Hi db,

Have you hunted GMU #65, the wilderness area, you take Owl Creek Pass road #219 up, and you will find that the USFS has closed a road, a logging road that we as tax payers have paid for. Its a well established road, it will not go away, its been cut throught the side of a mountain, and was very well used. Why the USGS closed this road is anybodys guess, but the road will take you within 1 1/2 miles of the Blue wilderness area. Now you have to walk 4.8 miles on a perfectly good road to get near the Blue wilderness area. I agree with summit, I am not talking about someone who has made their own renagade trails in the mountains, stay on roads and trails that are well used and maintained. I always use roads and trails and never go off them, and I walk to my stand from where I leave my ATV, and that is a fair walk.

The USFS has not done a good job in working with the public, db have you seen the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Uncompahgre National Forest Travel Plan, read all about the USFS closings and the majority of the people who use the UNF have said keep the roads open, but don' t make new ones, and the USFS has many employees that are Serria club members. Remarks from USFS personal in public meetings are public record, you might be shocked at reading some of these. Look up PR37' s remark found on N-118 that will shock you! Remember this National Forest is public forests not Montrose' s or Delta' s national forest, meetings need to be held all over the state, have them in Denver, Colorado Springs and not just in Montrose, Delta, Ridgeway, Oury, and get everyone' s comments, opinions, suggestions, not just out on the western slope. Many use the UNF are from the Denver area. In regards to " get out and walk" , my friend, I do plenty of that, and need no extra exercise, I get plenty of walking going to my stand, and hauling out elk, can you say that?

Dr. Mike