Fly Fishing Colorado’s Wilderness Areas: Part 3

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Fishing Tips and Techniques

Welcome to the third installment in our wilderness fly fishing series. In case you missed them, part one covered types of waters found in Colorado’s wilderness areas, and part two discussed wilderness access. Here we’ll get into some specific techniques for fishing remote, high country waters.

There are a wide variety of waters to be found in Colorado’s wilderness areas, and each one requires a unique approach. While there will be some overlap between them, let’s break them down separately to help keep it simple.

Wilderness Streams

Creeks and rivers in the upper reaches of the Rocky Mountains tend to be compact bodies of water. Near their headwaters, most of these streams run cold and clear, providing excellent habitat for native cutthroat trout. These waters are also ideal habitat for wild reproducing brook trout and occasionally, rainbow and brown trout as well.

Except for a few weeks during runoff toward the middle of June, the crystal clear water makes approach and presentation of flies a delicate matter.  Because of their opportunistic diet and lack of fishing pressure, these trout are seldom picky eaters. However, they are easily spooked by movement along the bank or a careless cast into a calm pool.

We always recommend starting a prime stretch of water from the downstream end and working your way up, approaching the fish from behind. Even when approaching from downstream, it’s important to keep a low profile and sometimes, remain several feet back from the bank.

When you’ve found a good spot below a pool or run, cast your fly upstream, using a long leader to avoid laying your fly line right over the trout’s head. We recommend using 9-foot fluorocarbon leaders in 6x or 7x. As your fly drifts back toward you, carefully strip in the slack so that you’re ready for a strike, but without altering the natural drift of the fly.

This upstream-cast approach is ideal for dry fly fishing and dry-dropper rigs. However, when nymphing is necessary, a high-stick approach is often best. Situating yourself directly across from the run you intend to fish, simply cast your fly about 45 degrees upstream. Immediately mend, carefully laying your leader upstream of your fly. Then, with your rod tip held high, keep your fly line off the water and let your rod tip follow your strike indicator, allowing a perfect dead drift down through the hole.

High Alpine Lakes

Alpine lakes present a whole new set of challenges. Here, fish aren’t facing any one direction. And instead of holding in runs or riffles, they’ll be cruising along shorelines or structures in search of food. But like streams, the crystal clear water will make stealthy presentation a priority.

There are two primary techniques that we use on lakes – still-fishing dry flies, usually with a dropper dangling below it, or stripping streamers and nymphs.

When still-fishing dries, patience is key. Instead of trying to chase rises across the surface of the water, we recommend casting your fly to an area where trout have been rising and leaving it there until another cruising trout passes by. If you try to cast toward each new rise, the disturbance on the water can easily spook fish.  If you fly is in a good position, just hang in there and wait. It’s only a matter of time before a trout comes along.

When fishing dries, it often pays to have a dropper beneath the surface. This gives trout a second menu option. Patterns that represent a drowned or suspended caddis pupa, mayfly larvae, or worm can be great options to offer beneath your dry.

When no dry fly action is apparent, stripping streamers and larger nymphs can be a great tactic on lakes for big cutthroat and brook trout. The key is casting over underwater structure or in areas where fish are cruising for food.  Steep drop-offs, brush piles and weed beds are all likely spots. When stripping your fly, experiment with different speeds and depths until you find hungry fish. On hot sunny days, it may require a sinking line and a good deal of weight to reach the fish. Other times, they may be cruising the shallows, right along the bank.

Beaver Ponds

The calm, glassy waters of beaver ponds can be some of the most challenging and most rewarding places to fish in a wilderness area. Prolific insect life can make for incredible trout habitat, and the cutthroat trout in some of our beaver ponds in the Flat Tops Wilderness become quite large.

Like alpine lakes, using streamers can be a useful tactic on beaver ponds. However, the best time to fish a beaver pond is during a good dry fly hatch. A delicate presentation is the top priority, so gently dropping a caddis or mayfly pattern onto the surface is often your best bet. We recommend using very fine, 12-foot leaders and lightly weighted flies that will land on the water with minimal disturbance.

When approaching the water, be sure to keep a low profile. It might even be necessary to cast from your knees or use small willows for concealment. But any trouble required to get into position will be rewarded when a trout crashes through the surface after your fly. There are few things more exciting than catching an evening caddis hatch on a beaver pond full of hungry trout.

In our next article in this series, we’ll get into specifics on recommend flies and equipment. Look for that sometime next month. In the meantime, if you have any questions about wilderness fishing expeditions with Winterhawk Outfitters, please check out our website, send us a message, or give us a call at 970-487-3011.

 

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Fishing Colorado’s Wilderness Areas: Part 2

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Wilderness Access

In part one of this series, we looked at the types of water found in Colorado’s high country wilderness areas. From small streams, to beaver ponds and alpine lakes, there are a variety of waters, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

We promised a second installment, covering wilderness access and fishing techniques. However, we found it far too much to cover in a single article. So, we’re going to break it off into another part. Here we’ll discuss wilderness access, and in our next article we’ll cover tips and techniques. We’ll cap it off with a piece on flies and equipment, featuring our guides’ top picks. With that said, let’s jump in.

With only a few exceptions, wilderness areas are open to the public, offering priceless opportunities to visitors. Access to most wilderness areas in Colorado is as easy as finding a trailhead. Wilderness units can border private land, so access may not be available anywhere along the boundary. But from any public access point, including state or federal lands, established trailheads, or public campgrounds, visitors are free to explore. Always carry a map and compass and/or GPS. It is your responsibility to know where private land boundaries exist, and to avoid trespassing.

Fly fishing opportunities can exist from wilderness boundaries, to the remote interiors. As a general rule, the harder an area is to reach, the less fishing pressure it receives. In our home waters in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, we find that the most remote lakes and streams can be the most rewarding. With very little pressure, trout tend to be less wary and eager to take a fly. In some remote locations, we also find opportunities for larger native cutthroat and brook trout.

Reaching these waters leaves anglers with a couple of options. Travel in wilderness areas is restricted to foot or horseback only. No motorized vehicles or bicycles are allowed. While car camping along the wilderness boundary might be convenient, day hikes will limit your distance from the trailhead.

Instead, anglers can either backpack into more remote areas on foot, or travel on horseback. Of course this is where we’d offer our shameless self-promotion for horseback expeditions to some of Colorado’s most spectacular streams and Lakes.

But however you choose to travel, staying mobile is the best strategy. Mark trails on your maps and then mark the bodies of water that you’re most interested in fishing. Planning a loop that passes a variety of waters will make for a memorable adventure.

Most wilderness areas in Colorado are accessible by the end of June. Immediately after ice-off can be a great time to land large fish as they scour shorelines for drowned insects and worms from the runoff. By the second week in July, dry fly fishing will have turned on in the high country, and will remain active through early September, or the first hard freeze.

One of the advantages of early season wilderness fishing is even less pressure than normal. Trails receive their heaviest use between the 4th of July and Labor Day. Exploring these waters in June gives you the first crack at hungry trout. The downsides however, are higher water levels from runoff and the potential for a muddy experience.

As temperatures rise and runoff levels subside in early to mid-July, insect activity will begin to peak. Although wilderness traffic is highest during mid-summer, even a busy day inside a wilderness boundary will look uninhabited compared to an urban state park or a popular campground. And the period from mid-July until at least Labor Day is arguably the best fishing of the year.

Fall in Colorado can be an excellent time to fish, but the weather can be unpredictable and access more difficult. Depending on early snowfall and temperatures, the fishing will often remain steady well into October. However, by that time most campgrounds are closed and unmaintained Forest Service roads become impassable with snow. If you plan a fall fishing trip, bring a good set of tire chains and be prepared for any weather. A dry road on the way to the trailhead could be a mess before you leave.

Fly fishing Colorado’s wild backcountry is a wonderful opportunity that’s easy to do. Our nation’s wilderness areas are treasures that we should enjoy and share with our children. The only hard part is from the trailhead to the beautiful waters of the remote wilderness interior. But that’s half of the adventure!

For info on our Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Expeditions, please visit our fishing page or our page on Orvis.com.

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2013 Hunting Forecast: Mild Winter, Late Moisture Benefit Wildlife

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

For much of the 2012-2013 winter season in Colorado, mild weather and low snowpack levels led to increasing worries about drought conditions. However, a number of late-season storms through March and April have provided welcome moisture.

In Colorado’s White River Basin, which includes the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, snowpack levels finally reached a peak on April 24, almost three weeks after the average peak date. At that high point, levels were at 101% of normal. After a very mild winter with little precipitation, this is great news for Colorado’s high country and our big game herds.

No matter what kind of winter we have here in Colorado, there is always good news and bad news for wildlife populations. After an extremely heavy snowpack in 2011, the last two winters have been much easier on elk and mule deer herds. Mild winters can significantly improve survival rates and calf/fawn success rates. As the weather warms later this spring, we should see good numbers of calves and fawns making the journey up to their traditional summer ranges. Mild winters are also easier on older elk, especially the bulls who wore themselves down during the rut.

However, mild winters often mean less moisture. As summer heat dries the mountain slopes, deer and elk will have to work harder to put on their summer fat reserves. In dry years, finding quality forage after the end of August can be difficult. The late snow this year will alleviate some of that stress. However, even with snowpack levels near 100% of normal, we live in an arid state and “normal” is still very dry.

For big game hunters, sources of water and healthy feeding areas will still be the key to locating elk during this year’s hunting seasons. Fortunately, we are lucky to be in one of Colorado’s most water-rich wilderness areas. The Flat Tops Wilderness, home of Winterhawk Outfitters, boasts hundreds of lakes and hundreds of miles of streams, making water less of an issue for our local elk and mule deer herds. Finding quality grazing and browsing areas later in the fall will be important for hunters.

Meanwhile, snowpack levels near average should bring a stellar fishing season in the Flat Tops Wilderness. The incredible snow levels we saw in 2011 made fishing difficult with an increased runoff and blown-out streams, but they provided a much needed flush for our water systems. The snowpack this year should provide a normal runoff and stable water levels for most of the season. From ice-off through the end of the season, fly fishing should be fantastic here in the Flat Tops.

If you have questions about big game hunting or fishing Trips in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, please call us at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You may also find more info on our website.

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Announcing the “Let’s Go Hunting!” Sweepstakes Winners

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

We recently drew the winners for our 2012 “Let’s Go Hunting!” Sweepstakes, with a first prize package valued at over $10,000! The first prize was a fully guided elk hunt with Winterhawk Outfitters, including Colorado license, airfare, a Browning rifle or Hoyt bow, gear from Sitka, Danner, Elk101.com and more. The second prize was a Texas whitetail hunt and the third prize was a summer horseback fishing trip for a family of four with Winterhawk.

First place winner, Tyler Beran

With our Sweeptakes co-sponsors, the great folks over at Elk101.com, we are excited to announce that the first prize winner is Tyler Beran from Wisconsin! Tyler grew up as an avid hunter and outdoorsman in his home state and is now a full-fledged elk hunting addict! He gives Elk101.com a great deal of credit for his education on the sport. Tyler says he is active on the forums at Elk101.com and spends hours pouring over maps, drawing stats, harvest stats, shooting, training and thinking about elk. Tyler is a Journeyman Lineman for Wisconsin Public Service. He and his wife are the proud parents of three children.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Winterhawk, Elk101 and the other sponsors have provided,” Tyler told Winterhawk. “I am looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime elk hunting opportunity and again want to thank everyone involved in this Sweepstakes and especially my wife and kids for their support of my outdoor adventures!”

We are thrilled that such a dedicated young elk hunter will be hunting with us. Congratulations, Tyler! We can’t wait to see you here in the Flat Tops for your elk hunt!

Second place winner, Shad Wheeler

The second prize winner is Shad Wheeler from the state of Washington. Born and raised incentral Washington, Shad is a bowhunting fanatic. He and his wife have two little girls.

“I just want to thank Elk101 and Winterhawk for putting on this contest,” Shad told us. “To say that I was surprised when i got the call would be quite the understatement!”

Third place winner, Amanda Gruber

And finally, our third place winner is Amanda Gruber, also from Wisconsin. Amanda says that besides her family, which includes their 18 month-old daughter, her biggest passions are barrel racing and the outdoors.

Thank you to everyone who entered the 2012 Sweepstakes If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, please keep an eye out for our 2013 Sweepstakes. We will be announcing the details of that giveaway soon!

 

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Winterhawk’s All-Star Instructor Lineup

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Winterhawk’s Outfitter, Guide & Packer School is gearing up for a great year, and we’ve got another all-star lineup of instructors. If you or someone you know has been dreaming of being a professional hunting guide or outfitter, there’s no better place to learn from some of the best experts in the industry. Here’s a look at our 2013 instructor lineup:

Elk Hunting and Calling Instructor: Corey Jacobsen

For 7-Time World Champion Elk Caller, Corey Jacobsen, there is nothing like the high-country in mid-September. Finishing in the top 5 in the Professional Division at the RMEF World Championship Elk Calling contest 14 times in the past 15 years, he has become one of the most sought-after resources for elk calling and elk hunting instruction in the nation. In 2013, Corey was also named the RMEF’s ‘Champion of Champions’. Corey recognizes that success on the stage doesn’t necessarily relate to success in the field, however, and he lives for the “real” contest that takes place in the elk woods every September. It is there, on public land, over-the-counter archery units that he has been hunting elk for over 25 years.

Corey’s passion for elk hunting also led him to create Elk101.com, a website devoted to elk hunting education, instruction, and entertainment. Elk101.com offers a wealth of elk hunting information, along with interaction with other elk hunters, elk hunting videos, and gear. In 2011, Elk101.com also launched Extreme Elk Magazine. With a foundation of elk hunting stories contributed by real, everyday elk hunters, combined with the energy and experience of dedicated writers like Cameron Hanes, Aron Snyder, and Steve Chappell, Extreme Elk Magazine has burst onto the scene as one of the premier hunting magazines in the nation!

Now living in Boise, Idaho, Corey and his wife, Jennifer, have three children – Isaac, Jessi, and Samuel.

Fly Fishing Instructor: Jim Phillips

Jim Phillips is a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor and a veteran guide for Vail Resorts and Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon, Colorado. Originally, from Sonora, California, Jim now lives in Avon and has more than 50 years of fly fishing experience. Jim’s favorite fly is the Patriot, and his favorite trip has been the Kamchatka Peninsula in northeastern Russia. Jim’s fly fishing adventures have also taken him to numerous saltwater destinations. Among them, the Bahamas and the Florida Keys have been his favorites.

Big Game Guiding Instructor: Bob Terwilliger

Bob Terwilliger is Head Guide and General Manager for Winterhawk Outfitters. Bob grew up in the heart of the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, where from a young age he developed a love for the outdoors and horses. He started hunting and fishing with his grandfather and dad at the age of eight. In February of 1994, Bob received a job opportunity in Colorado and he jumped at the chance. This meant a bigger and better place to enjoy the outdoors, including pursuing his life-long dream of a horseback elk hunt in the Rocky Mountains.

For the next 14 years, Bob hunted, fished and backpacked all over the Flat Tops Wilderness before coming to work at Winterhawk Outfitters in the fall of 2008. He quickly fell in love with the operation and all it had to offer. It didn’t take Bob long to realize that Winterhawk was the perfect second career opportunity for him. Since that time, Bob has been guiding fly fishing, elk hunting, and teaching the Big Game Guiding Class for Winterhawk.

In the Big Game Guiding Class, Bob will cover everything you need to know and master to be a successful hunting guide, including how best to work with clients and within your guide team, review gear needed, hunting techniques, proper care of game in the field, and more.

Wilderness Navigation and Survival Instructor: Bryan Puskar

Bryan Puskar is a Master Instructor and the Staffing Director for the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS). He has been teaching wilderness survival and navigation for over 13 years. When not teaching outdoor skills Bryan enjoys sea kayaking, cycling, swimming, and hiking. His adventures have taken him around the United States and Canada as well as Tanzania, Bolivia, Peru, Australia, Mexico, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

In his three-day session for Winterhawk, Bryan will cover basic navigation with map and compass. Students will learn how to stay found regardless of available tools and technology, and common navigation mistakes and how to avoid them. Bryan will also present survival skills, including priorities for decision making, proper shelter construction, thermoregulation, fire, and learning to use the resources that nature provides.

Bryan is also quite versed in astronomy so if the skies are clear it’s pretty easy to get him to point out stars, constellations and planets, as well as teach how they can be used to find your way in the wilderness.

Backcountry First Aid Instructor: Carl Weil

Carl Weil is a third generation guide who has taught thousands of students – including guides, nurses, paramedics and doctors – improvisational backcountry medicine since 1967. Born and raised in the west, his wilderness medical experience ranges from the Rocky Mountains to Everest. Founder of a rural ambulance company, Weil also worked in the emergency room at Denver General and other hospitals before running Wilderness Medicine Outfitters (WMO) full time in Elizabeth, Colorado. He is one of the first fellows of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and their first Master Fellow. If you have questions, you may write to him at Carl@WildernessMedicine.com

Larry Amos, Winterhawk Owner and Head Instructor

Larry Amos has more than 40 years of guiding and outfitting experience and founded Winterhawk Outfitters as a full-time professional outfit more than 30 years ago in 1982. In addition to our other talented instructors, Larry serves as Winterhawk’s Head Instructor, covering a wide range of outfitting disciplines, including horsemanship, horseshoeing, mule packing, setting wilderness camps, camp management, equipment, outfitter business management, food service, trophy care and more.

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Fishing Colorado’s Wilderness Areas: Part 1

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Types of Water and Knowing Where to Start

Each spring we look forward to getting back to fishing here in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Fly Fishing anywhere is fun. But there’s nothing quite like fly fishing in one of Colorado’s remote wilderness areas. From the small streams to high alpine lakes, the fish are unpressured and the scenery is unbeatable.

However, for someone who has never ventured into the backcountry in search of trout, it can be hard to know where to begin. Over the next few months, we will feature a three-part series on fishing Colorado’s wilderness areas. This first article will focus on the types of water and where to start. The next installment will cover access and fishing tips. The third in the series will discuss suggested equipment and flies.

When it comes to remote backcountry fly fishing in Colorado, there are a multitude of options. One of the great things about our wilderness areas is a diversity of fishing options. The Flat Tops is a prime example. Angler’s here can choose to focus on small stream fishing, alpine lakes or beaver ponds. Each requires different techniques, advantages, challenges and opportunities.

Colorado’s small wilderness streams tend to be dominated by brook trout. In some places, like here in the Flat Tops, they also hold native cutthroat trout. Brookies in small streams tend to remain small, usually growing to no more than 10 inches. Cutthroat on the other hand can sometimes exceed 14 inches in alpine streams. While most of the fish remain small, these narrow waters provide fast and exciting action for willing trout. Angers can test their skill in tricky drifts and casting in tight spaces. But don’t worry – there’s no need to get too hung up on technical fishing. These trout are rarely picky and on a good day it can feel like a strike per cast.

Most of Colorado’s wilderness areas are also home to beaver ponds, which provide excellent trout habitat. Here, brookies and cutthroat take advantage of prolific insect hatches that occur on the still waters throughout the summer. These easy food sources often allow trout to reach larger sizes in beaver ponds. The tradeoff? The water in beaver ponds is often gin-clear and approaching these trout can be extremely tricky. If you walk up to the waters edge and see trout skittering to the other side of the pond, you’ve gone too far. In fact, anglers shouldn’t feel silly crawling toward the water’s edge on hands and knees, casting from behind foliage for concealment. A little cloud cover on a summer afternoon can be a big help. But whatever it takes to get your fly out there, there are few things more exciting than dropping a dry fly on a beaver pond and watching a trout crash through the surface.

Finally, many of Colorado’s high altitude wilderness areas are studded with lakes, some of them holding great populations of native cutthroat trout. The size of fish in these lakes can vary greatly, depending on diet, depth and more. However, the unpressured nature of many of these waters will often allow for larger fish. And since they rarely see an artificial fly, their willingness to strike can make for a fun day on the water. Wind and surrounding trees can often make casting difficult around wilderness lakes. But for those willing to trek to these alpine gems, the action can be extremely rewarding.

No matter what type of water you’re looking for, it might be a good idea to speak with Forest Service personnel or other local experts that know a particular area. While some alpine lakes and streams look promising, some will provide better opportunities than others. We also recommend looking at topographic maps and using Google Earth to locate bodies of water. This is especially true for beaver bonds, which can change from year to year. Google Earth can provide a more updated view than what might appear on a map.

In our next article, we will discuss access to these wilderness waters, and tips on how to most effectively fish them. Keep an eye on our News Page for more.

For info on our Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Expeditions, please visit our fishing page.

 

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Kids Hunt Free With Winterhawk Outfitters in 2013!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Again in 2013, Winterhawk Outfitters is promoting youth hunting with a ‘Kids Hunt Free’ offer. During Colorado’s 1st rifle season, any 12-16 year old youth hunter who is accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian at regular price, can hunt for free! This is a great opportunity to introduce a young person to hunting and the outdoors. It will be a wilderness experience they remember for the rest of their life!

At Winterhawk, we believe that introducing young people to hunting and the outdoors is critical to the future of our sport. A love for the outdoors can begin at a very young age and an early season rifle elk hunt is a great way to get started. A valid hunter’s safety card is required for all hunters.

First rifle season elk licenses can be drawn without any preference points. Click here to begin the application process. The hunt code is E-M-011-O1-R.

Please call us with questions at 970-487-3011 or contact us online.

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New Limited Archery Elk Hunt Available in 2013

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Winterhawk Outfitters is offering a new hunt in 2013! For archery hunters who are looking for a remote, pack-in bow hunt in a limited entry elk unit, this is a great new opportunity! We are offering a fully guided pack-in archery hunt in GMU 24. Archery elk tags for this Colorado unit are available by drawing only. Two non-resident preference points are typically required to draw the license.

This exciting new hunt will offer a unique experience on a pack-in adventure into one of the most remote parts of the Flat Tops Wilderness area. We will only take two hunters per hunt date. For more information, you can visit our archery hunting page. If you are interested in applying, please call us at 970-487-3011 to check our availability or contact us online. We would be happy to walk you through the application process. The hunt code is E-E-012-O1-A.

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Big Game License Applications Due On April 2

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

Don’t forget, applications for limited big game licenses and preference points must be submitted by April 2, 2013. Even if you plan to purchase an over-the-counter license or if you’re not hunting in Colorado this year, applying for preference points is a great idea. Gaining a point in Colorado is relatively inexpensive compared to many other western states and it will increase your hunting options down the road.

Colorado’s application process can easily be completed online. Click here to get started. As a reminder, archery, 2nd rifle and 3rd rifle season elk licenses are unlimited and available over the counter here in our Flat Tops Wilderness units 25 and 26. However, first rifle season elk tags can be drawn without any preference points. If you’re considering this first season hunt, don’t let the application process scare you away. It’s easy and it’s a great opportunity at a limited entry hunt!

All  deer licenses are limited by drawing only. However, most of our deer tags can be drawn without any preference points. There is also a limited early season rifle deer tag available within the Flat Tops in early September. This tag typically takes at least five non-resident points to draw, but provides a great hunt for trophy mule deer.

For your convenience, here are the hunt codes that apply to hunts at Winterhawk:

  • Early Season Rifle Deer: D-M-012-E1-R
  • Archery Deer:  D-E-025-O1-A
  • Muzzleloader Elk: E-E-025-O1-M
  • Muzzleloder Deer: D-M-025-O1-M
  • 1st Rifle Season Elk: E-M-011-O1-R
  • 2nd Rifle Season Deer: D-M-025-O2-R
  • 3rd Rifle Season Deer: D-M-025-O3-R
  • 4th Rifle Season Elk: E-M-026-O4-R
  • 4th Rifle Season Deer: D-M-025-O4-R

Please call Winterhawk Outfitters with any questions at 970-487-3011. You can also contact us online. We would be happy to help you with the application process.

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Winterhawk Attends Western Hunting and Conservation Expo

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Ryan McSparran

From left to right: Bob Terwilliger, Corey Jacobsen and Larry Amos

At the end of February, Winterhawk Outfitters’ Owner, Larry Amos and General Manager/Head Guide, Bob Terwilliger ventured to Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo. This expo is recognized as one of the best hunting shows in the country and was attended by over 500 guides, outfitters, hunting organizations and manufacturers. These included some of the top names in the industry. Cabelas, Midway, Browning, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and many more were in attendance.

Our booth was well received and visited by many potential clients from across the U.S. The expo also gave us the opportunity to review and discuss some of the best new gear on the market from manufacturers like Sitka, Kuiu, Vortex, Leica, Browning, Zamberlan and more.

The event included great seminars as well. Among them was our good friend and 8-Time World Champion Elk Caller, Corey Jacobsen of Elk101.com. Corey’s seminar, “Hunting Elk with Confidence,” was a great presentation that provided sound principals on the pursuit of elk on public land. Much of it was focused on what hunters can do in the offseason to prepare. We like to visit many of these same principals in our newsletters to help our clients prepare for their hunt. As a side note, Corey will once again be on the agenda for our Guide and Outfitter School this summer along with many other excellent instructors.

At the evening banquets, auctions were held with proceeds going to protect our hunting land, our rights and the wildlife we cherish. Record earnings were generated from this year’s auctions and it was easy to see why. One of the highly coveted Utah mule deer tags went for $310,000.

We were also treated to great music each evening, including Phil Vassar and the legendary Oak Ridge Boys. The true highlight was the speech given by NRA President, Wayne LaPierre on the final night. His speech focused on the importance of bonding together in support of our 2nd amendment rights. Wayne’s speech was impressive, motivating and educational. He used this years’ Harrisburg Sportsman’s Show to illustrate how we can influence things by sticking together. His closing theme was on directing our united focus to where it needs to be – that is, security in our schools, stronger law enforcement, appropriate consequences for criminals – versus the taking rights away from law abiding citizens.

We highly recommend this show as one you might consider attending in the future. It has a great deal to offer and best of all, much of what takes place is for a good cause. The conservation and protection of our hunting rights, land and game are all high priority themes. This event is already on our calendar for 2014. Hope to see you there!

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