Viable Herd ("Herd Health") Considerations AND Policy Issue #2 - What types of big game hunts should be provided and how will those hunts be divided amongst hunters?
The majority of the discussion at the workshop revolved around these two issues. The resolution and final policy wording encompass both issues in one policy statement:
"Over the next five year period, deer and elk will be managed to achieve population objectives within the carrying capacity of their habitat and to move on a statewide basis towards 20-30 males per 100 females, a minimum of 50 fawns per 100 does, and a minimum of 40 calves per 100 cows, post season. Specific objectives for individual data analysis units may vary from these ratios and will be established considering reproductive capacity, hunter preferences, economic effects, and land accessibility among other appropriate factors. However, in no event will sex ratios be allowed to fall below 10 males per 100 females, post season. Further, in managing toward these statewide objectives, hunting opportunities for male animals will, to the extent possible, be provided according to the following distributions: (Distributions are described in terms of the percentage of the statewide animal resource to managed for a particular classification.)
Elk: 80% 4-5 point (15-30 bulls:100 cows)
20% 6+ point (30+ bulls: 100 cows)
Deer:
West of 1-25: 35% forkhorn (10-20 bucks: 100 does)
45% <25" deer (20-30 bucks: 100 does)
20% >25" deer (>30 bucks: 100 does)
East of 1-25: 25% (20-30 bucks: 100 does)
75% (30+ bucks: 100 does)
Pronghorn: 26% 20-30 bucks :100 does
74% 30+ bucks: 100 does
Moose: All units managed for >30 bulls: 100 cows
Black Bear: Reference Bear Management Plan (1989) and
current updates under development by DAU."
It is important to note that statewide objectives (20-30 males, minimum of 50 fawns, and minimum of 40 calves) are averages for the whole state as opposed to objectives for individual DAUs. Additionally, the distribution of hunter opportunity is expressed in terms of the percentage of the animal resource, which will be managed for a particular class of animal. In the case of elk, for example, the policy sets a goal for 80% of the animal resource to managed for the 4-5 point male. This does not mean that the only hunting opportunity that will be available is for the 4-5 point animal. Spike hunting may continue to be offered where necessary to achieve management objectives.
Policy Issue #1 - Distinctions Between Early/Regular/Late seasons
The recommended language was approved:
"The Wildlife Commission will utilize the following distinctions to describe the general framework for big game hunting seasons:
Early seasons are designed primarily to enhance the variety of hunting opportunities that are available rather than achieve a particular biological outcome.
Regular seasons are designated as such to communicate that these are the regular or primary seasons to accomplish biological control of big game populations and the primary period to offer hunting opportunity to the public.
Late seasons are established primarily to achieve management objectives rather than provide substantial quantities of additional recreational opportunity.
These distinctions do not preclude the approved use of any management tool, e.g. cow elk hunting during the early season period, when necessary to achieve a specific management or biological outcome or to provide a specific recreational outcome."
Policy Issue #3 - Should the Wildlife Commission further constrain hunting seasons during the peak of the breeding periods for deer, elk, antelope and moose?
The recommended language was approved with only one modification. The word "some" was added to the first sentence of the recommendation.
"The Wildlife Commission will continue to allow some hunting during the peak of the breeding seasons for deer, elk, antelope and moose. However, additional restrictions will be imposed in circumstances where there is credible evidence of negative impact on pregnancy rates."
Policy Issue #4 - Should there be a limit on the number of nonresident big game hunters?
"The Wildlife Commission acknowledges the concerns raised related to issues of hunt quality, fairness and economic impacts. In order to balance these issues, it will be the policy of the Wildlife Commission to ensure that the statewide proportion of nonresident participation in deer and elk hunting not exceed 1999 levels. In addition, the Wildlife Commission will strongly consider season structure alternatives that may further reduce nonresident participation, in contrast to the establishment of strict nonresident quotas.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of this policy shall be ongoing."
The recommended language was modified to specifically identify "statewide" proportions and was modified to set participation caps using 1999 levels, rather than 1998, as a basis. Specific proportions for deer and elk will be added to the policy once the information is available from the 1999 hunting seasons. This policy leaves implementation open in terms of managing nonresident hunter participation through alternatives other than strict nonresident quotas.
Policy Issue #5 - Should all big game licenses be limited statewide?
The policy recommendation was broadened so as not to restrict the use of limitations to specific units, but leave open the option of statewide limits if necessary in the short-term.
"The Wildlife Commission will continue total limitations for deer licenses throughout the season structure for the years 2000-2004. The current status of elk populations in Colorado does not require licenses be limited on a statewide basis. However, the Wildlife Commission will reserve the flexibility to utilize limitations when necessary to achieve management and policy objectives."
Policy Issue #6 - Should private land hunting opportunities (such as the number of licenses and/or length of seasons) be expanded?
The recommended language was approved.
"The Wildlife Commission will, on an experimental basis, provide for an increase in private land hunting opportunities by authorizing the use of PLO buck deer licenses in some units where increased private land hunting opportunities can be provided without sacrificing sex ratio objectives."
Policy Issue #7 - Guidelines for setting hunting season dates and other restrictions for big game hunting.
The Commission accepted the guidelines currently in place and supported providing managers with the flexibility described in the policy recommendation. The recommended language was approved:
"The Wildlife Commission will continue to utilize the following guidelines in development of the big game season structure for the years 2000-2004:
A. Female animals are not hunted earlier than the last week of August.
B. Regular rifle seasons begin no earlier than the first Saturday after October 9.
C. Regular rifle seasons do not extend beyond November 15.
These guidelines do not preclude the approved use of management tools, e.g. rifle elk prior to October 9, when necessary to achieve a specific management or biological outcome or to provide a specific recreational outcome."
Policy Issue #8 - Should deviations from the 5-year season structure be considered by the Wildlife Commission? If so, under what conditions will deviations be required or allowed?
The recommended policy language would have allowed deviations from previously established decisions only when the biological situation dictated. The Commission chose more encompassing language:
"The Wildlife Commission shall maintain sufficient flexibility in the setting of season structures to allow for deviations from previously established decisions. Such changes shall be allowed when reasonably necessary to protect or manage big game populations. Changes will be made with adequate public notification and thorough consideration of public input using the Commission's 3-step decision making process."
Policy Issue #9 - Should All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) be restricted during the big game hunting seasons?
The Commission directed Division of Wildlife staff to work cooperatively with land management agencies, the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) user groups to discuss implementation strategies to consider placing limits on the use of OHVs during big game hunting seasons. A discussion took place about the scope of the issue, that is, the term "OHV" was preferred over "ATV", as OHV was viewed by the Commission as including more than just all-terrain vehicles (e.g. dirt bikes, motorcycles, etc. The direction from the Commission is as follows:
"The Wildlife Commission will proceed with consideration of implementation strategies to place limits on the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) during big game hunting seasons, and will participate in a coalition of land management agencies, the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, user groups, counties and municipalities in the development of possible strategies."
