CPW meeting in Durango recap

[orionthehunter1]

I remember back in the early 90s, it was a real treat to get a cow tag.
Then there was the elk population boom of the 2000s and they started issuing cow tags like Halloween candy.

Yep, and they quasi admitted they let that run a little too long. They made it sound like cow tags would be hard to obtain for a while at least down in our area, but that their would be some available as a first choice if guys wanted them.

 

[Poser]

I had every intention of going last night, then had a more pressing work issue that needed addressed. Kind of glad that I didn’t waste my time now, thanks for the update. The game warden I talked with basically told me all of the information I needed last week. His explanation was reasonable and just in my opinion. Side note, the older 63 year old is an outfitter. He works on the 75/751 divide.


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It may not have been clear. I meant that the median age in the room appeared to be 63 years old. The outfitter was likley a bit younger than the median age. “San Juan Sky” or something like that? Are they the ones that access from the end of Missionary Ridhe/Henderson Lake road?

 

[5MilesBack]

They did say that was considered, but they wanted to continue to offer some cow tags so long as it is feasible because there is a contingency of people who want To hunt cows.

Hence the "separate" cow tags. That's also why cow tags have a different price now as well. They can still accomplish that with OTC Bull Only archery tags. And not only in the SW but state wide.

 

[positivepete!]

Thanks for the recap! I need to find out where to sign up for the email that tells me when and where those meetings are held so I can attend. CPW website someplace?

 

[Poser]

Hence the "separate" cow tags. That's also why cow tags have a different price now as well. They can still accomplish that with OTC Bull Only archery tags. And not only in the SW but state wide.

From what I recall, it was “considered” but not what the commission decided to do. I gathered that they liked the idea of hunters having to pick an actual unit and only hunt that 1 unit vs. bouncing around an entire region of the state to find elk.

 

[orionthehunter1]

I believe and I also got the impression at the meeting that we are headed to limited elk hunts statewide for all seasons. Most units are already limited for muzzleloader, first and fourth rifle and now quite a few for archery.

 

[5MilesBack]

I believe and I also got the impression at the meeting that we are headed to limited elk hunts statewide for all seasons. Most units are already limited for muzzleloader, first and fourth rifle and now quite a few for archery.

Exactly. They can say that the cows are the reason, but ultimately this is the reason they went with draw instead. And it's less impactful on their income to start with archery seasons instead of also making OTC rifle seasons draw as well at the same time.

 

[Newtosavage]

All in all, people seem to want a singular definitive explanation for elk decline and can’t seem to wrap their heads around complex issues. Furthermore, most seem entirely incapable of perceiving complex issues from a perspective other than their own .... The lack of perceptiveness in the crowd was an overwhelmingly depressing view on the state of intellectualism and philosophical thought as it relates to the hunting community. Also, people are too emotional and complain too much.

Sounds about like every local meeting I've ever attended when there were public "officials" present.

Like my daughter who works with the public every day always says, "a PERSON can be very smart, but PEOPLE are stupid" LOL

Nice to hear my NR butt is so welcome in SW Colorado. Makes me sorry I dumped about $2K into their economy in my first three years of hunting CO. LOL

But the CPW can now say they had the public meetings to avoid any backlash.

Well, when the public officials are met with what was described above, can you blame them for the way these meetings are conducted? It's ridiculous there even has to be LEO's present. If people would take even an minute to be more well informed, and then manage to control their emotions during the meeting, I'm betting there would be more opportunities for them to provide input. But when you show up to cuss and yell and have no idea what you're talking about, ya shouldn't be surprised if nobody wants to hear from you again.

 

[orionthehunter1]

You must be confused there were no LEO's present. The game wardens were their as presenters not as security. Why do you continually complain that Colorado doesn't want you as a nonresident? Seriously get over it everyone should be limited including residents. It is not sustainable to have unlimited individuals chasing a limited resource. Just because OTC might go away doesn't mean your not wanted. Due you complain as much about Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona that limit nonresidents way more than Colorado?

 

[jdmaxwell]

Sounds about like every local meeting I've ever attended when there were public "officials" present.

Like my daughter who works with the public every day always says, "a PERSON can be very smart, but PEOPLE are stupid" LOL

Nice to hear my NR butt is so welcome in SW Colorado. Makes me sorry I dumped about $2K into their economy in my first three years of hunting CO. LOL



Well, when the public officials are met with what was described above, can you blame them for the way these meetings are conducted? It's ridiculous there even has to be LEO's present. If people would take even an minute to be more well informed, and then manage to control their emotions during the meeting, I'm betting there would be more opportunities for them to provide input. But when you show up to cuss and yell and have no idea what you're talking about, ya shouldn't be surprised if nobody wants to hear from you again.

Wow. Yeah they owe you for your 3 year
Contributions. Please

I been hunting there over 10 yrs as Nonresident and very Thankful I was able to hunt OTC.. grateful to have the opportunity

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Thanks for the recap, sounds typical for a public meeting and I'm glad you found some entertainment value in those eye-rolling questions and comments.

Was there any update or mention by the Biologist regarding the high calf mortality in the region?

 

[Poser]

Thanks for the recap, sounds typical for a public meeting and I'm glad you found some entertainment value in those eye-rolling questions and comments.

Was there any update or mention by the Biologist regarding the high calf mortality in the region?

They are still trying figure it out, but it is most likely the cumulative effect of a host of complex issues: recreation pressure in summer and winter habitat, habitat development, trail development, energy development, hard winters, drought, predators. The saving grace in the Durango area seems to be the Ute reservation which is quite and has basically 0 increased activity or development.

They presented some map overlays showing all of the above factors and it is pretty sobering how chewed up the landscape is with development, trails and energy production. When you see it from that perspective, makes you wonder how elk are able to find anywhere to live.

 

[3forks]

Sounds about like every local meeting I've ever attended when there were public "officials" present.

Like my daughter who works with the public every day always says, "a PERSON can be very smart, but PEOPLE are stupid" LOL

Nice to hear my NR butt is so welcome in SW Colorado. Makes me sorry I dumped about $2K into their economy in my first three years of hunting CO. LOL



Well, when the public officials are met with what was described above, can you blame them for the way these meetings are conducted? It's ridiculous there even has to be LEO's present. If people would take even an minute to be more well informed, and then manage to control their emotions during the meeting, I'm betting there would be more opportunities for them to provide input. But when you show up to cuss and yell and have no idea what you're talking about, ya shouldn't be surprised if nobody wants to hear from you again.

I don’t like to hear that non-resident hunters feel unwelcome.

However, the $2K that you spent over 3 years is not even a drop in the bucket to the amount of money other tourists would spend even just over a weekend.

I don’t mention that to start an argument, I mention it because I don’t think the dollars non-resident hunters add to the 4 corners region economy mean as much now in comparison to all the other dollars visitors spend on recreation in the area.

 

[orionthehunter1]

I like how they were blaming energy development when it has severely slowed in our area and most of those Wells on their map have been there since the early 1990s. The fact that their is 31,000 miles of trails was quite eye opening though.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

I like how they were blaming energy development when it has severely slowed in our area and most of those Wells on their map have been there since the early 1990s. The fact that their is 31,000 miles of trails was quite eye opening though.

Actually, there are currently (today actually) new roads and oil/gas pads being constructed on USFS land near Durango. It's on well known and documented Elk/Deer winter range. The development may have slowed but it certainly hasn't stopped.

. . .That's a lot of trails. Wow.

 

[Newtosavage]

I don’t like to hear that non-resident hunters feel unwelcome.

However, the $2K that you spent over 3 years is not even a drop in the bucket to the amount of money other tourists would spend even just over a weekend.

I don’t mention that to start an argument, I mention it because I don’t think the dollars non-resident hunters add to the 4 corners region economy mean as much now in comparison to all the other dollars visitors spend on recreation in the area.

That's a valid point.

I've also taken my family to the Durango area for a week as tourists, and we did spend a lot more money there that week than I did while I was hunting. It's a beautiful area.

 

[orionthehunter1]

Actually, there are currently (today actually) new roads and oil/gas pads being constructed on USFS land near Durango. It's on well known and documented Elk/Deer winter range. The development may have slowed but it certainly hasn't stopped.

. . .That's a lot of trails. Wow.

All i was getting at is energy development is a lot slower now then in the 90s and early 2000s when there was great calf recruitment.

 

[Newtosavage]

Wow. Yeah they owe you for your 3 year
Contributions. Please

I been hunting there over 10 yrs as Nonresident and very Thankful I was able to hunt OTC.. grateful to have the opportunity

Way to twist the meaning of what I said. I never said anyone owed me anything sport.

 

[MallardSX2]

What comments were being made about the wolves?
Asking for a friend.

 

[cnelk]

The fact that their is 31,000 miles of trails was quite eye opening though.

What type of trails are these? Are they MVUM trails? OHV trails?