The Great
Deserts of North America are arid regions receiving less than
ten inches of precipitation a year. The Southwest region of North
America is composed of four great deserts, Mojave (Arizona, Colorado,
Nevada, Utah, California), Sonoran (Arizona, California and Mexico),
Chihuahuan (Mexico, New Mexico, Texas and southeastern Arizona),
and Great Basin (Nevada, Oregon, Utah). Besides the relatively
little rainfall per year, the deserts have extreme weather ranges.
For example, the Sonoran desert may have temperature ranging from
110°F (38°C) in the summer to 20°F (-7 °C) in the winter. In general,
these great deserts have parched terrain composed of mountain
ridges, valleys, sand dunes, and dry alkaline lakebeds.
Due
to the relatively little rainfall, the desert can be a very inhospitable
area especially during the hot summer months. Animals and plants
have developed specialized behaviors and characteristics. Many
animals are nocturnal and thus, avoid dehydration.
Plants have developed unique adaptations to this arid environment.
Cacti have needles for leaves that greatly reduce water loss.
The needles also serve to protect the plant from animals that
may eat them. The ocotillo can quickly grow its leaves within
days of rainfall and drop them if the conditions quickly change.
Some cacti can store water in their roots.
The desert is also home to many bird species such as hummingbird,
hawks, gamble, scaled and mearns quail, dove and roadrunner. Chukars
have been introduced to select area and have flurished along the
foothills and mountains of the deserts. These birds have found
a niche among the desert bighorn sheep. Along rivers such as the
Colorado, agriculture has replaced desert land. In selected areas,
ringneck pheasants are the preferred birds to harvest. Many bird
hunters with bird dogs venture into the great deserts in pursuit
of game birds. For the unprepared, the desert can be an inhospitable
environment. There are many dangers that both hunters and bird
dogs encounter and must learn to avoid, such as cacti and its
hypodermic sharp needles. Rattlesnakes, coyotes, skunks, as well
as the high temperatures must also be avoided. In case of emergency,
a first aid kit is mandatory.
Desert Kit
1) Dog boots
2) Comb to help remove cacti needles
3) Water
4) Tweezers and forceps
5) Bandages and medical tape
6) Muzzel
7) sutures
8) antiseptic/antibacterial; Betadine
9) buffered aspirin
General
guidelines during travels in the great deserts
1) Know your
physical limitations as well as your dog in the heat and rugged
desert terrain, especially in the summer months.
2) Use a well-maintained vehicle and carry extra water, tools,
flares, shovel and blankets.
3) Check road conditions before starting out.
4) Use maps
5) If your vehicle gets stuck or breaks down stay with your vehicle.
6) Carry water and drink it: one gallon/day per person. Provide
water to bird dogs, as much as it wants.
7) If you become lost or need help, don’t panic.
The
desert is a beautiful place especially during the spring when
cacti and annuals bloom in respond to abundant rainfall. Many
plants such as the yucca, agave, creosote bush, honey mesquite,
ocotillo, jumping cholla and others fill the desert with various
colors. Bees, hummingbirds and various insects do their best
in pollinating the flowers.
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