Located in Taos County just East of the recently-designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (242, 555 acres), is a section of wild country that has long been recognized by sportsmen for its high value hunting and fishing opportunities and wilderness characteristics – The Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area. Click here or on the image for a full sized map of this area.
The area provides high quality habitat for Bear, Big Horn Sheep, Elk and Mule Deer. Rio Grande Cutthroat also inhabit some of the Columbine Hondo’s gin clear waters.
Currently a Wilderness Study Area (WSA), the Columbine Hondo area is already managed as wilderness. On April 22, 2013 legislation was reintroduced to officially designate the area as wilderness, both in the Senate by Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and in the House by Congressman Ben Ray Lujan. Wilderness designation enjoys overwhelming support from a broad coalition which includes sportsmen, community members, business owners, mountain bikers, ranchers and local elected officials. NM BHA is working in collaboration with this coalition to help ensure this wild landscape is officially recognized and protected for the high value habitat it provides.
Please take a minute to extend your support and thanks to the sponsors of this legislation:
Senator Tom Udall: (202) 224-6621
Senator Martin Heinrich: (202) 224-5521
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan: (202) 225-6190
About Caitlin Thompson