BLM begins seasonal route closures during fall big game seasons in two areas north of Rifle
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SILT, Colo. – Two Bureau of Land Management-administered areas north of Rifle will be seasonally closed to motorized vehicles beginning this fall to improve hunting opportunities.
Dry Rifle Creek, which is east of Rifle Gap Reservoir along the north side of the Grand Hogback, and West Rifle Creek, which is west of Rifle Gap Reservoir adjacent to Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area, will be closed to motorized use each year from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 as a result of decisions in the 2015 Resource Management Plan for the Colorado River Valley Field Office. The areas are in state hunting unit 33.
“These two areas are great low elevation, walk-in areas for big game hunting,” said Brian Hopkins, assistant field manager for the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office. “Repeated disturbance from motorized activity simply pushes big game out of these areas. Similar seasonal travel limitations have been successful in the Stagecoach and Domantle areas near Castle Peak in Eagle County.”
Motorized travel on designated routes is still available on other BLM-administered lands in this area, including Cedar Mountain, Horse Mountain, West Elk Ridge, Tiki Mine Ridge and the Boiler area.
For more information about hunting on BLM lands, log on to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/recreation/Recreation_Activities/hunting.html.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.