Help a Soldier Out?

B

bones

New member
My name is Eirik Svare, just got back from Afghanistan on July 2nd and am scrambling to find some hunting. I grew up duck hunting on the Chesapeake and broadened into upland hunting with grouse in the Blueridge once I got a drivers license and have continued to bird hunt through 19 years in the Army.

Only had 6 weeks here in Colorado before I left for the sandbox so really have not had much time to research things. Have tried talking to folks here at the regional DOW office in Colorado Springs but they were not much help. Still need to try and get a hold of the National Forest folks. Super interested in Grouse hunting and would love to get out and do some dove hunting. Was told there are some grouse close by but driving towards Walden would yield better results. I'm willing to drive, but have know remote idea of where to begin.

I'm an avid flyfisherman and tyer as well and am willing to tie plenty of flies for a tag a long or some solid info.


Thanks,
bones
 
I'm in the same boat, first time hunting in CO. What I've seen of Grouse is on the Rampart Range from CO Springs up to Castle Rock in Pike Nat Forest. I understand it's heavily hunted come season, but I went up there for a walk last week and found blue grouse.

Go take a look around on your next day off. Start at the top of a ridge and work you way down, across slowly zig zagging if your alone. Listen for drumming and look for there food source.

If nothing else Grouse hunting is good exercise and a nice walk in the woods of Colorado
 
Most SWA's east of you should be good for doves. Weekdays will be best. For Grouse, if you are adventureous, I have found them Near Meadow Creek Res, North of Frasier and Tabernash. Some of those trails lead to dead ends with no where for a guy to turn around. There will be Archery guy's up there. Find a good meadow with some water and you should see grouse. Have had elk bugle even after shooting several times at the grouse. Put the 12 down and picked up the bow! Got him to within 60 yards with no shot. Nice 5 by 5 !! Let us know how you do !!!!:cheers:
 
Thanks Bleu, out fishing the S. Platte yesterday and did a little grouse scouting. I'll give your suggestions a try.



Have a Good 'Urn,
bones
 
bones said:
My name is Eirik Svare, just got back from Afghanistan on July 2nd and am scrambling to find some hunting. I grew up duck hunting on the Chesapeake and broadened into upland hunting with grouse in the Blueridge once I got a drivers license and have continued to bird hunt through 19 years in the Army.

Only had 6 weeks here in Colorado before I left for the sandbox so really have not had much time to research things. Have tried talking to folks here at the regional DOW office in Colorado Springs but they were not much help. Still need to try and get a hold of the National Forest folks. Super interested in Grouse hunting and would love to get out and do some dove hunting. Was told there are some grouse close by but driving towards Walden would yield better results. I'm willing to drive, but have know remote idea of where to begin.

I'm an avid flyfisherman and tyer as well and am willing to tie plenty of flies for a tag a long or some solid info.


Thanks,
bones
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Bones

I am wondering how you would feel about being my guest and joining my family and I for opening weekend in South Dakota. A small token of my appreciation for your service. I have a cousin that lives in Colorado Springs that is comimg so perhaps you could travel together.
 
Haymaker,
That’s a very patriotic invitation. I hope he accepts and everyone has a great hunt.:10sign::10sign::10sign:
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Haymaker,

That's one of the nicest things ever posted on UPH. Since I've been a member anyway. :thumbsup::10sign::cheers:
 
haymaker said:
Bones

I am wondering how you would feel about being my guest and joining my family and I for opening weekend in South Dakota. A small token of my appreciation for your service. I have a cousin that lives in Colorado Springs that is comimg so perhaps you could travel together.
Click to expand...

That is a very kind gesture Haymaker. What a great bunch of guys around here!

I can't help you Bones, but wanted to stop in and say thank you for your service. :)
 
haymaker, I'd love to come out and hunt. I doubt I'll be able to though, burnt through most of my leave when I got home trying to reconnect with the wife and kids. I have some left but am saving it for retirement next year. Have been in the Army for 19 years and am looking forward to retirement!!!

Still , let me know what the date for the opener is and I'll see if I can make it. That is probably the nicest thing anyone has offered to do for me and whether I make it out or not I cannot thank you enough.



Thank You,
SSG Eirik Svare
 
Haymaker, that is awesome!!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:


Bones if you get up where I told you, you can go a little further West and hit the upper Colo River for some good fishing. If you get to Hot Sulpher and Parshall, not only good fishing, but head North out of Parshall and you should run into grouse in the Troublesome Basin. Found some there during Deer and Elk season last year! Be careful, alot of pine beetle kill and the tree's fall pretty easy!!! Hit the Aspen!!! Good luck!!!
:cheers:
 
Bones
Opening day is Oct. 15. We will hunt saturday and sunday maybe a little on monday, then back to work. I am not sure about my cousins plans as far as his schedule. Whatever you decide is fine. We would love to have you. If it doesn't work this year we might be around next year. Either way thanks for what you have done for me.
 
Hey Bones, first thanks for your service and welcome to colorado springs. My wife is currently in Afganistan but is due back in a month. I am kind of in the same boat in trying to find a good grouse area close by. I have been doing some scouting lately but have not had any luck. I have a lead on a different area that I am going to check out. I will send you a private message with my email and you certainly join me. I do have some pheasant area's and you can certainly join our crew come Phez season. One of my hunting buddies is a sf guy at carson that is looking to retire soon as well.
Gary
 
bones said:
My name is Eirik Svare, just got back from Afghanistan on July 2nd and am scrambling to find some hunting. I grew up duck hunting on the Chesapeake and broadened into upland hunting with grouse in the Blueridge once I got a drivers license and have continued to bird hunt through 19 years in the Army.

Only had 6 weeks here in Colorado before I left for the sandbox so really have not had much time to research things. Have tried talking to folks here at the regional DOW office in Colorado Springs but they were not much help. Still need to try and get a hold of the National Forest folks. Super interested in Grouse hunting and would love to get out and do some dove hunting. Was told there are some grouse close by but driving towards Walden would yield better results. I'm willing to drive, but have know remote idea of where to begin.

I'm an avid flyfisherman and tyer as well and am willing to tie plenty of flies for a tag a long or some solid info.


Thanks,
bones
Click to expand...

"Driving toward Walden" isn't bad advice. I have had good luck dusky grouse hunting up the Elk River drainage outside of Steamboat Springs on National Forest logging roads. Whenever you are in a National Forest it is legal to hunt if a state hunting season is on and you have a CO license. Once in the mountains, getting into a National Forest is just a matter of getting on a road going UP a river or creek drainage -- eventually you'll be in a Nat'l Forest. Grouse season starts Sep. 1. The habitat of dusky grouse is so vast you might try just slowly driving the logging roads until you see some. They hang out in the open and behave like barnyard chickens. You can walk up to them and they just move away. A dog will put them in the air or you can by rushing at them. They are great eating.

The best pheasant hunting is in the NE corner of the state. CO has a walk-in program - private land open to public hunting -- and there are state wildlife areas to hunt pheasant (waterfowl too) such as around Bonney Reservoir and the Brush Wildlife Area. If you're heading for NE CO you can keep going east to KS or NE. Both states have walk-in hunting.

Have a great season and share your experiences with us.
 
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@ Bones: Will PM you IF & when I get a chance to break away for a little grouse or dove hunting in between work/ministry & chasin archery elk with my son. Nice to see all the goodwill on here fellas & to bones & all our military heroes we salute you for all you have done for us!!! :10sign:
 
Bones, I am assuming you are with 4th Brigade, 4ID? Which unit?
 
Im in 2nd Brigade we just replaced you. PM coming your way.
 
Hey guys, I'm a retired Soldier and work on Fort Carson. Always looking to get out to the WIAs. Hit some last year with some success so if you're looking for a partner some time hit me up. Also into smacking some ducks and just came off some in the San Luis Valley.
 
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