STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials in Steamboat Springs are proposing changes to archery hunting in a portion of the Routt National Forest. A virtual public meeting is planned for Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. to share the proposed regulatory changes and gather public input.
The proposed change would apply to Game Management Unit (GMU) 14, which stretches from Steamboat Springs east to the Continental Divide and north to the Little Snake River divide. Currently, archery elk hunters in GMU 14 can purchase over-the-counter, either sex licenses in the unit, meaning there are an unlimited number of archery licenses for bulls and cows in the unit. In recent years, increases in the number of archery hunters and the amount of non-hunting outdoor recreation have negatively impacted hunter experience, hunter success, and herd quality. In response, managers are proposing making GMU 14 a limited draw-only unit, which would require archery hunters to apply for a set number of hunting licenses each year.
In 1990, 307 archery elk hunters hunted GMU 14. By 2019 that number had risen to 1,582 archery elk hunters. Over the same time, rifle hunting has declined in the unit, from 2,911 in 1990 to 1,302 last year. The September archery season in GMU 14 is also impacted by more than 500 participants in the 36-hour, Run Rabbit Run ultramarathon.
Over time, CPW staff has noticed a decrease in the number of calves per cow from 0.52 in 2006 to 0.37 in 2019. The calf to cow decline indicates decreasing productivity within the local herd. Winter classification flights have confirmed declining numbers of elk over the same time frame from 639 elk in 2006 down to 393 in 2019. Classification flights do not seek to count every animal on the landscape, rather they provide a key input to computer models that, together with other inputs such as hunter harvest, give a more accurate picture of the overall herd.
Anyone interested in hearing more about the proposed change can participate in a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. The webinar will begin with a presentation from local wildlife managers and biologists. Participants will then have the opportunity to ask questions. To register for the webinar, go to
cpw-state-co.zoom.us
The proposed change would apply to Game Management Unit (GMU) 14, which stretches from Steamboat Springs east to the Continental Divide and north to the Little Snake River divide. Currently, archery elk hunters in GMU 14 can purchase over-the-counter, either sex licenses in the unit, meaning there are an unlimited number of archery licenses for bulls and cows in the unit. In recent years, increases in the number of archery hunters and the amount of non-hunting outdoor recreation have negatively impacted hunter experience, hunter success, and herd quality. In response, managers are proposing making GMU 14 a limited draw-only unit, which would require archery hunters to apply for a set number of hunting licenses each year.
In 1990, 307 archery elk hunters hunted GMU 14. By 2019 that number had risen to 1,582 archery elk hunters. Over the same time, rifle hunting has declined in the unit, from 2,911 in 1990 to 1,302 last year. The September archery season in GMU 14 is also impacted by more than 500 participants in the 36-hour, Run Rabbit Run ultramarathon.
Over time, CPW staff has noticed a decrease in the number of calves per cow from 0.52 in 2006 to 0.37 in 2019. The calf to cow decline indicates decreasing productivity within the local herd. Winter classification flights have confirmed declining numbers of elk over the same time frame from 639 elk in 2006 down to 393 in 2019. Classification flights do not seek to count every animal on the landscape, rather they provide a key input to computer models that, together with other inputs such as hunter harvest, give a more accurate picture of the overall herd.
Anyone interested in hearing more about the proposed change can participate in a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. The webinar will begin with a presentation from local wildlife managers and biologists. Participants will then have the opportunity to ask questions. To register for the webinar, go to
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: GMU 14 Public Webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
This is a public webinar to discuss proposed changes to archery hunting licenses in Game Management Unit 14. Wildlife managers and biologists will provide details on the proposed change and then answer questions from participants. A brief preregistration process is required.
