PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is partnering with the Arizona Elk Society White Mountain Chapter (AES) to offer an elk natural history and viewing workshop on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Eagar. Workshop presentations will be begin at 12 p.m. After the presentations, an early dinner will be served by the AES. Dinner will be followed by a field trip opportunity to view elk nearby. Various field trip opportunities will be available, including some that will require driving and hikes/walks with various degrees of difficulty.
Late September to early October is the best time of year to view elk because it is breeding season (rut). The bulls will bugle as they try to intimidate each other and gather females into harems, and it is truly an awesome time of year to experience this unique wildlife event.
The workshop will be limited to 60 participants. A $20/person dinner ticket (payable to Arizona Elk Society by check only) is required for each reservation. The dinner is a fundraiser for the AES, whose mission is to enhance the quality of wildlife habitat as well as teaching our next generation the importance of being responsible stewards of our national heritage our great outdoors. Dinner will include a hamburger, side and dessert. Children must be 12 years old to participate.
Workshop topics will include:
* Elk Natural History
* Elk Management in Arizona
* History of Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area
* Reintroduction and Management of Mexican Wolves in Arizona
* Elk Calling
* Wildlife Photography by AZGFD photographer George Andrejko
Directions to Sipe: Take Highway 191 south to Eagar toward Alpine; you’ll see the turnoff signs just two miles outside of Eagar. Follow the graded dirt road, suitable for passenger cars, about five miles to the property.
Please wear long pants and hiking/comfortable shoes. Participants might be walking distances of a ¼ mile or more in lowlight conditions. Be prepared for a cool night and possible rain; layering would be best. Also, try to wear dark or camo clothing. White or bright clothes will alert wildlife when we are near. You will also want to bring a headlamp or flashlight, binoculars or spotting scope if you have one, a camera and water. A limited number of spotting scopes and binoculars will be provided.
For more information or to register, call the Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Office at (928) 532-3680. After registration, please mail checks to Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Office at 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop, AZ 85935.
