Locations identified for burning include:
· Bureau of Land Management lands on Vigil and Abeyta Mesas,
twenty-five miles south of Pagosa Springs.
· Forest Service lands on 225 acres in the Lower Middle Mountain area about twelve miles west of Pagosa Springs.
· Burns Canyon area, nine miles southwest of Pagosa Springs.
· The headwaters of Devil Creek in the Turkey Springs area seven miles northwest of downtown of Pagosa Springs.
Hunter Up-date October 8
At the begining of the week the clouds have relented and a drying trend begins. Still, it is wet under the forest canopy and all hints/tips below are in effect. Hunters should find fairly silent walking / stalking in the forest.
Oct. 5
Hard rains continues to fall in the Pagosa area. First season hunters should prepare for damp conditions. Rivers and streams become raging torrents after such rain, plan on locatiog camp on high ground and not beyond any significant stream along the access roads. Dry firewood will be at a premium. Remember, the lowest branches on pine and spruce, called "snappers" because they snap off the trunk, are usually bone dry and good for building and keeping camp fire going. Extra plastic sheeting under the tent is a good idea along with moisture proofing for boots and cloths.
Hunter Up-date October 4
John from The Sportsman's Supply and Campground near Williams Lake reported a "really big" 6x7 bull taken during archery season. Otherwise the early seasons were about average. The bulls are really bugling in the lake area, John noted, and the first season or two should be productive using calls. A camper in the area reports seeing many game animals strolling around the area. He noted a "LOT" of deer seen in meadows.
South of Pagosa the deer population seems to be everywhere. Hunter please note, there are a lot of healthy and good sized fawns this year, make sure you know what you are shooting before...
Hunter Up-date October 3, 2007
Big Game hunters coming for the first season will have a dark sky at night. The new moon is just before the season starts so the animals will be sleeping in with low activity at night. Think about extra flashlight batteries for those early morning treks into the dark forest and remember the game like a southeastern slope to catch the first warming sunlight.
Reminder from the Forest Service
Do not bathe with soap or wash your dishes or clothing in streams or lakes.
Dig a 6-8” “cat hole” for human waste. If there are several people in your camp, dig a latrine. Locate latrines far from any water source. Fill latrines, dismantle structures and pack out seats, buckets, plastic and other nonnative materials when you leave.
News story from DOW;
A Texas man has paid nearly $12,000 for illegally killing a bull elk in the wrong game management unit and then lying about the location to officers from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Mitchell Phelps, 46, of Athens, Tex., shot a six-point bull elk while archery hunting on Sept. 16, in game management unit 61, a prized limited-license area on the west side of the Uncompahgre Plateau near Montrose. Phelps license, however, allowed him to hunt only in game management unit 62 located just to the northeast of where he was hunting.
"A unit 61 elk license is highly prized, it's a big deal when a hunter draws one, people wait years to draw those licenses," said Renzo Delpiccolo, area wildlife manager for the DOW in Montrose. "So when someone sneaks into the wrong unit and kills a trophy animal, that's a serious crime."
For complete story click here.
Big Game Hunter Up-date Sept. 27, 2007
Bernie, at The Buck Stop Processing reports many fine game animals from the early seasons. One bull scored 320 while others were nice. Most of the game is well fed from the moist summer. Bernie notes fewer bear brought in and says that may be because they are all shopping trash cans in town.
DOW is reporting the operation for turning in game heads for wasting disease will be located at the Forest Service offices this year.
Big Game Hunter Up-date Sept. 25, 2007
Late reports coming from the high country continue to vary by location during the early seasons, some reporting good success and others not so great.
A knowledgable guide notes that the elk are just begining to enter the rut (week of Sept.20...)which is a bit late. Calling was not very successful earlier.
It continues to be wet in the San Juan and frost has hit the area so, it has been a quiet forest to walk / stalk in. Rifle hunters can only pray this trend continues.
It has been an interesting year as the deer population has not gone to the high country in the big numbers as in past years. We have noted many deer in our neighborhoods as low as 7,000 feet. It was a cool and wet summer and the flying bug irritation was reduced. Sid, my neighborhood buck, has had a great time with his clan feasting on the good forage down low which includes my garden. It will be interesting seeing how they disperse with the pressure of rifle season.
Previous Sept. 17
Interviews with early season hunters result in claims that the animals are as scattered across the area as they have been in recent years. While there were some reports of small to large herds held up in the high country animals are being seen at the lowest elevations. Reports include raves about the size and general good condition of the animals including the antlers.
Forest Service Notice for Rifle Hunters
New Restrictions in the in the Upper Piedra.
Beginning October 1, new restrictions will go into effect during the big game rifle seasons within the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest in an area locally known as the triangle. The triangle is located between Kleckner Lane, and Piedra and McManus Roads (Forest Service Roads # 631 and 633) approximately eleven miles north of Pagosa Springs.
The new restrictions are in response to numerous complaints and concerns from the public regarding unsafe hunting activities at that location during the big game rifle hunting seasons and to address resource damage to soils, vegetation, and wildlife habitat caused by illegal use of motorized vehicles in an area that is closed to off-road motorized travel.
Continued below...
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The Forest Service and Colorado Division of Wildlife are joining in a cooperative effort to address these public safety and resource issues. By October 1st, signs will be installed adjacent to the area stating the regulations which are as follows: From October 1 through November 30, parking and standing (stopping in a vehicle) are allowed only in designated parking areas along Forest Service Roads #631 (Piedra Road) and #633 (McManus Road) from their junction to Kleckner Lane. Although parking in designated areas is allowed during legal hunting hours, overnight parking is prohibited.
Forest Service lands in the area remain available for public use during these timeframes; however, vehicles must be parked only in designated parking areas. Designated parking areas are in two locations: on Kleckner Lane next to the Hinsdale County Equipment Shop and on Piedra Road (Forest Service Road 631) near Deadmans Curve.
A detailed map and explanation of the restrictions can be obtained from the Pagosa Ranger District Office at 180 Pagosa Street in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Inquiries can be directed to Anthony Garcia, District Wildlife Biologist, Pagosa Ranger District at 970 264-2268 or Mike Reid, District Wildlife Manager, Colorado Division of Wildlife at 970 731-2369.
Phyllis Wheaton
Visitor Information Services
San Juan Public Lands
Pagosa Ranger District
P.O. Box 310
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970 264-1503
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