Elden Aguilar, comes from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico – a member of the Keresan speaking tribe, located 33 miles south of Santa Fe along the Rio Grande River. There, he was raised and taught the tribe's traditional ways, including hunting, fishing, agriculture, wildlife/ water/ land conservation. Elden believes the connection between his cultural side and modern society has always existed, especially when it comes to public lands.

His first experience on public lands was mule deer hunting in Southern New Mexico with his dad at the age of 12. He harvested his first buck on the last morning of the hunt; and remembers his dad passing on his traditional knowledge about preparing the deer, guiding Elden through field dressing, and packing the deer out. During their time packing out, Elden's dad shared a very important story in their culture about a deer and a boy... Elden was so moved, he knew then that he was always going to be involved with the outdoors – and hoped someday he’d create a positive impact (just as his father did working as a Range Rider for the reservation).

Elden is also an upcoming local artist who focuses on wildlife/nature art from the Native American perspective (find him on Instagram @Wildstyln.art).

Elden came to BHA as a full-time staffer by way of creating artwork for, and volunteering at, the New Mexico Chapter of BHA's "Rally for the Rio Grande Del Norte." Since that first event, he's been a regular volunteer.

In his free time, he enjoys taking solo trips, exploring new places, hiking, fly fishing, scouting, glassing, and stalking Coues deer on public lands.

Contact Elden