Colorado Springs Wildlife....

[zach]

I'm making a long weekend out to the Springs this weekend and wondered if anyone here had any tips on where to find some big game to scare with my camera. If you know of anywhere that I could go within an hour or so that would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Wsman2]

Well, if you're gonna' be in Colorado Springs, at least take in Garden of the Gods. Otherwise, wander into Rocky Mountain National Park (http://www.nps.gov/romo/). Here's the page (http://www.nps.gov/romo/visit/park/wildlife.html) they give with what you can see throughout the year, along with some suggestions for viewing.

[Loki1117]

Zach,

Garden of the Gods is really cool as Wil says, especially with fresh snow. RMNP is quite a drive from COS though (3-4 hours depending on traffic through Denver). It looks like it may be snowing this weekend. Most likely just flurries, but it will still affect whether you can see much wildlife. You can always drive up some of Pikes Peak, I'm not sure how far open the road is, but it hasn't gotten hit too badly this winter, of course again, we are supposed to be getting hit this weekend.

There is also 11 mile canyon, probably 1.5 hours from town. I've generally only been there during the summer, not sure what it will be like in the winter.

[zach]

Wil & Jeff, thanks for the info.

Jeff, I'm assuming you live in Colorado? or even Colorado Springs? I'm trying to relocate there and I'm going to look a houses and check on some property I own. I kinda know the area, but generally all I ever see is mule deer, maybe an occasional pronghorn. I've heard of elk out near Elbert but have never seen them there. I'm sure I'll be able to get some goose shots in also from my past experiences.

[Loki1117]

Yeah there is a herd up there. A couple of months ago I was driving up towards castle rock (5:30 in the morning and pitch black) and the driver in front of me had a run in with one of them. Not good for the vehicle or the elk. :(

[zach]

Thanks Jeff. I'm here now so I'll put a few miles on my truck and see what I can find.

[Carpetshark]

Just wait a while - wildlife can and does appear just about anywhere. Live slightly NE of town - family spotted a bear cub in the trash in an established residential area - also have had mountain lions spotted. We've got mule deer all over the place and they are PESTS! The closer you go to the foothills, the more wildlife.

Carpetshark:lol:

[m3incorp]

You might want to travel up Pikes Peak. Everytime I go up, I see Bighorn grazing. Cog train is an excellent way to the top, plus saves the brakes on your vehicle.

[zach]

Carpetshark & m3incorp,
Thanks for the replies. I'm back here in Sunny San Diego now but I did manage to find some geese and a few pronghorn. Didn't see anything else, didn't hage time to really explore on this trip. Mostly I was looking at houses and employment.

I did go down to Pueblo and head out east. Man there sure are a lot of hawks down there! Saw a few Bald Eagle but they were flying very high!