The High Lonesome Ranch’s commitment to Land and Conservation of Wildlife and Habitat compels us to act following the recent Pine Gulch Fire event, the largest fire in Colorado State history at almost 140,000 acres of burn area. HLR, with some of its neighbors, was center to the Pine Gulch Fire resulting in a substantial burn area. HLR has taken a position that wildlife and land require time for natural rehabilitation.
The HLR Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to stop all hunting operations on our private and BLM permitted lands (SRP’s) both inside and outside of the fire perimeter. We are restricting owners, employees, and vendors from accessing our private lands for hunting or related commercial operations. HLR will also restrict operational access within the fire perimeter except for planning and remediation work to halt the inevitable erosion of the exposed soils. The Pine Gulch Fire Event has impacted a large swath of habitat that was already suffering from record drought.
These lands provide habitat to wildlife, grazing for livestock, recreation for enthusiasts and solace for those seeking quiet places and simpler times. Many of our lands and agricultural leases were severely impacted. We are thankful to have the ability to look to the future, adjust and plan for the next months and years, as we find our way forward in these new conditions.