Back country tour of Casa Grande--this month only

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is the country's first archaeological reserve, given that status back in 1892. While that may seem a few ages ago, the original settlers here, the Hohokam, made what the monument is today. Somewhere back in the 1200s, or so the scientific diggers tell us, these natives built structures out of caliche, or what contractors today would call hard pan.

While those who visit the monument on your average day will get a shot at viewing The Casa Grande, or "The Big House" as the Spaniards dubbed it, most of the year the actual back country of the monument is closed to public traffic. Not so this month: On weekend mornings through Sunday the 28th, park rangers will lead special tours of the back country to see such sites as the Prehistoric Ballcourt, Compound B, and an ancient roasting pit or “horno.”

If you'd like to get in on a tour, either show up or call the park at 520-723-3172.

National Park Service photo

Mexican gray wolves return to the wild

If the plan by Mexican wildlife officials stays on track, wildlife watchers may soon be able to spot Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.

Officials plan to release five wolves in the Sierra San Luis range, which extends from about 85 miles south of the Arizona/Mexico border to within 25 miles of the border. Wolves are known to travel as much as 80 miles a week, and could eventually connect with wolves at the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in northeastern Arizona and northwestern new Mexico.

Mexican officials and conservationists have long planned to reintroduce Mexican gray wolves to their original range. The last known wild wolves were trapped in the 1970s as part of an effort to save the subspecies of gray wolves. A captive breeding program was established, and now more than 300 wolves live in 40 U.S. and Mexican facilities.

The United States released 11 animals from the endangered gray wolf subspecies into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in 1998. The goal was that natural reproduction and reintroduction would bring the population to 100 in a few years.

The first wild pups were born in 2002, but continuing difficulties have meant that the wolves have struggled to maintain their population. On Friday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that its annual wolf census found 42 animals on the ground at the end of 2009, compared to 52 at the end of 2008. It was the lowest number in seven years.

They're largely prohibited from leaving the confines of the Blue Range area. If seen outside the range, and between an area bordered by Interstate 40 to the north and Interstate 10 to the south, they are to be returned to the Blue Range.

Perhaps just as worrisome for the wolf project, at least two of eight wolves whose carcasses were found last year had been shot, meaning apparent poaching of the wolves, a problem Federal officials are investigating.

Geo-Cache Treasure Hunt coming to Cattail Cove State Park

Cattail Cove State Park will hosts its 4th Annual "Geo-Cache Bash" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20.

The "Geo-Cache Bash" begins with a brief history about Global Positioning System (GPS). How GPS was conceived and the etiquette that goes along with the sport will be discussed. To participate, attendees should bring their GPS unit with them and have a basic understanding of how their GPS unit works.

Afterward, attendees can choose to search for more than a dozen geo-cache sites. There will be hidden caches on various trails for hikers, along with several sites along the shoreline, and even a couple of sites dedicated to those who are wheelchair bound.

Geo-caching began in 2000 after the Defense Department stopped scrambling the signals beamed to GPS receivers from military satellites, making it easier for recreational users to find specific locations. It has since grown in popularity for both families and corporate groups. "Geo" for geography and "cache" for hidden stash provides a fun opportunity to enjoy and explore the outdoors using a (GPS) receiver.

The park encourages responsible Geo Caching practices in all natural settings, including limiting graffiti, digging, trash, illegal off road vehicle use, vandalism, or caches near archeological sites or commercial use.

For more information call Cattail Cove State Park at (928) 855-1223 or visit AZStateParks.com. Cattail Cove State Park is located on State Route 95, 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Campsites with electricity are available for $26 a night. The beach, boat ramp and campsites offer a broad spectrum of activities for all to enjoy including swimming, fishing, or just lounging around and relaxing.

Please call ahead to find out the latest information about the State Parks by calling (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.