Most of us try to take the wife or girlfriend out for a nice dinner and flowers on the most romantic day of the year.  My buddy, Nate Treadwell, however took his lovely bride and son out to Tejon ranch for a feral hog hunt.   

Katie, if you have any sisters or female cousins who are as understanding as you are, I’m sure there are plenty of hunters who would love to meet them!

Nate writes:

We spent last weekend on the Tejon ranch. Great time, as always. We went 4 for 4 on the pigs. I don’t have time for a long story but we unexpectedly stumbled onto a couple pigs in an easy spot so Katie and Zach got to watch it all go down.

DENVER, Colo.–Big game hunters can now experience the excitement and adventure of Colorado elk hunting by immersing themselves in “Elk Camp Colorado,”the latest online video from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Filmed in high-definition video and recorded in digital audio, “Elk Camp Colorado” takes viewers on an intimate journey deep into Colorado’s backcountry, capturing one of the most time-honored and cherished big game hunting traditions–the elk camp.

The 12-minute video also provides a wealth of information to assist hunters, including overviews of Colorado’s big game hunting regulations and license application process.

“This video is a wonderful tool for helping people get started and teaching them to be more successful on their hunt,” said Tyler Baskfield, DOW communications manager. “It’s also highly entertaining and does a great job at getting people excited about hunting in Colorado.”

From the haunting bugle of a wild bull elk to the unique camaraderie shared by friends exchanging hunting stories around a crackling campfire, “Elk Camp Colorado” encompasses the true essence of the hunt, laced with spectacular fall scenery and crystal-clear wildlife imagery.

In addition, the video introduces viewers to the Natural Diversity Information Source mapping system. Available on the Colorado Division of Wildlife Web site, the NDIS incorporates statewide hunting statistics, up-to-date Game Management Unit boundaries, USGS maps and other “must-have” information for big game hunters.

With more than 23 million acres of public hunting access, over-the-counter licenses and the largest elk population in North America, there has never been a better time to experience the thrill of a Colorado elk hunt. Get started today by viewing “Elk Camp Colorado.”

To play “Elk Camp Colorado” and other Division of Wildlife online videos, viewers need high-speed Internet connections and the latest version of Adobe Flash installed on their computers.

Hunters may view “Elk Camp Colorado” on Page 14 of the DOW’s new “2010 Big Game Regulations” e-brochure. The innovative and interactive brochure allows readers to access Colorado’s big game regulations and supplemental, embedded video content. Hunters may access the DOW’s online brochure at the following link: http://www.flipseekllc.com/coloradodow2010biggame.html

Elk Camp Colorado-Part 1 from Colorado Division of Wildlife on Vimeo.

Elk Camp Colorado, Part 2 – “Getting Started” from Colorado Division of Wildlife on Vimeo.

Well the Elk Applications have closed for Wyoming and Arizona, but there is still plenty of time for folks who want to pony up for other Western States.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS
Utah’s online applications for Fall big game hunts opened 2/1/2010 at 7:00 AM and will close 3/8/2010 at 11:00 PM Results are usually available online in the End of April.

Colorado Big Game Applications are online from February 6th through April 6th (2/9/2010 to 4/6/2010)

You have until March 15th, 2010 to apply for Wyoming Deer and Antelope via the Online applications

Nevada has an Online application with a variety of Application Due dates. Mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and mountain goats tag application period is from mid-March to mid-April. Most tags are awarded through a random draw process in early June. Mountain lion tags are available year-round over the counter at any authorized license agent or can be purchased online during the draw application period.

Montana has an Online Application System As well. Their draw deadlines are too numerous to list here, but you can view at their Applications page The main ones to keep in mind are the Elk, Antelope and Deer application deadline is June 1st. Moose Sheep and Goat applications are due by May 1st, 2010.

Idaho has an online tag purchasing website. Many of the tags here are under a quota system but not a drawing.
Nonresident tags sell out early. In 2008, nonresident
general season elk sold out on September 24. Nonresident
deer sold out October 3.
Some Premium Controlled hunts are allocated by drawing though and more information may be found at the Contolled hunt page

New Mexico online system . Wednesday, April 7 is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, ibex and javelina hunts

MAIL ONLY APPS
While Arizona’s Elk and Pronghorn draws closed on February 9th, Fall Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Buffalo, Turkey, Javelina and Pheasant Hunts Draw Deadline will be June 2010. Online applications are not available, more information at the Big Game Draw Web page.

Oregon’s Big Game Drawing is also a mail only application process so allow enough time. Find more information at the ODFG Licensing page

Training and Race day in review

Four months ago Marc Strozyk and friends were reading the news about the California budget cuts, and the State parks closing through out the Golden State. In the spirit of philanthropy generally reserved for fellow runners, Marc pulled together a diverse group of Annadel users and local businesses to put on a benefit 13.1 mile half marathon on the rocky, and sometimes muddy trails of Annadel Park. In that short four month window, Marc and CO. secured permits, mapped a route, roped in volunteers, got sponsors and signed up 300 runners nearly all via word of mouth. It was a Cinderella story to say the least. Race day arrived Sunday, February 7th 2010, with the sun peeking over the oak studded ridges surrounding Bennett Mountain.

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My feet were wet right off the bat so there was NO need to avoid the puddles on Sunday's Long Run

This week 29.44 miles
2010 mileage 92.27 miles

 

I think talking with Cameron Hanes, and Kirk Edgerton at the ISE show really had my mind right for this run. This was the longest run of training, and I feel superbly prepared for the Annadel Half Marathon in 2 weeks. I only hope it rains!

From the Colorado DOW:
PLAN YOUR HUNT!

Looking for information on how, when, and where to hunt in Colorado?  Check out our new web page: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/PlanYourHunt/ and get the inside scoop on planning a safe and successful hunt this year!  

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