Garden of the Gods Park will host the second annual Colorado Springs Bighorn Sheep Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Viewing stations, guided nature walks, interactive wildlife programs and a seminar about bighorn sheep will be available at an event that starts at the park visitor center, 1805 N. 30th St. Phone 719-227-5221 for information.
For the birds
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the nation’s leading conservation groups for upland game bird conservation, combined to spend more than $33.8 million in 2006 on various habitat and education projects. Over the past 24 years, the groups have spent some $200 million to improve habitat on 4.4 million acres.
School for guides
The Cutthroat Anglers fly shop in Silverthorne will offer two classes in April to assist prospective guides in learning the skills of the trade. The seven-day sessions will provide certification for CPR and whitewater rowing, along with instruction in entomology, boat handling, client service and photography. Dates are April 15-21 and 22-28. The cost is $1,400. Phone 970-262-2878.
Calling all dogs
The North American Gun Dog Association, a Stratton-based organization involving all hunting breeds, will host a series of preliminary trials to qualify dogs for a March 30-April 1 national championship.
Preliminary events will be held March 3-4 in Otis (970-848-3820), Saturday and Sunday and March 24-25 in Stratton (719-348-4868) and Feb. 24 and March 17 in Rocky Ford (719-254-4402). Open pointing and flushing registration costs $110; all other divisions $90, youth $55 and doubles $160.
Chicken-lovin’ lynx
One of the male lynx released as part of Colorado’s recovery program recently ended up in an unusual place – a chicken coop in Cheyenne.
After the cat killed two chickens at a southside residence, it was chased up a tree by dogs. Wildlife officials identify the animal as a lynx, which typically keeps to remote wilderness locations.
Game warden Jon Stephens snared the animal by the leg, leaping with it to the ground. Caged, the animal was returned to the Colorado Division of Wildlife on Jan. 21 in apparent good health. The cat will recuperate at a DOW facility before being released again – presumably far away from the nearest chicken coop.
