The public is invited to attend a meeting regarding management of bighorn sheep, 7 p.m., Jan. 25 at the Colorado Division of Wildlife office in Gunnison, 300 W. New York.
Staff members from the Colorado Division of Wildlife will discuss management issues in the Gunnison Basin and provide a state-wide overview.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission met Thursday in Denver and voted to approve regulations to implement a Big Game Access Program in southeastern Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) staff and the Commission will continue to work with interested members of the public to develop the program. For more information on the program please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/Archives/2007/January112007.htm.
The Commission also approved annual changes to the big game regulations. Each January the Commission finalizes annual changes to the big game regulations, with the exception of license numbers for bear, deer, elk, pronghorn and moose which will be finalized in May.
Included with this action were several changes to the Landowner Preference System. With the changes, the transfer of any license voucher by a landowner must include hunting access to the landowner’s property. Vouchers will now only be allowed to be transferred one time and will only be transferred from the landowner to the hunter that will use the voucher to purchase the license. Third party brokering of landowner vouchers will not be permitted and violations of these changes will invalidate the voucher and any license purchased with it, and could result in a suspension from the program for up to five years
Other changes to the big game regulations include giving the Director of the DOW the ability to make additional Youth Outreach Program deer, elk and pronghorn licenses available to qualified organizations sponsoring youth hunting activities. The Director may also issue additional deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain lion and black bear licenses to individuals between the ages of 12 and 21 who have a terminal illness or life threatening disease or injury.
For more information on Commission action, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/
The Colorado Wildlife Commission is an 11-member board appointed by the governor. The Commission sets DOW regulations and policies for hunting, fishing, watchable wildlife and nongame and threatened and endangered species. The commission also oversees DOW land purchases and property regulations.
Today’s fast-paced, technology-driven society offers students many quick and effective means for learning about our world. But how can we engage children in the wonder of the outdoors via a monitor alone?
Critter Crates from the Division of Wildlife (DOW) provide teachers and students tangible materials such as hides, nests, and skulls, as well as background resources and lessons to round out their wildlife studies. This free supplementary curricula from the DOW provides an engaging, hands-on approach that is available to all Colorado teachers, scouts, homeschoolers, nature centers and youth groups.
“Today’s children don’t have as many opportunities to get outside and experience the sights, smells and sounds of nature,” said Debbie Lerch, Northeast Region Education Coordinator, DOW. “We are happy to offer these materials, which have been used by 11-12,000 Metro-area students per year since 1999, to give kids a real feeling for Colorado wildlife.”
Each Critter Crate is designed around a theme or specific species, and is available for loan for 2-3 weeks at a time. We offer 17different crates with titles ranging from Bears to Hertiles (reptiles and amphibians):
Animal Signs
Aquatic Adventures
Bear
Bats
Bird
Compass Sets
Early Childhood
Elk
Field-trip resources
Forensics
Herptiles
Insects
Lion
Mammals
Safari in a Box (CO mammals)
Urban Wildlife
Urban Wildlife Puppet Show
Response to the Critter Crates has been very positive and powerful: “On behalf of the pre-school students that were able to interact with the bear and deer pelts, skulls and footprints, I would like to thank you… The kits made it to four different pre-school classrooms and all the students showed quite an interest,” wrote Mike Plansker, Vision/Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Adams Twelve Five Star Schools. “My blind student especially enjoyed interacting with the bear pelt and talked about it for days. This was a wonderful opportunity for these students to interact with objects they normally would not have the chance to see up close. Thank you for providing this opportunity for these students.”
To order these comprehensive resources, call 303-291-7386, or go to our website at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/TeacherResources/ResourceCatalogs/DenKits.htm. Crates can be picked up at our Denver office, or arrangements can be made for delivery. Please call at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.
“The Critter Crates are one of the best resources I’ve found to help supplement and enhance classroom curriculum. Kids LOVE all the different ‘things’ inside the crates from bones to hides and eggs to nests and teachers love all the great ideas for making their curriculum come ALIVE!, said Charmaine Brittain, MSW, Ph.D., Program and Research Manager at the Butler Institute for Families, University of Denver. “They are one of the few resources out there that is free and so readily available to classrooms. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has done a wonderful job of putting these crates together and making them accessible to the schools. Thank you!!”
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is proud to offer learning materials for groups of all ages—for additional information, go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/TeacherResources/.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.
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