Dear DSR Owners:
Happy spring to you all. I hope this note finds you well and starting to enjoy spring weather. Depending on where you are, you have either already been enjoying it or, like us, can’t wait for it to start! We are now intermittently experiencing some sunnier days and hopefully getting through mud season for good.
Looking back at first quarter, we were VERY busy with numerous events and activities with Charlotte and frequent snowmobile excursions, as well as fun on the sledding hill. I want to thank Christine and our fantastic staff for all they did to bring it all together. I also wanted to say a big thank you to all of you. We truly had a blast helping you to enjoy this beautiful ranch!
The animals are in full swing on the ranch. Just this morning, I counted close to 70 elk, 50+ deer and at least 30 turkeys on the ranch as I drove over to the office from the west side of the ranch. Spring is in the air and the animals are on full display. Additionally, here are a couple of photos I took about 3 weeks ago of a bobcat that stayed still just long enough for the photos.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or simply to request clarification on an issue. I’ll always do my best to answer any question you may have.
Welcome to our newest full-time staff member
We want to give a big welcome from Diamond Star Ranch to our newest staff member, Jaydon Hill. Jaydon is originally from Arizona but has been in the valley for a couple of years. He is a very respectful young man and has a great attitude and work ethic. He also has great overall experience including big equipment and grading. We are happy to have him aboard!
LAND OWNER PREFERENCE PROGRAM (Deer Hunting)
With regard to hunting, our Landowner Preference Program applications have been submitted and are for deer only. We will see what we get back sometime during the first 2 weeks of June. Please let us know if you have any interest in hunting in 2022. Again, these specific applications will be for deer only but even if you, apart from the LPP applications, have plans to hunt this fall, please call the office and make us aware for the purposes of safety and planning.
Wildfire Mitigation @ DSR
Springtime efforts! I just wanted to reiterate that we have coordinated with the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District to have them do some fire mitigation this winter and early spring, which will serve us well amidst wildfire season. They started in December just up from the Lodge and are going to continue to do some work in May and June. Again, this is done with due consideration of the aesthetic of the ranch and should significantly assist us if we have a wildland fire in the future. This effort is also endorsed by our District Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks & Wildlife, who is very much in favor of this work as it ultimately creates a better wildlife environment.
They have done similar work in Cordillera and Eagle Ranch and other area communities and welcome donations for their efforts in our community. It would be much appreciated and assists us in our efforts to be good stewards of the community. If you are interested in making a donation, please see the information to the right. Unfortunately, at this time there is not an option to contribute online
If you choose to donate, please make sure to put “Diamond Star Ranch Fire Mitigation” in the memo of your check so they’ll know the project as it relates to the donation.
Eagle Volunteer Firefighters Association
Attention: Scott Hixon
5013C Non-Profit Organization
PO Box 961
Eagle, CO 81631
EIN / Tax ID: 47-0923538
NEW GATE SOFTWARE
We recently updated our gate software and have a new and improved user-friendly interface. We think you will like it but please give myself of Christine feedback so we can ensure it’s the best it can be for you.
VAIL VETERAN’S PROGRAM
We’ll have more information on this in the next quarterly update but in addition to supporting the Rodeo and local 4-H this summer, we also wanted to go ahead and let you know that we are very excited to be helping out with the Vail Veteran’s Program this summer after not having done so for the last 2 years. We will be holding a BBQ in July for this purpose and can’t wait to support this wonderful program! More info to come!
The rest of 2nd Quarter 2022
This quarter we will be up to the following and more…
- Prep and complete annual road work
- Painting the black fence – June or July
- Begin our grazing for 2022 with partner, Shiloh Wittler
- Complete our summer seasonal hiring (2 wranglers & 2 ranch hands for fencing)
- Long awaited DSR website – initial version by May 15th
- Ground Squirrel Mitigation at Charlotte (2nd half of project)
- Start work on Trail Signs improvement that has already started but will go through summer and fall
That’s it for now but thank you all so much for your continued trust and the opportunity for our entire staff to work at such a beautiful ranch and assist you in the enjoyment of this amazing place! As always, please don’t hesitate to drop by the office when you are here. We’d love to see you and take a minute to catch up.
Very sincerely,
Powell, Christine and the DSR Staff