What is believed to be the largest Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ever measured in Colorado is on its way to a taxidermist and then eternal repose in the halls of the Division of Wildlife. The ram, with magnificently curved horns approximately 6 inches larger than the state record, died of natural causes two weeks ago on the Fort Carson military reservation southwest of Colorado Springs, where hunting isn’t allowed. Wildlife officials had photographed the animal – believed to be 12 to 14 years old – often in recent years. DOW will have a full body mount made for display at its offices, along with a cast of the horns for similar demonstration.
Praise for senators
Two national conservation organizations issued statements commending Colorado’s U.S. senators for their opposition to a bill that would place millions of acres of public land up for sale to mining interests. Trout Unlimited praised senators Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar for their stand against a provision of the House Reconciliation Bill that raised the ire of the conservation community, along with Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Counties Inc., three former chiefs of the U.S. Forest Service and six western governors – Colorado’s Bill Owens not among them. The National Wildlife Federation particularly applauded Allard, who, as a key member of the Senate Budget Committee, pledged to oppose the provision.
Money for conservation
The Colorado Division of Wildlife will make $200,000 in grants available for projects that conserve wildlife resources that are threatened or are of special concern. A variety of organizations outside the Department of Natural Resources are available for the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Grant Program, supported by federal funds. All grants require a 50-50 match from funding sources outside the federal government. The maximum grant is $50,000. Contact Jim Guthrie, Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver 80216 or jim.guthrie@state.co.us. Deadline is Jan. 25.
