Thread #754 on Colorado closing hunting to non-residents

[Brendan]

No, it was closed just as Spring break was starting to peak: mid March is peak season and the resorts were ordered closed on March 14th. Mid March is the money maker in the CO ski industry.

Yeah, they lost those two weeks of March, but they didn't lose Christmas, New Years, Presidents, MLK, the February vacations, nor the beginning of March.

Not saying it's nothing, but they got a significant amount of the season behind them so it's not like they shut down the whole season.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

They would declare a public emergency and your $600 goes out the window.

That's a good way of ensuring any NR with a spine would never hunts CO again.

 

[bowhuntrben]

That's a good way of ensuring any NR with a spine would never hunts CO again.

I hope a lot of people have a spine....

 

[bloominonion]

They need the revenue from tags. Worst case they will put into place some hardcore enforcement of mask orders, etc to add even more revenue lol. I wouldn't be surprised if the governor finally issues a mask order if we get a spike just before then. Schools are opening a week or so before the archery open (depending on the county), so muzzleloader or rifle may see statewide mask orders, but I'd bet first week of archery will be nothing special.

 

[String&stick]

That's a good way of ensuring any NR with a spine would never hunts CO again.

Really? With elk hunting demand at an all time high you think people would stop going on principal. Even if they did, Colorado would back fill from more hunters wanting to go! They will be fine and will make decisions based on covid numbers without a care about you losing your money on the tag.

But my guess is that they would just require a mandatory quarantine prior to hunting, then they have an out for not giving your money back!

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

Really? With elk hunting demand at an all time high you think people would stop going on principal. Even if they did, Colorado would back fill from more hunters wanting to go! They will be fine and will make decisions based on covid numbers without a care about you losing your money on the tag.

But my guess is that they would just require a mandatory quarantine prior to hunting, then they have an out for not giving your money back!

I make on western trip every few years. The cost of the tag isn't what brings me to CO. If I got screwed out of $700-$800 worth of tags you can bet I wouldn't buy another tag.

I'm sure some folks would roll over and take that but I'm a bit of a cuss. I have no doubt they don't need my tag fee.

Why would you think NR would be ok with that?

 

[elkdozer]

Yep.....Hawaii is the same as Colorado, HUGE difference. If they allow truckers and people going thru I think we will be ok.

Only closing unit 49
LOL

 

[String&stick]

I make on western trip every few years. The cost of the tag isn't what brings me to CO. If I got screwed out of $700-$800 worth of tags you can bet I wouldn't buy another tag.

I'm sure some folks would roll over and take that but I'm a bit of a cuss. I have no doubt they don't need my tag fee.

Why would you think NR would be ok with that?

I'm not saying I would be "ok" with it or even that most NR hunters would be. All I'm saying is Colorado fish and game doesn't have to give two shots, because there will still be a line out the door for tags. And if not, one year of low hunter numbers and gohunt, eastmans, and every other hunting info source will have their members pouring back into Colorado!

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Nah... Skiing involves crowded shops and rental areas and everybody touching the same hand rails on the lifts. Elk hunting we're already phobic of other people. Agree if they did close and didn't refund tags that would open up a can of worms, CC disputes and class action suits all sorts of mess they don't want to deal with so it's easier just to refund tags and move on. Of course nobody will get a refund for the small game license.

 

[RO1459]

I spoke with one of the top outfitters in North Colorado this week and she said that as of July 14 the season was on. She has had no cancellations, is totally booked, and expects to have a full hunting season.

 

[gobears870]

I spoke with a CPW biologist last week. He said everything is still set to go and can't see the state, USFS, or BLM restricting access or shutting down the season.

He didn't say this, but I think if things got seriously out of control in CO, things might change, but after speaking with him I was a little less anxious about having my plans canceled.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Nah... Skiing involves crowded shops and rental areas and everybody touching the same hand rails on the lifts. Elk hunting we're already phobic of other people. Agree if they did close and didn't refund tags that would open up a can of worms, CC disputes and class action suits all sorts of mess they don't want to deal with so it's easier just to refund tags and move on. Of course nobody will get a refund for the small game license.

I was working at a ski hill during the initial Covid stuff. Our parent company was forced to close all it's mountains except ours. So we had people from all over the US flock to us as their backup. Definitely made us look like assholes after all the other ski hills in the state closed voluntarily.

The people didn't care. Still filled lifts. Still filled the lodge. Giant lines. Curious if they'd change that next season. Good luck keeping people 6ft apart LOL. All idiots when they strap stuff to their feet.

On the CO note. It'd have to be major for them to shut down the hunts. The amount of revenue is too much to throw away especially with everything closed down.

Sounds like UK has a promising vaccination. That'll ease people's minds.

 

[Stalker69]

While skiing does represent a slightly higher total economic impact to Colorado than hunting, the state government receives far more revenue from hunting due to license sales. It is much easier to ask private business to take a loss than it is for the government to take the loss themselves.

Exactly, the ski areas have the money to refund CPW does not. Thanks

 

[Gunnersdad49]

They need the revenue from tags. Worst case they will put into place some hardcore enforcement of mask orders, etc to add even more revenue lol. I wouldn't be surprised if the governor finally issues a mask order if we get a spike just before then. Schools are opening a week or so before the archery open (depending on the county), so muzzleloader or rifle may see statewide mask orders, but I'd bet first week of archery will be nothing special.

You were a psychic! Statewide mask order is even posted on the flipping electronic highway signs now.

 

[bloominonion]

You were a psychic! Statewide mask order is even posted on the flipping electronic highway signs now.

Haha, you made me curious, so I went and looked. I said it at 8:22 am, and the first article I can find (with a time) was posted at 12:12 pm lol. Just a hair under 4 hours lol.... maybe I should go buy a lotto ticket, or just save up the luck for hunting elk

 

[Jman86]

I'd say we are safe from closing down now.

 

[lipripr]

10 charts that show why the coronavirus pandemic may be about to get a lot worse in Colorado

Back in April, the team of university researchers creating projections for the course of the coronavirus pandemic in Colorado mapped out some scenarios. In the most optimistic, Coloradans would maintain […]

coloradosun.com

Hope these prediction models are way off. Things change to rapidly now a days to have any solid idea what this fall will bring. Remember when CO closed the ski industry right before spring break? Uhg!

 

[KEVINSENC]

I live in NC along the coast by the beaches, we've been banned from NY. I usually go up there every year for a camping/fishing trip to the thousand islands for smallmouth bass, couldn't do it this year because of Cuomo banning us. Funny thing is I see at least 20 NY tags here at the beaches every singe day. Doesn't make much sense to me..

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Remember when CO closed the ski industry right before spring break? Uhg!

I sure do, we were skiing in Wyoming and all of a sudden the parking lot was full of Colorado plates.

 

[Bcorn]

I guess if they do I'll stay home and hunt whitetail and try again next year.