Limited pronghorn hunt available at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area

Limited pronghorn doe hunting will be available for the first time at Soapstone Prairie in late 2016. This change provides an additional recreational opportunity, assists Colorado Parks and Wildlife with managing the pronghorn population and supports Soapstone Prairie’s management plan.

Fort Collins city code was changed in August to allow hunting and a limited pronghorn hunt was explored in the Natural Areas Master Plan public-outreach process.

The pronghorn doe hunt will be held in cooperation with a similar hunting program at Larimer County’s Red Mountain Open Space that includes bull and cow elk, and buck deer.

Interested hunters should visit Larimer County’s website (http://www.larimer.org/parks/red_mountain_hunting.htm ) for a Special Access Hunting Permit by the end of February ($10).

To hunt at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and Red Mountain Open Space, you will need both the Special Access Permit issued through a random lottery by the city/county and a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife late-season pronghorn antelope license valid for Unit 9.

There are six pronghorn doe access permits and the hunt will be held Dec. 1-16, when Soapstone Prairie and adjacent Red Mountain Open Space are closed for the season to other visitors. Hunters are required to attend a pre-hunt meeting in September.