Water distribution plan to benefit Date Creek Ranch cattle, wildlife
WICKENBURG – The Mule Deer Foundation’s Arizona Southwest Chapter is seeking volunteers Oct. 1-2 for a water distribution project at Date Creek Ranch, north of Wickenburg.
Date Creek Ranch is a 38,000-plus-acre working cattle ranch in Game Management Units 20C and 44A. Like many ranches in the Southwest, it faces water distribution challenges to some of the farthest reaches of its lease. A helicopter with a longline will be used to place several water-storage tanks and necessary pipelines throughout the property to benefit the cattle and resident wildlife.
A planning meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 30. There is a need for some volunteers who can depart from ranch headquarters as early as 5 a.m. Oct. 1, in order to be at various sites to receive the water-storage tanks from the helicopter crew. All volunteers are welcome any time Oct. 1-2. It is not mandatory to attend the planning meeting, or be available by 5 a.m. Oct. 1, to volunteer. No experience is necessary.
For more information, or to R,S.V.P., contact: Doug Clark, (623) 293-2371; Jeff Thurman, (623) 293-1727; Jim Lawrence, (623) 764-0249.
Camping is available (no recreational vehicle hookups) between U.S. Highway 93 and ranch headquarters. The project location is just north of highway milepost 178 (for a map, visit https://goo.gl/maps/FyVNdXHWKUt).
The foundation and Date Creek Ranch were brought together through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s “Adopt-A-Ranch” program. Through this program, the foundation and AZGFD will be assisting the ranch in completing mutually beneficial projects.
