

Bob Olds

Pete Page

Sallie Page

Tony Padilla

Conner Phillips

Bob Read

Debbie Samson

Tom Schorr

T.J. Shrock

Randy Stalcup

Doug Stancill*

Wendy Stressman

Len Sullivan

Pat Swafford

Kathi Thompson*

Joan Toner

John Toner*

Laszlo Vega

Jim Viersen

Diane Williams

Gary Williams

Natalie Wood

Christian Wolff

Patty Wolff

Randy Wolff

Below are the names of the many volunteers who worked hard at this year’s banquet to make it a success. Many of the individuals listed also worked diligently for three months leading up to the banquet gathering donations, selling tickets and various other jobs.

2009 BANqUET COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Thank You Very much for your hard work and dedication to the Arizona Elk Society. We would not be the successful organization we are today without your support.


I slowly poked one eyeball up and over the kitchen window ceil to make sure the sparrow sitting on the wire had not flown away. “Ahh yes”, it was still there. I had 5 minutes before I had to leave the house and head to school. From my crouched position near the floor, I raised my arm up slowly and ever so gently slid open the aluminum frame window one inch, just enough to stick the cold steel barrel of my BB gun through. It was an old Daisy model 25, which made me grunt just to cock it, and was just as hard to hit anything with it. With a quick little prayer as I wished myself good luck, I took aim with the old fixed sights but knew it would shoot low from past plinking, so I covered the bird with the fat barrel of the gun and pulled the trigger. The familiar pop sound rang loud through out the entire kitchen as I watched the sparrow fall from the sky to make a dull-thud plop sound on the parched Bermuda grass lawn.

It was my first kill and I was ecstatic. As I ran out to the back yard to retrieve my prize, the glory quickly faded as the reality of killing something so innocent and sweat, engulfed me like a late winter breeze. This was my first lesson, one of many to come about life, death, and the pursuit of a young man to become a hunter. Looking back

over the years now, I have learned many lessons. Some taught by my parents, and some by friends, but Mother Nature herself explained many of the richest lessons of all. The ones learned through personal experience have had the greatest impact in my life, and are responsible for molding me into the man I have become today.

I am not sure what kind of bug bit me, but from a very young age, hunting ran rampant through my veins like an infectious disease, and though I had other interests, somehow my internal compass always pointed me towards the pursuit of my quarry. I remember my Grandmother telling me stories about how hard it was to work and survive on the farm. Being self-sufficient or at least gathering my own meat to eat, rooted itself early on in my life. Since those early days, the hunter-gatherer in me has grown and the infection spread.

At a young age, my father gave me my first single shot .22 and a small pocket sized paper back titled “The Ten Commandments of Gun Safety”. I remember having to memorize the commandments before he would take me out to shoot my first shells. My second, third, forth and fifth guns were actually more BB guns. Still living in the

IT SUCKED ME INBy Patrick Weise


city next to some open desert area, I crafted and honed my hunting skills, like a coyote with an empty belly. Every day after school, you could find me walking down the alley with my Crossman 760 over my shoulder towards my fertile desert hunting grounds. Our stocked freezer of dove, quail, rabbits, and duck was a testament to the iron sights on that old Crossman.

By the time I received my drivers license, further hunting grounds and larger caliber guns were the main stay. Weekends away from home exploring new pine covered forests and cooking steaks over glowing orange coals from the campfire, have branded memories of good times with good friends I cannot erase. Black nights filled with a gazillion stars, and cool mountain air has invaded the blood in my veins as I am forever infected.

Within 5 years I was married and having children of my own. My life changed rapidly to say the least. With work and raising a family, I stopped hunting for 13 years and sold 18 guns one by one because I thought I would never use them again. Boy was I was in denial and did not even know it. Then unexpectedly, an old friend called me up and said, “Let’s put in for archery elk.” I told him he was crazy and my old wooden Browning compound would probably break if I pulled it back. He insisted, we applied, and were drawn. That is when the fever really started again. Buying new equipment is why we have weekends off work, (do not ever let your spouse convince you otherwise). A new bow, with camouflage clothes, and a world of new accessories, made shopping fun and addictive. Then there was scouting for elk, and setting up tree stands on the weekends. Every evening during the week, you could find me shooting in the backyard, trying to put a dozen arrows inside a paper plate on the hay bails, and not the block wall.

I never knew there was so much dedication in me to

succeed at something new. Nocking an arrow, drawing the bow back, taking aim, and releasing that arrow can leave one feeling somewhat spiritual. I sometimes gloat when I hear the arrows smack together in the bull’s eye in that backyard target. It produces a desire to become better in

the sport.

That September, I sat up high in our home-made tree stand watching 15 elk drink and frolic in a water hole as a nice 6 x 6 bull cautiously approached. My heart pounded hard as it forced my blood at such a rapid rate from head to toe – I felt the euphoria of being naturally high. All the new equipment and preparation had now come down to this evening moment. The weary-thirsty bull watched the cows and calves knee deep in water, drinking, socializing, and just plain having a good time. He waited forever; at least it felt like it. When he finally felt he was safe, he let his guard down. He then walked up to the waters edge, lowered his head and crown of antlers to the water, and quenched his drying thirst. At that moment, I pulled the bowstring back to full draw, steadied my 40-yard pin somewhere behind his shoulder, and held my breath. Time slowed down to 12 frames per minute, as I became deaf to everything around me except the thumping sound of my beating heart. Without even thinking, my evenings of backyard practice took over as my index finger delivered

that ever so subtle release of the arrow. Before I could even exhale, my eyes witnessed the fletchings from my arrow plunge deep into the bull’s chest, as all hell broke loose and then once again, the water hole became deserted and calm.

With a roller coaster of emotions flooding my veins I finally exhaled and started mumbling “Oh my God, oh my God,” and I definitely was not praying. Off in the distance my run-away freight train made a loud crack, then a plop, and


then silence. My ears had already told me the story of what my eyes had not yet seen. I nervously lowered my bow and wobbly climbed down the tall pine tree. I took off in the direction my bull ran and within 10 minutes, I found him lying dead next to a wounded tree. In his last seconds of life, he must have blacked out from lack of oxygen because he ran right into a tree and broke off one whole side of his rack and one G2 point. Nonetheless, there I stood, as proud and happy as a pig in mud, still shaking in disbelief at what I had just done.

At that moment, I was forever sucked in. I always have elk on the brain. I cannot stop thinking about them. I guess you could call me an “elkaholic”, and damn proud of it. I read about them, study them, talk about them, and of course dream about them. I also love the complete camping experience, so I am always on the prowl for new camping stuff like tents, sleeping bags, stoves and my personal gear. And oh-my-goodness, a new bow every couple of years, arrows, new cloths, boots, binoculars, spotting scopes, the list never ends; but I love it. I would not have it any other way. Being passionate about something you love and believe in is better than walking through life being mediocre. My uncle’s father (Bud) always used to tell me in an overly loud voice, “Everything in life is either yes or no, never say okay!” He would then ask me the question, “What

does okay mean?” And then answer it himself before I could reply, “It means you have no opinion, no passion, and no life in your soul.”

Over the last few years, my camera has become my best hunting buddy. When I am not coyote hungry, I am photographing the wildlife and everything else that surrounds me. When I return home, I can share my adventure highs and lows in Mona Lisa style. It is one thing to describe to someone how high you were on that lonely mountaintop, but quite another to present a picture that offers a view to the ends of the earth, and evokes the emotions that spoken words cannot replace.

I still live in the city and hope one day I can move to higher grounds. Until then, I will continue to hone my craft of sending backyard arrows down range, saying a positive “yes” instead of “okay” and dreaming of big bulls thrashing their antlers in the trees while screaming sounds of testosterone make the hairs on my arm stand up straight and salute. In our crazy new (mechanically separated all white meat spicy deluxe chicken pâté sandwich) world we live in, hunting is, and was, and always will be, what keeps me grounded and appreciative, and I thank God for letting “It Sucked Me In”.


hABITAT hAppEnInGS

The Arizona Elk Society helped fund this project

with monies raised by the auctioning of the

Commissioners Elk Tag at our annual Banquet.

Projects funded by the AES and other organizations to create better water sources and grassland forage for wildlife.

These pictures from April 2009 show a current Juniper thinning project in unit 23 near the Young Airport.


Beep, beep, beep! My dad’s miniature alarm clock’s shrill tone rings in my ears. That was my first clue that it was early opening morning of my spring turkey hunt. The light shines bright in my eyes as I gather all of my strength to sit up. As soon as the propane heater starts up, I am out of bed and warming my clothes up while the coffee is heating on the stove. Within fifteen minutes, I stepped outside and the fresh, crisp early morning air stings my lungs.

I did not expect anything miraculous today. The wind was blowing about thirty miles an hour. But I was not empty on confidence yet, I had two great callers in my dad and his friend, Reuben Teran. I got some hot chocolate and a banana from the youth camp and we headed out.

My dad and Reuben had a bird roosted the night before. We found our spot, called and heard nothing, and started up the hill. The wind was whipping through the trees as we reached the top. My dad and Reuben clucked about five times and then we heard it, GOBBBBLE, GOBBBBLE! My dad and I set up behind a tree and Reuben sat behind us about twenty yards. I peeked my head around the edge of the thick pine and I see a strutting bird about 150 yards away in an open patch, and then he slowly strutted out of view. For another half an hour we waited and a stump that I thought was him never came. We took a little walk to see where he could have gone, and it turned out that he was strutting in the roost. We clucked about five or ten more times and heard nothing. So we headed back to the truck and decided to drive one of my dad’s favorite loops and heard nothing. But we got in a full day of stories, laughter, and fun. To top the day off, we sat around a campfire while stuffing our faces with hamburgers and hot dogs and shared our stories for the day. This proves that no matter what happens on your hunt, you can always have fun.

qUALITY TIMEby Nick McMullen


Ahhhhh! That sweet sound of the alarm clock screams at me. “What a sweet sound,” I thought to myself. The coffee starts brewing and within twenty minutes we are at camp. After a cup of hot chocolate and a couple of laughs with the volunteers, we headed out again. Reuben was kindly out assisting another youth with his turkey hunt and I was very happy to know that someone else had the opportunity to have a skilled turkey hunter as their ally.

My dad and I decided to go with spot B today. After a lengthy and drowsy drive, we took a stop and found a spot where my dad knew at least three gobblers were roosted. After a 175 yard hike, my dad called and we had an immediate response. The mysterious noise that no humans could hope to even imitate, GOBBBBBLE GOBBBLE GOBBLE! It was still dark but we found a spot to set up and clucked maybe four or five times. This time I knew that I was not hearing or seeing gobblers and gobbles. He was a HUGE one. Strutting up and down the tree branch on the other side of a drainage and interrupting every NOISE we made with the heart stopping sound, GOBBLE GOBBLE! After ten heart wrenching minutes of trying not to breathe too hard, I heard a thud and my dad whispered, “He’s on our side Nick, get ready, point you’re gun down the hill.” It seemed like the world had stopped, my dad and I stuck in time itself. My dad purred one last time with his slate call. I heard heavy footsteps…and a head the colors of our national flag poked up to the right. I waited for some sign that it was a male.

The fabulous bird did the last thing it would ever do, make itself look intimidating and puff its feathers up. I swung the barrel to the right and BANG!!!! It was still up and running. “SHOOT IT AGAIN NICK!” BANG! It was trying to fly away, BANG! It was flopping in the dirt and my dad sprinted after it. He got it in his grip and while holding the bird by the neck, made a motion like a third base coach waving a runner home after a base hit, and the turkey was motionless. “WOOOOOOHOOOO!!!!!” That was all my dad could manage besides, “Wasn’t that fun,” basically all the way back to camp.

Truthfully, everyone should go not just turkey hunting, but hunting and fishing in general. It is for the nonstop fun, quality time with your family, and for the MEAT!

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” That is basically all I heard at this camp. I have never had more fun turkey hunting in my life. I got to spend quality time with my family, got physical activity, and most importantly, hunted. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave me and dozens of other junior hunters the fun, laughter, and their time. Without them, this camp would be impossible, resulting in more kids that were never introduced to hunting if it weren’t for the camp. To sum it up, this camp was a great way to get kids out, introduce them to the most relaxing sport in the world, hunting, and get them quality time with their parents that they would never get sitting in front of the PS2 for hours.

FOR ThE BOOKby Bill Keebler

Last year was a very good year for hunters in Arizona. There were six elk entered in the 2008 competition. The largest and bronze award winners were Courtney Murry’s typical elk that scored 372 1/8 and Preston Mercer’s non-typical elk that scored 401.

Each year there is an annual competition. All entries received by May 1 of the year following the calendar year the animal is taken are automatically entered in the competition. This year’s deadline for 2009 is May 1, 2010. There are 13 categories. In addition to both typical and non-typical elk, there are typical and non-typical mule deer and Coues’ deer, both desert and Rocky Mountain sheep, pronghorn, bison, javelina, black bear and cougar. Entries received after the May 1st deadline are not eligible for the annual competition but are still entered into the next record book.

The annual competition awards given each year are bronze and honorable mention awards. The

bronze award is awarded only to outstanding trophies in each category at the discretion of the Arizona Wildlife Trophies Committee. Any number of honorable mention awards can be awarded in each category. The bronze award is so titled because it is a bronze medallion presented in a shadow box. For 2008, there will be eleven bronze awards presented.

The Arizona Wildlife Trophies record book has been published every five years since 1970 by the Arizona Wildlife Trophies committee of the Arizona Wildlife Federation. The next book will be published in 2010. The deadline for that book is May 1, 2010.

The requirement for trophy entries, minimum scores and a list of measurers are on the Arizona Wildlife Federation website at www.azwildlife.org. To order a copy of either the 2000 or the 2005 record book, an order form can be downloaded from the website or you can call Kim at 480- 644-0077.


Thursday, April 16, 2009 Jack F Husted of Springerville Arizona was confirmed by the Arizona Senate as a member of the Arizona Game & Fish Commission. Since that time he has had the opportunity to sit on a few of the commission meetings and has already made his presence felt. He will be a strong commissioner who has his own ideas and the beauty for most of us is that there will be very little guessing as to where he stands. I have had the opportunity to meet with the new Commissioner on several occasions and have found him to be a very interesting and refreshingly open person to talk with. His family has roots in Arizona dating back to the turn of the century so there is little that will surprise him in terms of history of the state. Jack is an avid sportsman who has enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing. In our discussions he also talked about the future of hunting, the need for a strong Arizona Game & Fish Department and the need for the Commission to work with the various conservation organizations. We discussed several issues and I find that his responses

tend to be forthcoming if not blunt. We discussed the Travel management program and his assessment is that the Federal government has enough laws in place to prosecute any violators. The problem as he sees it is that there is little if any enforcement. (sound familiar?) He accurately identified the problem and as he said, creating more laws when you do not enforce the ones you already have is simply foolish. Jack and his wife Karen will continue to call Springerville their home, but they will both be spending time in the Valley at the various functions that the Commission position requires. He has a very unique and varied background from law enforcement to politics to small business owner. Jack truly has worn many hats. I hope that all of the hunting community joins me in welcoming our new commissioner, we may not always agree, but we can certainly see which way the wind blows well in advance. It should be an interesting next five years with Jack Husted as commissioner.

NEW COMMISSIONER JACK hUSTED

by John Koleszar

ADVERTISING IN THE TRACKER

Get your product information in front of thousands of Arizona outdoor enthusiasts and hunters by placing your ad in The Tracker!

For sizes and pricing, go to www.arizonaelksociety.org and click on “Links and Forms”.

The Tracker is a quarterly publication for the members of the Arizona Elk Society. Letters, comments, news items, articles,

pictures and stories are welcome and will be considered for publication. You may mail or email any such items.

Materials mailed for publication 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

Photo by George Andrejko of AZGFD.


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Hi. My name is Austin Trimm and this was my first official javelina hunt where I actually got to shoot my rifle. I’ve gone with my dad, Scott Trimm, on many hunts before but as a spectator, not as a hunter.

We got drawn in Unit 20C which is between Wickenburg and the back side of Prescott. It’s a youth base camp run by the Arizona Deer Association. They were really great to us kids. They made meals for us every day. The hamburgers were the best. They talked about tracking the javelina and what to look for when trying to find them. I learned quite a lot.

Anyway, I hunted for two days and didn’t see any javelina. My dad said we could hunt Sunday morning but would have to head back home if I didn’t get a pig because I had school the next day. At 8:15 a.m. Sunday morning, we got a call on our radios from our friends Craig Ramsey and Dustin Ramsey saying they spotted pigs. We got on our quads heading in the direction they told us about. By the time we got there, after making a few wrong turns, most of the herd had wandered off. Finally, I saw one pig about 150 yards away. I was breathing heavily after the long quad ride and hiking up the hill but I was bound and determined to get my first javelina. My dad laid his backpack on the rocks so I could rest my rifle on it and I looked through my scope. I didn’t have a good shot so we hiked another 50 yards or so and I felt this was the perfect spot. I took my first shot with the pig running, but I missed. For some reason, this made

the pig stop. I loaded and took another shot. I thought I missed again because the pig didn’t move. I was ready to reload once more when my dad saw the pig tumble down the hill. Dad was watching through his binoculars the whole time and saw me shoot my pig. I shot him through the stomach and out through his lungs. I was so excited I didn’t realize I had prickly pear needles in my legs.

Craig and Dustin heard our shots and came to help my dad and I get my pig out from the bottom of a canyon. I felt a little bad for Dustin because he didn’t take a shot at the pigs so I could have the first shot. He’s gotten pigs before but it was still nice of him to let me have the first shot.

The best part of this javelina hunt has to be my rifle. I won it at the 2008 Arizona Elk Society general raffle. My picture was even in the spring edition of the Tracker magazine. The rifle is a Savage 22-250 with a 4-power scope. It’s such a small bullet with a ton of power. It barely kicks but it does tons of damage to whatever you’re aiming at.

My parents keep bugging me to have my javelina mounted but I only want the skull. We’re having the meat processed into Italian sausage and chorizo. Dad says the teeth on my javelina are the biggest he’s ever seen…and he should know, he’s shot at least 15 pigs in Arizona.

MY FIRST JAvELINAby Austin Trimm


Walt and Cookie Nicoson Royal Partner

Steve and Dee Clark Sponsor Partner

Ron and Sharon Eichelberger Sponsor Partner

Bass Pro Shops Sponsor Partner

AES

Habitat PartnersCabela’s

Sponsor Partner

Sharon and John Stuckey Supporting Partner

Sportsman’s Warehouse Sponsor Partner

Harry Carlson Imperial Partner

Pacific West Representatives Sponsor Partner

With the rapid loss of open space to development, wildlife habitat is being reduced at a rate of 7 square miles per day. Arizona’s elk herds are loosing traditional migration corridors, calving grounds, forage meadows and other important habitat. The new “Habitat Partners of Arizona” program is designed to help protect that land. The main focus of this program will be to preserve land and prevent the rapid decline of Arizona’s elk habitat.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP: Become a Habitat Partner with your tax deductible donation starting at $2500 ($1000 for 17 and under).

Payment Plan Available: $500 minimum commitment per year. You will be recognized for a donation level once your payments reach that level for each level you attain.

All program participants that reach the $2500 level and above ($1000 for youth) will be recognized in literature and on the AES website and will receive a plaque at each level.

If you are interested in donating property or a conservation easement, the AES will work with you to designate the appropriate 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

FOR MORE INFO AND TO DONATE:

You can find more details and the donation form at www.arizonaelksociety.org. Click the link on the left side of the home page.

Habitat Partners of Arizona

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

CHANGE SERVICES REQUESTED

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPhoenix, AZ

Permit No. 5572

aMARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Arizona Elk Society membership information booth at the Game & Fish 2009 Expo. Cookie Nicoson and Christian Wolff.

Volunteer David Baril manning the AES membership booth at the Elk and Antelope Drop Off Day, Feb. 2009, and displaying his John Toner knife he received for upgrading to a Life Member.

June 13 & 14 Arizona Elk Society Burro Creek and

26 Bar Adopt-a-Ranch Project Springerville, AZ

June 19-21 Arizona Elk Society Wapiti Weekend

Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area Springerville, AZ

June 24, 2009 General Membership Meeting

6:30pm at Cabela’s We’ll be voting on the revised AES By-Laws. To request a copy of the Revised

By-Laws, email [email protected]

July 18 & 19 Arizona Elk Society

Buck Springs Project Clint’s Wells, AZ

August 8 Arizona Elk Society Annual Meeting

Phoenix, AZ 6:00pm at Cabela’s

Hors d’oeuvres will be available. If you are interested in running for a position on the AES Board, please contact Sharon Eichelberger ASAP. [email protected]

August 22 Arizona Elk Society Elk Clinic

FOP Lodge #2 12851 N. 19th Ave

Phoenix, AZ

October 15-18 Arizona Elk Society Unit 6A

Junior Elk Hunt Camp Happy Jack, AZ

Check arizonaelksociety.org

for more event & project

information.

Tracker Spring 2009

Documents

Transcript of Tracker Spring 2009