July 7, 2008

Contact: Scott Hampel, Mule Deer Foundation
Tel.: 303-659-2088 or 720-261-6232
E-mail: shampel@muledeer.org

2008 Rocky Mountain Regional Workshop

HENDERSON, Colo. – For a second consecutive year, the Rocky Mountain Regional Workshop will be a “work weekend” in which volunteers can truly participate in a mule deer conservation project. The event is again being held in Colorado but anyone from any state is certainly welcome to attend and participate. In 2007, we had visitors come as far as Wisconsin!

The event will be held July 19-20, 2008 near Radium, Colorado. MDF volunteers will be working on the Sheephorn Unit of the Radium State Wildlife Area. For those that participated in 2007, this is approximately 4 miles down hill and down river from the area in which we worked in 2007.

In 2007, we assisted the Colorado Division of Wildlife by using chainsaws to cut/remove pinion/juniper in anticipation for a prescribed burn. As of now, the burn has not yet taken place. The conditions in Sept/Oct 2007 and April 2008 were simply not desirable. The burn is scheduled for April 2009.

In 2008, we will again be using chainsaws to cut/remove water-guzzling pinion/juniper trees from Sheephorn unit of Radium SWA. The goal is to allow browse/forbs (such as sagebrush and bitterbrush) and other grasses to return in the areas currently covered with pinyon/juniper.

Like 2007, camping on the site will be allowed. However, lodging can be obtained by contacting “Bob’s Western Motel” in Kremmling, Colo., at 970-724-3266. The Motel is approximately 20 miles from the work site (Single Bed – $61, 2 Beds – $73, 3 Beds $85) If you are planning to camp, YOU are responsible for bringing YOUR own camping gear. If you are planning to stay in the motel, please make reservations as soon as possible.

A few dining tables, covered dining area, chairs, grill will be available. Lunch/Dinner on Saturday July 19 will be provided. Lunch will be provided on Sunday July 20. I am requesting that each you bring food for your breakfast on Saturday/Sunday mornings.
Soda Pop & water will also be available.

If you are interested in participating, please call Scott Hampel 303-659-2088 or 720-261-6232 or send an e-mail to shampel@muledeer.org. You may also contact:

• Joe Straley 970-397-2371
• Jon Nestor 970-618-0105
• Ted Archibeque 970-471-0302
• Mike Duffy 303-902-7717
• Boyd Anders 303-514-4728

A somewhat accurate head count will be needed so food preparation can be done.

Things to bring:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses or safety glasses
• Your camping gear
• Clothing
• Work Boots
• Work Gloves
• Folding Chairs
• Pruning sheers (if you have any)
• Chainsaw (if you have one)
• Mixed Gas for your saw
• Chain/Bar Oil for your saw
• File to sharpen your chain
• Extra chain (if you have one for your saw)
• Fishing Gear & License (Colorado River is very close to our work site) if you are interested
• 3-4 ATVs could be used to transport people, saws, gas/oil, coolers

In 2008, there were approximately 40 people. The group had a dozen or more chainsaws. If you have a “working” chainsaw, bring it. Although everyone will not need a chainsaw or may not feel comfortable using a chainsaw, the amount of work that can be done will be dependent upon the number of volunteers and chainsaws available. REMEMBER: Our goal is to improve mule deer habitat SAFELY and HAVE SOME FUN.

If you have any questions or need more info or I have forgotten something, please call me or send an e-mail.

Directions:

If coming from Denver area – take I-70 West to Dillon/Silverthorne Exit 205– go North on Colorado Hwy 9 towards Kremmling. Prior to reaching Kremmling, take left on Trough Rd. (If you go down a hill, cross Colorado River, and reach Kremmling, then you have gone too far). Follow Trough Rd southwesterly for approximately 15 miles. Continue down hill/down river past “Road 11”. Watch for sign on left side of road for “Sheephorn Unit of State Wildlife Area.

If traveling from western, Colorado (Silt, Rifle, Eagle, Grand Junction) – take I-70 to Wolcott, Colo. – Exit #157. Take Colorado Hwy 131 North – after traveling approximately 10-12 miles north of I-70, you will cross over the Colorado River on “State Bridge”. At “State Bridge”, travel northeasterly on Trough Road. Go approximately 6-8 miles on Trough Road – watch for sign on right side of road for “Sheephorn Unit of State Wildlife Area.

If traveling from north, get to Kremmling, Colo. From Kremmling, go south on Hwy 9 – cross Colorado River, climb hill. At top of hill, take right on Trough Road. Travel approximately 15 miles. Continue down hill/down river past “Road 11”. Watch for sign on left side of road for “Sheephorn Unit of State Wildlife Area.

###

About MDF (www.muledeer.org)

The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with over 12,000 members. MDF’s mission is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. MDF is dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and hunt-able deer populations; encouraging and supporting responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners; promoting public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management; supporting and encouraging responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer; and acknowledging regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.

For information about the Mule Deer Foundation please call 888-375-DEER (3337).