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Game and Fish response to the Draft EIS. http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/Game-and-Fish-Commission-concerned-that-draft-EIS-for-Mexican-wolf-fails-to-include-Arizona-Cooperator-s-Alternative.shtml

When I used to hunt coues in Mexico we would run across very small, 80 lb coues deer with nice racks. The most notable two were very small with 95" racks. In the scope and binos they looked like great deer and were judged by experienced hunters in the 105-110" range. When we got to them we realized that were very small bodied deer. We called them mouse deer. Especially hard to judge when they were alone.

FInd a group that is actively fighting this like the AES and others and join. Be ready for ACTION. If a call goes out that a certain Legislator, the Feds or someone that can help move us forward needs to hear from you THEN SPEAK UP AND GET INVOLVED. Create a common message and flood the decision makers with that message, get your friends , family and as many people as you can to comment and send messages. NUMBERS are very important. We currently have a message and have drawn a line in the sand that many of the groups and agencies feel will lead to State control and will protect the herds here in AZ while contributing to the recovery. The plan is defensible. We must be able to defend the plan. Help groups that are involved in protecting the herds and hunting raise funds. Litigating and fighting these types of issues is expensive. One of the keys is the common message. We must create a plan that will contribute to the recovery without destroying the herds in AZ. There is not an option that the USFWS will stop the plan to recover the MGW so the defense of "NO WOLVES" is not an option. At that point you will have no standing and nobody will listen. If a group starts a campaign to rewrite the ESA then join them in the fight. If a group starts a campaign to rewrite the Fund for Equal Justice then join them in the fight. This is the tool that the pro wolf people use to litigate. The list goes on and on. THE KEY IS GET INVOLVED, ORGANIZED, FUNDED AND GET YOUR VOICE HEARD WITH A DEFENSIBLE MESSAGE AND BE READY AND WILLING TO DEFEND YOUR POSITION!!!!

Slim, "You have them figured out!!! But you also probably figure out what ever quarry you hunt or put steel on the ground to trap. ( Heath care was just the beginning ). Amazing how so many allow a bunch of empty suits to cram unwanted things down the throats of citizens. And ashamed that on hunting sites when people expose these tyrants. All ya hear is crickets." Hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen, Hunting in the U.S. is under attack. I attended a meeting in the AZ Senate years ago and there was a representative from HSUS there. His quote to the audience at the urging of an AZ Senator was "the ultimate goal of the HSUS is to do away with sport hunting as you know it today, it may not happen in my lifetime but that is the goal of the HSUS" Until hunters and sportsmen stand up, speak up and unite to fight these types of issues we will always be at the mercy of groups like HSUS, CBD, Defenders of Wildlife and others. They are very organized, have lots of money and a long term plan. The AZ Legislature will stand behind the hunters and sportsmen ONLY if we let them know IN MASS that this is an important issue. The legislators need to hear from their constituents. Slim is right that all we do is chirp like a cricket and then when the light comes on we shut up.

Link to the Draft EIS and fact sheet that should confirm that the USFWS wants to spread wolves in unlimited numbers across the State of Arizona. If this goes through they will be placing wolves in a greatly expanded area. There is a provision that will take affect if AZ ungulate herds decrease by 35%. The Arizona Elk Society and other groups, counties, reservations, cattle growers and more are working to limit this plan but since it is the Feds it is an uphill battle. Steve Clark http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/NEPA_713.cfm

Check out the Field and Stream video about this years Arizona Elk Society Buck Springs Riparian Restoration Work Project. Thank you to all the volunteers. Field and Stream AES Video

Stopped by Cabela's today and they have chosen Arizona Hunt of a Lifetime to fund raise for this year. Right now they are having a raffle for a Ruger 10/22 and you can by a few tickets or for $20 get a arm spread amount (wingspan). Stop by and ask for Mitzie to get tickets.

By the way if you have kids and need camo clothes the AES has some to give away. No Cost. It was donated to give to other kids in need.

Do you have a room or garage full of hunting equipment or camping gear you need to get rid of? Are you looking for a great deal of gear for your collection? Hunting season is just around the corner and PVCI is holding their annual Sports Swap for your used gear whether you are selling or buying. July 1st from 6:30-10pm at FOP Lodge #2 on 19th Ave between Cactus and Thunderbird. Rent a table for only $10 to sell or get in early to grab the good deals. http://www.pvci.org/uploads/sports_swap_meet_2014.jpg

Tomorrows the day to get deals on camping, hunting, shooting and fishing gear.

Join the Arizona Elk Society volunteers clearing grassland in Unit 7E. Just off of HWY 180 the volunteers will be handcutting juniper and jack pines to reopen the grassland for elk and antelope. We anticipate clearing about 200-250 acres. Our AES Sawyer crew will be cutting opening to other meadows for connectivity. There will be limbs and trees to stack in the openings. As always all the meals and refreshments will be taken care of by the AES. Tools and gloves will be provided. You do not have to be a member to volunteer. Get out of the heat and have some fun up north. Don't forget we have ongoing water catchment projects all summer long that we need help with in Units 9-7W-7E-8-22 and more. Sign up ONLINE at www.arizonaelksociety.org

We posted a bunch of pictures and there is some great info on the water program on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaElkSociety

G&F does help to organize the groups. There are only a couple of groups that have the capacity to do the day to day work. Most of the groups are volunteers that have real jobs and don't have the time during the day to have meetings and such. There are many parts of G&F that the groups are involved in such as the Hunter and Angler Work Group - made up of 45-60 groups. G&F coordinates all the HAHWG Outdoor Skills hunting camps. There is the Habitat Partnership Committee that many of the groups are involved in that design, coordinate and fund habitat projects for wildlife. The HPC uses the funds from the sale of the Auction Tags for on the ground projects and research, all coordinated by G&F. There is the Local Sportsman's Grant Program that is coordinated by G&F and the groups for camps for youth, women and new hunters. There are many coordination meetings and lots of opportunity for groups to get involved with direction from G&F. Every 60 days the G&F holds the Sportsman's Roundtable meeting to go over issues and things. This is part of their outreach to get the groups more involved. Their are lots of committees set up through G&F that have seats available for sportsmen and groups. Now add in the Forest Service, BLM, State Lands and other agencies and the work load triples.

I will have tables there with lots of lightly used gear and so will lots of others. Check it out. Great way to get rid of unused and unwanted gear and make a few bucks. Plus it is indoors and out of the heat.

Water is life in Arizona. The more reliable water we can provide for wildlife the healthier the cow elk are that are nursing their young, the better we can distribute the elk for the forage use to keep them healthier, and obviously the better the antler growth. There are many areas in elk range that have good forage but no water, there are huge grassland restorations going on in Arizona that have little water in the immediate area - this is part of the tank clean out and water catchment focus this year and next, getting more water to these areas. Join a group and help out, we can always use more help from those that know the areas. $40 a year is not much to be able to help and GET INVOLVED! Take some time and learn about the groups like the AES and you will find like minded folks that are working hard for the wildlife you enjoy. It is Conservation. The last 4 Tracker Magazines are always posted for anyone to read on the AES website, www.arizonaelksociety.org, at the bottom of the Home Page. If you do decide to become a member of the Arizona Elk Society between now we will extend your membership until the end of 2015. Thanks for your support.

There is much small maintenance type work that needs to be done on drinkers in addition to water hauling. The funding for the AES Water for Wildlife program comes from many sources including our Annual Banquets, G&F auction tag funds, other groups like SCI and donations throughout the year. So in essence G&F is involved in what many of the groups are doing for wildlife. The tanks we haul to are chosen by the WMs in the units. In some cases the G&F gives us supplies to fix the tanks. The Department only has so much resource. When the drought gets severe they don't have the capacity to keep up with the work so they contract out some of the work and that is where the AES and others have stepped up and taken the initiative to be the subcontractors. The AES also has a crew on the ground that is fixing 30-50 water catchments this year. We are always looking for volunteers for those projects too. We also have hired a contractor to dig out and seal some old silted in dirt tanks in elk range in Units 7 & 8. We did this last year in Unit 9 and increased capacity to hold water by millions of gallons. Now we still need good rain. We have a list of over 120 drinkers that need maintenance in Units 22-23 and will be trying to put together a crew for those too. Many of these old drinkers are Forest Service and with their budget cuts the maintenance has not been done in over 10 years. Lots of red tape when dealing with the FS but we have been lucky to get agreements in place and permission to fix many of the drinkers. Many of you know how many of these drinkers are out there. G&F has prioritized many of the small drinkers to get rebuilt to turn them into the 30,000 gallon drinkers that elk can use for a season before they dry. In the meantime the WMs try to keep them full and we are proud to assist with these chores. In times like this of severe drought they need all the help they can get. This is part of what conservation of wildlife is all about. Getting involved. To all those that have helped by attending banquets, making donations and volunteering - THANK YOU. To those that don't have the funds think about volunteering. Next time you are going out to do some scouting check out the AES Facebook and website to see if there is a project or need for volunteers in that area and stop by for a day or even half a day to help. You will find a bunch of great volunteers that may have some good info about the type of animals you are looking for.

MARK YOU CALENDARS FOR THE JUNE 28 BANQUET, IN SHOW LOW ARIZONA. NEW ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY CHAPTER IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS On Feb. 15. 2014 the Arizona Elk Society started our 1st New Chapter in the White Mountains. 15 Sportsmen came together to start the “Arizona Elk Society White Mountain Chapter”. Many of our members live in the high country and it made sense to start a chapter in Showlow/Pinetop. The local chapter will bring local knowledge to issues affecting elk while allowing the AESWMC to reach out to the youth and youth groups in the area to get more kids educated about hunting, conservation and the outdoors. Having the local committee members involved in the White Mountain funding for projects and camps brings better working relationships that affect elk and youth in the area. The group has already set a date for their first Banquet to be held on June 28, 2014 at the Elks Club in Show Low. If you would like to get involved in the Arizona Elk Society White Mountain Chapter as a member, volunteer or committee person please contact Jim Warren in Pinetop, oldgobbler@flash.net. 520-237-5824

The Arizona Elk Society hauled 100,000 gallons in May. We are currently hauling right now and fixing a bunch of water catchments. In the last week we hauled about another 20,000 gallons in 9. The AES Water for Wildlife Program will be hauling in 9 and 7 for the next few weeks and praying for rain. We also hired a contractor to clean out a bunch of dirt tanks in 7W. Check out a bunch of the pictures and schedule for tank repairs on our Facebook page.

If you haven't purchased your tickets now is the time to do so. Looks like some great raffles and auction items. Check it out on our facebook. Thanks

Two days left to get in on the Early Bird special for tickets. Elk Hunts, Custom rifles, handguns, artwork and much more. Corporate tables available.

Still have a few tickets left for this raffle. Only 100 sold for this one of a kind pistol

Online registration is open for the June 7 & 8 Burro Creek Project in the White Mountains near Big Lake. http://www.arizonaelksociety.org/get-involved for registration, maps and info. We are also working to restore 40 or so water catchments in Units 7, 7E and 9. Let us know if you are interested in helping. We will be looking for a few volunteers for help during the week and on weekends throughout the summer. stevec@arizonaelksociety.org.

The Banquet on June 28 is getting some great donations. Firearms including a the Layke Tactical new Hunter Series AR, Hualapai Bull Elk Tag (deformed antlered), Colorado Archery Bull Elk Hunt, fishing trips, and much more. Get your tickets now. If you are interested in getting tickets to the Banquet or get tickets and set in on the Layke Tactical AR15 raffle (only 100 tickets sold this time, $20ea/3for$50/7for$100 email Jim at oldgobbler@flash.net.

I lost a grey Carter release in Unit 23S years ago if anyone finds it. Steve

A couple of statements from the FWS you should be worried about: We do not consider a minimum population of around 100 wolves to equate to “self-sustaining” or “viable” (USFWS 2010). At its current size of a minimum of 75 wolves, and even at the current objective of at least 100 wolves, the BRWRA population is, by demographic measures considered small (Shaffer 1987, Boyce 19992, Mills 2007, USFWS 2010) and has a low probability of persistence. The viability of the population when it reaches its target of at least 100 wolves remains unquantified, although qualitatively this target is significantly below estimates of viability appearing in the scientific literature and gray wolf recovery plans, which suggest hundreds to over a thousand wolves are necessary for long term persistence in the wild (78 FR 35664, June 13, 2013). Expand the MWEPA to include the area in Arizona and New Mexico north of Interstate-40 to the state boundary with Utah and Colorado. A MWEPA extended north to the state boundaries with Utah and Colorado would contain core areas of suitable wolf habitat that encompass the Grand Canyon and large areas of adjacent public lands in northern Arizona. In northern New Mexico large areas of potential suitable habitat in national forest lands adjacent to private lands with conservation management would be included (Carroll et al.2006). Within the Colorado Plateau ecoregion, which extends south into 1 northern Arizona and New Mexico, the primary wild ungulate prey species available to support dispersing and/or recolonizing wolves are elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). The largest elk herds in North America are found here and deer and elk are sympatric throughout much of the region (Watkins et al. 2007). The counties in the northern part of Arizona and New Mexico (north of I-40) are primarily rural, with few incorporated municipalities and, with the exception of Colfax County, New Mexico, all have a large proportion of land under Federal or tribal control. Movement of the MWEPA boundary in Arizona and New Mexico north to the state border with Utah and Colorado would add an area with 30,973 square miles (80,219 km29 ) of potential suitable wolf habitat to be managed under the 10(j) experimental population rules. The areas in northern Arizona and New Mexico with potential suitable habitat that could support naturally dispersing and recolonizing wolves can be found within: