With the first small-game hunting seasons scheduled to open in less than two weeks, Colorado's Walk-In Access program appears set to accommodate wingshooters early, as promised.

Except for croplands that will open in November for pheasant and quail hunting, many of the 145,000 acres enrolled in the private land/public access program will open Sept. 1 for dove hunting.

The 2007 Small Game Walk-In Atlas has been posted on the Division of Wildlife's Web site, Wildlife.State. CO.US (click on Hunting, Small Game and Walk-In Access).

In a few days, the printed atlas is expected to arrive at division offices and stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses.

Before selecting a Walk-In property, hunters would be advised to scout in advance. Although mourning doves, in particular, are widespread, not all the Walk-In properties offer prime dove habitat.

Some were selected for pheasants, quail, rabbits, squirrels or other game animals. A few of the properties even offer mountain-grouse hunting opportunities, and some might entertain the early teal hunter.

To enter the lands, hunters need a $20 Walk-In Access permit and their small-game hunting license. Youths younger than 18 qualify for a free permit.

The wildlife division will explain more about the program at a free seminar in Fort Collins on Aug. 28. The seminar, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the division's office, 317 Prospect Road, will focus on Walk-In dove hunting opportunities in northeastern and southeastern Colorado.

Space is limited, and preregistration is required at lisa.evans@State.CO.US or 970-472-4343.

In addition to dove hunting, Sept. 1 will be opening day for band-tailed pigeons, blue grouse, chukar partridge, Wilson's snipe and mountain sharp-tailed grouse. Teal season east of Interstate 25 and in Lake and Chaffee Counties will run Sept. 8-16.

RESERVOIR CLOSED: Clear Creek Reservoir, near Granite, is closed to fishing while the Pueblo Board of Water Works makes repairs to the dam.

The reservoir, which the Division of Wildlife leases for recreation, has been drawn down to 40 acre/feet, from a normal pool of 9,200 acre/feet. While it is closed to fishing, the campground will stay open.

Greg Policky, fisheries biologist for the upper Arkansas River Basin, said he doesn't expect the drawdown to have significant effects on fish.

"The last time the reservoir was drained, in 1997, we had very little loss," he said. "Most fish stayed in the reservoir."

Work is expected to be completed in December.

SALMON STEP UP: Kokanee salmon making their spawning run up the Gunnison River from Blue Mesa Reservoir will be able to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator when a stream project in Gunnison is completed sometime next week.

River floating will be off-limits in the area downstream from Gunnison County Water Park starting Wednesday and for about five days while the Division of Wildlife and Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy reconfigure a diversion dam that sometimes strands the fish.

In dry 2002, volunteers and biologists saved the important kokanee egg-collecting run with heavy lifting. They netted the salmon and carried them in buckets to trucks, which hauled them upstream 20 miles to the Roaring Judy Hatchery.

The rebuilt dam will enable the salmon to surmount the obstacle naturally, even during low water, by swimming 100 yards upstream and jumping up four 16-inch steps.