State Offering Refunds for Some Hiunting Areas Hit by Flooding

Game management units in Northeastern Colorado affected by flooding are offering refunds for rifle season hunting licenses, although many units are again huntable as lands and properties return to normal after last month's flood. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says refunds and restoration of preference points or exchanges of licenses for the remaining seasons will be allowed in units 19, 20, and 29 (roughly the area from I-25 west to the Continental Divide between Broomfield at the south and Fort Collins at the north) for bear, deer and elk licenses for the regular rifle and PLO seasons. Affected hunters will receive letters explaining how to apply.

State Wildlife Areas Reopening After Floods

Colorado's reopened most of the flood-damaged State Wildlife Areas today, but they say hunters should be aware that landscapes may look different than last year and to take caution and expect downed fences. Reservations for the opening weekend of waterfowl season on properties that are open will begin immediately. Hunters are being encouraged to scout their hunting area in the daylight because many traditional hunting areas and access paths have been considerably altered. The Jean Tool State Wildlife Area in Morgan County is still closed.

Flooded Out Rail Lines Fixed--But..

The rail lines west of Denver, washed out by flooding have been repaired, and Amtrak says it hopes to have news on when it can resume passenger service sometime this week. Freight trains are running again between Denver and Grand Junction. Calli Hite of the Union Pacific Railroad tells the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent that there's a backlog of freight that takes precedence over passenger traffic on the UP's tracks. Since the floods, Amtraks' routed its trains to the north from Denver to get to Salt Lake City. Passengers going to Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction are using chartered buses or getting replacement tickets for a later date.

Experts Says There's Hope for Malnourished Denver Boys

An expert says the four boys who were found undernourished and unable to speak in a filthy Denver apartment, face a long path to recovery, but there is hope. The brothers, 2 to 6, were placed in state custody last month. Their parents were in court yesterday on child-abuse charges. Diane Baird, a pediatrics instructor at the University of Colorado medical school, says the boys will need a healing relationship that teaches them they can trust adult caregivers. Baird, who isn't directly involved in the case, says they face longer-term problems in building relationships with other people and in their sense of self-worth.

It's game on for local hunters, but officials warn, the flood has changed things

It's game on for local hunters, but officials warn, the flood has changed things. Starting Wednesday, (Oct. 9), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) started opening most of the State Wildlife Areas along the South Platte River that have been closed for the past several weeks, but say flood waters cut deep holes in many places along the South Platte and adjacent waterways, and hunters are encouraged to test water depth with a stick or branch when crossing a channel. Many of the boundary fences have been washed out, and will be fixed or replaced as soon as possible. All hunters are strongly encouraged to scout their hunting area in the daylight since the traditional hunting areas and the access paths have likely been considerably altered. Look out for debris including downed barbwire fences, and expect to find many of the foot bridges washed away. Reservations for the opening weekend of waterfowl season will begin immediately, on properties that are accessible.
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MEANWHILE

CPW is offering refunds on a few game management units in Northeastern Colorado for rifle seasons. Officials said, in response to the flood, they previously offered exchanges or refunds and reinstatement of preference points for hunters in units and seasons adversely affected by the flood in the early seasons, but advised, many units are still huntable. As additional lands and properties return to normal in the northeast region, CPW says some areas remain accessible for hunters.
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The Morgan Game and Fish Conservation Club is still digging out from under last month's floods

The Morgan Game and Fish Conservation Club is still digging out from under last month's floods. The natural springs and private game and fish area, at Muir Springs (rhymes/"fewer"), just North of Log Lane Village, which escaped devastation, is where the club holds trap shoots and fishing events at the private fishing ponds, and rifle range. Club members have spent considerable time over the years working on the recreation area at Muir Springs, and say, so far the full extent of the damage had yet to be determined as of late last week, because the water levels were still too high to get to many parts of the recreation area. The club hopes to have the ponds back in shape for the next Fish for Fun Day.
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