Colorado Hunting News

Hunters and anglers from throughout the West will gather Thursday, May 24, 10 a.m., at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to unveil the Sportsmen’s Public Lands Energy Agenda, a set of legislative recommendations to promote responsible energy development that protects fish, wildlife and water resources.

Six Western sportsmen will speak of the importance of protecting fish and wildlife resources on public land in the West, while responsibly developing our nation’s domestic energy resources. The sportsmen are:
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As summer activities move into full swing, more and more Colorado residents will be heading out to state wildlife areas for recreation. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) reminds the public that anyone from 19-64 years old must have a Colorado Habitat Stamp to use state wildlife areas.

“Buying a habitat stamp provides direct support for wildlife in Colorado,” said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “As Colorado continues to attract more people, we need to make sure that we continue to provide good habitat for wildlife.”
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The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is hosting a meeting of the northwest Sportsmen’s Advisory Group. The meeting will be held in Grand Junction on Thursday, May 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the DOW Northwest Region Service Center Hunter Education Building, 711 Independent Avenue.

Sportsmen’s Advisory Group meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for attendees to bring up any issues that they want the DOW to address.
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A Greater Sandhill Crane that captured national media attention after it had been raised on a ranch near Nucla will be held by the Colorado Division of Wildlife at its Frisco Creek wildlife rehabilitation center near Del Norte. The DOW anticipates that the crane will eventually be delivered to a zoo.

The story of the crane, however, doesn’t end there. It must serve as a reminder that humans should not touch young animals, even if a critter appears to be alone or in trouble.

“Adult animals often leave their young ones to go off to feed or to distract predators,” said Tony Gurzick, assistant regional manager for the DOW in Durango. “Young animals are well camouflaged and learn their own survival skills when left on their own. We know people are well-intentioned, but the animal’s best chance of surviving is if it’s left alone.”
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There are a bunch of new females in Middle Park… and if you’re a male sharp-tailed grouse - that is a pretty good thing. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) recently transplanted a group of 44 female sharp-tailed grouse into Middle Park to supplement a population of male sharp-tails that were released last fall.

“We transplanted 39 males in the fall so that they could establish breeding grounds and get a good feel for the area,” explained Justin Martens, DOW terrestrial biologist for the Middle Park area. “Once the males established their territory, the females were brought in to start the natural process.”
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The Colorado Wildlife Commission met last week and approved draft regulations to change the wording related to Colorado resident military personnel stationed outside of Colorado. Colorado state statue previously allowed military personnel stationed in Colorado, but serving outside of the United States, to apply for big game preference points missed during their tour of service, as well as receive preference for leftover licenses. Senate Bill 07-195 if passed would allow the Commission to change the regulation to include Colorado resident military personnel stationed outside of Colorado and serving outside of the United States. The draft regulation is scheduled for final consideration at the May Commission meeting in Grand Junction. If adopted, the changes would be implemented for the 2007 big game season.
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The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is requesting public comments on two big game herds in the Front Range. Deer management in Game Management Units (GMUs) 104, 105, and 106 and pronghorn management in GMUs 51, 104, and 105 are being reviewed.

“Colorado’s wildlife is enjoyed by everyone and everyone has a say in how it’s managed,” said Joe Padia, District Wildlife Manager for these game management units. “We would like the public’s input to help establish herd size and male to female ratio objectives for a ten-year management plan.”

People interested in providing input can obtain a questionnaire from http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/

Those members of the public who wish to comment but do not have access to the Internet, can request a copy by calling Jennifer Churchill at 303-291-7234.

The deadline for submitting comments has been extended to May 2, 2007.