DENVER, Colo. – Colorado’s big game season structure, Division of Wildlife budget projections and an update on Rocky Mountain National Park’s elk culling effort headline the agenda for the Colorado Wildlife Commission’s February workshop in Denver.

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 5 in the Hunter Education Building at Division of Wildlife Headquarters, 6060 Broadway.

The Commission will hear DOW staff comment on the five-year review of Big Game Season Structure, specifically preference points and draws. Commissioners will accept public input on the Big Game Season Structure review, as it will during all meetings and workshops throughout the process. Those who wish to comment on these items are asked to fill out a “blue sheet” – Request to Speak before the Wildlife Commission – and give it to any Division of Wildlife staff at the meeting. Comments may address any aspect of Big Game Season Structure, but will be most helpful if they are directed at the Big Game Season Structure topic being discussed at that meeting.

The meeting will also feature a discussion of pronghorn management plans for the Cherokee Park Herd and the Laramie River Herd, as well as the South Platte River Deer Management Plan (GMUs 91, 92, 94, 96 and 951).

In addition, staff will provide commissioners with updates on the DOW’s three to five-year budget projections and the Rocky Mountain National Park elk culling effort, which is now underway.

Finally, the Commission will receive a briefing from licensed rehabilitators Allan and Shirley Casey, owners of WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. in Evergreen.

Interested members of the public who are unable to attend can listen to the meeting on their computer by clicking on the “listen to audio” link on the Web page listed below.

The Colorado Wildlife Commission is an 11-member board appointed by the governor that sets Division of Wildlife regulations and policies for hunting, fishing, watchable wildlife, nongame, threatened and endangered species. The Commission also oversees Division of Wildlife land purchases and property regulations.

To view the entire agenda please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/.

My friend Sonda has always been quite a bit of fun to be around at feed industry events, and we have even had some good hog and bird hunting trips together in Central and Northern California.   She is a pretty good wingshot and can hang with the guys even on the toughest hunts. 

This Fall Sonda went on a pronghorn hunt in Wyoming with friend Frank Ahrenford of Mt Baldy Bullets and her fiance Jim Killen.   A snowstorm blew in and they tracked several groups of antelope for about 3 hours before she got a 150 yard shot at this beauty with her .243 Remington Model 7. 

Sonda said that it was whiteout conditions a couple of times, and that yes, it WAS as cold as it looks.

You can find Sonda and her fiance Jim hunting elk usually in the Fall from their elk camp in the Bighorn Mountains.  Sonda was kind enough to send along some photos of it from this Fall as well.    It’s got me excited for next fall just looking at the photos.

This week was capped off with an 8 mile run at China Camp State Park overlooking San Pablo Bay, near San Rafael.  The clouds and rain cleared away and a stiff wind greeted us.  It didn’t stop the turkeys from gobbling at me a mile into the run though.  That reminded me that Turkey season is just little more than 60 days away. (The week after the Pirates Cove 20 K Trail Run.)

After 8 miles in the San Rafael hills. Must have been a good run. I'm Smiling.

 The other three runs this week were uneventful, except for Friday’s Tempo run at 8pm in the dark and driving rain.  My 12 LED Headlamp made it bearable and kept the cars from hitting me.  Although a number of drivers had to wonder what this knucklehead was doing running in the rain, and dark…

Hmm…Next Week I have to get some runs in while travelling for work.  That should prove interesting.

If you’ve ever tried to obtain a Utah big game hunting permit-and you don’t live in Utah-you know how difficult it can be to get one.

Most of Utah’s big game permits are reserved for Utah residents, which doesn’t leave many permits for nonresidents.

The Utah Wildlife Board recently made a change, however, that could increase the chance you draw a permit.

There ’s no longer a limit on the number of limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime species you can apply for.

For example, if you wanted to hunt bull moose and bighorn sheep, in the past you could apply for only one of the two species. In 2009, you can apply for both, along with any other limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime species you’d like to apply for.

“You can obtain only one limited entry or once-in-a-lifetime permit a year, but you’ll receive a bonus point for every species you don’t obtain a permit for,” says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “Those points increase the chance that you’ll draw a permit in the future.”

The UDWR is accepting applications for permits from Jan. 22 through Feb. 26, until 11:00 p m. You can apply for a permit at www.wildlife.utah.gov.

Also, even if you’re not going to hunt in Utah in 2009, you can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point. Your application for a point must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on March 9.

Please remember that you must have a nonresident Utah hunting license or a nonresident Utah combination license to apply for a point or a hunting permit.

 Kirk Edgerton, a hunting buddy just over a couple of ridges from me in California had a good day hog hunting.  He left home at 2:30 a.m. to reach his hunting spot at daybreak.  He started out glassing for hogs with his bow in his hand, and a rifle in the truck. 

The morning hunt was pretty good and I got close on two groups of hogs, 55 yards on a decent boar that had a slight limp. I really thought about running after the hog and seeing if could bay him up, but figure that’d be pretty stupid with my bow. (Remember the ’stupid’ part for later in the story) Read the rest of this entry »

Coming into the “stretch spot” at the top of the first 1.5 mile uphill.  My coach said we “POWERED” up it. 

I hit my stride on the section of the "Rough Go" trail. Rachel is giving me encouragement the whole way..

Leigh was in the lead but i kept him in view at least for this portion of the trail.

GUNNISON _ New regulations regarding collection of shed antlers in the Gunnison Basin are aimed at protecting vulnerable wildlife species, especially the Gunnison-Sage grouse and mule deer in the Gunnison Basin.
 
Collecting shed antlers for commercial use has grown significantly during the last five years in the Gunnison area. The activity can disturb Gunnison Sage-grouse during their mating period, and also cause unnecessary harassment of deer and elk on winter range. Collectors are cautioned to know the regulations. Violations will result in confiscation of antlers, a $68 fine and five penalty points against hunting and fishing privileges.
 
“The Colorado Division of Wildlife takes the disturbance of wildlife species during the critical winter period very seriously,” said J Wenum, area wildlife manager for the Gunnison area.
 
Shed antler collection on public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 551, 66 and 67 is closed completely from Jan. 1 through March 14 annually. From March 15 through May 15 collecting is prohibited from sunset to 10 a.m. daily.
 
The regulation was passed by the Colorado Wildlife Commission at its meeting on Jan. 12, based on a collaborative petition submitted by the Gunnison Basin Sage Grouse Strategic Committee, Gunnison-area sportsmen and shed antler collectors.
 
The period of the first closure will assure, primarily, that deer herds and Gunnison Sage-grouse are not harassed during the difficult winter months. The second period ensures that Gunnison Sage-grouse are not disturbed during the critical early morning hours during their mating period.
 
Until March 2, DOW officers will be patrolling popular shed collection areas to inform the public about the new regulations. After that, the new regulation will be enforced. Collectors are advised to consult official sunset tables and to obtain accurate public lands maps.
 
For more information, or to report suspicious activity, call the DOW office in Gunnison at (970)641-7060.

Well this week I added a tempo run on Thursday.  Nothing too drastic, just kicked up the intensity for the middle 10 minutes of the 30 minutes on the road.  Each week my Thursday run time will increase, along with the Sundays on the trails adding a mile each week.    This Sunday we ran at Annadel park for 7 miles.  

On Saturday, at the ISE [International Sportsmen Exposition] show I had the opportunity to talk with Cameron Hanes and Kyle Meitzner, an ultra marathoner who is actively involved in the Foundation for North American Sheep , and has mentored a number of  hunters on how to physically prepare for their hunting season. 

On GMU Research.com Kyle outlines his training plans for hunters in articles Four months to go,  Three months to go, Two months to go , and One month before the hunt.  There is something about having a fellow hunter who trains and completes 100 mile races that just spurs me on to keep pushing myself.   Even though we joke that “This sport [running] was punishment in all our other sports”, it has to be the best method to train to hunt.  Other than buying a good pair of running shoes, every 300-500 miles, the biggest input is simply dedication to achieving a goal, by following a schedule of training runs.

So with the words of encouragement from Cam and Kyle I hit the hills of Annadel Park.  Seven miles later I was back at the Cobblestone Trailhead.  I can feel myself getting stronger on hills.  I am recovering faster, and I can “re-charge” my wind on the downhills and let my quads work as shock absorbers.   I know this will come in handy this fall when I spot a buck or bull a few miles away and need to get around to put a stalk on ‘em. 

Just the other day as I was travelling around the countryside calling on feed clients, I watched a motorist clip a spike buck crossing the road in the middle of the day.  In fact last August, I had a similar incident while driving home from archery league when a spike buck came out of a hayfield and hit the side of my car.  $2800 later it was back to new.

This morning a friend sent me a photo that I think shows how much different it is when it is a moose crossing the road.  because they are long legged, the car or truck bumper hitting their legs sends them directly into the windshield which can be downright deadly.

So here are some suggestions for driving defensively against wildlife:

1. Use your high beams when possible.  It is your best chance to see animals before they reach the road.
2. Be ultra aware at sunrise and sunset when animals are most active.  Also during migration times when weather hits and deer, pronghorn, and elk are on the move.
3. If you see one there may be others.  Watch out for fawns following does in the spring and summer, and rutting bucks chasing does in the late fall.
4. Watch out for animals feeding on mowed roadsides and medians after a Fall rain.  A quick shot of green feed will attract hungry critters.
5. Creeks that cross the road with brush and trees on one side or both are a common travel route.  You won’t see wildlife until they are right on the road.

A warm fall , a nice rain, and a mowed roadside is a magnet to wildlife. This is just FEET off of Highway 101 in California

Brent Hill who graced these pages with his successful 2008 African bowhunt headed over to Arizona for a January Coues deer bowhunt.  He joined Jeff of  Desert Bull Scouting Service with four days to hunt the elusive Coues deer with a bow.

 
We glassed in the mornings and sat his treestands during the afternoon. On the second afternoon, a doe came in behind me on the trail. I ranged her at 22 yards, hoping a buck might be on her tail. He was. I looked at the buck through my 10x at 40 yards and he looked like a respectable 8pt.

I knew that Jeff had photos of a 110 – 120 inch buck that was using the same trail. But, he’d been coming in after dark. For about 5 seconds I considered holding out. Then, I realized that to kill a coues buck with a bow on a four day trip is hard enough. I decided that this buck was plenty enough and put the pin on his shoulder as he stepped into the same spot the doe had stood.

Thwack! The buck went down right where it stood.  Wow. Second day and I’m tagged out! I was very stoked. 

The Coues deer is one of the hardest animals in the West to harvest with a bow.  Brent made a good call by not passing on this buck.  Who knows if there would have been another chance?  But as far as I have heard,the 110 inch buck is still spreading his genes.

Congratulations to Brent on getting out when most of us have put our weapons and packs away.  Goes to show that for the dedicated hunter, there is always SOMETHING to hunt!