PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again partnering with the Arizona Elk Society White Mountain Chapter (AES) to offer an elk natural history and viewing workshop on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Eagar.
Late September to early October is prime elk breeding season and is the best time of year to view the majestic animals. Bulls will bugle as they battle to gather cow elk into harems. It is truly an awesome time of year to experience this unique wildlife event.
Workshop presentations will be begin at 11 a.m., followed by an early dinner served by the AES. After dinner, participants can attend an optional field trip to view nearby elk. Several field trip opportunities will be available, including some that will require driving and hikes or walks with various degrees of difficulty.
The workshop is limited to 100 participants. Children must be 12 years old to participate.
Dinner tickets cost $20 per person and must be payable by check only to Arizona Elk Society. The dinner is a fundraiser for the AES, which aims to enhance the quality of wildlife habitat as well as teaching future generations the importance of being responsible stewards of our national heritage our great outdoors. Dinner will include a hamburger, side and dessert.
Workshop topics 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
OR
How to Get Started Hunting by AES
Directions to Sipe
Take Highway 191 south to Eagar towards Alpine; you’ll see the turnoff signs just two miles outside of Eagar. Follow the graded dirt road, which is suitable for passenger cars, about five miles to the property.
What to wear
Wear long pants and hiking/comfortable shoes. Participants might be walking distances of a ¼-mile or more in low light conditions. Dress in layers, be prepared for a cool night and possible rain. Dark or camouflage clothing is best as white or bright clothes will alert wildlife to your location. Also consider bringing a headlamp or flashlight, binoculars or spotting scope, a camera and water. A limited numbers of spotting scopes and binoculars will be provided.
Additional details
For more information or to register, call Diane Tilton at the Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Office at (928) 532-3691 or email dtilton@azgfd.gov. After registration, please mail checks to Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Office at 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd, Pinetop, AZ 85935.