Mandatory CWD testing for Gunnison

Waygoner

Active Member
Messages
459
LAST EDITED ON May-06-05 AT 07:39AM (MST)[p]I just received an email from the Colorado DOW that states that testing for Chronic Wasting Disease will be mandatory in units 54, 55, 551, 66, 67 for the 2005 deer seasons. CWD has not been found in these units, but the DOW is studying winter feeding in the basin.

"It was a particularly hard winter in the Gunnison area this year and under current Wildlife Commission policy we lacked sufficient information to know if we could feed deer if it got more severe," said Southwest Regional Manager Tom Spezze. "Mild winters for the past few years have kept this from being an issue, but it appears that more regular weather patterns are on the horizon."

Current policy prohibits feeding programs in units where CWD has been found. The $15 fee for testing will be waived since testing is mandatory.

Todd in Gunnison
 
Todd:

I saw that notification on the CDOW website as well.

I had heard that though you had a lot of snow in the basin, it wasn't combined with a prolonged cold spell with resultant die-off. Was there a big winterkill, or is CDOW just clearing the herd for CWD in case there is a hard winter so they can do supplemental feeding?

I will hopefully be hunting the 3rd rifle season in the basin in GMU 054.............

Thanks.

Horniac
 
There is a desire to clear this herd of CWD because of the possibilty of big winterkill. Although we did not have a big winterkill in 2004/05 we did lose some deer. Approx. 10-12 deer per day on the highway, Jan- March and we did lose some deer because of heavy snow. Although we did not have the prolonged cold we did have a one week period of -25 the first week of December. Right after we had received 18 inches of snow and the bucks were still rutting. Hope this helps.
 
I haven't heard the official word on winter kill - but what Skeet says is true. It was a mild winter temp wise, but we had more snow than in recent years. In fact, we're still getting snowed on here. I think road kill probably accounts for the biggest reduction in numbers around here.

Todd in Gunnison
 
Todd/Skeet:

Thanks for the info on the winter/road kill situation.

In another post, Buckspy indicated that the CDOW increased the buck tags in this unit. Hopefully, this years winter/roadkill mortality coupled with the tag increases will not negatively affect the herd and hunting.

Horniac
 
I have been shedding in 54 and 66 for weeks and
have seen very few winter kills for deer. By far
the biggest kill was along the highways. I shedded
after the hard winter of 83-84 and the winter of 95
and have not seen the kills from those years. My
concern with the bucks in Gun is we are getting
very high buck-doe ratios that can be easily wiped
out with a very bad winter. Feeding because of CWD
may be history anywhere in the state in the near
future. Roy in Montrose
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom