When Ken Trapp talks about his Idaho-based company Salmon River Solutions, there is a tone of pride and dedication in his voice that comes when someone creates something with their own hands from the ground up. For Trapp, that pride and dedication can be traced back to a childhood spent around milling machines, where birthdays […]
‘Addicted to the game and the sport’: Yampa Valley hunting guide Alex Thompson reflects on the craft, sacrifice and spirit of hunting
For Yampa Valley hunting and fishing guide Alex Thompson, becoming a champion in the outdoors has never been about crowds or cameras — it’s about the real victories that happen far from any arena, in a single moment where skill, instinct and respect for the land come together. Thompson, 25, grew up in Steamboat and […]
Mild winter eases big game stressors, could set stage for summer challenges
Big game herds in Northwest Colorado are rebounding from the punishing winter of 2022-23, a season that forced wildlife managers to shift from managing abundant populations to supporting their recovery. Every winter since that year, when significant winterkill staggered big game populations, has been much different to the benefit of elk, deer and pronghorn. With […]
From childhood dream to lifetime reality: Routt County deputy fulfills lifelong dream with bighorn sheep hunt
For Routt County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Caughey, a big game trophy has never been measured in inches or pounds. Instead, it’s defined by the terrain and the journey through it, along with the challenges and lessons learned along the way. It’s also a testament to family, friends and the community of hunters who lift up […]
A lifelong calling to serve: How Droppin Skulls Tannery is fulfilling a unique niche in Northwest Colorado
For most people, the word “tannery” might not stir much thought, but for Craig native Trey Gallegos, owner and operator of Droppin Skulls Tannery, it represents a lifetime of work, service and a dedication to connecting hunters with their memories in a lasting form. Gallegos grew up in the world of outfitting under the guidance […]
Healing the land: Fires reshape big game habitat ahead of hunting season
As Colorado hunters take to the mountains for archery season, officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife are assessing how recent wildfires have reshaped big game habitat in Northwest Colorado. Two wildfires, the Lee and Elk, burned across critical elk and mule deer ranges in August, creating immediate challenges for wildlife and access while also offering […]
Electric fences offer Northwest Colorado hunters non-lethal bear deterrent
As bear populations continue to grow in Northwest Colorado, so do the number of encounters with hunters as well as other backcountry users. In Routt County in particular, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has documented rising black bear activity in recent years, especially during the fall hunting season when backcountry camps, meat caches and gut piles […]
Growing up in the business: Family ties and trophy skulls at Bonehead Boilers keeps tradition alive in Moffat County
What began with a single elk hunt has since grown into a family-run business serving hundreds of hunters across Northwest Colorado each year. Bonehead Boilers, located in Craig, processes both big game mounts and memories by hand through tradition, technique and a solid dose of family pride. Owner Jeremy Sanders started the business over 25 […]
Hunters tap mountain, gravel bikes for back-country access in Northwest Colorado
Big game seasons in Northwest Colorado are starting to look a bit different thanks to a growing trend: hunters using mountain and gravel bikes to access remote country quickly and silently. Access options with two wheels are becoming an advantage for hunters seeking prime locations and less-pressured areas to hunt. Bikes can offer a stealthy […]
Powder, patience and a connection to heritage: Muzzleloading in Northwest Colorado
In the high country basins and rolling sage-covered hills of Northwest Colorado, a tradition that began centuries ago still echoes today. While compound bows and modern rifles dominate much of the conversation around big game hunting, black powder rifles, which are loaded from the muzzle, primed and fired with a telltale puff of smoke, still […]