Daily Archives: July 6, 2015

Two youths suffer minor injuries from elk encounter

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Elk_-_Trash_Lid_-_Large_1KINGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been informing people for years about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Last week, Mohave County Parks reported that two youths suffered minor injuries that likely were the result of elk seeking human food.

The encounter, which took place in Hualapai Mountain Park, involved a family at a picnic table. A group of elk approached the family and encircled the table. The two youths, a boy and girl, were injured by the hooves. The girl suffered a bloody nose and minor injuries to the forehead and lower leg, while the boy suffered a bump to the forehead.

“They were not feeding the animals, but this encounter was clearly the result of past behaviors of the public.”” said Zen Mocarski, information and education program manager for the department’s regional office in Kingman.

“The family tried to keep the table between themselves and the elk, but the elk continued to move around the family,” said Brandon Oktay, park superintendent. “The park is a place to visit and enjoy, and I’m disappointed this family had to experience something like this. Those children were frightened, but the parents declined medical assistance and the injuries appear to be minor, which is the good news.”

“While I’m sure the children were scared, this could have turned out worse,” Mocarski said. “Elk are large, wild animals, but some people continue to treat them like pets. It is a bit disheartening to hear about the circumstances surrounding this encounter, because Game and Fish has been warning the public of the dangers of feeding wild animals for many years.”

Mocarski said feeding issues in the community near the park have been severe despite warnings. In 2007, two elk needed to have trash can lids removed from their necks, which prompted the park to replace the type of lids on the cans and posted signs not to feed wildlife.

In 2005, two deer in two days were killed by a lion in driveways within the community, which prompted Game and Fish to post warning signs. There’s also the possibility of disease transmission when wildlife exist in unnaturally high densities in such a small area. Some diseases, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, are transmitted through saliva, so feeding from the same food source can decimate herds.

In 1995, two dozen deer, apparently starving, were killed at the Grand Canyon. Following a necropsy, it was found the deer had lost their ability to digest vegetation due to being hooked on junk food. Mocarski said the common link is humans feeding wildlife.

“The message is stop feeding wildlife,” Mocarski said. “Wild animals are supposed to disperse and forage, but some people mistakenly believe the animals need assistance. Feeding wildlife is not an act of selflessness, it’s a selfish act that has now resulted in two children getting injured. This has to stop.”

There is a statewide ordinance against feeding wildlife, but it only applies to counties with populations of 280,000 or more, including Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. The best practice for those wishing to see or help wildlife is to plant native vegetation.

“The bottom line is that things like chips or pretzels, which are not particularly good for humans, are certainly not good for wildlife,” Mocarski said. “Neither are the hay bales visible throughout the community. Allow these animals to forage naturally. They should have a natural fear of humans, not expect a handout.”

Northern Arizona Gazette editor takes the Iron Apparel challenge

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WILLIAMS — Glen Davis, editor of Northern Arizona Gazette, learned of the Iron Apparel 22 post traumatic stress disorder video challenge in late June. As a Navy veteran, he decided to accept the challenge.

The original intent was to hike the two miles from Williams to Benham trail. There he would camp and conduct other challenges. The weather changed, however, and he had to get a ride home.

“I want to stress that I did not do it alone,” Glen said. “I hiked with my well-known companion Prince. I also had a friend check on my progress. Because I had planned to camp, I had another friend bring extra supplies and things I forgot. When the weather turned, my friend had to give me a ride home.”

He would have stayed, but he was camped among tall pines and was concerned about pending lightning. There was a recent death from a lighting strike in Flagstaff not too long ago.

Still, he did make the hike and the video follows:

Post Traumatic Stress disorder is a severe problem with returning veterans from the current conflicts. It is estimated that 22 Veterans take their lives each day. The video challenge by Iron Apparel is to bring awareness to the public about the problem and to raise money for the PTSD Foundation. The rules of the challenge are in this video:

“My message to veterans suffering from PTSD, depression or anything is you do not have to take your life. Just don’t do it. Your life matters to veterans and your families. There is too much help for you to take that route,” Glen said.

Glen also ordered the 22 PTSD t-shirt, but shipping is two to three weeks because of the demand. As we reported earlier, there are other sources of assistance.

There are other resources that people with PTSD may not have thought about. For example Run for the Wall is a ten-day motorcycle ride by Vietnam veterans who arrive at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington on Memorial Day. On the east coast, Rolling Thunder conducts a similar ride. The ride not only brings the plight of POWs to the attention of the public, but is also used as therapy for those suffering from PTSD.

If you are a motorcycle rider, or would like to be, you can contact these organizations. They might be able to link you up with a Vietnam veteran who has gone through what you are experiencing. They can help you train for the ride. The ride does take training because you ride several hundred miles a day. Since Vietnam veterans are passing away or getting too old to ride, you can even take up the gauntlet.

You can also obtain assistance from your local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans or other veteran service organization.

Glen would like to challenge his friend and talented musician and artist, Gianluca Zanna. “Luca is a true Arizonan who puts out some great music,” Glen said. “He knows more about the Constitution than many Americans I know.”

He also challenges a few of his favorite actors. Texas Ranger Chuck Norris, for one, for the good work of 22 Until None. Kevin Sorbo of the Hercules series and the recent hit movie God’s Not Dead. His final challenge is Brisco County Junior, Bruce Campbell.

“Bruce Campbell has a great sense of humor. I just want to see the video,” Glen said.

If any Williams business or organization desires to accept the challenge, you can use our contact page if you need assistance or desire us to video it for you.

Jar Complex grows to more than 280 acres, provides ecological benefits

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TUSAYAN — The largest of the four fires in the Jar Complex on the Tusayan Ranger District grew to 280 acres yesterday, providing ecological and other resource benefits on the Kaibab National Forest.

The Mason Fire, located just southwest of Camp 36 Tank about 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower, remains the most active of the fires that are being managed to enhance forest health and wildlife habitat while reducing the potential for high-intensity wildland fires in the future.

Yesterday, fire crews were successful in conducting management ignitions along the northeastern boundary of the 16,100-acre Mason Fire planning area. This work reinforced established perimeters for the fire’s eventual growth and also protected range fences and other potentially fire-sensitive resources in the area.
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The Old Fire, which is also within the Mason Fire planning area, is still active but remains at under an acre in size due to rainfall over the last few days. It is located west of Forest Road 2736 just north of Old Automobile Tank. Fire managers remain hopeful it will pick up in activity if weather conditions become drier over the next several days.

Also burning on the Tusayan Ranger District are the Lost and Shale fires, each about an acre in size. Fire managers have established a 3,600-acre planning area in which these two fires will be allowed to expand in order to provide greater protection to the Town of Tusayan and other nearby infrastructure. The planning area for the fires runs east along Highway 64 starting about 5 miles south of Tusayan and continuing south to Forest Road 308.

Today, fire crews will continue work in preparation for fire growth including lining archaeological sites, trick tanks, range fences and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources within the established planning areas. While fire crews conduct prep work, a road crew will continue hauling gravel, blading, and making other improvements to heavily-used roads in the fire areas. Motorists using forest roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320 are asked to use caution due to the presence of heavy equipment for the road improvement work and firefighting trucks and personnel.

Smoke from the Mason Fire was visible yesterday and will likely be more prominent over the coming days and weeks. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed toward the northeast, making it visible from Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park and from Cameron, Ariz. As the four fires pick up in activity, smoke columns are likely to become more visible from other areas including the Town of Tusayan, Highway 64 and Highway 180.

Overnight work continues on Interstate 17 south of Camp Verde this week

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CAMP VERDE — Overnight paving work will continue this week on Interstate 17 just south of Camp Verde (mileposts 280 to 286) between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting tonight, July 6 through Wednesday, July 15.

Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 280, approximately one and half miles north of the State Route 169 junction and drivers will be guided through the work zone with a pilot car for the protection of workers and the traveling public. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.

This $7.5 million project consists of the removal of a layer of the existing pavement, repaving the roadway, bridge work and shoulder improvements. Work is expected to be complete by September.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.