CPW to cut NW Colorado tags by 40% or more

[blicero]

From Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2023/03/28/colorado-parks-wildlife-hunting-licenses/amp/

“Thousands of elk, deer and antelope have been migrating out of northwestern Colorado due to hard winter conditions and many have died of starvation, forcing state wildlife managers to consider cutting the number of hunting licenses they issue by more than 40%.”

 

[nam1975]

Dang.
Was thinking of going back around Craig this year or next.
Hopefully the migration went ok.

 

[wytx]

It didn't if they went to Wyoming.

 

[taskswap]

I wish I could find out more information on specifics. They're being SO cagey about this - the "Northwest Corner" of CO is huge. Application filing deadline is in a week (I already filed, but last chance to change my mind.) The article spends most of its time talking about vehicle strikes on pronghorn and gives nothing else tangible.

I feel like they could be a little more detailed about what they're planning to do, given how close the deadline is...

 

[30338]

Smart play would be to apply for a point and see what unfolds.

 

[blicero]

I don’t mind the reduction of tags assuming it’s warranted based on mortality data and whatnot. That’s their job.

What drives me f%*cking bananas though is reducing the pressure on herds via tag reductions, and then increasing the pressure on herds literally a few months later via wolf reintroductions.

Great job Colorado voters, really well thought through.

 

[RancherJohn]

I wish I could find out more information on specifics. They're being SO cagey about this - the "Northwest Corner" of CO is huge. Application filing deadline is in a week (I already filed, but last chance to change my mind.) The article spends most of its time talking about vehicle strikes on pronghorn and gives nothing else tangible.

I feel like they could be a little more detailed about what they're planning to do, given how close the deadline is...

The units in yellow are home to the animals most affected by this winter. I wouldn't be surprised if other areas in other parts of the state were added to this given the way our winter is (still) going. There will be summer range that still has snow melting out in August and September of this year.

Winter in the Northwest: Surviving today and after the snow melts - Colorado Outdoors Online

Using the data collected over the past several months, and anticipated additional losses throughout the spring, biologists are taking conservative approaches with this year's license recommendations.

coloradooutdoorsmag.com

 

[Decker]

Would this cut have an affect on otc tags?

 

[ndbuck09]

I don’t mind the reduction of tags assuming it’s warranted based on mortality data and whatnot. That’s their job.

What drive me f%*cking bananas though is reducing the pressure on herds via tag reductions, and then increasing the pressure on herds literally a few months later via wolf reintroductions.

Great job Colorado voters, really well thought through.

It's all part of the plan

 

[taskswap]

Would this cut have an affect on otc tags?

No. OTC tags are "unlimited in number." Everybody in the world can buy one if they could afford it and meet the requirements. But OTC tags aren't always a good fallback. For example, the best public sections of the Flat Tops are private-land-only during archery season.

Guess it's time for a lot of folks to scramble. I just wish they hadn't announced this so close to the deadline, that's all. Weather is weather, I accept this as a hunter. But you just know the way bureaucracy works that they've known about this for weeks, and they're still calling it only a "recommendation." It's crazy to me that hunters are expected to make good decisions without data they deliberately withhold until after the filing deadline, that's all.

 

[sacklunch]

Seasons shot, everybody turn in your tags (so I can pick one up in the leftover)

 

[fishslap]

No. OTC tags are "unlimited in number." Everybody in the world can buy one if they could afford it and meet the requirements. But OTC tags aren't always a good fallback. For example, the best public sections of the Flat Tops are private-land-only during archery season.

Guess it's time for a lot of folks to scramble. I just wish they hadn't announced this so close to the deadline, that's all. Weather is weather, I accept this as a hunter. But you just know the way bureaucracy works that they've known about this for weeks, and they're still calling it only a "recommendation." It's crazy to me that hunters are expected to make good decisions without data they deliberately withhold until after the filing deadline, that's all.

“For example, the best public sections of the Flat Tops are private-land-only draw only during archery season.”
Corrected it for you.

 

[cnelk]

Would this cut have an affect on otc tags?

Damn right it will - it will increase hunting pressure in the OTC more than ever before

 

[bentarrow]

Hopefully they will cut tags in the effected areas. Just read report for wyo. Thousands of animals dead. More will die with this winter holdin on. Applied for effected area. Will turn tag back if i draw.

 

[sacklunch]

wolves are coming (already there), that'll help further decimate the best herd in the country.

 

[Overdrive]

Since most of those units are OTC, what would 40% of unlimited equal?

 

[cnelk]

Since most of those units are OTC, what would 40% of unlimited equal?

Exactly

 

[Yoder]

I don’t mind the reduction of tags assuming it’s warranted based on mortality data and whatnot. That’s their job.

What drives me f%*cking bananas though is reducing the pressure on herds via tag reductions, and then increasing the pressure on herds literally a few months later via wolf reintroductions.

Great job Colorado voters, really well thought through.

That's the problem. Idiot voters shouldn't be making decisions about wildlife management. Wolves are like so cute or whatever.

 

[bentarrow]

Spoke w/dow rep this morn in meeker. 3-31. Said no suggestion to board to lower archery or mz loaders in that area.

 

[Eyeman]

Would this cut have an affect on otc tags?

OTC Elk tags are basically unlimited the way I understand it (could be wrong)
But what good would it be to cut tags and still have unlimited OTC Elk tags?