BHA held its second annual member rendezvous in June. A group of about 20 attendees from around the state set camp in the San Isabel National Forest west of Salida/Poncha Springs. Camp was located in a high-mountain meadow at about 10,000 feet in the Sawatch Range south of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness contains eight summits exceeding 14,000 feet and five peaks over 13,800 feet. The Collegiate Peak’s 167,414 wilderness acres were protected by Congress in 1980 and it’s the fifth largest wilderness area in Colorado. See this link for more photos from the rendezvous.

It was a relaxed, mostly unstructured “get acquainted” weekend with beer, a campfire, serious conversation and plenty of laughter both nights. During the day Saturday, folks dispersed to go hiking and fishing. The weather, although rainy, was still pleasant, and we were protected from the elements compliments of a 16-man tepee provided by Paul Vertrees, and Bill Sustrich’s elk hunting wall tent. Saturday evening there was an all-member meeting, including a brief awards ceremony, an open discussion concerning where we've been and where we want to go as a group, and more.

Members receiving awards included Bob Marion. Bob was the Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Angler’s first Forest Watchman for the San Juan National Forest and was recognized for his ever-vigilant and ongoing work to protect the backcountry of southwest Colorado. And David Petersen—founder of Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers—was recognized for his second-to-none lifelong contributions to wildlands and wildlife conservation. The members of Colorado BHA, and the wild critters of Colorado, are eternally grateful to you both.

David Petersen also recently stepped down from his official duties as Colorado BHA co-chair after 5 years of diligent wildlands conservation work. As David said, “To all the “Black Hats” out there determined to destroy the best of what’s left of wild and natural America for their own shortsighted and selfish entertainment and profit—while I may have retired, I have not finished. I will be back, and it won’t be pretty.” Filling David’s co-chair position is John Gale.

John is a dedicated big game and bird hunter, although if he had to choose he’d never leave his horses and elk hunting behind. He hunts with a shotgun, rifle and muzzleloader, and has been shooting a bow since he was a youngster. John has represented Colorado BHA at state legislature hearings, OHV meetings with the DNR, and on the new Colorado Sportsmen’s Advocacy Committee (CSAC).

John says, “BHA is something I care a lot about and my personal passion is advocating for hunting and fishing opportunities in the backcountry whenever possible. I have a daughter and someday I’ll have to look her in the eyes and say I did everything I could to protect the heritage that has shaped her family for generations.” See p.12 of the Spring Backcountry Journal for John’s member profile. We need many more like him, David Petersen, and Bob Marion.