event_title: Fence Removal on the Taos Plateau and Fly Fishing

event_time_zone: America/Denver

event_start: August 23, 2024 18:00

event_duration: 2880

event_end: August 25, 2024 18:00

event_address: Tres Piedras, NM, United States

event_description: RSVPs for this event are now closed. If you want to participate please reach out to Stewardship Coordinator Bard Edrington. contact info below.                                                Join BHA Habitat Steward Coordinator Bard Edrington on the Taos Plateau for a weekend of fence removal, camping and fly fishing.  This project is a partnership with Pheasants Forever, Bureau of Land Management and private landowners with funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  The Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument is an important wintering area for elk and mule deer and year-round habitat for pronghorn.  The plateau is a multi-use area that has miles of fencing separating grazing allotments.  Much of this fencing is not wildlife friendly and can cause direct mortality, injury and hair loss.  Pronghorn are not capable of jumping and can become trapped behind fencing thus fragmenting their habitat and causing them stress.  Deer and elk risk becoming entangled in the fencing when jumping over.That is where we come in. We will be removing woven wire fencing and prepping the area for future wildlife friendly fencing.  Your help will have a direct benefit to wildlife habitat and connectivity.On Sunday August 25 we will hike into one of northern New Mexicos public land gems, the Cruces Basin Wilderness, and fly fish for the day.  The Cruces Basin is a rich diverse wilderness that has many small drainages that converge in a breathtaking valley where we will spend the day fishing.    Friday: You can arrive at the designated camping spot anytime on Friday afternoon.  There are no amenities at this location so be sure to bring everything you will need to camp.  On Friday night you will be responsible for your own food.  Saturday: We will provide coffee and breakfast burritos before we do a safety talk and go over what we are doing for the day.  Plan to bring a lunch as well as plenty of water. We will work until ~4 pm. For those joining Saturday morning we will meet at 8:00 am at the junction of forest service rd 87 and highway 285.  Saturday evening:  Jim Palmer will be providing homemade BBQ brisket sandwiches for those at camp.  We will still have a wild game potluck, so bring your best or favorite wild game dish to share. As well as Santa Fe Brewing Co donated beers. Sunday: BHA will provide coffee but you will be on your own for breakfast. We will drive ~45 minutes to the entrance of the Cruces Basin, where we will hike ~1.5 miles to do some fly fishing. Bring your own fishing gear and lunch.     Camping Location36.85093, -106.08096  We will be camping north of Tres Piedras in the Carson NF near San Antonio Mountain.  Forest Service road 87 off of Highway 285.Take highway 285 north from Tres Piedras for 11 miles.  Turn left (west) on Forest Service road 87.  Take this dirt road 7.3 miles, where you will see a group of pine trees on your left (south side or road).  There will be flagging for our camping spot. Below are OnX waypoints for anyone who would like one. OnX Folder for camping location and meet up locationSaturday Morning Meetup location:  For those of you that are meeting us Saturday morning we will meet at 8:00 at the junction of Forest Service Rd 87 and Highway 285.  Coordinates  36.7967, -105.98705 The waypoint for this location is in the OnX folder. What to bring for the work day: Safety glasses (sunglasses work), water, sunscreen, hats, long sleeve shirts, boots and pants that you dont mind possible getting torn.  Barbed wire has a way of doing that.  What we are providing:Leather gloves and fencing tools and breakfast on Saturday.