HomeMy WebLinkAbout990452.tiff STATE OF COLORADO REFER TO
Bill Owens,Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES fl CO' "'TI
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE KSARelb
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 7? P,,n _ sl f I
John W. Mumma, Director ' 52 \ ►i
6060 Broadway
Colorado 80216-1000 ,per/ /� '�"'VVV
Telephone: 13031 297-1192 CLERK °'rYOFzr
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For Wildlife--
For People
February 26, 1999
Interested Individuals and Organizations,
The Colorado Wildlife Commission and Division of Wildlife are about to begin the process to develop the
next 5-year big game hunting season structure for deer, elk, antelope, moose and black bear. The
Commission is also considering how much to limit deer licenses for the 1999 season. This is your
invitation to participate in the process and contribute to these important decisions.
As you most likely know, the goal of season structure is to define the types of hunting opportunities that will
be available, how those opportunities will be divided amongst hunters, and when they will be offered in
order to provide the best recreational benefit for the hunting and nonhunting public. Given that goal, it is
absolutely critical that we hear from the public about what the structure will look like for the next five years.
The Commission will consider season structure issues and make decisions at six meetings between March
and November, 1999. In March, May and June, the Commission will define the policies (broad
guidelines) that will provide the framework or sideboards for the development of regulations. In June/July,
September and November decisions will be made to finalize the regulations that define the season
structure.
In addition to receiving information about the process from the media, through our web page and mailings,
there are a number of ways you can really participate. You can write letters directly to the Wildlife
Commission, you can send comments/questions via email, you can testify at Wildlife Commission meetings
and/or you can attend a series of public forums that will be held throughout the state in March, May,
August and October.
The March forums ( list of dates and locations is enclosed) will be held for the purpose of providing
everyone who attends with an understanding of the season structure policy issues and give them an
opportunity to share comments, concerns and ideas. The March forums will also be used to get your input
on how much deer licenses will be limited in 1999. The topic of deer license limitations is separate from
the 5-year season structure, but is another important decision that requires your input in order to be
effective. Final decisions on deer license limitations for 1999 will be made in May.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,Wade Buchanan,Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION,Bernard L. Black,Jr., Secretary•Dorothea Farris,Member•Philip James,Member
Mark LeValley,Vice Chairman•James Long,Member•Chuck Lewis,Chairman•Arnold Salazar,Member•John Singletary,Member
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For those of you who will be unable to attend one of the March forums,we have enclosed two documents
for your review and consideration. The first is the Draft Buck Deer License Analysis for 1999 which is a
summary of the draft license numbers offered by area biologists and wildlife managers. The numbers are
only initial drafts.
The second document is a list of the Initial Policy Issues for 5-year Big Game Season Structure. This list .
represents the initial set of issues that will serve as a starting point for discussion on 5-year season
structure policy. We strongly encourage and welcome your input on both deer license limitations and on
the policy issues that have been identified for season structure. Do you think the license numbers make
sense for the units where you hunt? Is the list of policy issues complete? Are there issues that should be
added? How would you answer the policy questions on the list? We need to hear from you!
All of the input we receive, regardless of its form,will be compiled and provided to Division staff as well as
directly to the Commission. The input will be thoroughly considered as decisions on both season structure
and deer license limitations are made.
You received this invitation directly because of your past participation in similar public involvement
processes or because you have provided comments or expressed an interest in these current issues. If
you know of anyone who is interested in participating, who did not receive this letter, please extend the
invitation to them as well. Individuals who attend the public forums or contact us in other ways to express
an interest will be added to this mailing list.
We thank you in advance for your participation in this process. The effectiveness of this decision making
process depends to a great degree on your involvement. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Season Structure Development Team:
Al Trujillo, Area Wildlife Manager
John Ellenberger, Statewide Big Game Manager
Kim Burgess, Public Involvement Coordinator
cc: Wildlife Commission
Division of Wildlife Leadership Team
Area Wildlife Managers
Enclosures
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,Wade Buchanan,Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L.Black,Jr., Secretary•Dorothea Farris,Member•Philip James,Member
Mark LeValley,Vice Chairman•James Long,Member•Chuck Lewis,Chairman•Arnold Salazar,Member•John Singletary,Member
Big Game Season Structure/1999 Deer License Limitations
1999 Public Forum Schedule
Buena Vista Ft. Collins
Date: Wednesday, March 17 Date: Wednesday, March 17
Location: Location:
School Superintendent's office University Park Holiday Inn
113 Court St. 425 W. Prospect
Time: 7:00 p.m. Time: 7:00 p.m.
Canon City Glenwood Springs
Date: Tuesday, March 16 Date: Thursday, March 18
Location: Location:
Bureau of Land Mgt. Office First Choice Inn
3170 E. Main Roaring Fork Room
Time: 7:00 p.m. 51359 U.S. Hwy 6
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Colorado Springs
Date: Wednesday, March 17 Granby
Location: Date: Monday, March 22
Community Prep School Location:
332 E. Williamette Granby Community Building
Time: 7:00 p.m. 3rd and Jasper
Time: 7:00 p.m
Denver
Date: Thursday, March 18 Grand Junction
Location: Date: Thursday, March 18
Division of Wildlife Ileadquarters Location:
Hunter Education Building Country Inn of America
6060 Broadway 718 Horizon Drive
Time: 7:00 p.m. Time: 7:00 p.m.
Durango Gunnison
Date: Tuesday, March 16 Date: Tuesday, March 16
Location: Location:
Western Rio Grande Inn Aspinall-Wilson Bldg.
400 E. 2nd Avenue Western State College
Time: 6:30 p.m. Time: 7:00 p.m.
Frisco Kremmling
Date: Tuesday, March 23 Date: Monday, March 15
Location: Location:
Frisco County Commons Building Kremmling Extension Hall
0037 N. County Rd. 1005 Fair Grounds Complex
Time: 7:00 p.m. Time: 7:00 p.m.
(Additional locations on back)
Lamar
Date: Thursday, March 18
Location: Cow Palace
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Meeker
Date: Wednesday, March 24
Location:
Shadow Mountain Club House
1055 County Rd. 7
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Montrose
Date: Monday, March 22
Location:
Montrose Pavillion
1800 Pavillion Drive
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Nucla
Date: Tuesday, March 23
Location:
Senior Citizens Building
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Pueblo
Date: Thursday, March 18
Location:
Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Steamboat
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Location:
U.S. Forest Service Office
925 Weiss
Time: 7 p.m.
Walsenberg
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Location:
Huerfano County Community Bldg.
10th & Russell
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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DRAFT
BUCK DEER LICENSE ANALYSIS FOR 1999
% Of Current
DAU GMU Current Current 1999 Current Current Sex Ratio Fawn/doe
Number Number Harvest Hunters Hunters Hunters Sex Ratio Objective Ratio
1* 1,2,201 94 570 570 100 43 15
2 3697 18 22 58
3,301 5677 2820 50
4,14,214,441 6446 5155 80
5 706 565 80
3' 6,16,17, 139 457 457 100 24 20
161,171
4' 7,8,9,191 662 4724 4725 100 23 20 55
5 87,88,89,90 1208 2027 2027 100 41 32
93,95,97,98,
99,100,101,102
6' 10 108 237 237 100 30 20
7 5772 13 20 49
11,211,22 9148 3660 40
12,13,23,24 7605 5320 70
131,231 449 315
8 15,35,36,45 1248 6323 5375 85 21 23 62
9 18,181,27, 993 6553 5570 85 22 30 55
28,37,371
10* 20 377 1306 1315 101 40 15 72
11* 21, 30 629 904 904 100 15 35 46
12 41,42,421 1668 7173 7173 100 24 20 53
13 43,47,471 724 3792 3792 100 24 23 57
14* 44 194 608 455 75 26 35 49
15 48,481, 321 1973 1375 70 16 33 64
56,561
16 49,57,58, 1054 5323 2663 50 15 33 43
581,59,591
17 39,391,46,461,51 296 1616 1620 100 37 25 72
18 40 388 1216 972 80 29 20 57
19 61',62 1310 5932 2966 50 12 30 38
20 53 534 2262 1584 70 15 25 35
21 54 464 2679 1340 50 15 25 42
22 55,551 665 4162 2082 50 8 25 38
23 60 105 379 190 50 20 25 38
24 70,71,711 7073 8385 7130 85 12 25 57
25' 66,67 637 3685 1844 50 6 25 38
26 68,681 348 2234 1117 50 10 20
27 29,38 334 1090 1180 108 >35 35
28 122,125,126, 344 639 639 100 25 43 58
127,130,132,
137,138,139,146
29 72,73 746 2716 2310 85 17 18 60
30 75 450 1477 1255 85 20 16 63
751 299 974 825 85 16 16 61
% Of Current
DAU GMU Current Current 1999 Current Current Sex Ratio Fawn/doe
Number Number Harvest Hunters Hunters Hunters Sex Ratio Objective Ratio
77,78 1204 5567 4735 85 19 16 59
771 201 605 515 85 15 16 64
31 83 109 586 586 100 44 55
34 69,84,86,691,861 1150 4446 4023 90 31 20 54
35 80,81 571 3669 1835 50 10 20
36 76,79 336 1971 986 50 12 20
37 82 157 844 422 50 20 20
38 50,500,501 139 1262 1230 97 31 20
39 63 300 1375 963 70 18 25 45
40 64,65 879 2729 2319 85 18 25 41
41 31,32 783 2613 2613 100 17 20 57
42 33 631 2569 1285 50 17 20 50
43 25,26,34 493 2974 2380 80 20 24 47
44* 91,92,94, 449 1032 1250 121 36 35 60
96,951
45 128,129,133 156 410 511 125 72 70 64
134,135,136,
141,142,147
46 107,112,113, 237 644 700 109 37 50 66
114,115,120,
121
47 103',109', 141 296 336 114 35 40 88
116,117
48 110,111,118, 145 576 580 101 50
119,123,124
49 104,105,106 302 1179 1124 95 72 30 70
50 511,512 175 1156 1030 89 32 45 67
51 52,411,521 769 3828 2680 70 18 25 48
52 74,741 812 2555 2170 85 13 18 60
53 444 319 1453 1090 75 24 30 53
Totals 155786 118889 76
Indicates DAU or GMU had totally limited licenses in previous years
Current harvest, current hunters, current sex ratio and current fawn/doe ratio are averages of>one year of data
5-year Big Game Season Structure
Initial Policy Issues
February 26, 1999
1. Wildlife Commission regulations currently offer:
- Early seasons designed primarily to enhance the variety of hunting opportunities
available rather than for the purpose of meeting management objectives;
- Regular seasons designed to provide both hunting opportunities for large numbers
of hunters as well as to achieve management objectives; and
- Late seasons to achieve management objectives rather than to provide additional
hunting opportunity.
Policy Issues:
a. Are these distinctions still appropriate?
b. If so,when should archery, muzzleloading and rifle hunting opportunities be
available?
c. Should archery and muzzloading seasons continue to be offered prior to
regular seasons?
2. The statutory mission of the Colorado Wildlife Commission and Division of Wildlife in
part requires provision of a, ". . . comprehensive program designed to offer the greatest
possible variety of wildlife-related recreational opportunities. . . ," (33-1-101(1) C.R.S.),
As this mission relates to big game hunting, the Division of Wildlife currently manages
big game populations to provide opportunities for: high success rates, quality hunts (both
in terms of the size of the male animals available for harvest, and levels of hunter
density), and use of a variety of methods of take. Hunter preference has and will continue
to play a significant role in determining the variety of hunts to be offered.
Policy Issues:
What types of big game hunts should be provided and how will those hunts be
divided amongst hunters?
Clarifying issues:
- Should degree of hunter density, expected harvest success, method of take and
age/quality of male animals that can potentially be harvested be the criteria
upon which hunting opportunities are defined?
- In what proportion should these opportunities be offered statewide?
3. Hunting big game animals during the peak of breeding seasons has been raised as both a
biological and hunting ethics issue. Biological considerations related to this issue center
around whether or not hunting during the peak of the breeding period affects pregnancy
and fetal rates as well as time of conception,the combination of which may have affects
on survival and recruitment of young animals. Ethical considerations revolve around
whether or not it is ethical to hunt animals, especially males, during the peak of breeding
when they are less wary and more vulnerable to hunting pressure.
Wildlife Commission regulations currently offer the following categories of hunting
opportunity during the peak of the breeding season:
- limited and unlimited archery deer hunting seasons in units east of I-25 during the
last two weeks of November and first two weeks of December;
- limited bull elk hunting in units in the northwest corner of the state during the last week
of September and first week of October;
- private license hunting, via the Ranching for Wildlife program, for both deer and
elk;
- unlimited archery and limited archery and rifle hunting for antelope during late
September and early October.
Policy Issue:
Should the Wildlife Commission further constrain hunting seasons during peak
breeding periods for deer, elk, antelope, moose and black bear?
4. Most western states place explicit limits on the number of nonresident hunters who can
participate in big game hunting. Limitations on nonresident participation have been
legally challenged in some western states.
Currently, nonresident participation is managed primarily with differential license
pricing. For example, nonresident licenses fees for elk are $250, residents fees are $30.
Nonresident license fees comprise approximately 60% of Division of Wildlife's license
revenues. In 1998, nonresident hunters comprised approximately 42% of big game
hunters in the state. The proportion of nonresident hunters has risen steadily from
approximately 25% in the 1970's.
Policy Issue:
Should there be a limit on the number of nonresident big game hunters?
5. Prior to 1999, unlimited licenses were available for both bull elk and buck deer.
Concerns expressed by the public about low buck:doe ratios and low numbers of mature
bucks in many deer herds in the state prompted the Wildlife Commission to limit all deer
hunting licenses for 1999. (Prior to 1999, 12%of deer GMUs had totally limited licenses
for deer.) The Commission also decided to make those limited licenses available only
through a public drawing.
Concerns about the quality of the hunting experience related both to the opportunity to
harvest mature male animals and perceptions of hunter crowding have also been raised.
These concerns have prompted discussion of license limitations not only for buck deer
but for bull elk as well.
Wildlife Commission regulations currently designate:
- 16% of the elk Game Management Units (GMUs) as totally limited;
- all rifle licenses for antelope as totally limited;
- some archery licenses for antelope as limited;
- all moose licenses as totally limited; and
- September rifle bear licenses as totally limited, with unlimited licenses for all other
methods of take.
Policy Issue:
Should all big game hunting licenses be totally limited statewide?
6. Wildlife Commission regulations currently stipulate that:
- 15% of the limited licenses in each unit be reserved for implementation of the
Landowner Preference Program;
- private land only licenses (available to all hunters)be used as a management tool to
increase antlerless harvest for deer, elk and antelope harvest on private land; and
- extended seasons for antlerless animals on private land be used as a management
tool to control expanding elk populations in certain portions of the state.
Policy Issue:
Should private land only hunting opportunities (# of licenses and/or length of seasons) be
expanded?
7. Currently, the following guidelines are in effect for setting hunting season dates and other
restrictions for big game:
A. Female animals are not hunted earlier than the last week of August. This restriction is
in place to ensure improved survival of young.
B. Regular rifle seasons begin no earlier than the first Saturday after October 9. This
restriction is in place to provide livestock operators adequate time to move livestock off
public lands prior to the beginning of rifle seasons.
C. Regular rifle seasons do not extend beyond November 15. This restriction is in place
to provide protection for buck deer that are more susceptible to hunting pressure as the
breeding season approaches.
Policy Issue:
Should these guidelines remain in effect?
8. Periodically,the Wildlife Commission and the Division of Wildlife consider, and in some
cases implement, changes in the 5-year big game season structure before the five year
period expires. Recent examples are decisions to totally limit licenses for mule deer for
1999; issue unlimited over-the-counter, either-sex elk licenses; and the decision to limit
licenses for deer and elk in GMUs 66 and 67. Deviations from the 5-year season
structure have raised concerns about fair process, resulted in public confusion, as well as
concerns about the appropriateness of the alternatives selected. In some cases, the level
of public concern has resulted in litigation.
Policy Issue:
Should deviations from the 5-year season structure be considered by the Wildlife
Commission? If so, under what conditions will deviations be required/allowed?
Big Game Season Structure/Deer License Limitations
How Can I Provide Input?
Throughout the 5-year big game season structure development process and the decision process for
deer license limitations, there will be a number of avenues available to you to receive information and
provide input. Input received through these various avenues will be compiled and distributed to staff
in the Division of Wildlife as well as directly to the Wildlife Commission. Input will be thoroughly
considered as decisions are made. Avenues include:
Public Forums - Public forums will be held in March, May, August and October. The goal of the
forums is to provide everyone who attends the opportunity to receive information and gain an
understanding of the issues, as well as to provide input.
Testimony- The public is welcome to provide testimony at Wildlife Commission meetings by
completing a sign-up sheet at the meeting.
Letters - Address letters to the Colorado Wildlife Commission, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
Email- Email messages should be addressed to the Colorado Wildlife Commission at
season@state.co.us.
Website - The Division of Wildlife website (www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife) will provide information
about the decision making process.
Mailings - At various points throughout the process the Division will mail information directly to
those individuals and organizations whose names are on the project mailing list. If you are not
currently on the list, please contact Kim Burgess at (303) 291-7278.
While input is best provided through the avenues listed above, if you have questions about the
decision making process for season structure you may contact the follow project team members:
Kim Burgess, Public Involvement Coordinator
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 291-7278, email: kim.burgess'a)state.co.us
John Ellenberger, Statewide Big Game Manager
711 Independent Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 255-6182, email:john.ellenberger@state.co.us
Al Trujillo, Area Wildlife Manager
600 Reservoir Rd.
Pueblo, CO 81005
(719) 561-4909, email: al.trujillo@state.co.us
Big Game Season Structure/Deer License Limitations
Timeline for Wildlife Commission Decisions
Wildlife Commission decisions normally follow a three-step process, with steps called "Issue,"
"Draft," and "Final." Here's what happens at each step:
Step 1: The Commission decides what issues/questions should be open for further discussion.
Step 2: The Commission reviews draft proposals to address the issues identified in step 1.
Step 3: The Commission votes whether or not to approve final proposals.
Big game season structure: There will be two phases which will each include a three-step
process. The first phase will focus on policy (broad guidelines) which will provide the
framework or sideboards for the second phase when regulations will be developed.
Deer license limitations: The specific nature of the proposals (numbers of licenses) did not
necessitate both an issue and draft step. Issue and draft steps have been combined.
Big Game Season Structure Deer License Limitations
March -- Issue step for policy March -- Issue and Draft steps for
regulations (license numbers)
May -- Draft step for policy May -- Final step for regulations (license
numbers)
June -- Final step for policy
June/July* -- Issue step for regulations (*this timeframe may change)
September -- Draft step for regulations
November-- Final step for regulations
Commission Meeting Dates and Locations:
March 11-12, Boulder
May 6-7, Gunnison
June 10-11, Meeker
July 8, Durango
September 16-17, Grand Junction
November 18-19, Denver
(2/26/99)
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