Tag Archives: Colorado

In The News: Sportsmen & Wildlife On The Front Lines, Natural History & Conservation

Let The Buffalo Roam – Forever

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Buffalo Play

November 2015

SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA – Modern science and ancient ritual combined Sunday as a herd of 10 American bison thundered from a holding corral onto the northern Colorado prairie, the first step to restoring the nation’s largest iconic land mammal to this part of its historic range.

It was the first time in nearly 150 years that bison with complete heirloom genetics – from in and around Yellowstone National Park – had touched public grasslands near the Wyoming border north of Fort Collins.

About 350 community members and project partners gathered to watch the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd charge onto 1,000 fenced acres at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and Red Mountain Open Space.

Before the release, a spiritual leader from the Crow Nation of Montana offered a prayer in his native Apsaalooké language, as the golden eagle feathers in his headdress waved in the prairie wind. Four Native American guests then drummed and sang a Pawnee going-home song.

“I want to wish the buffalo well going back to their homelands,” drummer Dwayne Iron told those assembled…[More]

By  Coleman Cornelius

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I only recently found out about this amazing wildlife project. I just wish I could have been there to see it happen. This will definitely be on my travel list for 2016.

Posted by Michael Patrick McCarty

Find the Original Article and Read More About This Bison Reintroduction HERE

A Good Picture, Or Three...

Planet Mountain Goat

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July 12, 2015

As you can see, our two friends from the previous week have found some company. It’s a boy’s club for sure.

This view was taken through a spotting scope at twenty power and may not be the best photo.  However, I can assure you that there is one big boss billy in this group.

How many more hours to opening day?

A photo of a far off view of mountain goats in a spotting scope, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of Colorado in GMU 12

 

You Might Also Like Our Post The Improbable Beast HERE

Posted by Michael Patrick McCarty

The Backyard Biologist - Observations of an Amature Naturalist

A Little Tussle Among Friends

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Take a look at this short video of two mule deer bucks doing what young bucks do, although they are probably still new to the game and may not be completely sure exactly what makes them do it. The November rut is a ways off yet, but it helps to get some practice in beforehand. Just getting shed of some nervous energy, I suppose.

The clip is courtesy of Dave Massender of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Dave recorded this little bit of fun from his office window, and the deer were sparring in his backyard. Clicking antlers is a sound not heard near often enough.

Many thanks to Dave. We should all be so lucky to have such an interesting backyard!

Posted by Michael Patrick McCarty

You might also like The Promise of Deer, or our story on Our Shrinking Mule Deer Herd Here

Trophy Gallery

Just Another Bowhunting Trophy

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Bull Elk Taken With Archery Tackle in Colorado
Rocky Tschappat With Another Bowhunting Trophy

September 28, 2014

Any elk taken with a bow and arrow is a trophy – just ask anyone that has hunted them.

This great bull was taken near Carbondale, Colorado late in the archery season. I am told it was a 73 yard shot too, and I believe it.

Congratulations Mr. Tschappat. Somehow you make it all look so easy, though we all know that is far from the truth!

We can’t wait to see what you come up with next year.

 

Posted by Michael Patrick McCarty

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A Good Picture, Or Three...

September Was Created for Bugling Elk

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October 8, 2015

 

A Bull Elk Bugling and Herding Cow Elk
King of The Mountain. Photo by David Schroeder of New Castle, Colorado

 

Call me crazy, but I may never tire of admiring elk.

It would take much more time than I have here to tell you why, but if you are a hunter, or another elk enthusiast, then there would not be much of a point in doing so. You already know what I might say.

I would be with them right now, amongst the herd, if I could. September is the best of all times in the Rocky Mountains, and elk have more than a little bit to do with that. I suspect the elk might agree with that too.

Yet, personal time in the wild lands is limited and precious, and there are always so many things that get in the way. I can appreciate a good picture when I see one though, and this one really puts me in the proper elk-country frame of mind.

A wildlife photographer is a hunter too, though they may prefer a different kind of tool to acquire their prey. With luck and perseverance they may just catch that perfect moment in time, preserved for you and I and for those who may never step foot in the land of rutting and wild-eyed bulls.

They fill in the gaps of our lost experience, and placate our wilderness longings when we simply cannot be there ourselves. We are all so very much richer for their efforts, and I salute them.

This particular photograph was taken by David Schroeder this September in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. He used a Nikon D600 camera with a 600mm telephoto lens, set at ISO 800, an aperture  of f/4, and a shutter speed of 1 /400 sec.

Dave tells me that he has been crazy about elk for over 35 years, and it shows. I can tell a kindred spirit when I see one.

I have no doubt that he, like I, shall never tire of admiring elk.

Posted by Michael Patrick McCarty

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Through A Hunter's Eyes

Mountains Are For Merriam’s

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There’s Nothing Like Hunting Turkeys at 8,000 Feet (If You Can Take It!)

Sometimes you have to go a long, long, way up in the land of little air to find a turkey…and if your hunting in western Colorado, I can just about guarantee that you will.

Merriam’s are the name of the game, and they, of all the other subspecies, may be the most challenging wild turkey of them all. If you have any doubts in that department, just take a long, hard gander at where they live. It may force you to reevaluate your hunting strategy…and your hopes.

But then again, maybe not.

The terrain is usually steep, and deep, and big. Really, really big. But the turkeys are there for the undaunted, and it is after all, a Rocky Mountain adventure.

Did I happen to mention that there is very little O2 hanging about?

 

 

Michael McCarty poses with a Merriam's Turkey taken in western Colorado in Spring 2016
Spring is for Merriam’s Turkeys
Michael McCarty prepares to set up while hunting Merriam's Turkeys on a full moon morning in Western Colorado
Moon Over Merriam’s

For some tips on hunting The Merriam’s Wild Turkey, see a great article here.