Friday marks the beginning of the Denver Bass Pro Shops (7970 Northfield Blvd.) Fall Hunting Classic, a three-week extravaganza of clinics and demonstrations ranging from bow hunting for big game to how to train a bird dog.
Dubbed “Hunting University,” the Fall Classic kicks off with a “Meet the Stars” evening with talks by Wayne Carlton, Steve Criner and Cameron Hanes on Friday night, followed by a bow-hunting heavy weekend delving into the best techniques for bagging elk, mule deer and bighorns.
Subsequent weekends are dedicated to big game, predator and upland bird hunts, including pointing dog demos from Grand National champions and tips from their trainers during clinics Aug. 13-14.
Waterfowl, big game and predator hunting are featured Aug. 20-21, featuring duck calling, elk calling and predator calling champions. There are more than 50 seminars and 20 dog demos throughout the three weeks, all of them free. For more info, visit or call 720-385-3600.
Tag sale.
Those interested in bagging a tag for elk, deer or pronghorn this fall should mark the calendar for Tuesday, when thousands of leftover big game hunting licenses will go on sale to the public at 9 a.m.
Long lines for some of the more sought-after licenses will form early at many wildlife offices and license retailers statewide. Although better distributed now, people have been known to camp overnight in the past. In order to keep distribution fair, Internet sales of leftover licenses do not begin until Aug. 10.
Hunters can find a list of wildlife offices and license retailers on the wildlife side of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website (). Those unable to get to a license agent can call the toll-free license sales number (877-244-5613), beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 9.
Come prepared with a driver’s license, hunter education card and Social Security number. Hunters interested in purchasing private land-only licenses must obtain permission from landowners before they can hunt.
In addition to the approximately 37,000 elk licenses, 7,300 deer licenses and 7,200 pronghorn licenses that will be available, more than 120 leftover fall turkey licenses will also go on sale. A complete list of leftover licenses is available at the parks website.
First Shot!
Kids just starting out in wildlife recreation are invited to the First Shot! event at Colorado Parks and Wildlife North Denver office (6060 Broadway) on Saturday at 8 a.m., where district wildlife manager Tim Woodward will teach novice shooters and anglers how to get the most out of the outdoors.
The introduction to archery, fishing and shooting is free but limited to the first 75 kids to sign up. Call 303-291-7804 or e-mail tony.dymek@state.co.us.
Green drake hatch.
Word is that the green drake hatch has hit the Roaring Fork River, providing some of the best dry fly-fishing opportunities of the year from El Jebel to Old Snowmass and farther downstream from Westbank to Glenwood Springs. The river is running clear and caddis and yellow sallies are also coming off in good numbers.
Check in with the gang at Roaring Fork Anglers (800-781-8120) or Frying Pan Anglers (970-927-3441) for the fishing details.
Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
