DEAR SPORTSMAN,

This packet is intended to assist you in your decision to hunt the Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area. The property is located approximately 25 miles west of Trinidad on Colorado State Highway 12. The Bosque del Oso is the largest State Wildlife Area in Colorado and was purchased in 1998 with your license dollars.

With the invaluable assistance from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the sportsmen and women of Colorado should be very proud of the fact that 30,000 acres of critical habitat for elk, black bear, turkey, deer, bald and golden eagle has been protected for our future generations. In order to protect the features of this area, a copy of land use regulations is being provided to you.

In order to provide a more enjoyable visit to the property we would like to provide you with some useful information and up-to-date information on ongoing activities.

Maps:

In order to become more familiar with the property, we recommend the

following USGS topographic maps: TERCIO, VIGIL, TORRES, STONEWALL, LITTLE PINE and WESTON. The majority of the property is covered by the TERCIO and VIGIL and the remaining maps complete the property. Please note that the wildlife area’s boundaries are not outlined on these maps. Methane roads do not appear on these maps nor on the map in this packet.

Game Retrieval:

If you are fortunate enough to harvest an animal, you are allowed to drive beyond the gates on designated service roads between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. to retrieve game, ONLY. Driving off of designated service roads is not allowed and you are responsible for moving your animals as close to the road as possible. Please park on the shoulders of these roads to allow methane/timber company vehicles to pass.

Hunter Transport:

Access to the majority of the Bosque del Oso SWA is by foot or horseback only! Any transport of hunters or supplies by a vehicle other than to designated campgrounds or parking areas, before, during or after a season is not allowed. During periods of game retrieval by vehicle please completely unload and case weapons (if possible). Additional hunters cannot be transported onto the property. Only those individuals actively participating in game retrieval will be allowed.

NOTE: Hunters with physical limitations based on Colorado Parks and Wildlife statutes and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations guidelines will be provided vehicular access based on those standards. If you feel you meet those criteria please contact Shalana Gray at 303-291-7485 or shalana.gray@state.co.us for applications or assistance. Hunters should be aware of this possibility. Vehicles utilized by ADA participants will have placards on display to inform other hunters and employees.

Game Care: Hunter Transport:

**Anyone utilizing the Bosque del Oso SWA (or any State Wildlife Area or Park), should strongly consider carrying a bottle of aerosol dispensed pepper spray in the form of bear spray. There are several brands on the market and use of this deterrent will ensure confidence during your time in the field. Proper utilization can reduce the chance of you having to use lethal methods if you should encounter a bear or mountain lion and is a very effective nonlethal preventative measure. Chances of encounter are slim but adequate preparation could further reduce that percentage. You can access excellent information on avoiding wildlife conflicts of all types by visiting the Living with Wildlife Web pages at:

https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlifeComfort1.aspx. 

One of the biggest issues facing hunters on such a large property as the Bosque del Oso is meat care. It remains the responsibility of the hunter to ensure that your game does not spoil and care should be exercised to make sure that ALL edible portions of your harvested animal are removed from the field as soon as possible! Heads, capes and antlers should be the last items that leave the field.

To reiterate, PLEASE remember that game care is the hunter’s

responsibility. DO NOT wait for the next vehicular access hours if weather conditions (heat, moisture) could increase the likelihood of meat

spoilage...physically PACK YOUR ANIMAL when necessary to

maintain/ensure the edibility of the meat!

Parking and Camping:

Parking areas have been established in Cherry, Alamosito, Torres, Big Bingham, Gallegos, Ciruela and Apache Canyons. Campgrounds are in the South Fork of the Purgatoire (Oso Malo Camp) and at the entrance to Apache Canyon just off of Highway 12 across from the BdO SWA shop. Campgrounds are primitive with no electric hook-ups available. Campfires are only allowed within the two established campgrounds in designated fire rings, when there are no fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know the current fire restrictions. Current fire restrictions can be obtained by calling the Stonewall Fire Department at 719-868-2249 or visiting their website http://www.stonewallfire.us/. Camping is prohibited outside designated areas except that properly licensed hunters may back pack/spike camp anywhere on the property during an established hunting season. Please stay on main roads and park in designated areas.

CPW has developed an access point/parking area near Bingham Lake. This will allow vehicular access to the higher elevations of the property. Please be advised that this road is steep and will be difficult or closed in inclement weather. Additionally, descend the hill in lower gears to prevent brake failure. This is an experimental access point and will be evaluated for future use based on your comments and/or conflicts!!

Apache Canyon Campground has moved to the west entrance of the Bosque del Oso SWA. This was done to facilitate easier access and safety for the sportsman. Limited cattle grazing will be utilized on the BdO SWA as a management tool. Grazing will depend on grass availability, weather conditions and a myriad of other factors. Please consider that the CPW is utilizing grazing as a habitat management activity similar to timber harvest or prescribed burn to benefit wildlife and assist us in making this effort a success!

NOTE: Habitat work in the form of timber management will be ongoing. Please be advised of operations that may produce safety issues, noise or truck/equipment traffic and plan your hunt accordingly. Maps of the impacted areas will be posted on this website or mailed to successful applicants as soon as they are finalized by supervisory staff.

***Energy Development:

Mineral rights and surface property rights were severed when the Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area was purchased. Because ownership of both surface and mineral interests belong to different parties, a surface use agreement has been developed between the state and energy company presently operating on the Bosque del Oso.

Stipulations provide for seasonal and daily restrictions on construction and maintenance operations. While hunting on the Bosque del Oso, you will see energy service vehicles operating on roads between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. As a hunter on the Bosque del Oso SWA, you need to be aware that these activities will occur and plan your morning and evening hunt to avoid these distractions.

Please be aware of larger trucks at all times. Drive slowly and stay to the right side of all roads. The energy and timber companies work hard to maintain a safe environment and are partners with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife in keeping you unharmed during your visit. Please remain a safe distance from any treatments, equipment, well heads, pipelines or enclosures to ensure your welfare and an enjoyable hunt. A short fact sheet is included in this information packet with emergency phone numbers for your assistance. In case of emergency every well pad has a latitude/longitude coordinate on location.

Other Regulations:

Please make sure you obtain the appropriate brochure for your license (i.e. turkey, big game etc.) from a CPW license agency or office and review it before your hunt. These brochures provide additional information on hunting regulations and will help ensure a safe and legal hunt!

Due to CPW regulation change, shed antler collection is prohibited from January 1st through April 31st. This regulation is in place to protect wintering wildlife. This regulation shall also pertain to hunters that obtain a valid Bosque del Oso spring turkey license.

A map of the Bosque del Oso SWA is provided on the website. This map shows access points, camping areas, parking lots and approximate boundaries.

Hunter Questionnaire:

Also included in this packet is a hunter questionnaire. Upon completion of your hunt we would appreciate you taking the time to fill this out and returning it to District Wildlife Manager, Bob Holder, or dropping it off at the comment drop box at the Bosque del Oso shop. With the comments and suggestions we receive we can assure that sportsmen’s concerns are addressed in the management of your wildlife resource! This also allows your comments to be heard by members of the Bosque Del Oso State Wildlife Management Advisory Committee.

The Bosque del Oso State Wildlife area is a dynamic wildlife area and will implement innovative wildlife and habitat management techniques as they become available to enhance your state wildlife area and the wildlife populations that inhabit them. The Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area is being cooperatively managed by thirteen member Management Advisory Committee whose representatives include sportsmen and adjoining landowners, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Colorado Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation District, the Habitat Partnership Program, Las Animas County Commission, Izaak Walton League of America, XTO Energy and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. With their help, and YOURS, we can maintain the aesthetics and integrity of this critical wildlife habitat for future generations! Thank You for your cooperation and understanding.

ENJOY YOUR HUNT...BE SAFE...BE COURTEOUS

BE RESPECTFUL OF THE LAND and THE

WILDLIFE!!

BOB HOLDER #754

District Wildlife Manager

719-680-1410 (Mobile)

719-846-4834 (Home)

DYLAN THOMSEN

Wildlife Technician

719-792-2232(Mobile)

719-868-2022 (Office)