Spitfire
07-08-2004, 09:20 AM
I found this discussion going on in the Colorado Bowhunting Conference. Check at the entire discussion at this address - http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/tf/regional/thread.cfm?threadid=94987&MESSAGES=22&state=CO
I copied this post from the discussion. I think George was right, if you are wanting to Elk hunt for $1000 you better do it quick! Like this year!!
Here is a relevant news article/column that ran in today's Rocky Mtn. News - it *basically* presents the case for all draw for all units...using the argument that given CO's ongoing population boom, we have a choice btwn OTC tags and poorer animals or all (or at least more) draw and better hunting....food for thought.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/recreation_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_85_3017202,00.html
Dentry: No bull: Elk hunters against revamping of quality status July 7, 2004
The only people who like change, it is said, are babies in diapers. If we were to search among those anchored at the other end of the spectrum, we might find Colorado elk hunters.
As a class, elk hunters have spoken against changing the way the state manages bull elk hunting - that is, lots of licenses sold over the counter for most of the state, with licenses limited in a very few areas to produce big bulls for fewer hunters.
Eighty percent of hunters who answered a Division of Wildlife poll last winter said they preferred the status quo. The resistance to change was less but still a majority (59 percent) among Colorado Bowhunter Association members who answered a recent CBA survey.
However, a few hunters - and probably more than a few - believe the time for change has arrived. They believe areas crowded with hunters need to be thinned and bulls that routinely die young should be allowed to mature in more areas.
Among them, at a Wildlife Commission meeting Thursday in Gunnison, were five Coloradans who proposed changing specific areas from general to limited status. If the commission approves the changes, in a process that encourages public comment until October, the general areas would become limited elk-hunting areas starting in 2005.
Any new limited areas would join 17 percent of those in which bulls already receive quality hunt (trophy) status. Wildlife commissioners say they are willing to increase the number of quality areas to as high as 30 percent if hunters want the change and if local businesses don't fuss too much about losing hunter volume.
The specific proposals came from two hunters and three outfitters. They would affect game-management units 43 and 471 near Marble; Unit 551 southwest of Salida; units 54, 55 and 551 north and east of Gunnison; units 80 and 81 in the southern San Luis Valley; and units 75, 751, 77, 78 and 771 in the southern San Juan Mountains.
Though some of the petitioners asked for quality hunt status in only one or two game units, the list grew slightly because managers must bestow quality hunt status on an entire herd, or Data Analysis Unit. DAUs can include one to a dozen game units.
It is notable that the petitioners included three outfitters who would stand to lose business. They say they would rather see limited client numbers than poor elk hunting.
"I think there will be some sacrifice," said Steve Guerrieri of Lazy F Bar Outfitters in Gunnison. "We'll just have to manage our business differently."
Guerrieri proposed the northern Gunnison Valley units for limited hunting. He said hunters have whittled the herd in the past five years to near management objectives and that the area is overcrowded with hunters.
"The experience has deteriorated," he said. "We're looking 20 or 30 years down the road, to protect the resource itself. I think, overall, that will be a plus for the community as a whole."
Obbie Dickey, owner of Diamond D Bar Ranch and Outfitters in Del Norte, proposed the southwestern San Luis Valley for conversion to quality hunting because of a similar deterioration in hunting conditions.
Crowding, particularly with off-road vehicles, has become a major headache in the valley, he said. And the male elk component has been reduced to little more than overhunted young bulls.
"It's hard to sell a hunt to anybody when all you've got is raghorns," Dickey said.
He said limiting units 80 and 81 also would take some pressure off bulls that migrate into those units from trophy country in Unit 76.
As for opposition from local businesses, Dickey is adamant about the economic advantages of limited hunting.
"They get a lot better quality hunter with those draw units, and they are people who spend money," he said. "A lot of guys in those open units just roll in on those four-wheelers and whatever and bring their own groceries and gas, and that's it."
Guerrieri said he is convinced the writing is on the wall and that change must come, considering the state's snowballing population.
"At some point, the whole state is going to have to go limited to protect the resource and provide a quality experience for everyone," he said.
dentrye@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5481
I copied this post from the discussion. I think George was right, if you are wanting to Elk hunt for $1000 you better do it quick! Like this year!!
Here is a relevant news article/column that ran in today's Rocky Mtn. News - it *basically* presents the case for all draw for all units...using the argument that given CO's ongoing population boom, we have a choice btwn OTC tags and poorer animals or all (or at least more) draw and better hunting....food for thought.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/recreation_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_85_3017202,00.html
Dentry: No bull: Elk hunters against revamping of quality status July 7, 2004
The only people who like change, it is said, are babies in diapers. If we were to search among those anchored at the other end of the spectrum, we might find Colorado elk hunters.
As a class, elk hunters have spoken against changing the way the state manages bull elk hunting - that is, lots of licenses sold over the counter for most of the state, with licenses limited in a very few areas to produce big bulls for fewer hunters.
Eighty percent of hunters who answered a Division of Wildlife poll last winter said they preferred the status quo. The resistance to change was less but still a majority (59 percent) among Colorado Bowhunter Association members who answered a recent CBA survey.
However, a few hunters - and probably more than a few - believe the time for change has arrived. They believe areas crowded with hunters need to be thinned and bulls that routinely die young should be allowed to mature in more areas.
Among them, at a Wildlife Commission meeting Thursday in Gunnison, were five Coloradans who proposed changing specific areas from general to limited status. If the commission approves the changes, in a process that encourages public comment until October, the general areas would become limited elk-hunting areas starting in 2005.
Any new limited areas would join 17 percent of those in which bulls already receive quality hunt (trophy) status. Wildlife commissioners say they are willing to increase the number of quality areas to as high as 30 percent if hunters want the change and if local businesses don't fuss too much about losing hunter volume.
The specific proposals came from two hunters and three outfitters. They would affect game-management units 43 and 471 near Marble; Unit 551 southwest of Salida; units 54, 55 and 551 north and east of Gunnison; units 80 and 81 in the southern San Luis Valley; and units 75, 751, 77, 78 and 771 in the southern San Juan Mountains.
Though some of the petitioners asked for quality hunt status in only one or two game units, the list grew slightly because managers must bestow quality hunt status on an entire herd, or Data Analysis Unit. DAUs can include one to a dozen game units.
It is notable that the petitioners included three outfitters who would stand to lose business. They say they would rather see limited client numbers than poor elk hunting.
"I think there will be some sacrifice," said Steve Guerrieri of Lazy F Bar Outfitters in Gunnison. "We'll just have to manage our business differently."
Guerrieri proposed the northern Gunnison Valley units for limited hunting. He said hunters have whittled the herd in the past five years to near management objectives and that the area is overcrowded with hunters.
"The experience has deteriorated," he said. "We're looking 20 or 30 years down the road, to protect the resource itself. I think, overall, that will be a plus for the community as a whole."
Obbie Dickey, owner of Diamond D Bar Ranch and Outfitters in Del Norte, proposed the southwestern San Luis Valley for conversion to quality hunting because of a similar deterioration in hunting conditions.
Crowding, particularly with off-road vehicles, has become a major headache in the valley, he said. And the male elk component has been reduced to little more than overhunted young bulls.
"It's hard to sell a hunt to anybody when all you've got is raghorns," Dickey said.
He said limiting units 80 and 81 also would take some pressure off bulls that migrate into those units from trophy country in Unit 76.
As for opposition from local businesses, Dickey is adamant about the economic advantages of limited hunting.
"They get a lot better quality hunter with those draw units, and they are people who spend money," he said. "A lot of guys in those open units just roll in on those four-wheelers and whatever and bring their own groceries and gas, and that's it."
Guerrieri said he is convinced the writing is on the wall and that change must come, considering the state's snowballing population.
"At some point, the whole state is going to have to go limited to protect the resource and provide a quality experience for everyone," he said.
dentrye@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5481