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PRONGHORN RELEASED IN GUNNISON BASIN

Blog Master — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:07:43 +0000

PRONGHORN RELEASED IN GUNNISON BASIN

GUNNISON, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife released 62 pronghorn in the Gunnison Basin on Feb. 26 to supplement the population in that area. The release area was about 20 miles southeast of the town of Gunnison.

The animals were trapped earlier in the day on private property in an area northeast of Pueblo where there are an abundance of pronghorn. Hunting is not allowed in that area and the number of pronghorn is over the population management objective set by the DOW. Relocating animals is an established wildlife management technique that is used nationwide.

“It was a win-win situation,” said Brian Dreher, terrestrial biologist with the DOW in the Colorado Springs area. “Gunnison needed some pronghorn to bolster their herds and this area near Pueblo had plenty to spare.”

In the Gunnison Basin, the animals were released south of U.S. Highway 50 and east of the Cochetopa Canyon.

Pronghorn are native to the Gunnison Basin, but they do suffer during periods of extreme weather. During the severe winter of 2007-08 more than half of the approximately 600 pronghorn in the basin died due to the weather conditions. The DOW estimates that prior to Friday’s relocation only about 300 pronghorn roamed the vast sage brush hills.

"The pronghorn really took a hit during the winter of 2008," said J Wenum, area wildlife manager for the Gunnison area. "We’re happy to have more of them in the basin again."

A previous transplant came after the severe winter of 1984. Pronghorn were trapped in the Trinidad area and relocated to supplement the few remaining animals that existed in the Gunnison Basin at the time.

The technique to trap the pronghorn at Pueblo has been used for many years by the DOW. Two fence lines about one-quarter mile long were built at angles to form a funnel shape. A low-flying helicopter herded the animals into the fenced area and then about 100 DOW biologists, staff and volunteers formed a line and walked slowly behind the animals and eventually pushed them into the small end of the enclosure.

At the narrowest point a net was dropped onto the animals. Then the people who had formed the line ran to hold the animals down. Blindfolds were quickly put over the animals’ eyes to help calm them and their legs were hobbled. DOW veterinarians were on hand to keep an eye on the animals. An ear tag was placed on each animal to help biologists track their movements in the basin. The hobbles and blindfolds were then removed and the pronghorn were placed on beds of hay in horse trailers and transferred to the release sites.

Pronghorn are small compared with other big game animals – about three feet tall at the shoulder and weigh from 85-165 pounds. They can run at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour and are the fastest mammals in the Western Hemisphere.

The scientific name for pronghorn is Antilocapra americana. The common names are: antelope, pronghorn antelope, and prairie goat. Pronghorn are small, graceful, hoofed mammals with a large head and prominent, laterally positioned eyes. Keen eye sight and speed are their primary defense mechanisms. Just a few hours after being born a pronghorn can run up to 30 miles per hour.

Pronghorn generally live in grasslands and semi-desert shrub lands on rolling topography that affords good visibility. In spring and summer, the older, more dominant bucks are solitary and the younger males form bachelor bands of up to 12 individuals. The females – known as does – with young form small herds. In the winter, there are large herds of mixed sex and age classes.

Breeding occurs in the fall, from mid-September to mid-October. Males are territorial during the autumn rut; and while they threaten combat, there is little actual contact. Dominant males round up groups of females. Gestation averages 252 days. The young are born from late-May to mid-June. On average, each doe gives birth to two young. In the wild, pronghorn have a typical lifespan of 7-10 years.

Males shed the outer sheath of their horns after breeding. The resulting new growth each year produces a steadily larger set of horns. No other North American mammals have branched horns over a bone core.

For more information about pronghorn, go to the DOW’s web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

PHOTO: Copy and paste photo from this URL. Caption is below.
dnr.state.co.us/ImageDBImages/25671.jpg

Two pronghorn walk into their new home in the Gunnison Basin. The animals were trapped on Feb. 26 east of Pueblo and then taken to the Gunnison area the same day to be released. A total of 62 pronghorn were relocated in an effort to increase the population of pronghorn in the Gunnison Basin. Half of the 600 animals in the basin died during the severe winter of 2007-08. Photo: Colorado Division of Wildlife.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: America, Arrow, Colorado, DOW, Game, Gun, Hunting, Ranch, Wildlife

BIG CHANGES AWAIT GUNNISON ELK HUNTERS

Blog Master — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:51:56 +0000

BIG CHANGES AWAIT GUNNISON ELK HUNTERS

Gunnison, Colo.–Gunnison elk hunters will see significant regulation and license changes for the 2010 big game seasons. Two groups–archery hunters and second-season rifle hunters–are affected most by changes to license allocation and should plan carefully before arriving to the Gunnison area this fall.

"We want to make sure hunters accustomed to purchasing over-the-counter elk licenses are aware of these changes well before the start of the seasons," said J Wenum, DOW area wildlife manager for Gunnison. "We don’t want hunters showing up here realizing they cannot purchase licenses or that licenses have been sold out."

Beginning this year, archery hunters can no longer purchase over-the-counter licenses for Game Management Units 54, 55 and 551. All Gunnison archery licenses are allocated by the limited drawing only for the 2010 season. Therefore, bow hunters must participate in the spring drawing and have applications submitted prior to the April 6 deadline to obtain licenses for these Units.

In addition, the Division of Wildlife is planning to reduce archery elk licenses approximately 30 to 50 percent for the upcoming season based on guidance already given by the Wildlife Commission. The 2010 license allocation is based on a three-year average of license sales during the 2007-09 seasons.

Second-season rifle hunters will also see a change in license allocation in Unit 54. Similar to previous years, hunters may purchase over-the-counter elk licenses, but licenses will be "capped" and limited in quantity. Licenses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning July 13 at statewide DOW offices and license agents, and online on the DOW Web site.

Approved last year under the Five-Year Review of Big Game Season Structure, the Colorado Wildlife Commission implemented these changes to improve hunter harvest rates and to bring overpopulated Gunnison elk herds closer to objective.

During the past several years, the number of archery hunters has increased significantly in the Gunnison Basin. Increased hunting pressure has caused an early movement of elk into sanctuary areas–private ranches and wilderness areas–making animals inaccessible to both archery hunters and rifle hunters later in the season.

Wildlife managers are optimistic that reducing early season hunting pressure will improve overall hunter success and help to lower elk populations.

"Overall, these changes should provide expanded opportunities for rifle hunters to harvest antlerless elk," said Wenum.

For a list and explanation of all 2010 Gunnison Basin big game regulation changes, please visit the following link: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/97D14105-03A3-40EA-9C26-010C3C41DCEB/0/GunnisonBasinChanges2010.pdf

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Bow, Colorado, DOW, Elk, Game, Gun, Hunting, Ranch, Rat, Wildlife

National Park Service Parktips – March 2010

Blog Master — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:47:23 +0000

National Park Service

Parktips – March 2010

Parktips is a monthly compilation of newsworthy items and story ideas from the National Park Service. A new edition is posted on the first week of each month at http://www.nps.gov/news/index.htm. Just click on the Story Leads link to access Parktips. You can view past issues of Parktips. You can also receive a personal copy of Parktips, via e-mail or fax, by registering at our website.

Endangered World and 80.15 W

(Florida) — The installation Endangered World: Biscayne National Park and the exhibit 80.15 W by artist Xavier Cortada are now on view at Biscayne National Park’s Convoy Point and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Both works of art call attention to the impact that humans can have on animals.

Cortada conceived of the installation, which members of the local community executed, and created the works on paper that make up 80.15 W. This exhibit and Endangered World mark the International Year of Biodiversity declared by the United Nations and help Biscayne count down the time to BioBlitz—a 24-hour inventory of the species in the park, sponsored by National Geographic—on April 30 and May 1. For more information, please contact Gary Bremen at 305-230-1144 ext. 007.

Get Ready to Run This Spring!

(Pennsylvania) — The Young Friends of Valley Forge and REI Conshohocken will co-sponsor a clinic, “Introduction to Running,” on Tuesday, March 2 at

7 p.m. at REI Conshohocken. If you’re thinking about running your first 5K or 10K but are unsure how to get started, this clinic is for you. Join the Young Friends of Valley Forge, who are training for the fifth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run, and REI for this “Intro to Running” clinic.

Essential gear, including footwear and clothing, will be discussed. Come out to learn more about training programs and workout ideas as well as to discover great local places to run. The Young Friends of Valley Forge will be on hand with information about the Revolutionary Run. Learn more at http://valleyforge.org/info/rev-run/. For more information, please contact Graham Dellinger 610-783-1062.

Help Test Yosemite’s Water Quality

(California) — Individuals who care about water quality can volunteer in Yosemite National Park’s program for monitoring the Merced River.

Volunteers sample water for nitrates and phosphorous. Volunteers participate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month except December and February. The next date is March 3. Please see http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. For more information, please contact Scott Gediman at 209-372-0200 and Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Fiesta de Saguaro

(Arizona) — Saguaro National Park will host the fourth annual Fiesta de Saguaro on March 6, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park’s Rincon Mountain (East) District. The event highlights the Hispanic history, culture, and heritage of Saguaro National Park and the surrounding area.

Activities include craft demonstrations, traditional Mariachi music and Folklorico dancing, children’s arts and crafts, and guest speakers.

Traditional Mexican food will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Melanie Florez at 520-733-5151.

Backcountry Tours at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

(Arizona) — In honor of the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month in March, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument will host special tours of the park’s backcountry area that is normally closed to the visiting public. Highlights include the Prehistoric Ballcourt, Compound B, and an ancient roasting pit or “horno.” The tours will be offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting on Saturday, March 6 and ending on Sunday, March 28. For more information, please contact Superintendent Karl Cordova at 520-723-3172.

Women’s History Month in National Parks of New York Harbor New York — The National Parks of New York Harbor are celebrating Women’s History Month with a variety of special programs. A musician specializing in historic songs will recreate Jenny Lind’s performance at Castle Garden, now Castle Clinton National Monument. Women’s suffrage is the subject of a discussion being held at the Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center in the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on March 6. On March 12, visitors to St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site can learn about lives of women in 18th-century America based on symbolism and inscriptions on gravestones, including several in the historic burial yard at St. Paul’s.

Join the National Park Service at Federal Hall National Memorial on March

22 for “Symbols, Soldiers, Spies,” a day filled with tales of triumph and tragedy as National Park Service rangers and costumed re-enactors bring to life the women who helped shape 18th-century North America. For more information, please contact Mindi Rambo at 212-668-2208 or mindi_rambo@nps.gov.

Celebrating the Life of Dolley Todd

(Pennsylvania) — Independence National Historical Park and the National Constitution Center celebrate Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady. In honor of Women’s History Month and the enduring legacy of Dolley Todd Madison, the Todd House will be open for special tours on Monday, March 8 between 1 and 5 p.m. Built in 1775, the Todd House was occupied from 1791 to 1793 by lawyer John Todd and his wife, Dolley Payne. Following her husband’s death in 1793, Dolley married James Madison. At 6 p.m., the National Constitution Center hosts Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady, a 90-minute portrait from PBS’s American Experience. Following the screening, there will be a short conversation with executive producer Catherine Allan, producer and director Muffie Meyer, writer Ronald Blumer, and historian Holly Shulman, director of the Dolley Madison Project at the University of Virginia. For more information, please contact Jane Cowley at 215-597-0060 or visit www.nps.gov/inde.

King of the Lobby: Sam Ward, Longfellow’s Friend of Half a Century

(Massachusetts) — Author Kathryn Allamong Jacob, curator of manuscripts, Schlesinger Library at Harvard University, speaks about her newest book, King of the Lobby: The Life and Times of Sam Ward, Man-About-Washington in the Gilded Age. Ward was a statesman, orator, and author and one of Henry Longfellow’s closest friends. Ward’s major impact on American history, however, came from his role as a lobbyist in Washington. Book sales and signing to take place on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Longfellow Carriage House. Please call 617-876-4491.

Night Prowl at Sandy Hook

New Jersey — Set out from the Sandy Hook Visitor Center to explore a habitat on a nighttime hike from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 13. For more information, please call 718-354-4606 or e-mail GATE_Public_Affairs@nps.gov .

Eighteenth-Century Tea and Fashion Show

(New York) — On Sunday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the Saratoga Town Hall, numerous volunteers and staff from Saratoga National Historical Park will present an afternoon tea and fashion show. The show will feature clothing worn by lower, middling, and upper class men, women, and children of the late 1700s. The program (Project Runaway) will also include music and visual images to enhance the atmosphere of the time. A social “tea”

follows, in which treats using original 18th-century recipes will be served. The event is a “Friend-Raiser” cosponsored by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. For more information, please contact Gina Johnson, Chief of Interpretation, at 518-664-9821 ext. 227.

Grand Canyon Hosts Third Annual Alternative Spring Break

(Arizona) — Grand Canyon National Park will host the third annual Alternative Spring Break program sponsored by the Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with American Eagle Outfitters. Grand Canyon is the only site hosting an SCA Alternative Spring Break program this year. The program gives college students the opportunity to spend their spring break volunteering in one of America’s iconic national parks.

Students will work with park and SCA staff on a variety of projects directly leading to the preservation and protection of Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural resources. The two one-week sessions begin on March 15. For more information, please contact Kassy Theobald, Restoration Biologist, Grand Canyon National Park, at 928-638-7857 or kassandra_theobald@nps.gov.

Puzzles of Dorchester Heights: Washington Ends the Siege of Boston

(Massachusetts) — Historians agree that placing artillery on the hills of the Dorchester peninsula was decisive in forcing the British military to evacuate Boston on March 17, 1776. But why had it taken so long for either army to seize that high ground? What was General Washington’s role in setting strategy? And what other factors were important at the end of the siege? Dr. Robert Cameron Mitchell, professor emeritus, Clark University, presents this talk on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Longfellow Carriage House. Please call 617-876-4491.

Return to Battle of Monmouth Via Archeology

(Pennsylvania) — On Thursday, March 18, 2010, archeologist Dan Sividich presents “Archaeology at Monmouth, the Battle after Valley Forge.” On June 28, 1778, the two great armies of the American Revolution clashed on the plains of Monmouth Courthouse in the largest battle of the war. By using metal detectors, computer mapping, and new field techniques, archeologists have established previously undocumented aspects of the conflict, including the location of Proctor’s Artillery, the gun to which Molly Pitcher attended. The presentation, part of the Friends Lecture Series at the Chapel, will give the audience a comprehensive look at battlefield archaeology being conducted at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. For more information, please contact Nancy Loane at nancyloane@comcast.net.

First Bloom Garden Ceremony

(Louisiana) — Since last fall, students from Thibodaux, Louisiana, and the surrounding area have participated in the national First Bloom program at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The students have worked with rangers at the center, learned about native plants, and planted the gardens at the center. Stop by for some green thumb fun on March 20 as the kids put the finishing touches on their work and learn a few garden tips to take home. The garden dedication ceremony is at 11 a.m., followed by refreshments. For more information, please contact the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at 985-448-1375.

Start of Sitka’s Centennial Year

(Alaska) — Designated Sitka National Monument on March 23, 1910, Sitka National Historical Park is the oldest park in Alaska and among the oldest in the United States. This month, the park celebrates its 100-year anniversary, with events on March 21 and 23 kicking off an entire year of celebrations. On March 21, a Raven’s Tail Robe, woven by nationally acclaimed artist Teri Rofkar, will be dedicated and presented to the park.

An original and true form of Tlingit art, these woven robes tell stories and preserve aspects of Tlingit culture. On March 23, the park will open an exhibit of historical photography by E.W. Merrill, depicting life in Sitka in the early 1900s. Dance events by Tlingit and Russian dancers are planned. Information on the centennial is available at http://www.nps.gov/sitk/100-year-anniversary.htm. For interviews, please contact Superintendent Mary Miller at 907-747-6281.

Grand Canyon National Park to Celebrate Archeology Day

(Arizona) — On Saturday, March 27, Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate Archeology Day. This event provides park visitors with the opportunity to learn more about native peoples who inhabited the Grand Canyon long ago. Visitors can gain a greater understanding of what archeologists do and how their work informs an understanding of the past.

Archeology Day will feature a series of special, family-friendly activities at Grand Canyon Visitor Center between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., including opportunities to make clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines and to “sift for artifacts.” There will also be two special evening programs associated with the event: Vanishing Treasures archeologist Ian Hough will share new archeological research in Grand Canyon on March 26, and Park Guide Jennifer Onufer will share her experiences on an archeology trip down the Colorado River on March 27. The event website is http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/arch_day.htm. For more information, please contact Libby Schaaf, Supervisory Park Ranger, at 928-638-7641.

LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour

(Texas) — On March 27, visitors to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park can go on a bicycle ride originating and ending on the LBJ Ranch. Participants may choose from a variety of routes that span seven distances from the ranch into the Texas Hill Country. The longest distance is 100 km. Pre-registration information is available on the internet at www.lbj100bicycletour.org. Luci Johnson will lead an intimate tour of the LBJ Ranch that afternoon. For more information, please contact Liz Lindig at 830-868-7128 ext. 231 or Sherry Justus at 830-868-7128 ext. 245.

Women’s History Month Program: Necessity the Mother of Invention (West Virginia) — Women of Harpers Ferry employed inventions of the Industrial Revolution in their everyday lives. Special exhibits and demonstrations at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will feature the town’s manufacturing and technological advances in such areas as gardening, preserving food, and manufacturing fabric. The Women’s History Month Program will take place on March 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lower Town. For more information, please call 304-535-6224.

Celebrate Spring at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve!

(Louisiana) — In the Barataria Preserve’s wild wetlands, enjoy “Spring in the Swamp” on Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try canoeing on a brief paddle with a ranger. Meet underwater creatures via dip net, and explore the trails on guided walks. “Spring in the Swamp” is free.

For more information, please contact Jim MacDonald 504-689-3690.

Historian David Hackett Fischer to Speak on American Revolution New York — Acclaimed historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Hackett Fischer, a distinguished Professor at Brandeis University, will deliver the annual Aronson Memorial Lecture about the American Revolution at 2 p.m. on March 27 at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site. For more information, please contact Mindi Rambo at 212-668-2208 or mindi_rambo@nps.gov.

2010 Snow Surveys Begin at Yosemite

(California) — Yosemite National Park has begun its 2010 snow surveys.

Measurements are collected four times per year at carefully chosen locations called snow courses. Snow surveys reflect varying levels in precipitation based on climate and changes in climate. The final snow survey is April 1. For more information, please see an online source for the California Cooperative Snow Surveys, http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/index.html. Also for more information, please contact Jim Roche at Jim_Roche@nps.gov or 209-379-379-1446 or Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Meet Abydosaurus mcintoshi

(Colorado, Utah) — Researchers working in Dinosaur National Monument have excavated fossil remains of a previously unknown dinosaur, Abydosaurus mcintoshi, a large plant-eater. The fossils include the only complete sauropod skull in the Western Hemisphere from the last 80 million years of the Age of Dinosaurs—a rare and informative find. For more information, please contact Dan Chure at 801-703-1267.

NC Traditions on the Air

(North Carolina) — The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is partnering with WNCW radio to develop and broadcast a new series called Living Traditions Moments. These two-minute vignettes, which will air on Fridays just before 8 p.m., highlight stories about the people and traditions of the North Carolina mountains and foothills and about how these treasured traditions are being kept alive. For more information, please contact Kathleen Callahan Durcan, Assistant Coordinator for National Heritage Areas, 202-354-2268.

Exploring the Home Port: New Bedford Whaling Premieres Television Series

(Massachusetts) — On February 14, 2010, during a celebration of the 192nd birthday of Frederick Douglass, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park premiered the first episode of its new television series, Exploring the Home Port. The first episode, “The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass in New Bedford,” explores Douglass’s life in New Bedford, including his escape, name change, work, and political activities. The episode will air on New Bedford Cable Access throughout the month of March. Future episodes will explore diverse themes and stories associated with the park. For more information about New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, please call

508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

New Bedford Whaling Expands Costumed Interpretation

(Massachusetts) — Lucy Bly and Judy Roderiques, seasonal rangers at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, bring the 1850s to life each month as Ruth and Abby, the wives of former whalers. This special program had previously run during summer only. Bly and Roderiques have carried out extensive research, and focus on a distinct topic or area each month.

Recent appearances have included demonstrations of needlework, stories from around the world about monsters of the sea, and the moral dilemma of the

Fugitive Slave Law and abolitionism. For more information about New

Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s programs, please call

508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

Quest for Treasure

(Ohio) — A new type of treasure hunt is coming to the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway, which stretches from Cleveland through Akron and Canton to New Philadelphia. Volunteers and teachers are needed to get the new family-oriented recreational program off the ground. Questing involves following a rhyming trail of charming clues and a curious map to find a hidden box. Participants log their finds and collect unique stamps in passport-like booklets while gaining a richer sense of place. For more information, please contact Kathleen Callahan Durcan, Assistant Coordinator for National Heritage Areas, at 202-354-2268.

Yosemite to Study Sky-Island Flora

(California) — In 2010-2012, Yosemite National Park staff will be conducting a botanical inventory of the park’s sky-island floras. These specialized plant communities occupy dry, cold plateaus at the crest of the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite south to Sequoia-Kings Canyon. The plants of these sites are highly vulnerable to the drying and warming predicted by many climate forecast models. Data gathered from this project will assist park managers in protecting resources. For more information, please contact Alison Colwell at Alison_Colwell@nps.gov or 209-379-3295 and Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Commemoration of Women’s History Month

(Pennsylvania) — Visitors to Independence National Historical Park are invited to celebrate Women’s History Month 2010. A free program will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays in March at 2 p.m. in the Franklin Court Underground Museum. This program, led by a park ranger, highlights the contributions of women to the founding of our nation. For more information, please contact Jane Cowley at 215-597-0060 or visit www.nps.gov/inde.

Hike in the Footsteps of Revolutionary War Soldiers (New Jersey) — The Jockey Hollow and New Jersey Brigade areas of Morristown National Historical Park offer 27 miles of trails through the historic encampment site of George Washington’s army. Winter brings the opportunity to hike or snowshoe to replicas of soldier huts and to envision the sacrifices made by the 10,000 Continental Army soldiers encamped there during the hard winter of 1779 to 1780. The park’s revised, full-color brochure includes trail routes, topography, photos, and descriptions of the hikes, which range from the easy Primrose Brook trail to the strenuous New Jersey Brigade trail. For more information, please contact Jamie Keller, Acting Chief of Interpretation, at 973-539-2016 ext. 210.

New Bedford Whaling NHP Begins 13-Week Volunteer Training Course

(Massachusetts) — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is currently offering a free 13-week course on local history and culture as well as on the basics of customer service and connecting visitors with the park. Although geared towards current and potential volunteers, the course is open to any member of the public interested in learning more about the local area. There are workshops on the history of whaling, historic structures within the boundaries of the park, the basics of interpretation, and front-desk training and customer service. There is also a crash course on themes and a special training for those planning to assist with educational programs. For more information about New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s volunteer program, please call 508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

Woodcock Watch

New York — Come to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to attend a short indoor presentation and then watch the remarkable American woodcock perform his courtship display in the evening dusk. For more information, please call

718-354-4606 or e-mail GATE_Public_Affairs@nps.gov.

My Tags: Alaska, America, Arizona, California, Colorado, Community, Conservation, DOW, Florida, Gun, Kid, Law, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, News, North Carolina, Ohio, Park, Pennsylvania, Photos, Ranch, Rat, Russia, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wildlife

Saturday: Julie Bergman of Gecko Ranch

Cindy Steinle — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:42:33 +0000

On Saturday, Feb. 27, at 9 PM Eastern Time in the kingsnake.com chat room, Julie Bergmen of Gecko Ranch will be joining us to talk… what else? “Geckos!”

Julie is a noted breeder, keeper and author of and about geckos, Global Gecko Association 2009 President and Lifetime member, member of the International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Pet Industrial Joint Advisory Council(PIJAC), Heritage Society, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine and Northern California Herpetological Society.

She is also the author of “Geckos: Day Geckos, Tokay Geckos plus New Caledonians and More!” and co-author, “Leopard Geckos: A complete guide to Eublepharine Geckos.”

Julie will be talking with kingsnake.com’s Cindy Steinle via streaming audio. Bring your questions!

My Tags: California, Chat News & Info, Conservation, DOW, Mouse, News, Ranch, Snake

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

Blog Master — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:12:50 +0000

National Park Service News Release

Sean_O’Meara, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Sean_O’Meara@nps.gov, 206-220-4240 Elise Cleva, NPS Headquarters, Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

January 27, 2010

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

SEATTLE – In less than three weeks, figure skaters will be spinning, lugers sliding, and skiers racing cross-country and whizzing down-mountain for gold. That metal—even when not in the form of a medal—can inspire people to leave home, travel great distances, and perform Olympian feats like climbing a snow-covered slope with a bundle of supplies strapped to one’s back. The gold discovered in 1896 in the valley of Canada’s Yukon River prompted “stampeders” to do just that. Thousands of these men and women poured into Seattle in the last years of the 19th century, and today a national park commemorates their experiences. This week’s National Park Getaway provides more information about the Seattle component of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which also has a location in Skagway, Alaska.

The National Park Getaways series helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends. This week’s feature plugs you into American history, taking you back more than a century and preparing you to visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. At the park, your imagination can fill in the bustle and sensory overload of Seattle’s streets in the 1890s. This city formed a point of departure for many northbound gold rushers. Some of them found lodging in the Cadillac Hotel, which is situated in the Pioneer Square National Historic District and now houses the park museum and visitor center. In the hotel, you can take advantage of the park’s interactive features, view exhibits about the gold rush, and trace the stories of several men and women who sought gold.

Touch-screens show visitors passages from the journals and personal accounts of gold rushers.

If you will be following the footsteps of 19th-century stampeders—arriving in Seattle and then heading north—with the difference that your destination is Vancouver and the Winter Games, rather than Canadian gold fields, stop by Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the 33rd park featured in the National Park Getaways series.

To see previous getaways, please visit www.nps.gov/getaways. To journey backward in time and strike the intangible gold of a great experience, come visit the Seattle branch of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

My Tags: Alaska, America, DOW, Game, News, Park, Ranch, Rat, Seattle

Check this video out — Sun Ci…

Bob Ratliff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:21:30 +0000

Check this video out — Sun City Las Vegas – Las Vegas Retirement Communities http://youtu.be/hbS60tXkWrk

My Tags: Colorado, colorado pheasant club, Colorado Pheasant Hunting, Colorado Pheasant Hunting Ranch, colorado upland bird hunting, Game, Hunting, Ranch, Upland Bird Hunting, Video

LANDOWNERS IN SE COLORADO CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME FROM HUNTING LEASES

Blog Master — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:10:52 +0000

LANDOWNERS IN SE COLORADO CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME FROM HUNTING LEASES

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is looking for landowners in SE Colorado to lease access for the 2010 hunting seasons. The DOW’s Big Game Access Program (BGAP) will continue for a fourth year. This fourth year will provide ongoing private lands access while allowing the DOW time to complete the analysis of the first three years of the pilot program (2007-2009).

The program analysis will be conducted for the first three years, including an annual evaluation to determine the ability to sustain the program and potential to expand. The evaluation will be based on landowner satisfaction, sportsmen satisfaction, game harvest by species, economic viability, and overall participation in and success of the program.

The pilot was focused on deer and pronghorn hunting in southeast Colorado on private lands in the following Game Management Units: 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126, and 127. This fourth year will continue within the same GMU’s.

The DOW will pay landowners to allow big game hunting access on their property — similar to existing programs that allow access to hunt small game and upland birds.

Eligible cover types of land for this program will be upland grass or prairie habitat with a focus on pronghorn, and river bottom or riparian land with a focus on deer. Landowners whose properties meet the requirements of this program can receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land.

Landowners whose properties meet BGAP requirements will receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land. Payments to the landowner will range from 25-cents per acre up to a maximum of $3 per acre depending on the size of the property, type of the habitat and number of day’s access is allowed.

Landowners must apply by Feb. 25. There will be a ranking process and properties will be rated based on habitat quality, number of pronghorn and/or deer, and budget limitations. Only a limited number of properties can participate. The 2010 program will begin with the fall hunting seasons.

Previous properties in the program must re-enroll to participate again in 2010.

BGAP benefits both landowners and hunters. The benefit to landowners is that it provides additional income. Hunters benefit because it opens up more hunting opportunities.

Enrolled properties will be clearly marked with DOW "Walk-in Access" signs. All posting is done by the DOW. Landowners’ names, addresses or telephone numbers are kept confidential.

Access to hunt on the land enrolled in BGAP is by walk-in only. Hunters must have a valid license for the season they hunt in and buy a $40 BGAP permit to gain access to enrolled properties. BGAP permits may be purchased at any license agent or DOW office.

The access stamp will apply to Pronghorn and Deer hunting only. Any other hunting on the lands enrolled in this program (such as small game) will be at the discretion of the landowner with permission only.

Basic information on GMU’s, locations, and ranches enrolled will be posted on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website (http://wildlife.state.co.us/) prior to the big game license application deadline. Maps of enrolled properties will be available on the internet as soon as possible after enrollment is completed. Landowner applications may also be downloaded from the same site.

For more information, or to obtain an application to enroll your land, please contact the DOW office in Lamar at (719) 336-6600. Correspondence can be sent addressed to the Colorado Division of Wildlife c/o BGAP, 2500 South Main St., Lamar, CO. 81052.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Colorado, Deer, DOW, Game, Hunting, Ranch, Rat, Wildlife

COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE NAMES 2009 ‘LANDOWNER OF THE YEAR’ RECIPIENT

Blog Master — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:14:20 +0000

COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE NAMES 2009 ‘LANDOWNER OF THE YEAR’ RECIPIENT

DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife named Russell, Tricia, Lyle and Jackie Davis recipients of the 2009 "Landowner of the Year" award. The Davis family received this award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation, community service and innovative management of the Wineinger-Davis Ranch.

"We are proud to recognize the Davis family for their exemplary management of the Wineigner-Davis Ranch," said Ken Morgan, Division of Wildlife private lands coordinator. "The Davises have exhibited the highest degree of land stewardship and have shown that agriculture and wildlife conservation can coexist."

Located in Lincoln and Crowley counties, the Wineinger-Davis Ranch is comprised of two separate, land parcels, totaling more than 12,000 acres. The ranch’s native shortgrass prairie and riparian ecosystems are home to diverse wildlife species including pronghorn, swift fox, western burrowing owl, mountain plover, massasauga rattlesnake, plains leopard frog, bald eagle, ferruginous hawk, plains native fish and other reptiles and amphibians.

As a working cattle ranch, Russell Davis and his wife Tricia, with help from Russell’s father and mother (Lyle and Jackie) and brothers, manage day-to-day operations, running nearly 1,000 cattle on the property annually. While livestock production is key, the Davises have developed the ranch into an environmentally friendly and diverse enterprise, keeping wildlife conservation a primary focus.

In cooperation with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Davises implemented several habitat improvement projects on the ranch to benefit wildlife. Accomplishments include fence improvements and the use of "flash grazing" to protect riparian vegetation from overgrazing. In addition, the Davises constructed new stock tanks to help mitigate adverse impacts to habitat adjacent to livestock watering areas.

The Davises also take an active role in monitoring ranch wildlife by allowing conservation agencies and organizations access to conduct surveys and research on their property. For the past eight years, Division of Wildlife and Colorado Natural Heritage researchers performed mountain plover and other species research on the ranch.

"Russell Davis has been instrumental in allowing access to researchers to study the dynamics of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem," said Casey Cooley, Division of Wildlife conservation biologist. "He and a handful of other Karval landowners allowed researchers to collect important demographic data to assess the conservation status of the plover and other shortgrass prairie species."

In 2006, the Davis family helped to establish the Karval Community Alliance, a public outreach program designed to promote wildlife education and activities. To date, the Alliance has hosted four Mountain Plover Festivals, inviting bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the state to view plovers and other native wildlife species on ranch property. In addition, participants receive an active, hands-on, learning experience, helping them to better understand the role ranchers and agricultural producers play in wildlife conservation.

To ensure the long-term protection of the ranch’s wildlife resources, the Davis family converted the Wineinger-Davis Ranch to a perpetual conservation easement in 2004. Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado (Colorado Lottery) and supported by the Division of Wildlife’s Species Conservation program, the easement requires present and future landowners to maintain native ecosystems by following land management practices beneficial to both wildlife and agriculture production. The easement also protects the ranch from future development.

"The Davises were extremely patient and persistent in making the easement happen," said Morgan. "They spent countless hours in the field, on the phone, in public meetings and working with the Division to complete this transaction."

Each year, the Colorado Wildlife Commission and the Colorado Agricultural Commission select a private landowner who has made outstanding contributions in providing beneficial habitat to Colorado’s wildlife and/or providing public hunting and fishing access on private lands. This award is part of the Division of Wildlife’s Landowner Recognition program, which works to improve communication between landowners, sportsmen and the Division.

For information about the Division of Wildlife Landowner Recognition Program, please visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Web site at: www.wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/PrivateLandProgram/LandownerRecognitionPrgm/
To view a photo of the Davis family, click here:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/apps/ImageDB/ImageDownload.aspx?ImageId=25633&ImageSize=Print&ImageType=JPG

PHOTO CAPTION: The Colorado Division of Wildlife presents the "Landowner of the Year" award to the Wineinger-Davis Ranch for their outstanding contributions to wildlife resources.

Pictured left to right:
Tom Remington –Director, Colorado Division of Wildlife
Brad Coors –Chairman, Colorado Wildlife Commission
Russell Davis
Lyle Davis
John Stulp –Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Colorado, Community, Conservation, Denver, DOW, Fishing, Hawk, Hunting, Outdoors, Ranch, Rat, Snake, Wildlife

National Park Service Launches On-Line Travel Itinerary Featuring Historic VA Medical Centers

Blog Master — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:29:51 +0000

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 11, 2010

Contact: National Park Service David Barna 202-208-6843 or Carol Shull

202-354-2234

Department of Veterans Affairs Kathleen Schamel

202-461-8254

National Park Service Launches On-Line Travel Itinerary Featuring Historic VA Medical Centers

Washington, D.C. – In his Second Inaugural Address in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln acknowledged the nation’s responsibility “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” That same year, the president signed the law establishing the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers to care for veterans who had volunteered to fight for the Union in the Civil War.

The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which has 11 branches, is featured in the National Park Service’s newest on-line Discover Our Shared Heritage travel itinerary. The itinerary is available at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/veterans_affairs/ and can be printed as a guide.

“The homes are thought-provoking places to visit,” says National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “This itinerary exposes people to history and, at the same time, helps them accept President Obama’s invitation to service. When you’re connected to the stops on the itinerary, you’re connected to Veterans Affairs facilities where you can offer your skills and time.”

The branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers differ from other travel destinations because they still serve veterans. As active medical centers managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the branches welcome both visitors and volunteers. The itinerary provides guidance on how to make respectful visits.

The National Home branches, with their expansive, park-like campuses and impressive historic buildings, are all listed in or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Essays in the itinerary give details about the history and development of the National Home system, what life there was like for veterans in the early years, and volunteering.

Descriptions of the 11 branches highlight their significance and include information on what to see, how to visit, and how to serve veterans and assist at the facilities. Maps aid in navigation to the sites, and a “Learn More” section contains additional information, including a bibliography and links to communities where the medical centers are located.

The National Park Service’s Heritage Education Services and Federal Preservation Institute produced the itinerary in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs Historic Preservation Office, the National Preservation Institute, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. This itinerary is the 50th in Discover Our Shared Heritage, the National Park Service’s ongoing series of travel itineraries.

The series supports historic preservation, promotes public awareness of history, and encourages visits to historic places throughout the country.

All the itineraries can be found at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/.

– NPS –

My Tags: Law, News, Park, Ranch, Washington

Colorado Late Season Cow Elk Hunts

Bob Ratliff — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:38:31 +0000

If you are just interested in taking home some meat we offer Colorado late season cow elk hunts on our ranch. These hunts are offered from mid November to mid January. David Hoff is seen hunting at The Cottonwood Hunt Club shoots a cow elk for late season cow elk hunting.
We have private Colorado ranch [...]

My Tags: Colorado, Colorado Late Season Cow Elk Hunts, Cow Elk Hunts, Cow Elk Hunts Late Season Colorado, Elk, Elk Hunting Season, Game, Hunting, late season cow elk hunt, late season cow elk hunt colorado, Late Season Elk Hunting Colorado, Ranch

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