A Day In the Grasslands

[van franke]

Well my wife left Friday the 29th to run a 5k at the garden of the gods, and with nothing I had to get done I decided to check out pawnee national grasslands. I was gone by 530 Saturday morning and headed cross country to see what I could find. Once the sun was up it didnt take long to start finding pronghorn. They were pretty well spread out, everytime I pulled up the binos I could spot white and tan. Take into consideration this is Colorado so you arent going to see any giants like New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona, but if you look hard enough you can find some decent animals. In total i saw 270 pronghorn in a little over 10 hours and covered 220 miles. With rolling terrain Im sure this is a small amount of the goats that call this country home.

Heres a crooked horn little guy

This is the best one I got pics of.

This one didnt mind the attention.

continued next post

 

[van franke]

Here are some random shots.

The plains are also covered with history and great scenery. Lots of old homesteads that unfortuately have been abused by cattle are scattered across the praires. Most are just foundations that are left to be used as cattle rubs, which is unfortuate.

continued next post

 

[van franke]

In one little valley I dropped in I noticed a hawk sitting on the ground which was strange, then I looked farther down the valley to a runoff pond and there was hawks everywhere. At one time when I sat there I counted at least 60 it was pretty amazing. No shortage of hawks.

It was pretty amazing to see all of them.

In all I drove 220 miles Saw 270 pronghorn, 5 coyotes, alot of hawks, a few deer and very few other people. It was a great way to spend the Saturday.

I almost forgot I found the ever elusive praire spitting elk.

 

[noharleyyet]

Cool share, thanks.

 

[elk_hunter]

Yeah, very cool pics. A lot of great animals and those hawk pics are really neat.

 

[Oak]

The first buck in the second post looks to have some mass.

Love the Swainson's photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Big Fin]

Very cool VF.

 

[----]

Really cool pictures.
I love this time of the year.

 

[jabber]

Amazing pics. Thanks

 

[Big Slick]

Thanks for sharing Van!

 

[van franke]

Big Slick you might have to cash those points in. Lots of antelope out there.
Not sure how much they will grow yet but its still pretty early. Looking forward to Eli posting some pics from his scouting trip so we can see where the real big boys are at this early in the game.
Oak how are they looking on that side of the mtn.

 

[1_pointer]

Great pics! I love the grasslands, just don't get to spend enough time in them. Instead I get to stumble over and around sagebrush.

Was your wife running in Illinois?

 

[van franke]

The run was in Colorado Springs, she ran it in 32 minutes not bad for her first one. She'll actually be home anytime so I better get to putting stuff away.

 

[Big Slick]

Van we'll have to check it out for next year for sure.

 

[Oak]

Oak how are they looking on that side of the mtn.

I'm sure they're looking fine with the mild winter. It's a ways for me to drive to look, and I probably won't spend the time with no tag coming this year.

 

[mtmiller]

Great way to spend the day. Thanks for the share.

 

[Big Slick]

Can't wait to spend those ten points Van. Guess you just like to keep me fired up and ready to go! Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Oak]

Can't wait to spend those ten points Van.

Whoa, that's a ton of 'lope points. Sure you want to spend them out east?

 

[Big Slick]

Oak, I'm not sure but would love to hear some good ideas!

 

[Oak]

B&C entries since 2000 in CO, by county:

1. Moffat - 23
2. Jackson - 7
3. Las Animas - 5

If it were me, I'd head west.