Eclipse
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Hunting with My Granddaughters
TRCP’s Nevada field representative Carl Erquiaga recently published the below story about hunting migrating mule deer with his granddaughters in the November 2024 issue of Fur Fish Game magazine. This long-established periodical will celebrate 100 years of contiguous publication in 2025
As I’ve grown older, having granddaughters has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my life. My eldest granddaughter Hayden, now 14, drew her first deer tag in our home state of Nevada in 2022. We did our best to make the most of the entire experience and it was, quite honestly, nothing short of perfect. She took a nice muley buck after hunting for several days, and the family was very proud of her – no one prouder than her Papaw.
Each child and grandchild my wife and I are blessed with has a special place in our hearts. My second granddaughter Carly, being my namesake, has a grip on me I cannot explain. She’s a little sassy with a wry sense of humor that we share. She’s also fiercely independent.
In 2023, Carly, age 12, became eligible for a hunting license. She hoped to draw one of Nevada’s coveted youth deer tags. Before she could buy a license and apply, she was required to pass the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Hunter Safety course. I helped Carly study, went over gun safety as well as some basic wildlife management principles, and attended the class with her. She passed with flying colors.
When Hayden turned 12, I bought her first hunting license and helped her fill out the application for her tags. I did likewise for Carly. As luck would have it, Carly drew a northeast Nevada deer tag for the October 2023 season. The mule deer herd there is migratory, but I had confidence we’d find deer.
Carly prepared for the hunt all summer. She shot a .22 rimfire, then graduated to her uncle’s youth-sized .243 Winchester. True to family form, she was a natural shooter.
In mid-October, we – Carly, her father (my son-in-law) Garrett, and myself – packed my camp trailer and made the six-hour drive to the unit. We’d scheduled six days for the trip, but I didn’t believe we’d need that long. Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men.
As the sun illuminated the slope, we glassed the basin ahead and saw a group of does with three small bucks in the shadows.
We arrived at camp early enough to make a short afternoon hunt. As we made our way up the first of many rough, rocky roads, I asked Carly if she was ready to wake up at 4:30 a.m. every morning. “Yes!” she said, with no hesitation.
I told her I didn’t want to make this too much work, but hunting big game does require commitment. She said she was ready. I jokingly mentioned something about not wanting her to be grumpy in the morning.
“You know, Papaw, I’m generally a pretty jovial person,” she quipped. I tried to contain my laughter, recalling a slightly less than jovial stage – thanks to her fiercely independent streak.
We spent the evening glassing to no avail. It rained off and on most of the afternoon. With the temperature dropping, we returned to camp, ate and warmed up. The RV made it easy to keep Carly’s spirits high. We planned to be in another area at daylight.
I never sleep well the first night of a hunt, and when the alarm went off, it felt like I had just fallen sleep. I didn’t want to wake Carly, but to my surprise she popped out of bed and got her breakfast together, not quite jovial, but as good as one can be at 4:30 a.m.
We made it out of camp plenty early but had to wait for sunrise before going up the road. It’s a good thing we did. We hadn’t even reached the canyon when a young buck and doe crossed the road in front of us – no chance for a shot – so we eased up the trail to the ridge.
As the sun illuminated the slope, we glassed the basin ahead and saw a group of does with three small bucks in the shadows. They were a mile away, but we noted their location and turned up the ridge.
On top, Garrett spotted more does with one small buck in the draw below. They were working their way up the opposite ridge and soon disappeared over the top. We tried to cut them off, but rounding the last corner, into the draw, we saw does running, but no buck. I was about to whisper to Carly he might still be there, when he ran out, full tilt, stotted over the ridge, with no chance for a shot.
We spent the rest of the day glassing and checking new areas, ending up in the basin where the shadow bucks were at first light. We saw plenty of wildlife, including pronghorns, chukars, and sage grouse, but the bucks never materialized. Still, the day was a success because Carly remained in great spirits.
The next morning, we were up very early again, returning to where we’d been the first afternoon. It was October 14, when the solar eclipse passed over Nevada. We hoped to see it later that morning, if the clouds broke.
When we reached where we wanted to glass, a side-by-side UTV with three young men pinned behind binoculars greeted us. The canyon below showed three deer – two forkhorns and a small three-point – moving through brush toward the closest ridge. They were well out of range, so I took the opportunity to teach Carly some hunter etiquette. The other hunters were there first. I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t cut them off if we went after the bucks. I was ready to talk to them, but they picked up their gear, headed in a different direction, evidently not interested in the bucks.
Those bucks were exactly what we were looking for. As soon as the trio disappeared behind the ridge we went after them.
The memories made with my granddaughters were only possible with Nevada’s incredible wildlife. The deer we hunted migrate across hundreds of miles to their winter range. If we as hunters want to continue to make meaningful memories outdoors with our families, we must get involved in conservation efforts.
We made good time reaching where they’d fed, their tracks peppering the ground. We followed those tracks around to the edge of the canyon, when I spotted the bucks 140 yards on the opposite side, according to the rangefinder.
Feeding off each other’s excitement, I set up the tripod for Carly. One buck moved up the ridge between bushes where, if he stopped, Carly would have a good shot.
But he didn’t stop, traveling almost out of range.
I felt uncomfortable having Carly shoot at the moving buck. I felt it was better to let him go, and didn’t feel too bad when he ducked into some very thick aspens. The other two should be following shortly. One was that nice three-point.
We waited for his friends to come along. We waited and waited. But they never came out.
Now, I felt disappointed for not letting Carly try a shot. She might have connected when the buck wasn’t moving. I’d hoped for the better buck, but that wouldn’t matter to her. In fact, at one point, the little buck stepped out of the aspens, broadside, at 400 yards. She asked if she could try the shot. I told her no because she’d never shot that far. Better to be sure than take a risky shot.
Walking back to the truck, I was feeling bad. But Carly was still excited and looking forward to the eclipse. Kids are so resilient.
Watching the eclipse with her and her dad was a very special experience. The rest of that day and the next we continued to explore as much new country as we could. We saw deer every day, but no bucks within range or in places we could stalk. Some bucks we tried to stalk, only to find another hunter filled his tag on them. The others gave us the slip.
On Sunday night, the return trip looming, our spirits were low. We’d have time for a four-hour hunt that morning before breaking camp and heading home. At 4:30 a.m. we all moved a little slower, a little bit grumpy.
We went to the spot where Carly’s father had shot his first deer in 2020. That day, we only had time for a short hunt, but we made it happen. I hoped for a repeat. But despite checking several honey holes, we didn’t see a deer. Returning to camp, I told Carly I was sorry she didn’t tag a deer, and that I was proud of her great attitude and thanked her for wanting to hunt.
“It’s okay I didn’t get one,” she said. “But I am a little less jovial. There’s always next year. And I will be glad to get home, take a shower, and sleep in.”
Then she gave me a hug and said, “I love you, Papaw.”
I believe Carly learned a great deal about hunting and the responsibilities that go with it. I’m sure some of my ramblings about wildlife and its management challenges will sink in. And I know there are still good kids out there who are being given the tools to get through life and make good decisions. I’m very proud of my kids and grandkids.
The memories made with my granddaughters were only possible with Nevada’s incredible wildlife. The deer we hunted migrate across hundreds of miles to their winter range. If we as hunters want to continue to make meaningful memories outdoors with our families, we must get involved in conservation efforts.
Subscribe to Fur Fish Game HERE.
Learn more about TRCP’s work on big game migration conservation HERE.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Final Plan Amendments Align Colorado BLM Big Game Habitat Management with Colorado Oil and Gas Development Regulations
Plan amendment creates consistency between federal and state jurisdictions for oil
and gas development within high priority big game habitat, sets precedent for
efficiently updating management plans statewide
The Colorado Bureau of Land Management recently signed a Record of Decision on their Resource Management Plan Amendment for Big Game Habitat Conservation to align the federal agency’s oil and gas management with State of Colorado policies where there is overlap with high priority big game habitat. Hunters, anglers, and other wildlife conservationists appreciate BLM’s work to conserve important big game habitat while facilitating multiple uses when and where they’re most compatible.
“This ROD marks the conclusion of over two years of hard work by Colorado BLM staff, cooperating agencies including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and local governments, and non-profit hunting and conservation organizations,” said Liz Rose, Colorado field representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Thank you to those agency staff members, and to all the hunters and anglers who submitted feedback and comments to the BLM throughout the plan development process.”
This ROD amends land management plans for 12 Colorado BLM field offices, creating more management consistency across the state where important big game habitats overlap with oil and gas leasing and development activity. Colorado BLM manages 8.3 million acres of land for multiple uses, which include oil and gas development, renewable energy development, ranching, and recreational use such as hunting, fishing, camping, rafting, and hiking. A significant portion of these lands—approximately 6.3 million acres—is also top priority habitat for Colorado’s elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep populations.
This planning effort sets the precedent for efficiently incorporating new data and research and updating management plans statewide to facilitate responsible management of multiple uses on our public lands to conserve important fish and wildlife resources.
We encourage the Colorado BLM to leverage their expertise and updated repository of big game data and science to develop responsible management policies related to other uses of BLM land, including but not limited to renewable energy development and recreation, for which demand continues to grow.
Read more in TRCP’s recent blog covering the proposed final plan HERE.
Photo credit: Abid Karamali
Come for the Squirrel, Stay for the Pigeon
TRCP’s western water policy associate reflects on a recent event and how hunting and camaraderie reaffirmed his passion to conserve Arizona’s public lands and waters
As I approach my fifth year as a resident of Arizona, I have been spending time reflecting on two influences that drive my passion for Arizona’s public lands and waters, and the plethora of hunting and angling opportunities they offer nearly year-round. After attending the 8th Annual Family Squirrel Camp, hosted by the Arizona Wildlife Federation and the Arizona Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, my belief in the power of mentorship and tenacious commitment were further entrenched.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to spend three days in Northern Arizona’s Coconino National Forest with my friend Jack Kelly-Willis, where we attended the 8th Annual Family Squirrel Camp. This annual event centers on offering a comfortable, approachable setting for introducing new hunters to the sport, introducing the unique small game hunting opportunities Arizona affords, and fostering a sense of public land stewardship and conservation ethos in all who attend and participate.
For three straight days, one would be hard pressed to find a dull moment at Squirrel Camp. First, it was immediately apparent to everyone involved that population numbers for Abert’s squirrel in Arizona were high, with many of us bagging our limit of five squirrels within the first few hours of the day. Additionally, the event coincided with band-tail pigeon season, North America’s only native pigeon species, and with many folks also hitting their daily limit of two pigeons, the phrase, “Come for the squirrel, stay for the pigeon,” was coined and repeated frequently throughout the event (by me).
The event strongly reaffirmed how important my friend Jack was in introducing me to hunting in a way that equipped me with the skills and knowledge to grow as a hunter independently. He took me on my first squirrel hunt and traded an otherwise successful quail season for one watching coveys fly far away as I fumbled with the safety on my shotgun, and he embodied saint-like compassion and patience as he helped me untangle countless nymph rigs that he helped me set up only minutes before. In that vein, it was incredibly heartening to watch experienced hunters mentor children and less experienced adults as they pursued squirrels across our tiny patch of the Coconino National Forest. Hands down, the most fulfilling and exciting experience I had during Squirrel Camp was helping a new squirrel hunter spot, tree, and shoot her first squirrel. It was a helpful reminder that I have a duty to pass along the lessons Jack imparted to me.
The education and mentoring went far beyond harvesting squirrels. There were demonstrations on how to properly process squirrels and pigeons. For those interested in saving their squirrel hides, Jack demonstrated how to properly flesh out, dry, and store squirrel hides.
Nathan Fyffe, Statewide Small Game Biologist for Arizona Game and Fish Department, gave a talk to the camp on the countless hunting opportunities that exist across the state. Arizona is home to two species of jack rabbit, one species of cottontail, five species of squirrel, three species of quail, more than twenty species of duck, three species of dove, chukar, sand-hill crane, javelina, mule and white-tail deer, elk, turkey, bear, cougar, and others that I am sure I am missing. You could say that Arizona is almost like a Western state, in terms of its hunting opportunities. But I’d say it’s even better – it’s a Southwestern state.
The event also showcased the contagious commitment and tenacious dedication to Arizona public lands and waters conservation and passion for hunting and fishing exemplified by Michael Cravens. Michael is the AWF’s Advocacy and Conservation Director and the Vice Chair of AZ BHA. While you might think hunting and fishing for every species Arizona has to offer while raising two kids and a juvenile hawk would leave little time for advocacy, you’d be sorely mistaken. In the past year, I have had the privilege of watching Michael defend public lands at the state capitol, serve game to state politicians in order to highlight the subsistence benefits of hunting in Arizona, and spend a whole day driving 30+ individuals around Northern Arizona to educate them on wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, and forest management. His commitment and dedication are inspiring.
Nights were spent sharing conversations with new and old friends, eating meals consisting of locally harvested game, and listening to fireside speeches from Michael and other AWF and AZ BHA representatives. While giving a speech around a fire immediately enhances credibility in and of itself, these individuals spoke with the passion and vigor of Teddy Roosevelt himself when holding forth on the indescribable value of Arizona’s public lands and waters. They reminded all 40+ attendees of their responsibility to protect, conserve, and enjoy what belongs to them. These folks went a step further in taking the time to educate camp participants on how to proactively engage with the state legislature to advocate for Arizona’s public lands, fish, wildlife, and our sporting traditions.
I’d be hard pressed to believe a single individual walked away from this event without fully understanding that none of the joy they experienced over our three days together would be possible without our nation’s publicly accessible wild spaces. Even more, I have a feeling that participants left knowledgeable of how to make their voices heard and support efforts to safeguard our country’s public lands legacy.
As a representative of TRCP, I am proud that we are an active state partner with AWF and AZ BHA. I am proud that I get to play a role in conserving Arizona’s wild spaces, and I am grateful for the endless opportunities to hunt and fish in this state.
This event brought home the power of mentorship and tenacious commitment for me and further inspired my work to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish. As hunters, anglers, and conservationists, let’s keep reaching out, mentoring, and inspiring our kids, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and the greater community just as Jack and Michael did for me.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Louisiana No-Fishing Buffer May Be Preventing Fish Spills
Fully 1 million fewer pogies were spilled in 2024 season compared to the annual average, based on Department of Wildlife and Fisheries data
(BATON ROUGE, La.)—An analysis of more than a decade of fisheries data by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership indicates that recently created near-shore, no-fishing buffers in Louisiana may be reducing the number of pogies spilled from the industrial harvest of this ecologically valuable baitfish – to a mere quarter of the historical average.
Fish spill incidents have generated a significant amount of controversy in the state in recent years due to millions of wasted fish, fouled beaches, and thousands of redfish lost as bycatch, which resulted in regulatory changes enacted in the spring. The likelihood of net tears and spills, due to gear interactions with the seafloor, is higher in shallower waters near shore than when vessels work in deeper waters.
In February 2024, before the commercial pogy fishing season began on April 15, the state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a half-mile coastwide buffer prohibiting pogy boats from netting in near-shore Louisiana waters, with the buffer extended to 1 and 3 miles in some areas. The same Notice of Intent (NOI) that created the buffer also increased fish spill penalties. A major reason for the NOI was an attempt to reduce the number of fish spilled and spill incidents, in which pogy boat net tears and net abandonments have released an estimated 14.8 million dead pogies – officially known as Gulf menhaden – into state waters over the last decade alone. Other reasons included efforts to reduce bycatch of redfish and other important sportfish, reduce conflicts between commercial and recreational users, and protect sensitive bottom habitat.
To determine if the buffer may be working, TRCP examined publicly available records for fish spills in Louisiana kept by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which are available from 2013 onwards. The state agency has records of all reported or otherwise validated spill events caused by the two industrial menhaden harvesters, Omega Protein and Daybrook Fisheries.
After the half-mile buffer was enacted, 2024 saw the second-lowest number of fish spilled since records were made available.
The results indicated that, on average, the number of pogies spilled per year from 2013 to 2023 was more than 1.3 million fish, and that there has been a significant upward trend in the number of fish spilled per year. However, after the half-mile buffer was enacted this year, 2024 saw the second-lowest number of fish spilled since records were made available, with only 2013 having fewer estimated losses. Of note is that the number of pogies landed was on par with the past 10 years, even with the buffer zones in place. Further, this year’s estimated number of fish spilled to date is only 350,000, or 26 percent of the annual average, and only 12 percent of the 2.8 million fish lost annually, when averaged over the last two seasons (2022 and 2023).
“This data indicates that the efforts to move the industrial pogy boats into deeper waters to protect nearshore, shallow habitat is paying off,” said Chris Macaluso, director of the Center for Marine Fisheries for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Few things anger and disgust anglers and beachgoers in Louisiana more than seeing rafts of dead pogies and other fish left by the menhaden reduction industry floating nearshore or washed up on beaches. This year, we have seen far fewer of these spills and anglers have also noted an increase in nearshore forage like pogies, mullet and other fish.”
Gulf menhaden are a critical food source for iconic Louisiana sportfish like redfish and speckled trout. Approximately 1 billion pounds of pogies are harvested by the industrial Gulf of Mexico menhaden fishery each year, mainly from Louisiana waters. Until 2024, pogy boats were allowed to fish closer than 500 yards from Louisiana’s shorelines, where the boats often make contact with the water bottom. With this new buffer reducing the likelihood of negative gear interactions with the shallow seafloor, there has also been less disturbance of potential spawning grounds for redfish and other sportfish.
“Louisianans were fed up with our resources being wasted and shorelines being fouled as a result of these spills, so it is refreshing to see this progress,” said David Cresson, CEO of the Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana. “Thanks to Governor Landry, our Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and the actions of a handful of brave legislators like Representative Joe Orgeron, we now have more reasonable buffers across our coast. These buffers, along with other important measures, have clearly contributed to the drastic reduction in fish spills.”
A coalition of recreational fishing, wildlife and habitat conservation, and boating organizations led by CCA Louisiana and TRCP has worked for more than five years to increase public awareness about the impacts of Louisiana’s industrial menhaden fishery and advocate for some basic conservation measures, such as the ones included in the Notice of Intent. In 2021, State Rep. Joe Orgeron (R-54) first introduced a bill in the Louisiana Legislature which proposed a nearly identical buffer to the one approved earlier this year, but due to industry opposition, the bill ultimately did not pass.
“This is a great example of the state putting effort into making sure it does what is best for all citizens,” said Angler Action Foundation Executive Director Brett Fitzgerald. “A triple win of decreased bycatch, a reduction of user conflict and maybe, most importantly, less destruction of habitats, is a recipe for continued success.”
TRCP and its partners note that while this fishing season is coming to a close, more spill events could still occur, but that the vast majority of previously recorded spills occurred before October – the last month commercial pogy fishing is allowed in Louisiana each year.
Gulf Menhaden Coalition members include the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), CCA Louisiana, CCA Mississippi, CCA Alabama, CCA Texas, CCA Florida, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Louisiana Charter Boat Association, American Sportfishing Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, International Game Fish Association, Angler Action Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Audubon Delta, Guy Harvey Foundation, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, Mississippi Wildlife Federation, and Wildlife Mississippi.
For more information about the key role pogies and other forage fish play in marine ecosystems, visit TRCP’s forage fish recovery page.
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