COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds young pronghorn hunters who were unsuccessful that a “second chance” hunt is open to them in December. The second chance to hunt is only available to youth hunters 12-17, and only in 21 units located in southeast part of the state where pronghorn herds are over objective.

“This is a great opportunity for young hunters and will help us achieve our population objectives,” said Dan Prenzlow, DOW Southeast Regional Manager. “Young hunters, age 12-17, may hunt again in December if they did not harvest a pronghorn during the October season.”

The opportunity to hunt again is only available to youth hunters with unfilled doe or either-sex pronghorn licenses. Youth with unfilled pronghorn buck licenses are not eligible.

Youth with unfilled pronghorn tags can hunt again in any of the following units: 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 118, 119, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 140, 141, 142, and 147.

Youths with unfilled doe licenses are automatically eligible for a second chance hunt. Youths with an unfilled either-sex pronghorn licenses must bring their license to a DOW office and get it converted to a doe license before hunting again in December.

The late pronghorn season dates are Dec 5-9.

For more information, contact your local DOW office.

MEEKER, Colo – The Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Outreach Program and a private landowner in the Meeker area are teaming up to offer a special youth deer hunting opportunity during the upcoming 4th Rifle Season. This is a unique, guided private-land deer hunt in Game Management Unit 23 for one young person between the ages of 12 and 17 who holds a valid Colorado Hunter Safety Card.

Youth interested in applying for the hunt must submit a letter of interest including their name, age, address, phone number, hunter safety card number and hunting experience (if any). Previous hunting experience is not required but interested youth applicants must NOT have drawn a Colorado 2009 deer license. Applicants should also include a brief essay (less than 500 words) on the importance of hunting as a wildlife management tool in Colorado and why they should be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime premiere private land deer hunt.

The letter of interest should also include the name and contact information for a parent or guardian who will attend the hunt with the youth. One parent or guardian must attend the hunt and a brief orientation and site-in the day prior to the hunt. The parent of the selected applicant must also attest that the youth has passing grades in school.

Applications must be received at the Meeker DOW office by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 21. Applications should be mailed to Bailey Franklin/Youth Deer Hunt, PO Box 1181, Meeker CO 81641.

Youth selected for the hunt will be notified prior to Wednesday, Oct. 28. The 4th season runs Nov. 11-14. Youth and parent/guardian will be responsible for providing their own meals and lodging in Meeker.

Questions about the hunt or application process should be directed to the Meeker DOW office at (970) 878-6090.

While I had been out hunting, the girls were enjoying the amenities of bustling Greeley, Colorado, and the outlying area.  That included a trip to the Denver Zoo, and Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Since I hadn’t had a chance to enjoy these trips, we decided to head West Via RMNP to hit highway 40.  It would be a chance for me to see new country. 

RockyMountain National Park’s elk herd was in rut, and they put on a show. 

We drove through Eastern Utah and saw the Devils backbone as we rolled along.

We listened to classic country on the only radio station  that would come in in the Vernal, Duchesne, Roosevelt area, known as the “Dinosaurland” after the famous fossils, and National monument in the area. 

The next morning we would make our way through Salt Lake City, and even have a chance to stop in Elko, Nevada for a quick visit to J.M. Capriola Co., a custom saddlemaker and western tack seller famous for quality, high desert buckaroo gear.

We pushed on to Winnemucca, where the girls got a chance to experience a Basque Lunch at the famous Martin Hotel. 

It was then a grind home through the Sierras, and the California traffic. I missed the lonely two tracks of Northern Colorado, but gratefully shut off the engine as the trip odometer turned over 2900 miles.

This trip was a unique one for me since it was the first time I have included my wife and 3 daughters (aged 11-9-3) in an out of state big game endevor.  When I go on a trip “with the guys”, it has a tendancy to be less than fully orchestrated, and the creature comforts are less than you might need for three young daughters and a wife.  This was going to require more equipment and planning to be sure it was an enjoyable trip for all.

We had planned on leaving within an hour after I finished work on Saturday.  I thought I would arrive home, throw my bagin and roll.  WEEEELLL, after we put in the pillows, and “blankies” and stuffed animals and DVD’s, it was two hours before we got on the road.   

We fought our way through the Sacramento area weekend traffic and made a quick stop at the Reno Cabela’s store to purchase our shelter for the week.  At a cost of seven hotel nights, we were pleased that the staff threw in a pair of cots with the purchase. 

We found a nook in the pile of supplies in the bed of the pickup and continued on to Winnemucca for the night.   Traveling with the kids seemed to add about 10% to the travel time needed.  We didn’t make it in time for the Basque dinner at the Martin Hotel I was planning, but went straight to sleep.

We were on the road the next morning as the sun came up with threatening clouds overhead.  For the next 14 hours we hit sporadic showers, and in Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming  we were treated to a lighting show the high plains are famous for.  That sealed the fact that we would be spending that night in a motel as well.  

The girls got to see their first antelope in Rawlins when we made a pit stop.  The town buck was tending does just off of the highway, feeding on the landscaping outside of the DOT building.   It was a thrill for the girls to see a new critter.

The thunder and lightning ceased that night, and bright and early we drove to the Crow Valley Campground near Briggsdale, Colorado and set up our camp on a bright sunny morning.

We were fortunate to find an unreserved campsite in a  shaded spot, as the weather was bright and sunny in the 80’s.  For most of the week we were the only residents in the 12 spot campground.  We missed the weekend rush, and had a nice lunch before we ventured out on the prairie in search of an antelope.

As a father of three girls that I want to enjoy the outdoors, I really took interest in this event.  Unfortunately we won’t be in Colorado until late that evening for our family visit and Pronghorn hunt.

LAMAR, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife will offer a free Shooting Instruction Clinic followed by an optional guided Dove Hunting Clinic east of Lamar on Sunday, September 13.  

 
The clinic is geared toward women and youth who are new to hunting.  The event begins with an informal cookout at 1 p.m., followed by an instruction session, and then a guided dove hunt until around 6 p.m.  The DOW will supply all of the hunting equipment and host the cookout.
 
“A similar program was held last year near Las Animas, and the kids and ladies who attended had a blast — pun intended,” said Linda Groat, and outreach education specialist with the Division of Wildlife.
 
This year’s event will take place at the Mike Higbee State Wildlife Area four miles east of Lamar off Highway 50.
 
“The first portion of the afternoon is what we call a Bang ‘N Twang,” said Groat.  The focus is getting hands on experience shooting shotguns and archery equipment.  There is also an electronic big-game hunting simulation game.
 
Following the Bang ‘N Twang, participants have an option of going on a guided dove hunt with DOW instructors.  Participants must attend the Bang “N Twang and a shooting safety talk in order to go dove hunting.
 
Dave hunters must have a valid Hunter Ed card and a 2009 small game hunting license with a HIP number to participate.   Each youngster must be accompanied by adult, parent, or sponsor; and must pre-register. 
 
The cost of a Colorado small game license for youth under 18 is $1.  The cost for resident adult annual license is $21.  A one-day small game license is $11.
 
Space is limited, so register early.  To register, or for more information, call: Linda Groat at (719) 336-6608. 
 

RAMAH, Colo. – Youngsters interested in the sports of archery and shotgun shooting are invited to attend a free one-day event at the Ramah State Wildlife Area Archery Range, Sat., Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities include a shotgun target & fun shoot, a laser gun computerized shooting station, a 3-D archery shoot, and instruction.

“This is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn about shooting sports and try their hand at using a bow and learning about firearms safety,” said Steve Lucero, an education coordinator with the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Instructors from the DOW and trained volunteers will help youngsters learn the finer points of shooting shotguns and bows.

The DOW will furnish the equipment.

The Ramah Archery Range is located four miles west of the town of Ramah at the Ramah State Wildlife Area along U.S. Hwy 24 in northeastern El Paso County.

All ages are welcome. Boys and girls under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Activities will run continuously throughout the event.

For more information, call 719-227-5207.

PUEBLO, Colo. – Youngsters interested in the sport of archery are invited to attend a one-day archery event at the Bighorn Archery Range in Pueblo from 9-3 on Sat., June 27. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and Johnson Sport and Ski will co-sponsor the event.

Activities include target practice, a fun shoot, a 3-D shoot, and instruction. Boys and girls age 7-16 are invited to attend, but must be accompanied by a parent.

Instructors from the DOW and local archery experts will provide instruction on the finer points of archery safety and shooting a bow. The DOW will furnish the equipment.

“This event is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn more about this rapidly growing type of outdoor recreation and try their hand and using a bow,” said Steve Lucero, an education coordinator with the DOW. “Archery is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is safe and fun when done properly.”

The Bighorn Archery Range is located just east of the DOW office at 600 Reservoir Road. The range features ten shooting stations with covered platforms.

For more information, call Johnson’s Sport and Ski (719) 542-6012 or Division of Wildlife (719) 227-5207.

This past weekend, I spent the time doing ranch work.  Repairing corrals, vaccinating , dehorning and castrating calves along with the girls (My Wife and 3 daughters).   All this was in anticipation of heading off for a couple weeks to hunt elk in Wyoming.  One more project off the list. 

My father was able to get away for a blacktail hunt in Marin county on Sunday morning.  That afternoon he came rolling in and pulled the truck up to the barn.  That is the sign that he was successful.  So the girls and I ambled over to take a look. 

In the back of the pickup lay a 19 1/2 inch wide forked horn Blacktail that field dressed at 118 pounds.   That is pretty respectable for a buck from that area.  He has the dark chocolate antlers characteristic of the deer from that canyon.  Dad downed him with a .264 Win Mag shot to the neck. 

What was interesting to me was Sydney, our youngest daughter’s reaction.  She has seen plenty of deer and elk hunts on television with me.  She was quite enamored with the  buck.  Even exclaiming repeatedly, “That’s MY buck”. 

Sometimes, I think we finish telling our hunting stories with the field photo.  In our case that is where the story starts.  That night Sydney ate some pan fried venison heart with me and the plan is to introduce her to venison liver and onions tonight.  The buck’s hide is in the freezer to be made into buckskin at our middle daughters request.  The carcass is at Bud’s Meats to be cut into steaks and chops and Italian sausage, and the rack is nailed on the side of my Dad’s garage.

I really get a kick out of the next generation as they grow up and begin hunting.  I remember the excitement I felt when I harvested my first game.  Many times we gloss over the fun of hunting upland birds, and small game and focus on the big game.  But an afternoon out in the cropfields or walking ditchbanks really gives us a wake up call about the roots of our hunting heritage.  In that spirit I had the chance to interview another up and coming young hunter, Cameron Krug.  

How it did you feel when you got your first dove?

When I shot my first dove I was surprised and happy.

What kind of gun did you use?

The gun I used is my mom’s; an over and under Verona 28 gauge (that she won at an RMEF banquet). I had to use an over and under because I’m left handed and all the other guns my family has are not for lefties, and when the shells kick out, they hit my right arm. The gun is heavy for me, but I like it.

Where did you set up for your hunt?

I was hunting at a milo field that was already harvested near our fish farm.

What was the weather like?

The weather was cool in the morning, but then it got warm.

What other kinds of hunting/archery /shooting do you like to do?

I also like to bowhunt and shoot a rifle at targets
Here is the first rabbit I ever got with my bow.

Sincerely,

Cameron

So as you can see with a little encouragement, our kids can have success hunting and learn to appreciate the time afield with their parents.  I’m sure we will see Cam with quite a few more critters as the years go on.  He sure has a great start and a supportive family.

Many times parents are unsure when to introduce their young children to archery.  My opinion has always been to have the children around when you practice or go to a league night, and the interest will come…

Example :  My youngest, Sydney had her first exposure to archery when she was only 2 weeks old, at our 3-D league in 2006. 

In 2007 she was able to attend the dinner portion of the shoots with my wife.  For 16 weeks.  She would meet the girls and I after we shot our League . 

So this year, she discovered a small bow as she toddled around the barn and began emulating her sisters.  So it wasn’t long (Memorial Day Weekend) until she got into the act herself.  Check out the You Tube Video below of Syd’s first time shooting a bow.