Colorado Outdoors - the Podcast for Colorado Parks and Wildlife

In an effort to aid hunters in being as knowledgeable as they possibly can before heading out into the field, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released videos with wildlife officers addressing the questions they frequently get asked. Hunters can access these videos on CPW’s YouTube page in a playlist titled Hunting Colorado. In this podcast episode, we discuss the creation of this with Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch, who came up with the idea.

"In an inclusive effort to better inform hunters, we're happy to be the first state in the nation to offer authentic online content straight from the local game warden's mouth," Duetsch said. "No script. No wannabe experts. Each officer brings to light answers to the most often asked questions they receive in their district, including access and issues that are germane to that specific portion of Colorado.”

“Find your unit, find your district wildlife manager, find your game this fall."

CPW has a K9 pilot program it initiated to see how these trained dogs can aid wildlife officers in accomplishing their work duties. All three dogs in the pilot program are certified with the National Police Canine Association. Their main responsibilities are geared to detect the presence of wildlife, aid in wildlife law enforcement, search and rescue missions and are a great tool used in educational outreach that discusses wildlife management. In this episode we talk with the three wildlife officers who have a K9 partner, discuss where the program goes in the future, how it can expand, how it has worked out and how you can help.

If you would like to contribute to growing the K9 program, contribute to the GoFundMe campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/cpw-k9.

With the warmer weather as spring rolls around, our lakes and rivers start opening up to many and varied water recreation opportunities. In this episode we talk about the different aspects you need to know to keep you safe out on your boat, kayak, raft or paddleboard, and we also discuss our Marine Evidence Recovery Team.

Looking to learn to hunt or fish? We have hunting and angling outreach programs that offer clinics, seminars, advice, in-field experiences and educational materials for people of all ages. We explore those opportunities with Pepper Canterbury, one of our Hunting and Angling Outreach Coordinators, in this episode of Colorado Outdoors.

In this episode we discuss moose - a reintroduction success story in the Centennial State - and what you need to know if you ever come across a moose in the Rockies.

Historical records dating back to the 1850s indicate that moose wandered into northern Colorado from Wyoming, but were transient and never established a stable breeding population. Most of the historic sightings involved hunters seeing and/or harvesting a single bull moose.  

In 1978, state wildlife experts transplanted 24 male and female moose from Wyoming and Utah to create a breeding population in North Park and provide hunting opportunities. Additional moose from Wyoming, Utah and Colorado’s own growing population were introduced to other areas of western Colorado over the years, including to the northwest region of the state in 2005. The project succeeded in creating new hunting opportunities and a popular wildlife viewing option. 

Mountain lions are a fascinating yet elusive animal, but when they do pop on the radar they make for big headlines. Thanks to sound management practices implemented over the years, mountain lions are doing quite well in Colorado and the west. The challenge going forward will be balancing decreasing habitats and our exploding human populations, since we share the same spaces. In this episode we discuss that and more with Mat Alldredge, a wildlife researcher for CPW who is a leading expert on mountain lions.

Topic list:

2:00 - Mat Alldredge's history researching mountain lions

3:05 - biological lesson on mountain lions

4:45 - their elusive nature

6:05 - why did the agency produce an educational video series on lions

7:55 - helping the species recover from dwindling populations in the early 1900s

10:50 - mountain lions in urban environments

13:20 - what to do if you encounter a mountain lion

16:30 - Mat Alldredge’s encounters with mountain lions

18:00 - view of mountain lions

18:30 - groups of mountain lions

20:20 - what is the outlook of mountain lions in Colorado

22:45 - importance of hunting

Many of us have general knowledge of Chronic Wasting Disease. We know it is something that deer get and it is not good for them, but that is about where our knowledge ends. Let's find out more about CWD - its history, what it is exactly, what has been done in the past and where management is headed in the future. Dr. Mike Miller, the Senior Wildlife Veterinarian for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is perhaps the world's leading expert on CWD and we tap into his knowledge and experience to learn more.

Amy Seglund is a species conservation coordinator based in Montrose who focuses on species that live in Colorado’s Alpine environment. She’s worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 14 years. In 2018, she completed a report of a seven-year study of the White-tailed Ptarmigan -- a bird best-known for changing its color to white during the winter so that blends in with snow. The study showed that the bird is doing quite well in Colorado, but Amy is concerned about how climate change will affect the bird in the future.

In this episode discusses how to get in front of backcountry danger in the winter. 

Outdoor agencies across Colorado have seen an increase in park visitation and off-grid winter recreation. Recreating in the backcountry requires certain precautions and equipment to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

Podcast host Mark Johnson talks with two CPW experts on winter backcountry recreation. Ben Plankis is the trails coordinator for the northeast region of the agency and Michael Haskins is a park ranger at Chatfield State Park who assist backcountry search and rescue teams with rescue missions.

For more information on backcountry winter safety courses, visit colorado.com/WinterBackcountrySafety and take the Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Pledge. 

TOPIC LIST:

2:40 - what do people need to consider when they head up into the high country

3:56 - know before you go - Check Avalanche and Weather Forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche 

4:37 - equipment to keep you safe should you be caught in an avalanche

5:40 - avalanche awareness classes

6:38 - what to know if new to Colorado

7:28 - what should you look for when in potential avalanche terrain

8:05 - advice for experienced backcountry visitors

9:40 - snow conditions this year and more people venturing out in the backcountry

10:10 - guidelines for heading up into the backcountry

11:38 - easy access into the backcountry can lead people into a false sense of security

12:30 - what to do/know/have if you need help

15:20 - COTREX trails app and cell phone GPS capabilities

On this episode we will feature Staunton State Park, the second-newest park in the state system, which opened back in May of 2013. Park Manager Zach Taylor tells us about Staunton's myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities at the gorgeous, and expanding, park located just off Highway 285, about an hour west of Denver.