CPW would still keep the "Quality" units as a draw unit for R and NR
That’s exactly what’s happening. Though the petition sounds good to residents, it also sounds good to the tree hugging liberals. Elk populations will sky rocket. Newly regulated hunter numbers won’t be able to manage the elk herd populations, which is an issue already thats getting worse in some units. Locals are already complaining there’s too many elk. Politicians will have an easy ask from the public for wolf introductions. “If the human hunters can’t keep it in check the predators will”.….at least that’s their thought”less” process.
I would be happy to sign a petition to say that nr tags need to have a cap you can't have nr hunters from every state hunting colorado when they don't get a tag in another state and expect the resource not to suffer.
Bull hunting doesn’t regulate elk populations. Cow harvest does. The elk population isn’t going to skyrocket based on this proposal.
No other western state has a resident tag cost anywhere near $500. Yet none of them are throwing out unlimited OTC elk tags.
Agreed. Another theory too. Maybe with less hunters the harvest rate gets above 10%. It is certainly plausible that less hunters kill nearly as many elk without the pressure. Maybe not, but I'm sure willing to give it a try
If herds need managing, I agree that cow harvest is the way. With wolves coming we certainly can't sustain the hunter numbers.
I'd be all for raising the resident fees in NM to stop the 15 people in a family applying for grandma's grandpa's and little kids who's tag will be hunted by a chosen family member while the rest of the family sits in camp until its time to go notch the tag.......and yes im a resident.......
