Arizona Strip Fence Removal & Upland Game Hunt
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, AZ
Mesquite, NV- closest town
Friday December 11th -Sunday December 13th 2026
Inviting volunteers from Arizona, Utah, and Nevada
Come meet the ENTIRE BHA habitat stewardship staff and spend a weekend improving habitat connectivity on public lands. Join the Arizona Strip fence pull December 11th -13th on the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.
Sitting in the Northern most corner of Arizona, boarded by both Nevada and Utah, the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument encompasses over 1 million acres of diverse and rugged landscapes. The monument boasts valuable habitat to a wide-ranging variety of both plant and wildlife species. Visitors can also find signs of the monuments 11,000 years of human history on the canyon walls and nestled within the valleys.
In 2006/07 fourteen miles of fencing was constructed to protect sensitive habitat that was re-seeded after large wildfires. These areas have since recovered and the fencing now needs to be removed to allow animals back onto the landscape. These newly revegetated areas will provide valuable habitat to the multitude of species that call the area home.
Over the weekend, volunteers alongside BHA staff will remove over two miles of barbed wire fencing from the landscape. This work, although difficult, will provide volunteers with rewarding experience!
In the afternoons we will go out for some upland game hunting, rabbit or quail. We will be camping in NV but working in AZ, so you will need to have a hunting license for one or both of the states.
Weekend Schedule
Friday December 11th - Volunteers can check in anytime after 2:00 Pm at the basecamp/camp site.
Saturday December 12th – 8:00 am BHA staff will provide breakfast and coffee as well as give a safety briefing and further instructions.
8:30 am volunteers will travel to work site and begin work.
12:00 pm BHA will provide volunteer lunch.
12:00-4:00 Work will continue.
6:00 Wild game potluck and group activities to follow.
Saturday night- Plan on bringing a dish for the Wild Game potluck, (wild game if you have it)
Sunday December 13th – 9:00am-12:00pm Sunday workday. Sunday work is optional but encouraged.
Directions
Camp/Basecamp
Route: From Mesquite, NV- Take the Riverside Rd exit off I-15, ~10 miles south of Mesquite. Turn south on to the Gold Butte Backcountry Byway. Take this for ~21 miles south, turn left on to Nays Ranch road and go ~800 yards to the camping spot on your left at the Whitney Pocket area.
Google Maps link to campsite
Camping location: 36.5242, -114.13299
From there, the fence removal site is another ~12 miles.
Check the Linked OnX folder for up to date waypoints and routes.
OnX Folder with Waypoints and Tracks
Fence Removal location: 36.51593, -113.97802
What to Bring
The Arizona Strip Fence Removal will take place in a remote and rugged desert landscape, please pack accordingly. When working with wire fencing it is important to wear long pants, leather gloves and a good pair of boots. Don’t forget to bring your favorite wild game dish to share at our wild game potluck. Don’t have game to bring? Veggies and sides are always appreciated!
Due to the remote backcountry location please pack all camping gear, food, and water you will need for the entire weekend.
BHA will provide: Gloves, tools, water and Gatorade throughout the project, plus a light breakfast and boxed lunch for the Saturday workday.
Questions? Reach out to Senior Habitat Stewardship Manager Bard Edrington at Edrington@backcountryhunters.org or Utah Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Filip Anderson at Anderson@backcountryhunters.org