Draining the east slope of the Umcompahgre Plateau, Spring creek cuts an impressive gorge on its descent to the broad farming valley around Montrose Colorado. Livestock grazing has a long history on Forest Service (FS) lands along Spring Creek. With the grazing comes the fences and inevitable conflict with wildlife. So, on June 15th BHA habitat stewardship staff and volunteer leaders joined FS field staff to remove a section of fence on Spring Creek Rim.
The forest around Dave Wood Road has a patchwork of private inholdings that combined with the FS grazing allotments result in untold miles of fencing. The goal for the day was the removal of .25 miles of old woven wire topped with barbed wire fence. All fences represent a hazard to wildlife but woven wire or “sheep fencing” is particularly troublesome. Owing to its 6-inch rectangular panels, a woven wire fence can be a real barrier for animals and can easily separate a doe and fawn in one of many potential outcomes.
Sean Brown, a Rangeland Management Specialist for the FS has been keenly interested in the state of the fencing on public lands in the GMUG. Sean has taken it upon himself to organize volunteer workdays to help him tackle the ever-long list of projects. This relatively short section of fence is a small piece of Sean’s to do list and the volunteers were happy to help. The goal of the project is to replace the old woven and barbed wire fence with a wildlife friendlier design. The removal being step one.
Volunteers from across the region joined in the fun with several current and retired land and wildlife management professionals lending a hand. The dedication of these BHA members shows in the eagerness to jump in and start taking down the fence.
There is nothing like a June day spent in the woods with hard working passionate people working together for a common cause. Spring was in the air and with it a sense of a fresh start for this little corner of the mountain. In the end we had a trailer full of metal bound for the recycling center and a hearty lunch provided by BHA. There is still so much more fence to be removed and or modified in the area rest assured that BHA will be returning to continue to support our public lands and wildlife.
About Briant Wiles
Colorado Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers