South Metro PF Changing Name to Greater Denver PF, and Other Changes
We are excited to make some changes in our name to reflect an effort to allow more members in the north part of the metro area to become more easily involved with the chapter. The chapter used to be called Metro Denver PF and we met at the Bass Pro in Northfield shopping area. Sometime before the pandemic, a decision was made to have two chapters in the metro area. One in the north and one in the south. Traffic congestion in Denver made it hard for everyone to get to Bass Pro on a Tuesday night. So two chapters, one at each end of the metro area made sense. Metro changed it’s name to South Metro and moved meetings to the Cabellas in Lone Tree. Then the pandemic hit and stalled the plan. Also playing a role, I believe, is that we had a 5-year period when there was severe drought for 4 of the 5 years. This decimated habitat and pheasant populations in Colorado. It also had to discourage pheasant hunters in general.
So, South Metro will become Greater Denver. We plan on having some of our monthly meetings at Cabellas in Thornton. Also, we are going to set up to allow anyone to ZOOM into a meeting from anywhere. We currently have active members from Parker, Colorado Springs and Bailey for example. So whether you prefer to meet and make friends in person or find a computer connection better, you will have an option.
This change is going to take some time to accomplish. It involves changes at banks, at National, acquiring new computer equipment, changing the website, etc.
HERE IS AN ASK FROM YOU: It would be helpful to hear from members in the north part of the metro if you think this is good idea or not. Maybe you have some other suggestions i.e., location, times, etc. We would appreciate getting some FEEDBACK to let us know we are on the right track. Please email Dean at dlt2737@aol.com or phone me at 303-981-4642.
Barr Lake Mentor Day a Success!
CPW at Barr Lake State hosted an annual MENTORS DAY at the park on Aug. 23. We have set up a Barr Lake shooting activity for the public for many years. It involves a brief class on the PF organization and what we do in habitat. We also cover gun safety. Finally, we instruct them on how to shoot a pellet rifle to hit the bullseye. That focus is on sight picture, breath control and trigger squeeze. Some years we do dog demonstrations as well. We have kids and adults alike really get into it. Some even came back later in the day to do it again! They get to keep their targets, and kids got a pheasant tail feather.
All in all, as a public outreach this does a good job creating positive perspectives about PF members as conservationists, guns aren’t scary and hunting is an important heritage that belongs to everyone.
Thanks to Steve, Jeff, John and Paul (and myself) for the expert instruction and laughs. Below are some photos from the event.
COMING UP
WINGSHOOTING ADVENTURE…….. Volunteer Opportunity:
Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 8 am – 12:00 pm
The chapter is hosting Front Range Community College wildlife biology students at Valhalla Hunt Club in Bennett, Co. This involves a classroom period where we present on topics including, upland conservation, gun safety, wildlife biology, gun safety, field safety, gun safety, hunting tactics and gun safety. That is followed by breakout sessions for hands on in the field instruction on a Safety Trail, Field Hunting Simulation with dogs and live birds and, finally, individual shooting instruction on a clay target course. Many, even most, of the students have never handled or fired any gun before. They are clean slates and soak up all the information we share. We give them all an orange PF hat to remind them of how much fun they had.
We, very recently, also have a second group from CSU wanting to come out for another Wingshooting Adventure. We did one for their wildlife biology students last April. If this new group can get themselves organized quick enough, we offered to do another session with them on Saturday afternoon.
At this point we don’t know if this is just a half day event with FRCC or will be an all day event with CSU students in the afternoon. We will provide lunch for volunteers if it is an all day affair.
If you have not helped with one of the Wingshooting Adventures before, it would be great to start now. Let me know if you can be available for the Saturday morning event and, perhaps also Saturday afternoon. If you can only do Saturday morning that is OK.
To volunteer, ask questions or volunteer contact Dean at dlt2737@aol.com 303 981 4642 or Steve OSA at steve.osa12@gmail.com 720 301 6985
MORE COMING UP –
September 4, 2025 – NORTHEAST HABITAT TOUR ,Yuma Co. 11 a.m.
This is put on by our biologists and eastern chapters. There is an opportunity for a dove hunt after the tour. Contact Dean T. if you have an interest and for details. Dean at 303 981 4642 dlt2737@aol.com
CANCELLED – September 14, 2025 – Clays Tournament/Fundraiser
Our key organizer experienced a “training accident” when his shorthair ran into him. His knee has had surgeries (yes, plural) and, he is still an invalid (I did not know how to spell convalescing?).
If you have any questions on anything or can volunteer, please let me know at dlt2737@aol.com or, better yet, give me a call at 303 981 4642.
