Tony Bonacquista, a district wildlife manager and experienced bear hunter, will lead the presentation on hunting Colorado's black bears, discussing bear biology, hunting tactics, field dressing, rules and regulations, and human-bear conflict issues.
“Bears are very challenging to hunt, but hunters who know where to look and how to hunt them can improve their success rates,” Bonacquista said.
Bear populations are healthy throughout the Montrose area of western Colorado. During hunting season in the early fall, bears eat for up to 20 hours per day, concentrating on acorns and berries, high-energy food sources they need to pack on the pounds in preparation for hibernation.
Cost for the workshop is $10, which includes lunch. To register, call the Montrose Parks and Wildlife office at 970/252-6000. The class will be limited to 30 people.
Applications for Squint and Juanita Moore Scholarship Available
WESTERN SLOPE – Applications for the Chipeta Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society’s Squint and Juanita Moore Scholarship are currently available to high school, college or graduate students within the Montrose, Delta, Mesa, San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan counties.
Applicants must demonstrate an interest in archaeology or anthropology. Scholarships funds may be used for formal school study, field school or ongoing professional work. Applications and information are available at www.montrosecf.com. For more information, students in the counties listed above may contact their school guidance offices. Completed applications may be submitted electronically or mailed. Completed applications must be received by April 1.
Mountain Sprouts Preschool Presents Zumba for the Family
TELLURIDE – A Zumba Family Dance Party takes place Thursday, March 15, 5:30- 6:30 p.m., at Wilkinson Public Library. Sponsored by Mountain Sprouts Preschool and the library, the program is free and open to all kids ages 3-8 who are accompanied by their parents (no drop-offs, please).
Sponsored by Mountain Sprouts Preschool, the program offers resources for regional parents of preschoolers. Taught by children’s librarian Megan Heller, it offers a way for parents and their young children to have fun and exercise together: dancing, wiggling, laughing and making up new moves. Heller will give parents tips on how to do Zumba (or at least how to have fun dancing with their children) in their own homes.
The Growing Together Series, which happens four times a year, “is offered as a way for all parents of preschoolers in the Telluride region to get together and share their concerns and creative solutions for how to nurture our children and support each other the best we can,” says Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, its director.
For information about Mountain Sprouts is currently accepting applications for new students for the summer sessions and for fall enrollment, call Erin at 970/728-8004.
For more information about Zumba for the Family, contact Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at 970/728-0399.
Big Game License Seminar in Montrose
MONTROSE – Hunters with plans for big-game hunting this year are invited to join Colorado Parks and Wildlife for an introductory workshop on big-game licenses on March 22, at the Montrose Service Center, 23000 S. Townsend Ave.
Topics covered include how the draw and preference point system works, how to determine odds of drawing a limited license, the difference between limited and over-the-counter licenses, when hunters can have more than one big-game license and more.
The application deadline for Colorado limited big game hunting licenses is April 3.
This free seminar is excellent for any hunter who wants to better understand how big game licensing works in Colorado and needs help planning a hunt. District wildlife managers from the Montrose office will be on hand to answer questions. The class will be limited to 22 participants.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s 2012 Big Game Hunting Brochure Available
DENVER – The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife’s 2012 Big Game Hunting brochure is now available, and limited license applications are being accepted for this fall's big-game hunts.
License applications for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, sheep, goat and bear are due Tuesday, April 3.
For 2012, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has updated the interactive online version of the big game brochure; it features videos with online application tips and hunting tips. New tables help hunters easily identify units where licenses are valid, and when they can hold more than one license at a time.
In 2011, about 75 percent of hunters applied online, up from 64 percent in 2010.
Henrietta Turner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife's license administration manager, said that last year, her staff called more than 15,000 individuals to address more than 45,000 errors or problems with their big game applications. Many of the errors would have resulted in the rejection of the license application. Only 25 of those calls went to hunters who submitted their application through the web.
“Our online system is easy, convenient and it keeps you from making some of the more common mistakes that could affect success in the drawing,” Turner said. “The web site also has a wealth of resources for hunters looking to plan a memorable hunt.”
Parks and Wildlife offices in Montrose, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Hot Sulphur Springs and Denver offer internet terminals for hunters to use. In addition, the secure application site can be accessed through any public internet terminal.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunt planners are available again this year to help hunters who have application questions or are looking for areas to hunt. Hunt planners can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time at 303/291-7526 (303-291-PLAN).
Hunters ages 18 to 64 must have a $10 Habitat Stamp prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license in Colorado (one stamp is required per hunter per year; a lifetime Habitat Stamp is available for $300). Hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949 are also reminded that they must complete an approved state or provincial hunter education course prior to applying for a hunting license in Colorado. Since the hunter education requirement was imposed in 1970, hunting accidents have significantly declined in the state.
The interactive version of the brochure can be accessed at www.bit.ly/COBigGame2012; a pdf version of the 2012 Colorado Big Game brochure can be viewed at http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesRegs/RegulationsBrochures/Pages/BigGame.aspx and a complete list of upcoming hunter education classes can be found at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterEducation/CourseCalendar/.
Sharefest on April 28
MONTROSE – On Saturday, April 28, 350-plus volunteers from the Montrose-Olathe area churches will come together at the Centennial Middle School Parking Lot for a 7 a.m. kick-off on community service projects aimed at improving the region’s schools, parks, city and county properties, and at assisting the elderly and those in need.
Participants and recipients are reminded that the project deadline is March 16.
The outreach will include a food drive for local food pantries, a coat drive and possibly a blood drive. Look for food and coat donation boxes around town. For information, call 970/240-4900. (Espanol, 970/596-0465.)
Two Board Seats Up for SMPA Election
SAN MIGUEL AND OURAY COUNTIES – Two positions on San Miguel Power's seven-member board are for election at the 2012 Annual Meeting, June 14, in Nucla.
Seats in district one and four are for four-year terms.
The Annual Meeting offers SMPA members an opportunity to review SMPA's activities over the past year and learn about what we have planned for the future. This year members in districts one and four will vote for their director representative at the meeting. Members will also be able to vote prior to the meeting by returning their mail-in ballot, which will be sent out in May.
District one includes Nucla, Naturita, Uravan, Paradox, Redvale, Basin and Slick Rock. District four includes Sawpit, Lower Log Hill and Telluride (west of South Tomboy Drive and North Davis Street). Members in these districts are eligible to run and vote for the board seat in their specific district.
(The board reviewed district compositions at their Feb. 24 board meeting, and they may have changed. Contact SMPA for the most up to date information.)
Members interested in running for a board seat need to contact Toni Bertorello, Executive Secretary, at (970) 626-5549 ext. 210 or toni@smpa.com to obtain a nomination petition. Nomination petitions will be available after February 27, 2012. They must be returned to SMPA no later than close of business on April 30, 2012.
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