Colo Hunt Opportunites?

[jims]

I just received an email titled, "save your Colo hunt opportunites." I know I may be bannished from this website forever but I don't think the email is fair to Colo residents.

The "jist" of the email was that we should all contact state of Colo reps to complain about the proposed 75/35 and 80/20 split of nonres/res licenses (down from 60/40).

As a Colo resident I feel my hunting opportunites seem to be slipping away as it is becoming tougher and tougher to draw tags in my own state! In every other state (including Utah) nonresidents are handed roughly 10 to 20% of the total tags. I really don't understand how anyone can complain when their own state gives even fewer tags to nonresidents than what Colo residents are asking for!

As a footnote, there were surveys conducted in Colorado and it was found that Colo residents bring more income to the economy than nonresidents because they purchase most of their equipment and gear in Colorado and make many of the same expendatures (such as gas for their trucks, etc).

I hate to be greedy but it sure seems like Colo residents get screwed when it comes to tag percentages compared to all surrounding Western states. As big game tags become tougher and tougher to draw throughout the West it seems like everyone is scrambling for some sort of means to hunt each year.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention...I will be sure to let every Colo resident I know contact their representatives!

 

[D13er]

I like that 75/35 option, wonder where they got that extra 10%

JB

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
--Benjamin Franklin 1759

 

[txhunter58]

As a nonresident that loves to hunt Colorado I have mixed emotions. However, I was in on the input from the beginning and have a couple of things to say.

In the input form I sent in, I supported the 65/35 (not 75/35 jim lol) and 80/20 split. I think that is the fairest deal we as nonreidents can expect, especially when we can go get over the counter tags on elk and most regular deer units are easy to draw. I did hate to see the 65/35 on muzzleloader bull hunts since residents can now usually draw with 0 points and nonresidents are already having to go to every 2-3 years, but I can live with it, just took up bowhunting!

We as nonresidents had only 2 choices: get limited by drawing or get limited by higher and higher prices. Not to say they aren't high enough now, but they would go higher if the state was not allowed to treat residents prefertially. Can you say $1500 for an elk tag? I would rather be limited by drawing than by economics.

I think that the email campaign is pretty much trying to shut the barn door after the horse has already left the building. As far as I know, the percentages are a done deal. The only ones who could change that are Colorado legislatures, and I don't think that there is going to be a tremendous campaign by Colorado residents saying please don't give us more tags! And why would the legislators respond to emails, etc from nonresidents?

Please, don't let this turn into another "By God, it is FEDERAL land, and all US citizens should have equal tags!!!" That is beating a dead horse. That dog won't hunt legally.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[Peashooter]

jims,

There was a big push a couple months ago by the Colorado Outfitters Association to fight the change in license allocation. That is more than likely who started the email that you recieved. Unfortunately for them, they are behind the eight ball so to speak, because the Commission voted on the allocation issue over 2 months ago and passed the new 65/35 and 80/20 over 5 points reg. The change is official, and already in the regs.

On a side note, literally thousands of sportsmen showed up at dozens of meetings for nearly a year supporting this kind of change in allocation. A couple dozen outfitters showed up at the last meeting after being non-existent at the others, and threw a fit about it. The Commission recognized it as too little too late and passed the new policy.

 

[DesertSheep]

PS - are you sure it is a done deal? Looks to me like the commission is going to do their final vote in Jan 06'.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/news/press.asp?pressid=3713

Commission Encourages Public Comment Prior to January Meeting


The Colorado Wildlife Commission will consider regulations to enact the recently adopted big game license allocation policy at the Commission?s January meeting in Denver. The policy revises the distribution of resident/nonresident limited deer and elk licenses.

Public concern over issues surrounding the allocation of big game licenses led to the creation of the Big Game License Allocation Working Group. Established last April, this group of fifteen people represented various stakeholder groups including sportsmen, landowner/agricultural producers, outfitters, local government, and representatives from affected businesses. After four public meetings, the recommendations of the group were presented to the Wildlife Commission at the July meeting in Grand Junction. Subsequently, eight public meetings were held around the state to present the committee?s recommendations and obtain further public input. In addition, public comments were accepted from residents and non-residents through e-mail, fax, and mail. These comments were presented to the Wildlife Commissioners. Public testimony in the fall was also heard prior to the adoption of the policy at the October meeting in Salida.

Due to the complexity of the issue, members of the public wishing to submit comments prior to the January meeting are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to enable members of the Wildlife Commission to have adequate time to review the material. Any correspondence received by the close of business on January 11 will be copied for the members of the Commission. Public comment may be submitted via e-mail at [email protected] via fax to 303-291-7110, or by mail at CDOW, attention: Policy and Regulations, 6060 Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80216.

 

[Founder]

Hey jims - Why would you be banned from the site for voicing your opinion on this? Come on, I'm certainly not like that.

As I stated in another thread, I WANT TO HUNT Colorado TOO!!! All us nonresidents can do is try to save our opportunity. I surely don't want to be limited to 20%.

I don't blame you for wanting more opportunity, I hope you can't blame me for trying to save what opportunity I still have?

PS - Heck, I guess I can run the website from anywhere. I might be living next door to you in a couple years. The scenery in Colorado is awfully nice---better than Salt Lake City!!!

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[Peashooter]

DesertSheep,
The important part of that is "consider regulations to enact" in the first sentence. The new allocation has already had a final vote(October Commission meeting), now they are deciding the details of the enacting the policy into regulation.

Peashooter