Crusaders for Wildlife: A History of Wildlife Stewardship in Southwestern Colorado

Rating:
Summary: A two for one deal
Review: I spent four years on the Western Slope of Colorado involved in one way or another with some of the wonderful literary talent in the area. If there is one thing I learned it was that when Western Reflection Publishing Company of Ouray, Colorado published a book it was usually worth looking at. This one is no exception. In fact, the reader of this book gets not only a well-edited book but one written by a highly talented Western slope author: kind of a two for one deal. Glen Hinshaw spent thirty-four years as a Colorado wildlife officer specializing in the San Juan Mountains and southwestern Colorado. For most of this time he was "on the ground" working out of Creede, CO. to preserve and protect the wildlife heritage that most people associate with Colorado and too many take for granted. Crusaders for Wildlife is a highly readable history of the near demise of many of Colorado's wild animals just a hundred years ago and the mostly unknown efforts of a band of dedicated crusaders that toiled to preserve and return the wildlife heritage for generations to come. This is not your usual history book. It is better. To be sure, there is an abundance of well-researched, well-written histories of the fish and game that make the San Juan Mountains truly a national treasure. You will learn of the stewardship of the land and wildlife by the Ute Indians and exploitation by early settlers. You will learn some of the complex issues that confront wildlife officers as they struggle to balance the needs of wildlife with the changing demands and expectations of a growing populace. The effects of logging, grazing, and roads on wildlife is examined in a balanced manner and the age-old question of the possibility of Grizzlies in the San Juan's is addressed. You will also learn about Whirling disease which is threatening Colorado's legendary fishing reputation and the reasons behind setting limits on Elk and Deer kills. Yes, its all here. If you are a hunter, fisher or simply have had the opportunity to visit the incomparable San Juan Mountains and want to know about the history of the game and fish in the area, this is the book for you. Hinshaw has a knack of writing in such a manner that you feel you are riding along side of him as he patrols the mountains he so obviously loves. It's like sitting at home with an old friend visiting about wildlife and mountains and other memories that matter. We are indebted to Hinshaw for a superb, readable history of an area truly blessed to have attracted the attention of these Crusaders for Wildlife. This one is worth the reader's time.