Where the deer and the black bears play

Doesn't have quite the same ring when sung to the tune of "Home on the Range," but we've gotten a report of bear tracks at the Paint Mines, a windswept county park of sandstone spires and hoodoos on the eastern plains near Calhan.

A Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman says he hasn't heard of any bear sightings around Calhan, but it could happen. Bears have occasionally wandered east from the tree-covered foothills - one even made it as far as Limon several years ago. The usual scenario: they are young ones that denned with their mothers for the second winter, but she has kicked them out. Feeling a little lost, they wander eastward.

If you see a track at this park, take a photo and send it to deb.acord@gazette.com