AND THEN THERE WERE SOME

[Outdoor Writer]

This one is from the early 1980s.

 

AND THEN THERE WERE SOME

 

Copyright by Tony Mandile

 

Consider this. Arizona Game and Fish Department records indicate the last known elk sighting occurred sometime in the late 1800s. Their high-pitched bugles, once heard throughout the forest on frosty fall mornings, silenced. Huge herds no longer grazed in the cienagas and meadows. By the turn of the century, elk in Arizona were extinct.

 

No one knows all of the facts concerning their disappearance, but historians quickly blame indiscriminate hunting by miners, soldiers and settlers in the territory. Mankind, looking to survive the times, reduced the majestic elk to a bare necessity --- a source for food and clothing.

 

Because of their size and superior eating qualities, the wapiti became the favorite target of the meat hunters. Many military outposts in the west subsisted solely on elk meat. Elk hides, often sold and traded, produced tough, durable leather for shirts, jackets and britches. The animal's canine teeth, although merely considered trinkets or curiosities with no real use, became collector's pieces;a fad responsible for the slaughter of thousands of elk.

 

Now, nearly a century later, as many of the state's sportsmen already know, Arizona's elk herds are flourishing; thriving so well, in fact, that biologists estimate their population may be at an all-time high, numbering somewhere between 8 to 10 thousand animals.

 

Annual hunts have taken place since 1950, when slightly more than 4,000 hunters garnered nearly 1,500 bulls and cows, In 1984 almost 10,000 modern firearm, archery and muzzleloader hunters went afield in quest for a trophy or meat for the freezer. Ironically, these sportsmen expected to harvest 2000 elk, the estimated SURPLUS!

 

What caused the about-face? It happened because a few people cared.

 

In 1913 members of the Winslow B.P.O.E (Elk) Club obtained 86 elk from one of the few remaining herds in the country at the time in Yellowstone National Park. The forests of the Mogollon Rim, historical habitat for the elk, became their new home. Over a period of 14 years, more Yellowstone animals supplemented the original bunch.

 

Now, 58 years after the last elk were brought to the state, they range throughout most of Arizona's forests; a reestablishment that might be the most fruitful ever accomplished.

 

Commonly referred to as transplanting, the practice undoubtedly has become an exceptional tool for wildlife management. For those unfamiliar with the mechanics, the operation calls for safely capturing, transporting and releasing the target animals. Of course, certain risks exist. Even with extensive preparation and great care, unavoidable, fatal mishaps sometimes happen causing injury or death. The incidents are few, however.

 

According to Game Branch Supervisor Dave Brown, the Arizona Game and Fish Department utilizes game transplants for three reasons: 1) relocating native species into historical habitat; 2) habitat extension consisting of planting wildlife onto suitable ranges not previously occupied by them; and 3) introductions of non-native species or exotics in areas thought favorable for their survival and reproduction.

 

The elk transplants are an outstanding example of the first reason. Another successful and dramatic example, however, resulted in the comeback of the bighorn sheep. The present population estimate of the once-endangered animal is approximately 3,500. Considering the current research and management, officials believe the number could double in the near future.

 

At one time the desert bighorn inhabited most of Arizona's mountain ranges. Human encroachment, the enigma of the elk, played a major role in their decline, too. Meat hunters, unparticular as to what type of game graced the table, haphazardly slaughtered hundreds of sheep.

 

In addition, hordes of domestic livestock competed with the bighorns for the sometimes scarce, available food and water. Disease, introduced and transmitted by the livestock, decimated entire herds.

 

Finally, interested citizens, who feared the demise of the bighorn, sought to protect it. To prevent the sheep's extinction, government agencies established the Kofa Game Range and Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge in 1939.

 

Located in southeastern Arizona, they constituted the last remaining strongholds for the bighorn. In time, the two areas provided a nucleus herd, subsequently permitting game researchers to undertake transplants into other historical bighorn areas.

 

The AGFD selected Aravaipa Canyon, near Klondyke, as the site for the initial restocking. They constructed a 112-acre enclosure in 1957 and released 8 sheep within the following two years. The herd failed to reproduce and dwindled to two rams by 1964. Determined personnel transferred eight more bighorns from the Kofa Game Range. The second effort produced the desired results when the herd grew to 22. Hopeful the sheep would adapt, game specialists released them from the control area.

 

Sheep in Aravaipa steadily increased to the present estimated population of 100. In 1980, permits to hunt desert bighorn in the canyon became a reality. The unit has produced exceptional rams, including a record book head taken in 1982 by John Harris. Jim Ferguson of Yuma, who won a raffled permit that the state had donated to the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, pursued a ram at Aravaipa in December.

 

Elated with the apparent success of the first bighorn transplant, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, with the aid of advanced trapping techniques, has continued to reestablish the sheep. Since 1980 it has relocated animals into the Superstition, Virgin, Galiuro and Eagletail Mountains; the Paria Canyon Primitive Area, the Grand Wash Cliffs and Goat Mountain.

 

Some of these ranges have had recent, supplemental stockings. In November, 1984 the Kofa Game Range supplied 30 sheep for release at Coffee Flat in the Superstitions. Redfield Canyon, in the Galiuros, recieved 10 bighorns taken from the Plamosa Mountains.

 

Long-term plans include more than 20 sites already designated as ideal habitat for future releases.

 

Because transplants are extremely expensive, funding sometimes creates an obstacle; it takes $850 to move one sheep. Multiplying this amount times the 54 sheep captured near Lake Mead last year comes to $45,900 --- give or take a few cents!

 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, a self-supporting entity, found it extremely difficult to budget all of the needed funds for transplant efforts. Even though beneficial, some were postponed, while more urgent matters emptied the department's coffers.

 

A group of hunters and conservationists, aware of the need for better sheep management programs, banded together and organized the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society in 1967. Since then, the society has raised thousands of dollars, and members, none of whom receive money for their efforts, have spent hours improving and building waterholes; assisting at sheep captures and releases and donating time for adminstrative work.

 

Last year the ADBSS persuaded the Game Commission to donate two permits for fund-raising efforts. Because no provision for this unprecedented request was ever enacted, the legislature passed an amended law in July 1983.

 

The first permit, auctioned on February 24, 1984 in California at a benefit conducted by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, raised $64,000 --- the amount bid by Don Pocapalia of Ranchos Palos Verdes, California.

 

The second one, mentioned earlier, brought another $82,450. The total revenue from both permits, along with other fund-raising activities, amounted to $149,000. Since all of this money will help safeguard the bighorn's welfare, the department can use other funds on additional projects. Now, by using this year's society funds only, game managers can relocate 175 1/2 sheep!

 

Transplant programs have benefited the pronghorn antelope, as well. Instead of using native antelope, though, the AGFD conducted numerous trades with other states to bolster Arizona's herds. Bighorn sheep went to both Colorado and Utah in exchange for pronghorns. In addition, the Colorado Division of Wildlife received Gamble's quail.

 

The Arizona Strip (unit 13B) received 83 pronghorns in 1979, another 82 in 1982 and 95 animals from Colorado last year. An aerial survey conducted in 1983 over the Main Street/Hurricane Valley portion of the Strip accounted for 121 animals.

 

For the transplants on the Arizona Strip to be successful, cooperation from the ranchers, who hold grazing rights to the land, was needed. They moved cattle and allocated forage for the pronghorns. Fence modifications were necessary so that the antelope, but not the cattle, could pass under them.

 

Pronghorns from Utah and Colorado were placed in the House Rock Valley area in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Officials are confident that this plant eventually will yield the fruits of their efforts and soon permit them to allow hunting in Unit 12A.

 

Between the 1940's and 50's, areas in southeastern Arizona received antelope captured in the northern part of the state. Some survived, but most, unable to cope with the harsh desert climate, disappeared.

 

Traditionally, the north-central part of the state is the southern range extension for this species, classified as Antelocapra americana americana.

 

Not ready to accept defeat, game managers elected to reestablish another subspecies of the pronghorn. Known scientifically as Antelocapra americana mexicana, the Chihuahuan antelope originally ranged throughout southeastern Arizona, west to Texas and into northern Mexico. Because the animal was once native to the state, biologists felt they would adapt better than the northern species.

 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department captured 51 chihuahuan pronghorns and turned them over to Arizona. They were released on the Empire Ranch in 1981. Even though it's too early for proclaiming this transplant a smashing success, fawn survival proved satisfactory, and the population now numbers more than 75.

 

The North Kaibab Game Preserve, long noted as a trophy deer factory, offers quality turkey hunting, too. Yet, as far as biologists know, the birds never lived there. Research showed the Kaibab's habitat closely paralleled the turkey's traditional environment and the birds would not be detrimental for the resident animals such as the deer and the Kaibab squirrel. With birds from elsewhere in the state, a new range, formerly devoid of turkey, was added.

 

The Abert squirrel is another good example of range extension. The Abert, a subspecies of the tassel-eared squirrel, originally lived in the ponderosa pine forests of the Mogollon Rim and a few scatttered locations throughout northern Arizona.

 

Approximately 40 years ago, the U.S. Forest service requested the Arizona Game and Fish Department to eliminate some of the squirrels from the Fort Valley Experimental Forest west of Flagstaff. Forest service officials expressed concern that the animals were causing serious harm to the trees. After research showed a large population existed, trapping and relocation began.

 

Aberts were introduced in the Catalina, Pinaleno, Pinal, Bradshaw, Granite and Hualapai Mountains, which all have well-established populations, now. In fact, Aberts inhabit most areas that have suitable ponderosa stands. Because ranges such as the Santa Rita, Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains already support good numbers of native tree squirrels, transplants into these places are unlikely.

 

The Kaibab squirrel, another subspecies of the tassel-eared, was a target for range extention, too. Before the transplants, which took place between 1972 and 1977, this species existed on the the Kaibab Plateau only. The initial introduction took place on Mt. Logan in the Arizona Strip. The squirrels expanded their range themselves and, at present, inhabit pine forests on Mt. Trumbull, Mt. Emma and the Sawmill Mountains.

 

Many states now support non-native game species on public lands. A few of these programs proved worthwhile; others, such as the unintentional introduction of aoudad that escaped from a private ranch in New Mexico, backfired. But intentional transplants, if managed properly, can be a benefit.

 

Last year, Ray Rende of Phoenix drew a sheep tag in Unit 27. Why was that unusual? Even though the permit specified that he could kill any ram, what really made the permit unique compared to others for sheep was that he hunted a Rocky Mountain bighorn, a species never available before in Arizona!

 

The nucleus for the herd came from a trade with Colorado. In exchange for desert bighorns, Arizona got Rocky Mountain sheep. At the present time, they inhabit the San Francisco River area of eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border.

 

The buffalo, both at Raymond Ranch and House Rock, are one more instance of exotic game in the state.

 

Way back in 1884, a buffalo hunter named Charles J. "Buffalo" Jones captured 57 calves in the Texas Panhandle. He moved about 35 of them to the Kaibab Plateau in 1905 and another 87 in 1906. After three years, Jones lost interest in raising buffalo, so he drove the herd into Utah and sold them. Unknowingly, Charlie left some strays behind.

 

The few remaining buffs became the property of Jim Owens, owner of the Grand Canyon Cattle Company. In 1927, 98 descendants of the original strays roamed the Kaibab. The state, thinking Houserock Valley would be ideal habitat for the buffalo, purchased the herd for $10,000. Since then, the AGFD added a few more animals to keep the herd's genetic balance in tune and transferred some to Raymond Ranch.

 

The method used to cull the surplus created much controversy when the movie, "Bless The Beasts And The Children," arrived in theaters across the country. Although the picture exaggerated the facts, critics blasted the procedure. The game department instituted a few changes, and now, nary a harsh word is uttered.

 

Over the years, the game and fish department has planted about five different species of imported, pen-bred birds such as ringneck and Afghan peasant, chukar partridge, Franklin grouse and California Mountain quail. Results of these plants were mixed. The birds took hold in certain locales, while they virtually disappeared in others.

 

A small pheasant population lives on the Arizona Strip, and the chukar adapted to the habitat around Kanab Creek. There is a statewide firearm season for chukar, but hunters seeking pheasant are limited to archery or falconry.

 

For transplants to be feasible, advantages should outnumber disadvantages. Researchers often study proposed programs for a long time before planning the logistics of the actual operation. In this way, they can determine the consequences of the proposal --- hopefully, before a detrimental impact takes place. Even with a few failures and possible mistakes, the majority of the reprecussions in Arizona have been beneficial. Without the transplant projects, possibly 90% of the game in this state would be absent, today.

 

 

 

----- 30 -----

[Red Rabbit]

Tony, that was fast as we were talking of this yesterday at Marshall Lake. Thanks for coming up with Ellen and Sasha.

 

Here is a c&p of an article that Gary/elkaholic made on another forum. Great info on the original transplant of elk into Arizona.

 

"How First Elk Herd Was Brought To Arizona

Reprint of article taken from the BPOE Elks No. 536 publication of the Meteor published October 1955 in Winslow.

 

(We wish to thank Brother O C Eldridge for his time and effort used in getting together the information in this article)

 

 

 

The name "Elk" is one from the Old World, while the true name "Wapiti" stems from the Shawnee Indian tongue. The transplanting of the Cervus Canedensis is a stimulating story enriched with the fulfillment of vision, dreams and courage.

 

In the August 1912 issue of Outdoor Life Magazine there was an article entitled "Trapping and Shipping Elk" authored by a Dr. Shore. A Young frontier doctor, R N Looney, member of the Elks Lodge in Prescott, Arizona, read with avid interest the factual report of the trapping and transferring to other suitable localities of elk from the Northern herd in Yellowstone Park. There an idea was born and Dr. Looney immediately contacted Dr. Shore for further data on the feasibility of starting a herd in the Northern Arizona Sitgreaves forest. Mr. E W Nelson, head of the US Biological Survey, now Fish and Wildlife Commission, rendered his support to the idea and put Dr. Looney in touch with the Boone and Crockett Club of New York (Teddy Roosevelt, first president) who gave very valuable assistance and advise as to the class of elk to ship (age, sex) and how they should be handled after they arrived on their new range. They even expressed a desire to stand the expense of this experiment in Arizona, provided a permit could be secured. Contact was also established with a Mr. Anderson of Gardnier, Montana, who would be in charge of capturing the elk if the authorization for the same was forthcoming.

 

Armed with all the necessary data, Dr. Looney consulted George W P Hunt, first Governor of Arizona, for official sanction, and after gaining the Governor's full support, they enlisted the able support of Senator Henry F Ashurst. With these letters of introduction, the venerable doctor went to Washington to petition the U S Department of Interior for a permit. The secretary was so favorably impressed by the enthusiasm, plans and effort that he immediately granted a permit for eighty head.

 

It was during this negotiating and capturing that Mr. Mulford Winsor, Past Exalted Ruler of Yuma Lodge No. 476, acting on behalf of Elk's clubs of the state, contacted Dr. Looney and petitioned him to let the Elks of Arizona adopt this as their project. This was agreed upon and Brother Winsor activated the committee and started campaigning for funds to effect this noble and tremendous task.

 

The elk were corralled near Gardnier, Montana, under the supervision of Mr. Anderson and evenly divided into rail cars. They left for Winslow on February 16, 1913. It might be noted here that while records in the National Archives of the United States reveal 80 head were authorized September 24,1912 and shipped January 31, 1913, the actual number loaded was 86 head and were shipped about February 16, 1913 (according to Dr. Looney). The original authorization or permit, or copy of same, is not on file at any Government department, and therefore presumed lost.

 

They were shipped double first class, traveling 24 hours and resting the same period accompanied by a hired ($10.00 per day) competent keeper the entire distance to Winslow, Arizona.

 

About 9:00am on the morning of February 28, 1913, the elk arrived in Winslow a No. 33 train, engine 845. The crew as follows. Engineer S W Proctor, Conductor B A Rohles and Brakeman D B Crozer (other crewmembers unknown). They were transferred to the Santa Fe stockyards where the Elks of Winslow assumed charge with the capable assistance of Brother Charles C Moyer, who wrangled and handled them from corral to area of transplanting. All these arrangements were worked out by the Elks' Club, then located over the Palace of Sweets on Second Street, at which time Brother W J Crozer was Exalted Ruler and Jonnie Bauer was Secretary.

 

It should be remembered here that Lodge No. 536 handled and worked out all the details with the committee. To them fell the burden of caring for the elk while in Winslow and getting them to their new home, plus making all arrangements for transporting them to the forest and building facilities for them at their destination, Cabin Draw. The men who were active in this project are many, so we shall just admire the efficiency of Winslow Lodge in carrying out this tremendous task.

 

In this eighty-six head of elk, there were four (4) grown cows, fourteen (14) bulls, sixty-eight (68) heifer yearlings. Of this entire herd, two (2) were lost, one (1) enroute and one (1) at the corral at the R C Creswell summer camp at Cabin Draw. This left a total of eighty-four (84) head turned loose in the Sitgreaves Forest forty-five (45) miles south of Winslow, Arizona.

 

I will quote Brother Charles C Moyer, who was in charge of this operation from the stockyards to the area of transplanting:

 

"We allowed these elk to stay in the pens at the stockyard for twelve (12) days where they were watched and fed and allowed time to rest in preparation for the trip South to their new home."

 

"Brother Charles Daze furnished most of the work horses and wagons, (which were built up with side boards including the top in crate form). In all there were twelve (12) wagons, eleven (11) men, twenty-four (24) workhorses and one (1) saddle horse. I am listing the line-up of wagons, drivers and elk."

 

Wagons Drivers No. Elk

 

2 Charles Moyer 16

2 Andrew "Windy Bob" Stencel 16

1 Jim Burkett Sr 8

1 Ernie Burkett (son) 8

1 Jess Burkett (son) 8

1 Cy Perkins Sr 8

1 Frank Perkins (son) 8

1 Frank Ketchum 6

1 Leonard Fenton 4

1 Charlie Roberts 4

 

 

"One swamper, Bony Duran with a saddle horse."

 

"We certainly had a hard time loading the elk into the crated wagons. After they were loaded, we left the wagons in the pens overnight to be certain the crates would hold. The men that had private wagons slept with their wagons".

 

"During the night the wind came up, bitter and cold, and at 4:00 am on March 13, 1913, we started to roll south. All day it was windy, cold and cloudy. It was a hard drag on the teams and men as they were facing the biting wind all the way to our first stay over, the Spellmire and Lyons shearing camp."

 

"It was getting late when we hit camp and was dark from heavy, threatening clouds with an increasing wind. The camp was located twenty-five (25) miles out of Winslow."

 

"I took the first three hour guard. After that we were up most of the night as the elk were very restless. As I remember it started sleeting about 2:00 am and between 4:00 and 5:00 am, when we started on our last leg of the journey, the snow had piled up a couple of inches. I can remember how cold it was and the wind was blowing snow right in our faces, which caused much discomfort to men and horses. The nearer we approached Cabin Draw, the deeper the snow was. However, when we entered the pine timber, the wind abated some but the snow was still coming down hard."

 

"The two lead teams took turns breaking the road. Our single teams with eight head in each wagon so our swamper with his saddle horse had to help them out on hills. He did this by tying his rope to the wagon tongue and a hitch to his saddle horn, making quite a booster and very necessary as the weather was becoming worse. We then had a report that we had a calf down in one of the wagons. However, we did not stop as the teams were tiring and it would be most difficult to start once we had stopped. When we tipped the hill into Cabin Draw, it was all downhill two miles to Creswell Ranch, which was the designated area to turn the elk herd loose. The balance of the trip we encountered snow about ten inches deep and we pulled into the ranch about dusk."

 

"The Winslow Lodge had a man, Brother Roscoe Gates, waiting there for us at the corral he had built. The corral was constructed of smooth wire about seven feet high and located on the edge of a water tank where the elk could drink. Hay was distributed about the corral with some six ton in reserve."

 

"We backed each wagon in turn up to the corral gate and removed the tail gates from the wagons. The calves would jump as far as they could into the snow. By the time the last wagon was unloaded, we were using lanterns, and very glad the job was completed."

 

"The men and horses were all in, Roscoe Gates had plenty of hot coffee and beans waiting for us that night, about half the men would sit up and keep the fire burning in the fireplace while the others slept. Before turning in, I suggested that we leave as early as possible as we might get snowed in. We decided to leave just before daylight."

 

"That was one long, hard trip back to Winslow, taking twelve to fifteen hours. Two of the teams played out so we had to double the wagons and lead horses. The snow was about eighteen inches deep when we left Cabin Draw. Roscoe Gates stayed at the corral to feed and watch the elk and, as I remember, he stayed there thirty days. However they were fed all winter." (End of quote by Charles Moyer)

 

There was an article written by one of the committee members, Brother Mulford Winsor, which appeared in the Thursday evening edition of the Arizona Gazette of April 16, 1914, part of which I will quote.

 

"The principal danger to the animals lies in depredations by human poachers and mountain lions, the later being fairly numerous in the forest. The consequences of the activities of he lions must be accepted as a matter of course, but every effort is being made to protect the elk from the aggressions of conscienceless hunters. Thee State Game Warden, backed up by authority of the law which aims to afford complete protection to the elk, is taking an active interest in the enterprise. Brother C M Bledsoe of Winslow Lodge 536, who has played a prominent part in carrying out the undertaking since the arrival of the herd in Winslow, has been appointed a deputy game warden and his special care is Arizona's herd of elk. Other appointments have been made, of interested parties, mostly members of the Order, living in the forest, who, with the assistance of the Forest Ranger, the latter under full instructions of the department with which they are connected, will afford all the protection within their power. Since transgressions by poachers will be vigorously prosecuted by State Game Warden Frank W Rogers, and his assistants, it is believed that poaching will be effectively prevented. It is hoped, should information regarding poaching come to the attention of a member of the Order, that State Game Warden Rogers be promptly notified."

 

"The original herd has split into several parties but none have wandered far from the point where they were originally placed. Several of these small herds have been seen recently and it was learned that they were accompanied by a number of healthy looking calves. There is no question that the increase in numbers will be rapid and that, before many years, Arizona will possess well stocked preserves of which it may well be proud."

 

"From every viewpoint the enterprise appears to be an unqualified success. The elk have been transported form a long distance, placed into their new home under favorable conditions and are strong and healthy. The members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks throughout Arizona have every reason to congratulate themselves upon this practical solution of the problem of preserving the noble animal from which their Order derives its name. Our success has blazed the path for the Elks of other states, and already similar enterprises are underway elsewhere."

 

(Editors note of 8/16/55: U S Department of The Interior National Park Service, John E Doer, Acting Chief Division of Interpretation, informed us as follows. "Report of acting Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park for 1913 states that during the winter of 1912-13, 538 elk were shipped from Yellowstone to various locations between the months of December and March.")

 

"The entire expense of the undertaking was $2,125.07 covered by contributions received from eleven Arizona Lodges, the State Association, Governor George WP Hunt and Dr. R N Looney. This record has proven truly remarkable and constitutes a matter which can well be viewed with pride by every member of the Order in Arizona." (End of quote by Brother Winsor)

 

Dr. Looney of Prescott informed our reporter that he advanced $1000 as did Governor Hunt to finance this project and that they were reimbursed by the above mentioned Lodges after collections were made. Part of the expense has been discovered. Capturing the elk, $5.00 per head, $400.00; Freight from Gardinier, Mont., to Winslow, Ariz., $865.00; Keepers wagers $120.00; Wagon expense to Cabin Draw, $400.00. It is not known whether the Winslow Lodge was ever fully reimbursed for all the expenses incurred. The now retired frontier doctor, R N Looney, had nothing but praise for the tremendously successful manner in which the Winslow B P O E handled the transporting. He informed our reporter that "The Lodge was a veritable jewel and assumed this heavy responsibility and accomplished the feat without any difficulty despite adverse conditions and other factors."

 

In the Thursday evening edition, September 17, 1914, of the Arizona Gazette, State Game Warden G M Willard gave a report on the condition of the herd of elk on their new range, which I quote in part.

 

"According to reports reaching this office the herd must have scattered badly during the summer and fall of 1913, but nevertheless fifty-three head of them got back and wintered about fifteen miles further back in the mountains from where they were liberated. An old trapper, who has considerable experience with elk in the Northern States and who saw fifty-three head during the months of March and April of 1914, was very emphatic in the declaration that they were by long odds the finest herd of elk he ever looked upon."

 

"Reports indicate that at least four calves were born to he herd for the year 1913, not a bad showing, since there were only six or eight head old enough to calve."

 

"No depredations against the herd are reported or suspected except one having been killed and another one by Indians from the White Mountain Reservation. I think the agent among these Indians should use his influence to impress upon them the idea that the elk finding their way onto the reservation are not to be regarded as wild game, but as domestic animals, and receive the same consideration. He should exercise greater care in granting permits to leave the reservations, for unquestionably the Indians have been abusing their privilege by periodic hunting expeditions into the very region occupied most of the time by the elk. It is my aim to put a stop to the practice if I have to arrest the whole tribe. We have no report as yet of this years calves, but we expect a full crop."

(End of quote by Warden Willard)

 

Two days prior to this article the same Game Warden sent an application to Mr. Franklin G Lane, Secretary of the Interior, petitioning his consideration for a permit to take from the Yellowstone herd a car load (forty or fifty head) of elk to the Graham Mountains in the State of Arizona.

 

My deepest thanks to the following who have cooperated with me over the past few months in compiling this data: Brother Charles C Moyer of Winslow; DR. R N Looney of Prescott; Brother Mulford Winsor, Director of Library Archives for the State of Arizona; Arizona Game and Fish Commission; Brother Jess Fears of Payson; Brother Frank Ketchum of Winslow; The Honorable Stuart L Udall, Arizona Representative District No 22; U S Department of the Interior; National Park Service; U S Department of Army; Chief of Legislative Liaison; Mr. Wayne C Grover, Archives of the United States of America; Brother Charles Rapson of Winslow; Outdoor Life Magazine; Brother Lloyd Henning of Holbrook; and many others who assisted in one way or another in the gathering of this information.

 

This article is the result of many months of research work. We do not wish to discredit anyone or any group, as it was our intent and aim to present the facts as they were found. If we have neglected anyone in this presentation, let us assure you it was not intentional."

 

 

[Outdoor Writer]

Yesterday was fun. It was good to get out of town.

 

I had seen that article but long after I had written this one or the one in the thread below.

You should had that article to it, as well. It has some great detail.

 

http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...hp?showforum=51

[hunter4life]

Interesting article. But why the following statement? " Many states now support non-native game species on public lands. A few of these programs proved worthwhile; others, such as the unintentional introduction of aoudad that escaped from a private ranch in New Mexico, backfired. "

 

Aoudad provide an excellent hunting opportunity, can survive in areas with domestic sheep, don't drop dead at the drop of a hat (unlike bighorns), and seem to not affect the local mule deer at all. In my experience some of the best places to hunt mule deer in SE NM also have good numbers of aoudad.

[Coach]

Great article. I had no idea that elk were extinct in AZ. Pretty amazing given the number of animals we have now.

 

I have often wondered why we don't do more pronghorn transplants in Eastern AZ. It always seemed odd to me how we could have so few, while, just across the border in New Mexico they are flourishing. I've heard many stories about pronghorn here, and why our herds are struggling. One was that many winters ago, we had a lot of snow and G&F dumped hay bales out to keep them from starving to death, but somehow they were unable to digest the hay and died. The few remaining had such heavy predation that fawn recruitment from year-to-year was only enough to sustain the numbers. Another explanation I heard from a biologist was that our Eastern pronghorn country has too many Junipers, giving predators more cover to stalk them - whereas the open ranches of New Mexico removed most or all of the junipers in favor or vast stretches of grass-only land that gives them a much higher fawn recruitment rate.

 

I sure would like to see the pronghorn herds in AZ grow to what it seems to me we could easily support. Imagine the additional hunting opportunity we could enjoy if pronghorn tags were plentiful, instead of being nearly impossible to draw. This is one thing I would like to see AZGFD address, and get a little more agressive with. It just seems odd to drive through huge expanses of grasslands and see so few pronhorn compared to similar country in neighboring states.

 

 

[Outdoor Writer]

Interesting article. But why the following statement? " Many states now support non-native game species on public lands. A few of these programs proved worthwhile; others, such as the unintentional introduction of aoudad that escaped from a private ranch in New Mexico, backfired. "

 

Aoudad provide an excellent hunting opportunity, can survive in areas with domestic sheep, don't drop dead at the drop of a hat (unlike bighorns), and seem to not affect the local mule deer at all. In my experience some of the best places to hunt mule deer in SE NM also have good numbers of aoudad.

 

Well, let's see if I remember back that many years.

 

If I recall, the NM G&F was wringing its hands at the time because the proliferation of the non-native aoudads in some key mountain ranges that were historic habitat for the native desert sheep precluded any efforts to restore or boost the populations of the sheep in those areas.

 

I'll see if I can locate some factual info about it.

[tjhunt2]

Glad to finally meet you and your wife, Ellen, this weekend. Enjoyed visiting with everyone who made it out to the cwt outing.

I had read some of this years ago Tony and glad you brought it back up for all of us to read such a great piece of history. I'm sure there are hundreds if not thousands of hunters who haven't a clue as to how elk were brought here. Thanks!

 

TJ

[Outdoor Writer]

TJ,

 

I don't recall who brought it up Sat., but someone mentioned having an acquaintence who supposedly had killed a Merriams elk in 1930. As a result, I mentioned that it was highly unlikely because that subspecies had disappeared many years before then. So....recalling I had written this article and the ones I posted in the elk and buffalo sections, I decided to revive them for a historical perspective on some of AZ's critters.