In a continuing effort to protect stressed big game herds in the Gunnison Basin, the Bureau of Land Management Gunnison has extended its temporary closures to include all unauthorized human activity. The agency earlier has excluded all motorized activity.
Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel, aided by a small army of volunteers, continue to feed deer, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep in critical areas where animals are suffering from deep snow and extreme cold.
Meanwhile, DOW managers continue to monitor the condition of animals in northwest Colorado, where deer remain in fairly good condition despite deep snow in some areas. Biologists have determined that feeding isn’t yet necessary in the region.
Lamar snow geese.
The city of Lamar again will join with the Colorado Division in hosting the annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival from Feb. 22-24. Various activities have been arranged to allow visitors to witness the movements of these distinctive geese and learn more about a dramatic migration that moves millions of birds here from the Canadian Arctic and back again.
Some snow geese winter in the lower Arkansas River Valley, while others migrate as far south as southern New Mexico and Mexico.
A DOW clinic on how to hunt snow geese, an overpopulated species, will be 6-8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the agency office, 2500 Main St. To inquire about all festival activities, phone 719-336-4379.
