Deer help bighorns give wildlife flavor to annual event

Bighorn Day once again lived up to its name at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Feb. 13. According to park interpreter Bret Tennis, “bighorns were Matt Yamashita of the Division of Wildlife talks about the ways of bighorn sheep during a presentation for Bighorn Day Feb. 13 in the theater at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Westside Pioneer photo spotted west of 30th Street about 30 minutes before the event started. People [using telescopes] were able to see the bighorns throughout most of the event. Even some really nice mule deer bucks showed up right behind the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. I feel that visitors really got some good wildlife viewing in for the day and learned a lot about some of the watchable wildlife that shares the Pikes Peak area with us.”        Although the electronic counter that keeps track of people entering the building was inadvertently covered by a banner, center director of operations Bonnie Frum said she thought the turnout was around 3,000, which would be close to the record of 3,197 in 2008. Last year, with cold and snow, the count was closer to 2,000.        The five-hour event, organized by the Visitor Center and the Division of Wildlife (DOW), highlighted the two bighorn herds in the area, including the Rampart herd that grazes in and near the Garden of the Gods.        Activities included presentations, guided nature walks and youth games. Information tables were manned by the National Forest Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, The City of Colorado Springs - Garden of the Gods, Friends of Garden of the Gods (FOGG), Glen Eyrie and the Bighorn Society. Westside Pioneer article