'Adventures of a Rookie Sportsperson' RSP alumni and new participants come together at Manitou Lake

Joey Livingston
Statewide Public Information Officer
303-345-4658 / [email protected]
Casting lines and building bonds, RSP alumni and new participants come together at Manitou Lake

Adventures of a Rookie Sportsperson

Editor’s Note: This is a regular monthly column from Colorado Parks and Wildlife designed to show how to become an outdoor enthusiast such as a hunter, angler, camper, hiker or wildlife watcher.  By Joey Livingston
Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Casting lines and building bonds, RSP alumni and new participants come together at Manitou Lake

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Imagine an amazing view of Pikes Peak, expert guidance in learning to fish and a free cookout with friendly people who share your interests. 

What more could you ask for?

That was the setting recently as I joined a reunion of Rookie Sportsperson Program (RSP) alumni who gathered at Manitou Lake north of Woodland Park. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) provided fishing poles, bait, tackle and lunch. And it created a relaxed and enjoyable environment for participants to network and share their experiences.

The RSP was created by CPW to offer a gateway for individuals and families with limited outdoor experience to immerse themselves in the world of hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation. Designed to recruit and encourage novices, the RSP  prioritizes applicants who are new to hunting, emphasizing a supportive community and comprehensive educational experiences.

At the fishing and BBQ event, RSP alumni mingled with current rookies to share their favorite moments from their turkey hunts, exchange stories and insights and offer advice. The camaraderie was exciting to see, as children played together and formed new friendships, while adults offered tips and built a sense of community.

Josh Gallegos, a 2024 RSP participant, reflected on his journey so far. Josh initially sought guidance at CPW to learn about hunting and has since participated in multiple turkey hunts, gaining valuable field experience and connecting with his mentors. His family of five, including his wife and children, have embraced the program, finding it to be an enriching escape from their increasingly digital lives.

“I'm originally from California,” Josh said. “So hunting was new to me. I've always been a fisherman but really wanted to get into hunting. So far the program has been awesome. Going through the Hunter Safety Program was fun and we did our first turkey hunt with our mentors, which was phenomenal.”

“We saw turkeys and other wildlife, and my daughter Zoey even got a shot off but was just a hair high. It would've been nice to top off that weekend with a turkey in the freezer, but the experience was rewarding enough and we really appreciate the opportunity."

Josh emphasized the value of the social connections formed through the program.

"All of us participants have been exchanging phone numbers and it's great to know people at the same stage in their hunting journey. We can build our own little community and go scouting together. Today is really a family event, and we've met a lot of families with kids who are new to this, just like us. The kids are making friendships and hunting connections that might last a lifetime, which is very valuable and great to see."

When asked why he was interested in learning more about hunting, Josh had this to say:

"It started as something my oldest son Zane and I wanted to do together. We wanted to get out in nature and away from the digital world. I've always been a fisherman, but hunting is new for us. When we went through the interview, they offered the opportunity for the whole family. I mean we're a family of five, so the idea of getting my wife and younger kids involved was very exciting. My wife Patricia is looking forward to the game processing and recipe class coming up and the kids are having a blast. This experience has been above and beyond what we expected."

The day was not just about the current participants, but meeting with alumni of the program, hearing what they enjoyed and what advice they can share.

One alumni, Noel Poulos, had joined the program after moving from Brazil. She shared her RSP experiences and called it transformative in her life. Initially unfamiliar with firearms and hunting, she and her family learned to fish, hunt turkey and even enjoyed pronghorn meat. The program provided her family with the knowledge and skills to engage in outdoor activities they had never experienced before.

"I completely stumbled into the RSP program,” said Noel. “One day, I walked into the CPW office with my three kids and asked, 'How do we hunt animals?' 

“That's when they told me about the RSP program. I grew up in Brazil, where firearms are not part of our culture. We don't have access to them, see them, or even talk about them. So, I had never touched a firearm in my life. The staff had to explain the differences between a rifle and a shotgun to me. My family and I participated in the program, and a year ago, we experienced fishing for the first time. My son got to go turkey hunting; we hunted, cooked, and ate doves and fish. We even went pronghorn hunting, and our favorite part was harvesting and eating a pronghorn."

Her advice for new participants? 

"Attend every event, take full advantage of the opportunity you have with this program because you can learn so much, but only if you show up. You are lucky to have this opportunity, so make this program a priority for you and your family.”

CPW Wildlife Officer Deme McDowell expressed her excitement about the program. 

"Working for CPW has always been my dream job,” Deme said. “Being a wildlife officer involved in this program is incredible. It's so unique and fosters incredible relationships. Half of hunting and fishing is having a network to do it with, and this program really emphasizes that. I'm really excited to be a part of it."

Of course, I myself am a member of this year’s rookie sportsperson class. But when it comes to fishing, I am more than a novice. I grew up chasing bass and catfish in the lakes and rivers of southern Indiana. So I joined the RSP alumni in sharing my angling knowledge and helping a few young participants land some trout. 

While classroom learning and field experiences are essential, the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals interested in the outdoors offers a deeper human connection. The RSP emphasizes building a community of novices who support each other, fostering relationships that enhance the overall experience.

The RSP continues to make a significant impact on its participants, offering them the tools, knowledge, and community support to fully embrace outdoor recreation. With the guidance of experienced mentors and the camaraderie of fellow novices, participants are well-equipped to embark on their hunting and fishing adventures, creating memories and building skills that will last a lifetime.

Check out photos from the day of the event.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of our “Adventures in the Rookie Sportsperson Program.”

Joey Livingston is a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Denver. Joey has lived in Colorado for 9 years and loves the outdoors. If you have a question, please email him at [email protected]