Upcoming Events & Volunteer Needs
We still need a few more volunteers for Jr. Elk Camp. If you have some time and want to escape the heat, join AES this upcoming weekend.
Click on the link below for more information.
| October 6-8 | Big Springs Project-Unit 8 |
| October 7 | Wild in the City-Phoenix, AZ-Ben Avery Range off Carefree Hwy |
| October 12-15 | Jr Elk Camp-St Joseph's Youth Camp (Mormon Lake) |
| October 20-22 | Big Springs Project-Unit 8 |
| October 27-29 | HRO Fly Fishing Trip-Payson |
Arizona Elk Society offers a variety of volunteer opportunities! Sign-up as a volunteer and make a direct impact on wildlife conservation in Arizona.
Tree Thinning Project - Volunteers Needed
The Arizona Elk Society Sawyers are currently working on a tree thinning project near Parks, which is located between Flagstaff and Williams, just off of I-40. The main goal of this project is to create clear and accessible migration corridors for elk and antelope, allowing them to navigate their historic routes. Following the completion of the sawyer project, the Arizona Antelope Foundation will be relocating and reconstructing a fence in order to accommodate antelope travel in the area. The entire project is expected to take approximately 1-2 weekends to finish.
We are currently seeking volunteers who are willing to assist with various tasks, including:
1. Support the sawyers by helping to lop and scatter tree debris, as well as moving equipment.
2. Assist with brush cutting to further improve the area.
3. Contribute to the main camp by helping with cooking and managing the kitchen area.
Please note that all meals and refreshments will be provided for the duration of the weekend. Your help would be greatly appreciated in making this project a success! Please contact Richard Moraca at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign-up.
Thank You for Making the Northern Arizona Peaks Chapter Banquet a Success!
On July 15th, the Arizona Elk Society's Northern Arizona Peaks Chapter hosted the 5th annual banquet! The event was a huge success, thanks to the overwhelming support and involvement of all those who attended. We are truly grateful for your presence and the positive impact you had on our mission. Your participation not only made the night a memorable one but also contributed significantly to furthering our mission to conserve and enhance elk habitat and educate the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to the volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time and effort to make the evening a success. These incredible individuals worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and that our guests had a wonderful experience.
It is important to note that the net proceeds from this event will stay in the area, directly benefiting the local community and the surrounding elk habitat. The support we received during the banquet will enable us to undertake crucial conservation projects, educate hunters and non-hunters alike, and continue our efforts to conserve Arizona's natural beauty for generations to come.
Thank you all for joining us and for being champions of the Arizona Elk Society's mission. Together, we are making a difference and ensuring a brighter future for our wildlife and outdoor heritage.
August 2023 Newsletter
Habitat Project Update by Russ Johnson
In July, we have been busy working on a wildlife water catchment system in Unit 7W, Northwest of Flagstaff. We started this project in June and made significant progress during this month.
From July 7-9, we went to Butcherknife to begin the third phase of the project, which involved constructing the apron. Over the weekend, we had nearly 20 dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly. While there were occasional challenges, we managed to accomplish a lot. Some highlights include attaching 2x2 metal square tubing to our poles with the appropriate drainage slope, removing the barbed wire from the entire 400-yard perimeter fence, installing the drinker and running a 3" pipe from the tanks to the drinker, assembling most of the apron framing, and starting to dismantle the older style tank. We enjoyed good food and camaraderie, and even had a surprise visitor in the form of a prairie rattlesnake seeking shade under our water and Gatorade cooler.
On July 21-23, we returned to the project site. Despite the onset of the monsoon season in the north, we were fortunate enough to have favorable weather throughout the weekend. Although our crew was smaller, we still made significant progress. We completed the installation of all galvanized studs on top of our 2x2 steel framing and added metal siding to the catchment apron, with only the final run remaining. We also welded each stud to the frame, installed the gutter, and devised a brace system at the bottom of the gutter to prevent sagging under the weight of the water it will hold. Additionally, we drilled 130 holes for the perimeter fence and set concrete for roughly half of them. Throughout the weekend, a professional photographer/videographer documented our work, so keep an eye out for our upcoming video, which will include interviews. We even had another camp visitor, this time a friendly tarantula making its way across camp. The project is finally starting to take shape as a fully functional water catchment system. We anticipate needing a few more weekends to complete the project, but we are well on our way.
We would like to express our immense gratitude to all the volunteers who generously dedicated their time to support us, without their hard work and support this project would not be possible.