County

Local ranchers, DOW say HPP can help resolve conflicts

RBC — Rodney Culverwell was recently sentenced in Moffat County for four felony convictions for the shooting deaths of four elk last winter on his property.
Culverwell, a 41-year-old rancher, was sentenced Nov. 4 to 60 days in county jail, two years probation, 172 hours community service and $19,567 in fines and fees.
He has since appealed.
Culverwell and his wife attended a DOW district meeting Oct. 9 in Meeker. Landowners here, while not privy to details of Culverwell’s situation, say a DOW program aimed at resolving game damage issues could have perhaps played a role in resolving the conflict.
The Habitat Partnership Program was developed in the early 1990s for that very purpose. It is funded by 5 percent of hunting license sales.
“HPP is a program that helps alleviate landowner game damage problems,” said Randy Hampton, DOW public information officer for the northwest region. “The DOW administers the program. We handle the financial end of it. But the local folks make the decisions.”
Reed Kelley, a local cattleman, was involved in the organization of HPP at the state level. He represented sportsmen.
“It’s the best thing DOW has going for landowners and these kinds of conflict problems,” Kelley said.
Kelley said he first heard Culverwell was turned down by the HPP committee. He later was told Culverwell did not approach the HPP committee in Moffat County until after the shootings.
“That’s the first place this should have been addressed,” Kelley said. “But something broke down in Moffat County.”
From his experience, Kelley said HPP has been effective in Rio Blanco County.
“We have had these kinds of big conflicts,” Kelley said. “But we haven’t had quite this kind of problem. Our HPP committee seems to be more in balance here.”
Hampton said, prior to the sentencing, he couldn’t go into specifics of the Culverwell case, but defended the DOW’s actions in the matter.
“They are trying to do the best we an for wildlife,” Hampton said. “It’s a good agency, and it’s filled with passionate people who care about what they do.”
Bill de Vergie, DOW area wildlife manager in Meeker, said the situation is different in Rio Blanco County from what he has heard about in Moffat County.
“Attitudes are different here,” de Vergie said. “Rio Blanco County is a very conservative community, but a more practical community. There’s an anti-government sentiment (in Moffat County). You find that in some ag communities, because you have that independent streak; they have made their own way.”
Wiley Berthelson, a RBC rancher, was part of HPP in the early days.
“The way it got started … there was always quite a lot of conflict between ranchers, farmers and landowners, and the DOW,” Berthelson said. “We had a change of directors with the DOW, and he wanted to get the relations between landowners and the DOW a lot better. He wanted to fix things. He wanted to work at it a helluva lot harder than previous directors. So we got together and started brainstorming.”
Berthelson said, from his perspective, the program has been effective.
“It made available quite a lot of money for some pretty worthwhile projects, like habitat enhancement and wildlife friendly fencing and damage prevention material,” Berthelson said.
Once an active investigation was going on in Moffat County, Berthelson is not sure whether HPP could have resolved the situation between Culverwell and the DOW.
“I’m not sure I agree when it was alluded to (at the DOW district meeting in Meeker) that HPP was obligated to settle that conflict,” Berthelson said. “It probably would have been nice if they had stepped in and said, ‘Can we help?’ But I’m not sure they were obligated.”
Berthelson suspects HPP would take a more active role in the future.
“What they can do now is know these are the kind of problems that can happen,” Berthelson said. “I would expect the HPP Committee to get more involved and work things out before someone loads a rifle.”
Berthelson has seen firsthand the HPP program work here.
“I think it has been successful and it continues to serve its purpose,” Berthelson said. “I’ve even used it a couple of times in the last eight or nine years. I went to the local committee and they paid for my seed purchase. I plowed up two different fields and put it into mule deer habitat. That was probably $6,000 or $7,000 worth of seed that didn’t come out of my pocket. You know, that helps. That benefits me and that benefits wildlife.”

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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