Volunteer opportunities for hunters
By Les Bell, volunteer coordinator,
Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s volunteer program provides opportunities for volunteers to participate firsthand in managing Arizona’s wildlife resources. Our goal is to provide you with a congenial and cooperative atmosphere where you can build relationships with staff and other volunteers, as well as gain knowledge about Arizona wildlife and wildlife management. We recognize that your time is important and strive to provide rewarding and educational volunteer experiences.

Listed below are some opportunities in which you may have an interest. To learn about other opportunities or to submit information about a project that would benefit from our volunteers, check our volunteer page at:

www.azgfd.gov/volunteer

Immediate until completed
Data entry – Bat Project, North Phoenix
The candidate will report to AGFD Phoenix headquarters and be responsible for data entry of Legacy reports into AGFD Bats database. Knowledge of Microsoft office (Word, Excel), understanding of mapping and TOPO is a plus; database entry experience desired but will train. Contact: Nancy Renison, bat biologist, at NRenison@azgfd.gov, (623) 236-7529.

Ongoing (primarily weekends but some weekdays)
Environmental Educator
Training in basic animal handling and public presentations. Routinely work at the Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Center booth educating the public about wildlife during weekend events and in many cases to take animals into the classrooms and teach about wildlife conservation. Work may involve lifting up to 50 pounds, interacting with the public, inclement weather and handling live animals. Valid Arizona driver’s license required. Contact: Kellie Tharp, ktharp@azgfd.gov, (623) 236-7238

July 26 – 27
Arizona Antelope Foundation White Mountains Habitat Project
Volunteers will be removing small juniper and pinyon trees near Sipe Wildlife Area, south of Springerville. This is primarily a one-day project, however, work will be conducted on Sunday if willing volunteers wish to. The AAF will provide a free steak dinner to all volunteers on Saturday night. To RSVP for dinner and for more information, please visit www.azantelope.org. Contact: Scott Anderson (480) 213-1611, info@azantelope.org.

April 1 – October 31
Summer Host – Tonto Creek Hatchery, Payson
Wildlife area hosts live on site, assist with facility maintenance and interact with visitors. Additional duties include providing change for feed machines, cleaning visitor restrooms, and other duties as needed. Hosts are on duty from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and on weekdays when there are large groups of visitors. Host should have good communication and interpersonal skills, enjoy talking with different types of people, be able to provide excellent customer service, and accept and follow supervision/instruction from hatchery employees. Accommodations along with fresh water, electrical, propane and septic are provided. To provide references and be interviewed via phone, contact Les Bell at (623) 236-7680 or lbell@azgfd.gov.

Late May – Labor Day Weekend 2009
Sipe Wildlife Area Seasonal Host
Open and close Visitors Center (VC), oversee security of VC facilities. Answer the public’s wildlife and recreational related questions. Greet, provide literature, give directions and provide information and assistance to visitors of the Wildlife Area. No experience necessary. Must be good with people. Must have own travel trailer or motor home. Water, electricity, sewer, parking pad provided. May hook up satellite TV at own cost. Absolutely beautiful hiking trails, great opportunity to see wildlife, especially birds and elk. Seven miles from small towns of Springerville, Eagar. Right in the heart of the White Mountains, close to fishing, hiking, camping and great outdoor recreational activities. Temperature in the 70- to 80-degree range during the day. Cool in the evenings. Contact: Brian Crawford, Sipe Wildlife Area Manager, at (928) 333-4518, sipecrawford@yahoo.com.

Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Page Springs Wildlife Area Trail Maintenance
Volunteers assist with trail maintenance, using hand tools such as rakes, shovels and clippers. This is a cooperative project with the Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Contact Les Bell at lbell@azgfd.gov or (623) 236-7680.

First and third Thursday every month, 7-10 p.m. – Volunteer Shotgun Instructor or Range Officer for Women’s Shooting Program
Volunteers will instruct women of all ages in the shotgun shooting sports. Coaches will assist beginners in shotgun shooting form and skill. Range Safety Officers will watch over range and ensure safety among all participants. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. Shooting experience, basic knowledge of firearms and firearms safety, and some teaching/public speaking experience desired, but not required.Benefits to volunteers include free shooting at the main range and discounts at local sporting goods locations. Contact Ben Avery Shooting Facility at (623) 582-8313.