They already got rid of the "quiet time" in a few of the "trophy" units.
of course.The only thing CPW cares about is the dollars. They could give a shit less about a hunters experience
This was probably already mentioned, but how many hunters were able to hunt the entire month instead of a standard vacation week because of the unemployment benefits and stimulus money?
Yea.... and "hope no one else heard that bugle.... "We did well this year, but CO elk hunting has really gotten to the point of “beat the next guy”
Were you at the Durango meeting when I asked/made a public statement about harvest reporting? The meeting concerning SW units being limited during archery. I am a trained scientist and all I could think of was that we'll never have a true management answer as long as the CPW officers have to defend a system that even they probably don't even "believe" in. Kind if a rough night. Hasn't gotten much better.Too bad they don't read them. They don't even listen to comments at their public meetings. I watched a CPW argue with a guy about how their computer models were more accurate then if we had mandatory harvest reporting. I guess that's why the units I hunt have had a 21% success rate for the last fifteen years. It is either the most consistent unit ever or CPW has no clue how many guys are hunting and they have no clue how many elk or getting killed. CPW needs to look in the mirror and realize what they are doing is not working. Look how long it took for them to finally admit their bear numbers were off and that we have too many, they were about five years behind the curve on that one. This also has nothing to do with killing elk like you stated earlier I kill elk every year, but their management or lack there of is pitiful. Again you cannot have unlimited pressure on a limited resource and expect it to be sustainable. Even our "trophy" units aren't that great. I've hunted 61 three times (one draw tag and two reissues) and killed three bulls, but I would take a Wyoming general tag every year over those tags. The solution is simple in my mind they need to get rid of OTC entirely. The whole state needs to go to a draw with an 80/20 resident, non resident split and adjust the prices accordingly on both sides.
I agree with this and I'm a non-resident myself. At least make some of the units a draw for non-residents and OTC for residents unless they need the population in that area to go down.Having an unlimited number of people chasing a limited resource is not sustainable. CPW needs to wake up to that fact. The whole state should be a draw with an 80/20 split and adjust tag prices accordingly on both sides.
Were you at the Durango meeting when I asked/made a public statement about harvest reporting? The meeting concerning SW units being limited during archery. I am a trained scientist and all I could think of was that we'll never have a true management answer as long as the CPW officers have to defend a system that even they probably don't even "believe" in. Kind if a rough night. Hasn't gotten much better.
I was in NM for archery season this year. I have a 3rd season cow tag for CO. Maybe I'll get an OTC bull for 3rd as well. But, I expect crickets out there. 4th will be a ghost town. I have traditionally hunted out of state the last 7 years during archery as I've been burning my points everywhere else. Snow and later season dates really scare the S*&T out of other hunters. I can't blame them, it gets real around Nov 11th for most of CO. In fact, it's snowing at my house right now! 9300'.
I always think about this, but the best argument I heard against it is that if they contribute they get more of a say in it all.I would also like to see the co-users of the national forests pony up to help pay for the areas they use, hikers, bikers, horseback riders.
Just my thoughts….
It is heading that way. Default passes to state parks with car registration. Pay to use state lands or have a fishin/hunting licenses. With the growth in population I am sure CPW is looking to develop alternate revenue sources.I always think about this, but the best argument I heard against it is that if they contribute they get more of a say in it all.
And they'd shit on hunting.