SHOOTING

Improved range at Cherry Creek has reopened

The shooting range at Cherry Creek State Park has reopened to the public, with improved facilities for hunters sighting in rifles, shotgun shooters and others.

The range is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, though ongoing reconstruction might alter some hours. For information, prospective visitors may call a hot line, 303--791-1686, or the shooting range office, 303-241-9439.

Parks officials say the best time to visit the range is early in the week; large crowds are expected on weekends.

Youth trapshooters to vie for titles in Delta

Youth shotgun shooters from more than a dozen Colorado communities will compete for state scholastic trapshooting titles Saturday at Delta. The winners will advance to the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in August at Vandalia, Ohio.

The shoot will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Delta Trap Club, 1670 I Road. Information: 970--874-7424.

NATURE

Wildlife instructors to greet Waterton hikers

Wildlife interpreters will be on hand at Waterton Canyon this summer to offer tips on wildlife viewing and interpretation. The volunteer interpreters will meet visitors near the entrance of the canyon June 26, July 10, July 25, Aug. 7 and Aug. 22.

A 6 1/2-mile hiking trail runs along the South Platte River from the mouth of Waterton Canyon, southwest of C-470 and Wadsworth in Littleton to Strontia Springs. The canyon is rich in wildlife - from bighorn sheep, deer and mountain lions to herons and songbirds.

FISHING

Yellow perch not wanted at Blue Mesa Reservoir

The Division of Wildlife plans to remove all bag limits on yellow perch at Blue Mesa Reservoir in response to a surprise appearance of the small predators there in recent years. Unauthorized yellow perch stocking has resulted in large numbers of perch at Blue Mesa. The perch threaten to undermine the reservoir's food chain, which could devastate its valuable kokanee salmon and lake trout fisheries.

Biologist Dan Brauch in Gunnison said the division plans to remove the perch bag limits by January, if not this summer.