Wildlife Club

About the Wildlife Club

The Wildlife Club is open to people with an interest in various aspects of wildlife. Club projects and activities center on educating ourselves and others about Arizona's diverse wildlife.

Wildlife Club Goals:

• Provide guidance and further knowledge about specific wildlife
• Promote and stimulate interest in wildlife
• Provide cultural and social development of members
• Provide opportunities in leadership
• Increase cooperation with organizations concerned with wildlife
• Acquaint interested members with opportunities in the wildlife field

Meetings are planned only when needed and not on a regular basis. Most of the business of the club is done through Blackboard. Please contact Russ Smith at (928) 533-8370 or by email for more information.

2008-2009 Officers

• President- Bradley Hottel

Upcoming Events and Projects

Listed are some of the events/projects that members have expressed an interest in accomplishing this year. As we have not met officially for the semester this is just a rough draft and will be amended as the semester continues.  Please check back from time to time for updates.

Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Trip

All club members and interested parties will be welcome to attend.  Future dates and times will be announced when planned.

Black-Footed Ferret Spotlighting

Oct. 2008, West of Seligman, AZ. Members will be assisting the AZ Game and Fish Black-Footed Ferret Project. Team with the live trapping and examination of this endangered mammal.

Educational Programs: Year long, various locations.

Members will be coordinating educational programs, using live wildlife, at schools and organizations throughout Yavapai County. These programs occur on a regular basis and are presented by any available member.

Upper Verde River Monitoring

Saturday, October 11, 2008. North of Chino Valley, AZ. Members will be assisting the Sierra Club in monitoring water quality and quantity at several sites on the Upper Verde River.

AZ Game and Fish Fence Modification Project

Saturday October 18, 2008. East of Cordes Junction. Members will be assisting The Arizona Elk Foundation, and the ASU Conservation Biology class in modifying fence lines on the EZ Ranch in order to make them more Antelope friendly.

Popular Past Events and Projects

• Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course - This was a 2-day (13 hour) course taught by instructors from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. This was an introductory course for beginning wildlife rehabilitators, or novice and experienced rehabilitators seeking formal education. Lecture topics included "Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation", "Basic Anatomy and Physiology", "Handling and Physical Restraint", "Basic Shock Cycle", "Initial Care and Physical Examination", "Nutrition and Associated Diseases"; lab topics included "Gavage (tube feeding)", "Physical Restraint", "Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injections", "Physical Exams", and "Limb Immobilization and Weighing".
• Wildlife Symposium - Members assisted with this successful event that brings together wildlife experts and organization in order to inform people on how to co-exist with wildlife. There were youth activities, field trips, panel discussions, and informative booths.
• Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center - Students were introduced to the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center's rehabilitation facilities, located in Phoenix, and how the program operates. Members were also introduced to various birds used for educational purposes and given training on proper handling techniques.
• Black-Footed Ferret Spotlighting - Members assisted AZ Game and Fish Biologists with the capture, examination, treatment, and release of several Black-Footed Ferrets in Aubrey Valley (near Seligman, AZ). This was an exciting opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with an interesting animal that was thought to be extinct 40 years ago.
• Educational Programs - Members have used live animals to teach organizations ranging from The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe to Cub Scout Packs about Arizona's diverse wildlife.
• Wild Critters at the Residence Halls - Members displayed several live animals that are used in education programs. The animals displayed included birds of prey, such as the Great Horned Owl, Harris Hawk, American Kestrals, and Swainson's Hawk, as well as a Gila Monster, Striped Skunk, Opossum, and Desert Tortoises.

Member Resources

• BlackBoard - The Club's Blackboard page is up and running again! If you have any problems logging into the page please call or e-mail Russ at the address/number below.
• YC Photo Gallery - Visit the YC photo gallery for downloadable photos of past events.

Learn more...

• Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Auxiliary - Click to learn about this premier wildlife rehabilitation facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Arizona Game and Fish Department - Click to learn more about current wildlife conservation laws and issues in the state of Arizona.
• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association - Click to learn more about the organization responsible for setting national wildlife rehabilitation standards and policies.
• International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council - Click to learn more about the organization responsible for setting international wildlife rehabilitation standards and policies.

Still have questions? Contact the advisor:

Russ Smith
(928) 533-8370
email