Arizona Elk Society volunteers returned to Middle Leonard Canyon to complete a fence enclosure that will support an ongoing U.S. Forest Service study of aspen health. Working alongside an Arizona Conservation Experience (ACE) crew and the Mogollon Rim District hydrologist, volunteers helped bring this important habitat project to completion.
Aspens are an important part of Arizona’s forest ecosystems, providing habitat and contributing to the diversity of our mountain landscapes. However, these trees face challenges from pests such as oystershell scale, which can affect their health and long-term survival. The enclosure at Middle Leonard Canyon is part of a Forest Service study examining aspen health and comparing different management approaches to better understand how to address these infestations.
The project required teamwork, coordination, and plenty of hands-on work. Over two days, volunteers and the ACE crew worked together to install the panels and rails for the seven-foot-high enclosure before completing the final top rails and installing the gate. With materials moving into place and everyone working toward the same goal, the crew made steady progress and finished the enclosure before lunch on the second day.
Projects like this are a great example of how partnerships help make conservation work possible. By bringing together AES volunteers, the ACE crew, and Forest Service expertise, the team was able to complete the enclosure efficiently while contributing to a larger effort to understand and improve aspen health across Arizona’s forests.
The work may be finished, but the value of this project will continue as the study provides information to help land managers evaluate different approaches to managing oystershell scale and protecting aspen stands for the future.
Arizona Elk Society is grateful to the volunteers, the ACE crew, and the Mogollon Rim District hydrologist for their time and dedication. Every project offers an opportunity to make a difference, and this one is another step toward healthier forests and better habitat for Arizona’s wildlife.
Arizona Elk Society’s Heroes Rising Outdoors (HRO) brought veterans together in the White Mountains October 1–4 for a fall fly fishing reunion filled with beautiful scenery, good fishing, and even better company. While the trout were certainly a highlight, the weekend was about much more than what was caught. It was a chance for veterans to step away from everyday routines, enjoy the outdoors, and reconnect with friends who share similar experiences.
Crisp mornings, clear blue skies, and breakfast around camp set the tone for a relaxing few days in the mountains. Friday took the group to Big Lake, where participants enjoyed time both on the water and along the shore, bringing in several nice rainbow trout. After lunch back at camp, the fishing continued along the East Fork of the Black River. Working their way upstream, the group found productive holes and caught several Apache and rainbow trout before fishing until dark.
Saturday brought another day on the water, with more trout caught and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the quiet beauty of the White Mountains. The group focused mainly on catch-and-release fishing, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience and the challenge of the next catch. The fishing was rewarding, but the surrounding wildlife provided some memorable moments of its own. Participants spotted elk and deer, along with two herds of bighorn sheep, including a group of impressive mature rams. Encounters like these are a special reminder of why time spent outdoors is so valuable.
Back at camp, some of the best moments happened away from the fishing holes. Shared meals, morning coffee, and evenings around the campfire gave everyone time to relax, swap stories, laugh, and enjoy one another’s company. There is something special about being outdoors with people who understand your experiences, and weekends like this create the space for friendships to grow naturally.
That connection is at the heart of Heroes Rising Outdoors. Through hunting, fishing, and other outdoor adventures, HRO gives Arizona veterans opportunities to build relationships, share experiences, and spend time with others who understand the unique challenges they may face. Sometimes, the greatest benefit of a trip isn't the number of fish caught, but the conversations shared around the campfire and the friendships that continue long after everyone heads home.
On Sunday morning, the group packed up and began the trip home, taking with them memories of a wonderful weekend in the mountains. Arizona Elk Society is grateful for the opportunity to bring these veterans together and proud to support Heroes Rising Outdoors and its mission of connecting veterans with the outdoors and one another.
Good fishing, incredible wildlife, and time spent with friends made this reunion a success in every sense of the word.
October 8–11, Arizona Elk Society’s Jr. Elk Camp brought youth hunters and their families together at St. Joseph’s Youth Camp for a weekend filled with learning, excitement, and memories that will last a lifetime.
We arrived Thursday around noon to begin setting up camp, and our volunteers were already there, ready to jump in and get to work. From the very beginning, it was clear we had a great group of people ready to make this weekend special for the kids. Our kitchen crew, many of whom have worked together at past events, made everything look easy. They worked together with smiles on their faces and somehow managed to make even a busy kitchen look like fun!
Thursday evening kicked off with seminars to prepare the youth hunters for the weekend ahead. Mike M. from Miller’s Southwest started things off with an important message about hunting safety and reminded the kids how fortunate they are to have parents who are willing to teach them, guide them, and share their love of hunting. Of course, he also brought samples of his elk jerky, which are always a favorite!
Next, Eddie C., Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Manager for Unit 6A, spoke about ethical hunting and shared interesting facts about the unit and its elk herds. I followed with a presentation about the Arizona Elk Society and our youth and volunteer programs. Gil M., representing the AES Board of Directors, wrapped up the evening by thanking everyone for being there and sharing more about the many ways AES works to support wildlife, conservation, and our outdoor community.
Before everyone headed off for the evening, the youth hunters had a chance to win Scheels gift cards through a raffle. Each hunter also received an orange AES beanie and an elk cow call. Our mentors then introduced themselves, giving families a chance to connect, talk through hunting strategies, and prepare for the early morning ahead. We wanted every family to feel supported and give each young hunter the best possible chance at success.
Friday morning came early, but our kitchen crew was ready with coffee and snacks by 4 a.m. for the hunters and mentors heading into the field. The forecast looked promising for Friday and Saturday mornings, so everyone was full of hope as opening day began. Back at camp, we waited anxiously for updates, hoping to hear that one of our youth hunters had filled their tag.
That first success finally came after lunch, and it made the entire wait worthwhile. For the first time in my four years with AES, our first successful hunter was a girl! Emily and her dad came back to camp absolutely beaming with excitement. Their happiness was contagious, and it was impossible not to smile right along with them. Although Emily had experienced hunting success before, this was her first elk, making it an extra-special milestone. One of my favorite details was that she decorated her cow’s head with flowers for her pictures. It was such a sweet, personal touch and a memory I’m sure she will treasure for years to come.
Not long after, Mateo returned with his own success story after hunting with his mentor, Richard, who is truly amazing at what he does. The excitement around camp continued to grow, and both Emily and Mateo received an extra-special surprise. An anonymous AES volunteer had generously donated a knife set for the first girl and first boy in camp to fill their tags. These thoughtful gifts made an already unforgettable day even more meaningful.
Those first two successes set the tone for a fantastic weekend. The mess hall quickly became a gathering place for kids to share stories, talk about their hunts, celebrate one another, and enjoy being part of something special. Some filled their tags, while others continued to head out with their mentors, learning along the way and making memories of their own.
As the weekend went on, the weather took a turn just as predicted. Rain rolled in Saturday evening and continued through Sunday morning as we packed up camp. But a little rain wasn't going to dampen everyone's spirits! For those who preferred to stay dry, card games in the mess hall provided plenty of entertainment, while others continued pursuing their hunting opportunities. Through it all, our kitchen crew kept everyone well fed with fantastic meals, thanks to Corinne M. and her team.
By the time we left camp Sunday morning, seven youth hunters had successfully filled their tags. A few days later, that number climbed to an incredible 10 successful tags! While those numbers are certainly worth celebrating, the success of Jr. Elk Camp goes far beyond the number of elk harvested. It's about young hunters learning to be safe and ethical outdoorsmen and women, parents sharing meaningful experiences with their children, mentors passing along their knowledge, and kids building friendships with others who share their interests.
None of this would be possible without the incredible volunteers who give their time, energy, and hearts to these events. Our mentors worked tirelessly to guide and encourage the youth hunters, helping them navigate the challenges of the hunt while making sure they felt supported every step of the way. Behind the scenes, our kitchen crew kept everyone fed, fueled, and ready for each new day. Their dedication is a huge part of what makes Jr. Elk Camp such a special experience.
The Arizona Elk Society is incredibly grateful to every mentor, kitchen volunteer, speaker, parent, and supporter who helped make this year's camp such a success. Ten filled tags are something to celebrate, but the smiles, the lessons learned, and the memories made are what truly make this weekend a success. We are proud to be part of these young hunters' journeys and look forward to seeing them continue to grow in their skills, confidence, and love for the outdoors.
Here's to another fantastic Jr. Elk Camp and the amazing people who make it all possible!
Cool fall mornings and sunny skies welcomed Arizona Elk Society volunteers to Coleman Lake, south of Williams, October 16–17 for the final habitat project of the 2026 season. With the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers spent the weekend completing a fencing project that will help protect and improve this important 
meadow habitat.
Preparations began Thursday as a few volunteers arrived early to help the Forest Service stage logs and get camp ready for the weekend. By Friday, more volunteers had joined the crew, and work was underway. Logs were moved into place, materials were prepared, and the fence began to take shape along the roadside section of the meadow. Despite cool temperatures and a little wind, the sunny weather made for good working conditions, and the crew made steady progress throughout the day.
As the tools were put away Friday evening, volunteers returned to camp to enjoy a warm meal and time together. The group included familiar faces who had spent much of the summer working on habitat projects, along with new volunteers lending a hand for the final weekend. These evenings around camp are an important part of AES projects, giving volunteers a chance to catch up, share stories, and enjoy the friendships that grow from working toward a common goal.
Saturday brought colder temperatures and overcast skies, but the crew was ready to finish what they had started. By midmorning, the remaining fence sections were complete, and the team was packing up tools and camp. Another project had come together through the time, effort, and teamwork of dedicated volunteers.
A Season of Making a Difference
The Coleman Lake project marked the end of a busy 2026 habitat season for AES. From May through October, volunteers completed six projects across the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests, dedicating 10 weekends to improving wildlife habitat. Together, they constructed approximately 2,100 feet of continuous rail fence and 2,400 feet of log worm fence.
Behind every foot of fencing is the work of volunteers who gave up weekends, traveled to the forest, and put in long hours to help care for Arizona's wildlife and public lands. These projects take planning, persistence, and plenty of teamwork, but the results are something everyone can be proud of.
As another season comes to a close, AES is grateful to the volunteers and Forest Service partners who made these projects possible. Their commitment helps protect valuable habitat and supports the wildlife that depends on it. While the tools are put away for the season, the benefits of their hard work will continue long after the last camp has been packed up.
Mark your calendars! If you’ve volunteered with AES this year, join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on December 12, 2026, from 10 AM–2 PM! Enjoy great food, music, games, prizes, and volunteer awards as we celebrate and thank you for all you do!
Location: Arizona Elk Society, 7773 W. Golden Lane, Peoria, AZ 85345
Please RSVP by December 1 to Russ at russj@arizonaelksociety.org
Your donation dollars at work! This picture is from August 19th in Northern Arizona. AES volunteers are the boots on the ground delivering water throughout Arizona. Please consider volunteering or donating today. We live in the desert. It's all about the water!
Water during the birthing season keep the mothers healthy and helps the mothers produce better quality milk and more of it for the newborns.
Water helps distribute the Elk herds and other wildlife for better utilization of the available forage. Insufficient water distribution causes wildlife to gather in specific areas, leading to excessive habitat use. This overutilization results in habitat degradation and a depletion of available food resources.
There are many areas with great habitat for wildlife but no water to sustain them. If we could increase water in areas of quality wildlife habitat and forage we can sustain more wildlife. Higher herd numbers equals more tags for hunters.
It doesn't get much prettier than this! Our water haulers have been busy keeping the catchments filled. OVER 225,000 gallons so far this year. How can you help?
Do you believe in leaving a long-lasting outdoor legacy for future generations? 
Arizona's conservation leader
