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Show B-6 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, September 15-18, 2018 Colorado officials alarmed by steep drop in wildlife Populations of deer and elk low in Eagle County PAM BOYD Vail Daily EAGLE, Colo. — Dealing with issues related to population growth — everything from housing to roads to crime — is a routine task for the Eagle County commissioners. But there’s one group of county residents who aren’t experiencing population growth. In fact, there’s been an alarming population decline of the native wildlife of Eagle County. Last week, the county commissioners sat down with representatives from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to discuss the drop in local elk and deer population figures and hash out how humans can address the issue. Craig Wescoatt, wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, painted a dire picture of current conditions. The current elk count in Eagle County is down 50 percent from numbers recorded in 2003, Wescoatt said. During the past 20 years alone, local elk figures have dropped 40 percent. Wescoatt noted there isn’t a single factor that has resulted in the drop — nothing like a catastrophic fire or a devastating disease outbreak. Wescoatt also added that during the past decade, there hasn’t been a rash of large land developments that cut into wildlife habitat. What has happened, however, is more and more human encroachment. “What we have seen is an increase in dispersed recreation on federal lands,” Wescoatt said. Just because they don’t run … Wescoatt doesn’t believe the Continued from B-1 Sports briefs Fall in love Innovative Design for a Innovative Design for a Better Overall Experience with your Better Overall Experience smile VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE RESTARTING IN OCT. The PC MARC’s six-versus-six volleyball season starts Oct 3. Recreation and competitive divisions available. Registration available online at parkcityrecreation.org or call 435615-5401 for more details. THRILLER PC MARC is holding its annual Thriller Dance Workshop, which 3M True teaches the dance’s moves and Definition Scannergrants a chance to perform at the 3M True City Halloween Dog Parade. Definition Scanner Park The workshop is for people ages Fall Special: $300 off 5 and up, and starts on Sept. 21. Visit parkcityrecreation.org or call 435-615-5401 for more details. SWING FOR SPORTS GOLF TOURNAMENT Basin Recreation is hosting its annual “Swing for Sports” golf tournament at Canyons Golf Course on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. The event is a fundraiser for the organization’s Here at Miller Orthodontics, we believe in creating youth scholarship program, and will include prizes for the top three a better overall experience all ourinpatients. Here at Miller Orthodontics, wefor believe creatingteams and an opportunity drawing all participants. Cost per team aBybetter overall experience for all our patients. using this state of the art 3M True Definitionfor is $400. Registration and further comprehensive treatment if scheduled to start prior to scanner areofable to our By using thiswe state the artgive 3M Truepatients: Definition October 31st, 2018. scanner we are able to give our patients: 2018 Wet Impressions Proud sponsors ofNo theMore Red Apple Gala Call for a No More Impressions 30% More Wet Accurate For Better Fitting andFor Retainers 30% MoreBraces Accurate Better complimentary consultation Fitting Scanner Braces and Retainers Fastest Available Today! Fastest Scanner Available Today! m2ortho.com average Eagle County resident or visitor who ventures out into public lands and comes across a deer or elk intends to stress out the animal. However, he said, people often fail to understand their mere presence is enough to cause harm. For instance, Wescoatt explained that when a deer is alerted to a human presence, the animal’s heart rate quickens and its body temperature increases. The deer will halt foraging as it senses a possible threat. All the human sees is a deer looking up, but Wescoatt noted the animal has expended energy stores it can’t spare during the winter. What’s more, when it stops eating, that’s a problem, because during the winter, it is already a challenge for the animal to take in enough nourishment to stay healthy. “Every time someone snowshoes or skis by and the deer picks up its head, it is bad for the deer,” Wescoatt said. Elk, on the other hand, run away from a threat. That’s a more obvious signal that the animal is distressed and expending energy, he said. Bear and Lions Wescoatt also reported that while deer and elk numbers are dropping, local black bear and mountain lion numbers are more stable. On the positive side, Wescoatt said bear sightings in populated areas are down. “We have had a good berry crop this year, so the bears are staying where they should be,” he said. Wescoatt said Colorado Parks and Wildlife is receiving more mountain lion reports now than in years past, but it is unclear if the population has increased or if dispersed recreation has brought more humans into contact with the animals. information is available at www. basinrecreation.org. SOUTH SUMMIT TRAILS GRAND OPENING The South Summit Trails Foundation and the city of Oakley are hosting a grand opening ceremony for the new Oakley Trail Park, located near the Oakley water tank on Pinion Road. The ceremony will be on the evening of Sept. 21, is free to the public and will feature snacks and guided tours through the new trails — both on bike and on foot. PARK CITY SOCCER CLUB DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Park City Soccer Club is offering girls- and boys-specific Futures Programs for players aged 6 to 9. The programs, led by professional coaches, are focused on teaching soccer in a fun environment, facilitating a love for the game and promoting the development of basic skills. There is an eight-week program starting Oct. 5. Players can join at any time during a session and the program is scheduled, when possible, to complement fall rec league soccer, allowing players to do both. For more information, visit www.parkcitysoccer.org or contact Youth Program Director Matt Terwillegar at mattpc94@ gmail.com. PRE-COMP SWIM TEAM The PC MARC is assembling a fall pre-comp swim team. This swim team offers smaller group sizes, more individualized instruction, and expert coaching. Classes are held MILLER MILLER orthodontics 1389 Center Drive • Suite 160 • Park City UT 84098 Looking to sell a home, condo, property, 435.731.4111 435.731.4111 435.731.4111 RUNNING EVALUATIONS Athletic Republic, a local training gym, is offering athletes in grades 8-12 one free 30-minute running mechanics evaluation until Sept. 20. The treadmill session includes video feedback and analysis from one of Athletic Republic’s trainers. Sessions will be offered at 4 and 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each session is limited to two participants. To reserve a spot, call 435-729-7230. DRY-LAND TRAINING Two-time Olympian, former U.S. Ski Team athlete and fitness coach Jilian Vogtli will host a six-week program at the PC MARC to help winter athletes train, strengthen and sculpt their bodies for the upcoming season. Class starts Sept. 17. Register online at parkcityrecreation.org or call 435-615-5401 for more information. PARK CITY SAILING CULMINATING EVENTS Park City Sailing Club is celebrating its fall regatta and the Commodore’s Ball & Silent Auction on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30. Boat charters are available and tickets to the Commodore’s Ball are included in regatta registration for skippers and crew members. Registration is open now at sailpc.sportngin.com/register/ form/633498698. Check out the Park Record’s Real Estate Monthly for listings in Park City and the surrounding areas visit our website at: 1389 Center Drive • Suite 160 • Park City UT 84098 Monday through Thursday until Sept. 27. Visitparkcityrecreation. org or call 435-615-5401 for more information. Your future Mountain Home is calling visit our website at: m2ortho.com m2ortho.com orthodontics 1389 Center Drive . Suite 160 . Park City UT, 84098 Hardscrabble Ranch At the same time that human actions are causing issues for wildlife, Wescoatt noted that surveys show Eagle County residents rank wildlife preservation as an important quality of life issue. “We do get a lot of letters (about wildlife issues),” Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry said. “People are concerned.” So is the county, the commissioners noted. Wildlife concerns are one of the issues that are driving the management plan for Hardscrabble Ranch, a 1,540acre property recently added to the county’s open space program. Formerly a part of the Adam’s Rib Ranch private holding, the Hardscrabble Ranch property represents new access options to the federal lands south of the Brush Creek Valley. That’s great news for recreationalists, but it also has potential to be a large human encroachment problem for wildlife habitat. “Sometimes there are competing interests (on public lands),” Wescoatt said. “We have to manage to balance those.” There are various management practices Eagle County is contemplating for Hardscrabble Ranch, which will be discussed when the county hosts a community presentation for its draft management plan. Wildlife officials hailed the county’s efforts to include Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the Hardscrabble Ranch planning, noting that often habitat issues aren’t addressed during land-planning efforts. As a result, wildlife officials find themselves objecting to plans rather than helping to develop them. “Right now it feels like we are the objectionists,” said J.T. Romantzke, Colorado Parks and Wildlife northwest region director. or townhome? Call 435-649-9014 to get your listing seen by over 10,000 people. |
