Everyone shooting got “on the paper” and many managed tight groups (even in the bullseye).  Unabashedly, the coaches and instructors take all the credit for these successes.  The participants got to keep their targets and a pheasant tail feather as a memento.  It was a lot of fun for our PF coaches as well as the public. 

The Park served our volunteers burritos for lunch which HIT THE SPOT too.  In 2026, CPW at Barr Lake may move the event to a springtime date.  Whenever they choose, we expect to be there.

The June 5 Pint Night at Brother’s Bar & Grill was a great success. We had 42 supporters, signed up 12 new members and enjoyed a video presentation shot by our own Mike Higbee. His video featured the Lesser Prairie Chicken and our recent chapter efforts to help preserve this specie in Colorado. To top it off, a 15 year old young man won our drawing and selected a new Baretta semi auto shotgun! The event was also successful as a fund raiser for chapter projects. Thanks to all who supported and came to the event.

COMING UP

July 17 from 9-12 at Barr Lake State Park is a habitat project. SMPF is partnering with Occidental Petroleum to build a “living fence”( 200 feet) and also to install a 270 foot windbreak consisting of 4 rows of Rocky Mt. Junipers and Three Leaf Sumac. We may have up to 50 Oxy volunteers and all PF volunteers who can make the event will round out the work force. SMPF will also make a brief presentation about the Lesser Prairie Chicken project in the nature center. OXY has provided grants to PF for this project. If you can help, please give Dean T. a call at 303 981 4642 or call Steve Osa (Habitat Chair) at 720 301 6985.

CLICK HERE to download a very informative report from our PF biologists. It details their significant accomplishments and is worth your review. Let me share a bit more information regarding our biologists. First, they specialize in certain areas. As an example, some are Private Lands Conservationists whose main mission is to work with ranchers and farmers. They can help ranchers and farmers be more profitable and at the same time preserve more habitat for wildlife. Using a Precision Farming strategy, they analyze all of the input costs of planting a crop against the likelihood of making a profit on certain acres of ground which are actually marginal for crops. So, there might 5 or 10 acres where the soil, drainage or other natural factors might only result in a profit once every five years. If the acreage wasn’t farmed at all then the farmer is net more profitable over time. Then, the higher use of that ground would be to restore it to wildlife habitat. Of course, then our Conservationist can make recommendations and offer assistance to make that wildlife habitat happen.

Have a great July 4th holiday!

Dean Titterington, President

A special thanks to both Barr Lake staff and Oxy volunteers for joining us in this project! And a big thanks to all of the PF volunteers who support these projects.  Our wildlife thanks you.  

400 feet of nesting, berries and shelter were on the agenda for planting.  First, the holes (185 of them) were dug.  Six cubic yards of compost and mulch were used to make our new plants welcome as we tucked them into the ground. Our new residents- 35 Junipers, 60 each of chokeberry and sumac bushes were planted. 

There were approximately 60 people present to do the planting -20 students and 5 adults from STEAD school, 30+ Oxy employees, the Pheasants Forever Habitat and outreach chairs, and a half dozen employees from Barr Lake.

All enjoyed the morning of connecting to each other, and to the wildlife that we are helping protect! 

May 25, 2022 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

South Metro Chapter members will join again with Oxy volunteers at Barr Lake State Park for a habitat project. The May 25 event from 8 am to noon will see volunteers plant 3 long rows of approximately 120 junipers, plums, and sumacs for a windbreak.

Oxy executives and a film crew are expected to document this project, which may also attract state-level officials.

June 18, 2022 All day

Join us on June 16, for the South Metro Chapter Wing Shoot at Barr Lake State Park