Colorado recently lost a strong voice for wildlands and wildlife when BHA member Kent Ingram passed away (on Aug. 28). Kent was a consummate hunter-angler-conservationist and his lifetime of advocacy on behalf of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife—while always going out of his way to recognize and facilitate the conservation work of others—speaks volumes about his character.

“He was such a strong voice for wildlife and ‘everyday joe sportsmen,’ as he would put it,” said BHA State Policy & Field Operations Director Tim Brass. “He was always welcoming and quick to help folks out. Kent’s dedication to conservation has always been a real source of inspiration.”[1] RIP Kent. Wildlands and wildlife need many more like you.

Central West Slope Assistant Regional Director Leslie Kaminski was recognized as BHA’s Chapter Leader of the Month for August 2020. Leslie is a rising star in the Colorado chapter and was the top fundraiser in the BHA Hike to Hunt Challenge, raising $2,125.00 and hiking 87 miles along the way.

Leslie’s contributions extend well beyond this recent achievement, and from day one as a chapter leader she has elevated our work and advanced our mission in meaningful ways, from hosting a series of fly-tying workshops engaging women to supporting Hunting for Sustainability programming efforts, fostering relationships with important allies, representing BHA as a panelist at a major conference, and helping to shape the chapter's strategic plan and direction. We can’t thank Leslie enough for her dedication![2]

The Colorado chapter recently welcomed a new Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) to the team: Michael (“Ack”) Ackerman has volunteered as a HWV for the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado. Thank you Michael! (for additional information also see: www.michaelackerman.org). Colorado BHA has over 40 HWVs serving as our “eyes and ears” in all eleven Colorado national forests.[3] Contact HWV Program Coordinator Don Holmstrom ([email protected]) if you have questions.

Thanks to the generosity of Dark Timber Outfitters owner and operator Adam Gall (a Colorado BHA Central West Slope Assistant Regional Director), BHA auctioned a third season over-the-counter (OTC) Colorado elk hunt in unit 62. Adam is also a Colorado BHA corporate sponsor (i.e., Chrysalis Brewery in Paonia and their Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beers) and BHA life member. His generosity and dedication to our public lands, waters and wildlife is humbling. Thank you Adam!

Recognizing that State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) are no longer just used by hunters and anglers, the Colorado BHA chapter is supporting a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission rule change requiring all visitors 18 or older to possess a valid hunting or fishing license to access any SWA or State Trust Land leased by CPW. This new rule went into effect on July 1, 2020.[4] For anyone who cares about wildlife in Colorado, buying a hunting or fishing license is one of the best ways to protect it, whether or not you actually hunt or fish.[5]

We submitted comments supporting the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s (COGCC) proposed rules to better protect our wildlife and the places they live. Colorado BHA members know well that public lands have been a haven for hunters, anglers and outfitters for generations. They are home to pure strains of native trout, deer and elk herds, antelope, turkey, black bear and many other species. These new rules will serve to protect our entire state and way of life.[6]

The Colorado chapter worked hard to provide information voters needed to make informed decisions at the ballot box during November, preparing questionnaires that were sent to Colorado Candidates for National offices. To meet BHA’s 501.c.3 requirements, we needed at least two responses for any race to post. These were received for the U.S. Senate race and for House District 6. Check out our candidate questionnaire responses here.[7]

While bow hunting for dusky grouse northwest of Gunnison, BHA member Will Shoemaker encountered an OHV user in an area closed to motorized/mechanized users. He documented the location of the vehicle with his cell phone camera, also taking a picture of the vehicle’s registration tag.

Will contacted the area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and provided him with the photos along with coordinates for where the OHV was located. Later, he received word that a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer had tracked down the OHV owner and issued a citation. Not long after, BHA’s State Policy Director Tim Brass reached out to inform Will that a $500 check was coming his way from BHA’s OHV Reward Fund.[8] Thank you Will!

Southwest Colorado chapter leaders, under the direction of Assistant Regional Director Cody Doig, submitted comments on the BLM Silverton Travel Management Plan, which greatly increases mechanized and motorized travel and will result in fragmented habitat and disturbances to elk and deer summer use areas.

-David Lien, Colorado Chapter Co-Chair

[1] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Remember Conservation Icon Kent Ingram.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/31/20.

[2] “Leslie Kaminski: BHA Chapter Leader of the Month!” Backcountry Beat: August 2020.

[3] “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Habitat Watch Volunteer.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 8/28/20.

[4] Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “Colorado State Wildlife Areas: New rules and what they mean for all Coloradans.” CPW News Release: 6/29/20. https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=7496

[5] “State Wildlife Areas Deserve Everyone’s Support.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/15/20.

[6] “New COGCC rules a win for hunters and anglers.” Glenwood Springs (Colo.) Post-Independent: 8/23/20 (scroll down); “COGCC must recognize value of wildlife to state’s economy.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 8/20/20 (scroll down).

[7] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/candidate_questionnaires_2020

[8] Will Shoemaker. “Colorado BHA Member Reports Illegal OHV Use, Returns Reward.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/9/20.