| Raymond
Wildlife Area |
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| The Raymond Wildlife Area is tucked away in the
pinyon-juniper forest of Anderson Mesa.
This location allows for a quick getaway
from the fast-paced city life to the soothing
tranquility of the pines.
While enjoying the
forest quiet, remember
to have binoculars ready to take advantage
of the fabulous wildlife watching opportunities. |
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| Recreational
Opportunities |
 Bison provide a popular and unique hunting and viewing opportunities for the public. In addition, the wildlife area provides habitat (particularly winter range) for pronghorn.
Wildlife watching: The combination of ponderosa pine
forest and grasslands on Anderson Mesa provide important habitat for a wide variety
of watchable wildlife, from migrating birds to pronghorn antelope, bison, mule
deer and elk. Habitat protected within Raymond Wildlife Area, particularly wetland and
riparian areas, may provide homes for several sensitive and rare wildlife species
(see Special Status Species, below).
Hunting (in season): Hunting
is allowed during open seasons. Bison harvesting practices have changed in the
past in Arizona. In the
early 1970s, the corral type hunt was discontinued
in favor of an open range hunt with department personnel serving as hunter guides.
Each bison hunter is provided with a department guide, who designates which animal
to take. Raymond Wildlife Area is in Game Management Unit 5B.
Camping: Camping is allowed except for areas within
1/4 mile of water holes (ARS 17-308).
Restrictions:
| a. |
Motorized vehicle travel permitted on designated roads, on designated trails, or in designated areas only. |
| b. |
Open to hunting in season. |
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| Location |
The Raymond Wildlife Area is about 30 miles (45 minutes' drive) southeast of Flagstaff.
Directions: From Flagstaff, go east on I-40 to exit
#225 (Buffalo Range Road). Continue nine miles south and look for wildlife area
signs.
- View a map of this location |
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| Wildlife |
 Eighty-five
to 90 bison are maintained at RRWA. View
more information on buffalo. Fifty
to 100 elk use the wildlife area at
one time or another during the year, along
with pronghorn antelope and mule deer. Waterfowl,
shorebirds and other wildlife are known or
believed to occur seasonally, including several
special status species.
No fish species are known to occur at Raymond Wildlife Area, although unauthorized introductions in stock tanks have occurred in wet years. As water is not permanent in the stock tanks, these fish eventually die out.
| Special Status Species - Species
Abstracts | Status
Codes |
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Status |
| Amphibians |
| Northern Leopard Frog |
Rana pipiens |
S, WSC |
| Birds |
| Bald Eagle |
Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
LT, S, WSC |
| Western Burrowing Owl |
Athene cunicularia hypugaea |
SC, S1l |
| Ferruginous Hawk |
Buteo regalis |
SC, WSC |
| Loggerhead Shrike |
Lanius ludovicianus |
SC, S1 |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher |
Contopus cooperi |
SC |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk |
Accipiter striatus |
S |
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| Area
Description |
The Raymond Wildlife Area is made up of gently rolling plains with low ridges. Elevations vary from 5,000 to 6,000 feet. Temperatures can vary seasonally, so visitors should be prepared for heat, wind, rain or even snow.
Plant Life
Habitat types include desert scrub-grasslands (75%) and pinyon-juniper woodlands
(25%). The desert scrub-grassland provides grazing opportunities for game animals
like bison and elk. The pinyon-juniper habitat provides cover and relief from
insects and weather conditions. The pinyon-juniper habitat also provides nesting
and perching areas for many songbirds such as the olive-sided flycatcher. |
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| Management
History, Objectives and Goals |
Before 1942, this area was operated as a livestock ranching operation. In 1942, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission purchased 8,960 acres of deeded land in checker-boarded sections known as Raymond Wildlife Area, to provide winter range for the Anderson Mesa pronghorn antelope herd. To supplement the deeded land, in 1942 an additional 5,199 acres of state trust land were acquired from the State Land Department under a grazing lease. The leased parcels are interspersed in a checkerboard pattern with the deeded lands. In 1945, when the management emphasis was expanded to include bison, 28 animals were released. A later exchange with the Hart Cattle Company brought the total deeded land to 9,438 acres.
The area now functions as year-round range for pronghorn antelope, elk, mule deer and bison. Livestock grazing has been prohibited on all Commission leased or owned lands since 1942. The primary management emphasis is to maintain bison while ensuring adequate forage for wintering big game species. Secondary management emphasis is to maintain high quality habitat for resident and migratory nongame and small game species.
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