Really??

When you think of Highlands Ranch, if you’re like most people you see a vast sea of rooftops.

Highlands Ranch is a thriving residential community in the south Denver metro suburbs. Houses and rooftops make up only a part of what lies in Highlands Ranch. Shopping, parks, trails, recreation centers, golf courses and so much more make this community one of the most sought after locations in the country. Close to Denver and most major urban comforts, one would consider Highlands Ranch another large suburb, albeit an awesome one.

But elk hunting? What, are you serious? How can that be and where?

BackCountry Wilderness Area, that’s where.  Yes, one of the many treasures of this community and this area of Denver. BackCountry is truly a beautiful area and hunting here is actually not a new development.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife had actually recommended hunting in Backcountry as early as 2001 as a way to manage overpopulation of the elk herd. The land owners have conducted hunts in Backcountry since 2002.  Today, this land is owned by the Highlands Ranch Community Association and the HRCA continues to follow the recommendation of the Colorado Division of Wildlife to manage the elk herd.

Beginning July 1, HRCA members can sign up for the chance to hunt in Backcountry. There will be 20 hunters that will get the chance to hunt elk on more than 3,000 acres of the 8200 acre BackCountry Wilderness Area, plus a few thousand acres of adjoining private land. HRCA will distribute six bull tags and eight cow tags after a random drawing July 23.  There will be an additional 3 youth and 3 women tags available as part of the division of wildlife’s hunter outreach program. The applications will be accepted beginning July 1. Tags are limited to HRCA members unless there are still open spots as of July 15.

This is the first year that the Highlands Ranch Community Association will oversee the hunt.
Since 2002, Shea Homes has conducted herd-thinning hunts and an estimated 300 elk have been hunted. If this is concerning to you, just know that the division of wildlife had noticed that the herd had become unhealthy.  Antlers weren’t growing, not enough food to feed them and so hunting can actually help.  It can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which can wipe out the entire herd as well as prevent destruction of natural resources.

There have been informational meetings and information disbursed out for public reaction and concern.
Currently there are 300-500 elk in the area with an optimum number at around 250. Hunting will only take place more than one mile from homes and major roadways, significantly reducing the risk to public safety. However, there are recreation trails within a third of a mile of the northernmost hunting territory. The elk typically migrate between the BackCountry, Cherokee Ranch, Castle Pines Village and Daniels Park.

The hunting begins Sept. 11. The HRCA is requiring all hunters to attend a mandatory orientation and follow 28 strict rules.
The hunts will not be supervised. I’m not a hunter, so I can’t offer any specific advice.   But, who would have thought that along with all the other wonderful things to do in Highlands Ranch that we would also have the ability to hunt 10 minutes from home?

If I can help you understand or explore more of Highlands Ranch and the Highlands Ranch real estate market, please let me know I would love to help.

You may also be interested in these related posts:

BackCountry Wilderness Trail Opening
Spring Gulch Trail Connects to BackCountry
BackCountry Community Highlands Ranch
Best Neighborhoods in Highlands Ranch

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

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If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

A break from our regular real estate programming.

If you haven’t heard yet the Joe Sakic formally announced his retirement today from the Colorado Avalanche and the NHL, well I would be shocked.

If you know me well, you know I’m a pretty big Av’s fan and hockey fan overall. 

I have cheered for the Colorado Avalanche from that very first season when they arrived here from Quebec and have ever since. I’ve been to many games and watched many many more on tv. And all the play offs and then of course the 2 Stanley Cups. 

And then there was Joe.

What a classy guy. Over the years our paths have crossed very briefly – I’m not gonna say I “know him” cause I don’t but our oldest sons are about the same age and played for the same Club one year. And even after we were at different clubs the kids played each other so I’ve spoken to him briefly a couple of times. I’ve also been to charity events that he has been at or contributed to very generously. Overall, an amazingly generous person and so great to the kids.  Every time I ever saw him approached by a kid with a sharpie, I have never seen him do anything but smile, say hi and hand over the signed goods with pleasure. And I know my son and all his teammates have always appreciated that and have done nothing but look up to him.

Joe, Denver’s been lucky to have you. Denver thanks you for every goal you  have scored, every assist you have made every pass you took.  We thank you for leading your team in such a way that was inspiring year after year. I thank you for being an honorable role model for my kids.  I wish you the best of luck in the next chapter in your life.

Just for fun I posted these photos from that very season.  I scanned them right in from my wife’s photo album our events from that year.  My son tells us he wishes he was with us at that parade (not born yet).  You have been a favorite here from that very first year.  You will be missed.

Here’s a You Tube video to share a little long, but you see some plays you’ll remember. Enjoy.

High School Football in Highlands Ranch is big. Really big. With 4 high schools in the area, 3 of them play each other in football and as you can imagine the rivalries get big. You know I love attending football if you read my post bout football in Highlands Ranch last year as well.

Fall is crisp with cool mornings and breezy nights and the lights at Shea stadium in Highlands Ranch are on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights through the end of October.

High School Football in Highlands Ranch is a chance for my own family to get out together for some affordable family bonding & fun and cheer on the teams. Gotta Love it!

Here are the varsity schedules for the 4 high schools in Highlands Ranch for the 2008 Fall Season. Most tickets can be bought at the door, but for big games, contact the schools to buy them in advance – especially some of the cross town rival games. They are often sold out.

ThunderRidge High School – Grizzlies

Thursday 8/28 @Douglas County High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/5 Mountain Vista High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/12 @Rampart High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 9/18 Arapahoe High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 9/25 Ponderosa High School 7:00 pm (HOMECOMING!)
Friday 10/3 @Highalnds Ranch High School 7:00 pm
Friday 10/10 @Palmer High School 7:00 pm
Friday 10/17 Chaparral High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 10/23 Doherty High School 7:00 pm

Mountain Vista High School – Golden Eagles

Friday 8/29 – Highlands Ranch High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/5 @ThunderRidge High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/12 Chapparal High School
Saturday 9/20 @ DOherty High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/26 @ Douglas County High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 10/2 Palmer High School 7:00 pm
Friday 10/10 Rampart High School 7:00 pm
Saturday 10/18 Mullen High School 7:00 pm
Friday 10/24 @Ponderosa High School 7:00 pm

Highlands Ranch High School – The Falcons

Friday 8/29 @Mountain Vista High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 9/4 Rampart Hgih School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/12 @Grand Junction High School 4:00 pm
Thursday 9/18 @Ponderosa High School 7:00 pm
Friday 9/26 Palmer High School 7:00 pm (HOMECOMING!)
Friday 10/3 ThunderRidge High School 7:00 pm
Thursday 10/9 @Chapparl High School 7:00 pm
Friday 10/17 @Doherty High School 7:30 pm
Saturday 10/25 Douglas County High School 7:00 pm

Rock Canyon – Jaguars

Friday 9/5 @Fountain-Fort Carson 7:00 pm
Friday 9/19 Coronado 7:00 pm
Friday 9/26 @Woodland Park 12:00 pm
Saturday 10/4 Montrose 3:30 pm
Thursday 10/9 Mitchell 6:00 pm
Friday 10/17 @Sand Creek 7:00 pm
Friday 10/24 Widefield 6:00 pm
Firday 10/31 @Pueblo West 7:00 pm

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Living in Highlands Ranch – High School Football is Ready to Kick Off~ 8/23/2008~