“Taking the life of such a large, magnificent animal can change you. Looking into its lifeless eyes sticks with you.” It’s early Wednesday morning (September 21, 2022) and nearly pitch black on Highway 160 west of Pagosa Springs. I’m heading home after scouting for rifle season elk hunting locales in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Outside of town I slow down entering the 40 mph zone. Although fully alert, I’m startled by a bull elk standing statue-still in my lane. With a fraction ...

Although I revere all big game (and other) species, only Rocky Mountain elk can coax me out in the late fall freezing rain or swirling snow to hike and climb for miles in long-odds, over-the-counter (OTC) units where the chances of encountering other hunters generally eclipses those of seeing elk.[1] Colorado’s OTC units are perhaps the most difficult elk hunts in the country, but the challenge only strengthens my resolve. “Elk hunting is hard. Period. It doesn’t matter if you come West ...

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) was born around a campfire in March 2004, thanks to seven hunters and anglers, men and women, taking the initiative.[1] That’s how all battles are begun and won! In fact, BHA was founded by former U.S. Army officer, Mike Beagle. The “Gang of Seven” that gathered around our founding campfire also included a U.S. Navy veteran, Tony Heckard.[2] The first state chapter, here in Colorado, was founded (in 2005) by a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, ...

The Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently appointed Nick Alfieri and David Brown as Assistant Regional Directors for the Central Mountains Group. Nick Alfieri Nick was born and raised in Florissant, Colorado. “I began hunting and angling as a small kid,” he explained. “My dad was my mentor as well as my oldest brother.” Nick’s work career, primarily in the snow-sports industry, has facilitated worldwide travels in places like Bulgaria, Austria, New Zealand and China. ...

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) was born around a campfire in March 2004, thanks to seven hunters and anglers, men and women, taking the initiative.[1] That’s how all battles are begun and won! In fact, BHA was founded by former U.S. Army officer, Mike Beagle. The “Gang of Seven” that gathered around our founding campfire also included a U.S. Navy veteran, Tony Heckard.[2] The first state chapter, here in Colorado, was founded (in 2005) by a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, ...