August Newsletter 2020
Overview:
We hope all our members are weathering the current events in good health and spirits. Arizona is continuing to see many COVID cases. Stay in contact with family and friends. Get outside as much as you can and take your dogs with you. Dove opener is only a month away.
Expect to see a survey soon to help us make decisions on our events next season. Our goal is to set our schedule by mid Sep. We will likely not hold large indoor events.
We are seeing new Gambel’s chicks every day. All indications promise better desert quail numbers this coming season. The monsoon which drives Mearns’ numbers has started weak and spotty. Our loose rock dams help during below average rainfall years by keeping more water in the soil longer.
AZ G&F and UofA Gambels Relocation Study
Those that attended our Feb meeting in Green Valley heard Cherie Nelson present info on this study. This short video will give much of the same info to those that missed it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sET1K8tHAs
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Habitat:
The board has approved funding for two water for wildlife projects at BANWR to rehab an old well and add piping to another well. Total of $1400.
We are planning significantly more counter erosion structures as well as seeding in the Coronado National Forest west of Montezuma Pass.
These projects are expected to have volunteer opportunities which will be advertised when the info is available.
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Fair Chase
AZ G&F had a Fair Chase Campaign #IamFairChase”, Check out their posts below.
https://www.facebook.com/azgfd/photos/a.178084410677/10157647912750678/?type=3&theaterhttps://www.facebook.com/azgfd/photos/a.178084410677/10157650613620678/?type=3
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Sportsmen and Women Impact in Arizona
Hunters and Anglers spend $1.3B per year-Pumps $3.8M a day into the state’s economy-This spending supports 21,000 jobs and generates $124M in taxes-Especially benefits rural communities
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Access to Public Lands:
The agreement between the Crown C HOA and AZ G&F providing a sign in box and access to Hog Canyon was reconsidered by the HOA based on input from some landowners that wanted to close access. The HOA did a new vote where open access was passed – this will likely result in opening Adobe Canyon once an agreement is made with AZ G&F. Will keep you advised of progress. Be sure to use the sign in box or risk a trespassing citation.
-Meadow Valley road bypass is still moving forward slowly. The pacing factor is the environmental study required by NEPA. CNF road manager is working to have a road in place for the 21/22 season.
The conservation easement and public access easement on ranch land near Tombstone previously reported on indefinite hold has been reopened. Our board is assessing the request for funding from the chapter. This project is primarily funded by NRCS, AZ G&F and AZ Land and Water Trust It will open 2,100-acres of prime wildlife habitat to public recreation via a permanent conservation easement and public access easement.
Masked Bobwhite Quail (MBW) at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) at BANWR will be releasing the first MBW broods on 23&24 July. Then again on 13&14 Aug, 3&4 Sept, and 24&25 Sept. Depending on COVID guidelines they could use the help of a few extra people to navigate to a release site using a GPS or Gaia phone app while carrying a brood box and then release the brood. It would start at 6:30 am and take 2 hrs or less. Contact Rebecca Chester at 505.270.1492 if you want to help.
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Gundog History:
Project Upland has recently included several interesting podcasts on the history of hunting dog breeds. This particular edition covers the German and East European breeds but it will provide a link to the other editions also. https://projectupland.com/project-upland-listen/hunting-dog-confidential/east-of-the-rhine-pointing-dog-breed-origins-hdc-episode-4/#comment-94380
GSP Pups:GSP pups for sale. 1M and 1F born 5-19-20 Mother and father are both hunting dogs from Tucson. Contact Jim Littlejohn jsl1964@gmail.com or 520.490.1374
Hunting dog to rehome?:One of our members recently had to put down his 14 year old hunting buddy. He is willing to take on an experienced dog that someone else may not be able to care for during the COVID shutdown and take good care of it for the remainder of its life. If you have or know of a candidate let me know and I will connect you.
AZ Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) and Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF):
SAQF is part of AZSFWC. You can sign up for their enews at http://azsfwc.org. This allows us to better coordinate with other wildlife groups and better communicate with AZ G&F leadership. We are part of over 10,000 AZ sportsman represented by this organization. We are also an affiliate of AWF which allows us to pool volunteer help and communicate with other wildlife and conservation organizations.
Please consider purchasing a AZSFWC license plate to support wildlife when you renew your current AZ plate through Service Arizona. The fee for this license supports the conservation grants provided by AZSFWC. Our Family Day/Youth Hunt has received AZSFWC grant support the last two years.
AZSFWC is raffling a new Ford Raptor truck to help pay overhead in place of raffles and auctions at their summit. Info on the raffle and tickets are available at http://azsfwc.org.
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Chapter Website and Facebook:
If you see an error or have a recommendation for improvement, please let us know. We are always looking for pictures, stories or articles to add. We are working to add instagram to our social media offerings. If you see something that would be worthwhile to cross post, please send it to Dave Brown (browndave27@gmail.com) or Kerry Newberry (newberry.kerry@gmail.com). We hope all enjoyed the great dog pictures in our Facebook dog photo contest.
Facebook. Our dog photo contest was enjoyed by many and brought us a few new chapter members. I have to admit I was one of the folks that has been slow to pick up Facebook. I opened an account to see what we are posting along with other wildlife and dog training groups. I learned that I had to have 4 or 5 friends or Facebook kept trying to shut down my account. During the Bighorn Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains with evacuations in the Tucson area Facebook became one of the primary communication tools used by Pima County Sheriff and Forest Service. It may be time for more of us to move into the 21st century and add Facebook to our communication tools.
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Future dates (meetings and QuailFest TBD):
- 1 Sep Dove Opens
- 3-4 Oct Scaled Quail and Box Turtle count
- 16 Oct 2020 Desert Quail Opens
- 19 Nov 2020 Chapter Meeting Sahuarita
- 1 Dec Road Cleanup
- 4 Dec 2020 Mearns Opens
- 6 Dec 2020 QuailFest Sonoita
- 10 Dec 2020 Chapter Meeting Sonoita
- 21 Jan 2021 Chapter Meeting Sonoita
- 7 Feb 2021 Quail Closes
- 9 Feb Road Cleanup
- 18 Feb 2021 Chapter Meeting Sahuarita
- 27/28 Feb 2021 Family Day Empire Ranch