It's almost that time again in Arizona! For those that don't know,
Aubrey Valley is located near the town of Seligman, AZ which is off
the I-40 west of Flagstaff.

If anyone is planning on attending the October spotlighting let me know
so we can meet up! I will be participating all three nights in October.

Permission to forward has been given.
Bonnie

Greetings,

The Black-footed Ferret Project will again be hosting their fall
spotlighting event in Aubrey Valley but the project is going to
continue having 2 small 3-night events instead of a 5-night event. The
spotlighting dates will be September 19th - 21st and Oct 17th - Oct
19th. For the September event, spotlighting will begin on Thursday
night September 19th and conclude on Sunday morning September 22nd. For
the October event, spotlighting will begin on Thursday night, October
17th and conclude on Sunday morning October 20th. Fall events are held
to assess the ferret population going into winter, to trap dispersing
kits, and to trap and vaccinate ferrets that were not caught in the
spring.

The ferret population is usually at its highest going into winter, so
there is a great chance of trapping new ferrets (especially kits) as
well as recapturing ferrets from other events. Because ferrets are
being seen in areas where we normally do not spotlight, we will have
teams go out and spotlight these new areas to try and trap these
ferrets. Besides ferrets, other animals that could be observed during
spotlighting include foxes, badgers, coyotes, owls, hawks, porcupines,
skunks, and pronghorn.

Requirements for Spotlighting: 

Ability to stay attentive from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. while
spotlighting for black-footed ferrets

After the hour-long spotlighting training at 8:00 p.m., volunteers will
begin spotlighting around 9:30 p.m. and continue until sunrise, usually
around 6:00 a.m.

·Ability to use or learn how to use a GPS unit

Training will be given on how to use a GPS unit

Most importantly, dress appropriately for the time of year. Multiple
layers are best, as fall nights can be cold, but you will warm up while
backpack spotlighting. Rain gear is highly recommended since you never
know what the weather will be like in Aubrey Valley. Also, be sure to
bring plenty of snacks and water. Snacking throughout the night will
help you to stay awake.

TO SIGN UP:

1. Please send an email to [log in to unmask] with "fall spotlighting"
   in subject line

* Indicate which month you would like to spotlight
* You may sign up for either or both months

2. Indicate which night(s) you will be attending and who else (first
   and last name) will be attending with you

3. Please indicate if you will be able to use your own vehicle, and the
vehicle capacity (4x4 vehicle preferred but not required). If you are
able to bring a high clearance vehicle, it is greatly appreciated, as
it frees up vehicle space for others and allows greater coverage of
the Aubrey Valley. Mileage is tax deductible.

4. List any of the following equipment that you are able to bring:
GPS, clipboard, flashlight, backpack, binoculars, walkie-talkies, or
a cordless rechargeable spotlight

5. You can sign up for one night, several nights, or for the duration
of either or both events.

If you are unable to use your own vehicle to spotlight, you will be
placed on a team with a vehicle. The Ferret Project has plenty of
equipment to loan out but does not provide flashlights or headlamps.

If you are interested in attending the fall events, please sign up
early, as space is limited and people had to be turned away last event.
If you sign up for spotlighting and are then unable to attend after
registering, even if it is the night of, please make sure to contact
us as soon as you can, so your space can be filled. Email is checked
at 6:00PM and someone remains at the field house until 9:00PM each
spotlighting night, so please make sure to contact us via the
information listed at the end of this email.

Returning Volunteers:
Please arrive at Pica Camp gate (mile marker 123) at 9:00 p.m.

New Volunteers:
Please arrive at the Field House at 8:00 p.m. After signing up,
directions will follow in a confirmation e-mail.

Background information on the Black-footed Ferret Project:

What is the background of this project?

The black-footed ferret is North America's only native ferret. At one
time thought to be extinct, the black-footed ferret is now listed as
an endangered species. Black-footed ferrets live in large prairie dog
towns, prey on prairie dogs and reside in their burrows.

What skills and abilities are needed?

Those assigned to vehicles will drive a set route throughout the night
spotlighting for eyeshine. Those backpack spotlighting will be required
to walk several miles to spotlight for black-footed ferrets. Volunteers
will be personally responsible for setting and checking traps, and
recording locations using a GPS unit. Backpack spotlighters will
switch out with truck spotlighters throughout the night.

What is involved?

Spotlighting involves the use of high-powered lights to locate and
identify black-footed ferrets. Eyeshine is reflected by the spotlight
and aids surveyors with identifying and locating an animal. Once a
ferret is located, the spotlighting team will set a trap in the burrow
where the ferret was located. The team setting the trap will also
continue to check the trap approximately every hour or until the
animal is caught.

What happens once a black-footed ferret is trapped?

Upon capture, a spotlighting team will leave their route and deliver
the ferret to the processing trailer parked along route 66. This
will allow the team an opportunity to view a ferret up close while
biologists process the animal. The ferret's health will be assessed
(vitals monitored) and the ferret will then have a passive integrated
transponder (PIT) tag inserted subcutaneously. Once the ferret has been
processed, the team will return to their route and release the ferret
in the same burrow where it was trapped.

Interested?

To sign up for the spotlighting event or if you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me via the information below (email
preferred). Also, please forward this to anyone that is interested in
volunteering.

*Spotlighters discounts on food and lodging*

Food:
Just let the following businesses know that you are in town for ferret
spotlighting and they will give you a discount on food.

Westside Lilo's Café (928-422-5456)-will give a discount on food and
drinks, and most likely free coffee and tea

Roadrunner (928-232-2044)-will give a 10% discount on food

Lodging:
Please let the motels and campground know that you are ferret
spotlighting when you are booking your room or campsite.

Aztec Motel (928-422-3055)-local discount

Rte 66 Historic Motel (928-422-4574)-local discount

KOA (928-422-3358) - will give a 10% discount on tent and
trailer sites

Thank you for your interest.

Jennifer Cordova
Wildlife Specialist II
Black-footed Ferret Project
Arizona Game and Fish Department
PO Box 397
Seligman, Arizona 86337
928.422.0155
[log in to unmask]

[Posted in FML 7860]