Wild+Life E-news
Wild+Life is a monthly e-newsletter with news about wildlife-watching activities, wildlife natural history, habitat and research projects benefiting wildlife, fun facts and upcoming events. Sign up to get Wild+Life delivered to your inbox every month.
August 2018
In This Issue
- Walk on the Wild Side: Raymond Wildlife Area
- This Wildlife: Enter the Wildlife Calendar Photo Contest
- AZGFD Biologists at Work: Representatives Honored by WAFWA
- Wild Arizona: Fighting Invasive Mussels
- AZGFD In the News
- AZGFD Advisory: Monsoon Moisture Brings Increased Exposure to Insect-Borne Diseases
- Upcoming Events
- Video of the Month: Meet George Andrejko, AZGFD’s Photographer
Walk on the Wild Side: Raymond Wildlife Area
Located approximately 30 miles east of Flagstaff, Raymond Wildlife Area is comprised of about 15,000 acres and, as its name implies, was purchased from Dr. R.O. Raymond who was an outdoor enthusiast. Today the area offers the opportunity to view wildlife, including pronghorn, bison, elk, mule deer, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks and Gunnison’s prairie dogs.
Another reason to visit is to observe the earth cracks in the Kaibab limestone throughout the area. While the cracks may look like small openings, they can be deep and extensive. Sunrises and sunsets over the grasslands can be breathtaking, but visitors should be prepared for constant wind in the spring and warm temperatures in the summer.
Yeager Canyon Trail is an easy to moderate two-mile loop near the wildlife area’s headquarters. At its highest point the trail offers amazing views of the San Francisco Peaks, Meteor Crater, Chavez Pass and Anderson Mesa.
To get there: From Flagstaff, go east on I-40 to exit 225 (Buffalo Range Road). Go south on the dirt road for approximately eight miles to the wildlife area boundary. You will see signs indicating the wildlife area and the headquarters is two miles from the property boundary. Watch for pronghorn, deer, elk and an occasional coyote as you drive along Buffalo Range Road from I-40. Buffalo Range Road is passable and usually in decent shape for a two-wheel drive vehicle but a high clearance vehicle is required for traveling other dirt roads within the wildlife area.
This Wildlife: Enter the Wildlife Calendar Photo Contest
Do you have a knack for capturing great photos of Arizona’s wildlife? Do you want to see your photo on the cover of Arizona Wildlife Views, Arizona’s award-winning magazine about wildlife and outdoor recreation? Then you won’t want to miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 12th annual Arizona Wildlife Photo Contest. One best in show and 11 first-place winners will be showcased in the 2019 calendar, published in the November-December 2018 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views. The contest accepts entries through Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. MST. Read more
AZGFD Biologists at Work: Representatives Honored by WAFWA
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) honored conservation professionals from several western states with awards commending their work to conserve fish and wildlife resources at an awards ceremony July 16 at the organization’s annual conference in Eugene, Ore.
Julie Meka Carter, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s statewide native aquatic program supervisor, was recognized with the WAFWA Contributor of the Year Award along with Jon Sjöberg and Therese Thompson for their work with the Western Native Trout Initiative. The group revised the Western Native Trout Initiative’s strategic plan to more effectively target western native trout conservation.
In addition, Tom Mackin was honored with WAFWA’s 2018 Special Recognition Award for his volunteer service to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Edward “Pat” Madden, former chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, was awarded with a WAFWA lifetime membership for his career accomplishments and service to the commission.
Wild Arizona: Fighting Invasive Mussels
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has allocated more than $4 million to support existing work by western states and tribes to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels. Arizona has several quagga mussel-infested waterbodies and will benefit from the increased funding. The allocation is part of an initiative by Department of Interior Secretary Zinke called, “Safeguarding the West: Actions to Strengthen Federal, State, and Tribal Coordination to Address Invasive Mussels.” Arizona was among the first western states to have an introduction of the invasive mussels following their 2007 discovery in Lake Mead. Read more
AZGFD In the News
APS and Arizona Game and Fish come together to save osprey nestling
The Arizona Daily Sun covered the rescue of an osprey that got its talon caught in twine and netting in its nest in Flagstaff. A local birdwatcher and photographer contacted AZGFD to help with APS also coming to assist. “APS brought its bucket truck to the site, which hoisted an APS worker and AZGF employee up 85 feet next to the snag, where they were able to free the osprey from the entanglement,” according to the article. Read the article
Game and Fish, volunteers still hauling water for wildlife
AZGFD continues to fill more 3,000 water catchments throughout the state to help wildlife find water during the drought. The White Mountain Independent covered the effort, reporting that in a normal year the department delivers about 400,000 gallons of water but this year expects to deliver 1.5 million gallons. Read the article
Biologists fighting back against invasive snail
Biologists recently took to the Salt River by kayak to help remove invasive apple snails. They were on the lookout for groupings of bubblegum pink eggs, which were knocked into the water where the snails can’t survive. KTVK 3TV joined us at the river to learn about this important initiative and how the public can help. (Hint: “Just use your paddle.”) Watch the news report
AZGFD Advisory: Monsoon Moisture Brings Increased Exposure to Insect-Borne Diseases
Weather forecasts are showing that a resurgence of Arizona’s monsoon is on the horizon and while badly needed moisture may be on the increase, so will the possibility of insect-borne diseases that can impact people, pets and wildlife. Earlier this month a dead prairie dog tested positive for plague in Coconino County and Maricopa County Vector Control officials detected West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses in mosquito pools. Another disease not uncommon during summer months is tularemia, an infection that can be transmitted to humans.
“These diseases can have a devastating impact on Arizona’s wildlife, causing die-offs in rabbits, rodents, squirrels and prairie dogs,” said Anne Justice-Allen, Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife veterinarian. Read more
Upcoming Events
Presentation About Funding Source for Outreach, Education and Public Awareness — Aug. 9 webcast
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will webcast a presentation outlining the need to establish a dedicated funding source for outreach, education and public awareness. The webcast, scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 9, will open a 30-day public input period that ends Sept. 8. The webcast will be recorded and made available throughout the public input period. Read more
Night Hike — Aug. 17 at Ben Avery Shooting Range in Phoenix
Join our biologists for a nighttime walk of discovery as we explore the hidden lives of nocturnal animals. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is home to a variety of wildlife including coyotes, bobcats, mule deer, owls, mice, snakes, scorpions and an abundance of other animals. While afield, we will black-light for scorpions and search for other wildlife such as snakes and mice that are active at night during the warm months. Register online
Annual Elk Viewing Workshop — Aug. 18 at Mormon Lake
Ever wonder what it would be like to see hundreds of elk in one place at one time? That opportunity is possible during the elk viewing workshop hosted by AZGFD with support from the Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience and Mormon Lake Lodge. The workshop includes a presentation and field trip to watch elk at Mormon Lake. Register online
Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet — Aug. 18 in Scottsdale
Make plans to attend the 21st annual Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet and honor your fellow conservationists on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort. This year’s inductees into the Outdoor Hall of Fame include two outstanding individuals, Catherine Cimellaro and Tracy Unmacht, and three outstanding organizations, the Arizona Deer Association, Diablo Trust, and the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Get more information and order tickets
Bat Netting along the Verde River — Sept. 7 at Needle Rock Recreation Area
Arizona is home to 28 species of bats, many of which live and forage right in our own backyards. This is an exciting opportunity to meet these misunderstood and fascinating creatures in person. Register online
Video of the Month: Meet George Andrejko, AZGFD’s Photographer
George Andrejko has been the department’s official photographer since 1989, and his photos illustrate exactly why a picture is worth a thousand words. George’s iconic photos have covered three decades of historic wildlife relocations and recovery efforts led by AZGFD. While he has captured amazing pictures of Arizona’s wildlife, he’s especially fond of photographing birds. “You see the intricacies of their colorations of their patterns of their sizes,” he said. “There’s always a new shot or a better pose.”
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