Deadline to apply for wildlife viewing opportunity approaching

KINGMAN, Ariz. –– The deadline to apply to attend a unique Desert Bighorn Sheep Natural History Workshop is just days away.

The arizona game and fish department's Region 3 office in Kingman will host two, two-day Desert Bighorn Sheep Natural History Workshops on July 31-Aug. 1 and Aug. 7-8. The deadline to apply is noon Wednesday (June 17).

The first day of each workshop is mandatory classroom education from 6-8 p.m. at the Kingman office. On the second day, participants enjoy a four-hour, sheep-viewing boat trip on the Colorado River from Willow Beach to the Hoover Dam beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The workshops are free and open to any member of the public 14-years-old and up. Nobody under 14 is eligible. Space, however, is limited to 49 people per workshop and preference is given to those who have not attended in the past. Any application received by the deadline will be included in the random draw process.

The workshop includes an optional 45-minute tour at 9 a.m. of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery prior to the boat trip.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to do so by downloading an application form at http://www.azgfd.gov/bighornworkshop. Print the form and follow the instructions. For those without internet, or needing additional information, contact Zen Mocarski at (928) 692-7700 or e-mail zmocarski@azgfd.gov.

Registration can be completed by mail, an e-mail to Mocarski, or dropped off at the Kingman office only at 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, Ariz. 86409.

Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. No tripods will be allowed on the boats, but small coolers are OK.

"It is going to be hot," Mocarski advised, "but that's when bighorn come down for a drink. There is limited shade on the boats, but the temperatures will be in the triple digits."