FILING - 01/29/2010

Basis and Purpose

Chapter 2 - Big Game

Basis and Purpose:

These regulations amend Chapter 2 – Big Game – of the Wildlife Commission Regulations. These regulations are designed to manage statewide big game herds at the herd objective levels and provide a diversity of hunting recreation opportunities for resident and nonresident hunters throughout Colorado; to minimize or control local game damage situations, and to provide opportunity for landowners to cooperatively manage wildlife with the Division.

The attached Wildlife Commission regulations are the result of extensive public involvement and application of biological information on deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and moose. All regulation changes are based on the best available biological information and are designed to manage big game herds towards stated objectives and to ensure long-term viability. In addition to annual changes, these regulations specifically address the following:

General

Establishment of final regulations implementing alternatives for the 2010-2014 Big Game Season

Structure, as previously adopted by the Wildlife Commission

These regulations establish season dates and season structure regulations for the 2010-2014 Big Game Season Structure, as previously adopted by the Wildlife Commission.

Extension of the Landowner Pilot Program through 2010

The Landowner Pilot Program, initially scheduled to expire in 2009, has been extended through the 2010 season for further evaluation.

Clarification that preference points will be swept for reissued licenses

These regulations clarify that any person accepting a first-choice license that has been returned for a refund and re-issued will forfeit all preference points for that species. Reissued licenses are high-demand licenses, which successful applicants apply for as first-choice licenses. It is the current practice and intent of the Division and the current regulations that preference points be swept upon accepting one of these desirable licenses, whether it be through the draw or as a reissued license. These regulations simply clarify that intent.

Bighorn Sheep

and S53 (San Juan Mountain units)

A pattern of rapid bighorn sheep population growth, followed by a population crash, followed by decades of poor population performance has been observed in many herds throughout Colorado and the West, including the Big Thompson herd. The current best-management-practice for avoiding this cycle is to maintain bighorn populations at a moderate level. Many studies on various species have shown that animal populations are most productive and individual animals are healthiest at approximately half the maximum number of animals that the habitat can sustain. In order to prevent these sheep herds from growing too densely populated, these regulations initiate limited hunter ewe harvest.

Establishment of Bighorn sheep ram licenses in S39 (Mt. Silverheels)

The Mt. Silverheels bighorn sheep herd is the result of a transplant from Trickle Mountain in 1988. The Mt. Silverheels herd has persisted and increased slowly to the current population estimate of 25-35 animals. In addition, ram bands ranging from 12-15+ have been observed by Division personnel and the public within the Mt. Silverheels area. Based on the number and age of legal rams, these regulations open the unit to limited ram hunting.

Mountain Goat

Establishment of female-only mountain goat licenses

Some introduced populations of mountain goats have increased rapidly approximating the irruptive patterns typical of other ungulates introduced into new habitats. One such population in Colorado is within Data Analysis Unit (DAU) G7 where annual helicopter surveys indicate the mountain goat population increased by more than 250% between 1992 and 1999. These rapid increases in DAU G7 and elsewhere have caused concerns among managers about mountain goat populations exceeding carrying capacity and the overuse of habitat, as well as concerns for increased competition with bighorn sheep. While either sex licenses have been successfully employed to reduce mountain goat populations in DAU G7, effective reductions have been delayed and accompanied by undesirable reductions in male age structure and horn size as seen in unit G16. As a result some hunters have expressed dissatisfaction with the number and size of male mountain goats in G7 in past years and more recently in G16. Allowing issuance of limited experimental female-only mountain goat licenses in specific circumstance is intended to increase the efficacy of population reductions while maintaining a desirable age structures among male and female segments.

Bear

Establishment of over-the-counter with caps muzzleloader and archery bear licenses on the Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area

Historically bear hunting on the Bosque del Oso SWA has been managed by two September rifle seasons with license numbers established as bear populations dictate. In addition, over-the-counter with cap opportunities exist for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. Archers and muzzleloaders have expressed interest in participating in an over-the-counter with cap opportunity. These regulations extend the over-the-counter with cap opportunity to archers and muzzleloaders on the Bosque del Oso SWA.

Deer

Establishment of an antlerless muzzleloader deer season in D34 (GMUs 69, 84, 86, 691 and 861)

The current modeled population estimate for D-34 (GMU’s 69, 84, 86, 691 and 861, is at, or slightly below objective. For the last several years private-land-only rifle antlerless seasons have existed with the intent of decreasing game damage situations and either-sex licenses for archery. These regulations extend the opportunity to harvest antlerless animals to muzzleloaders.

Establishment of antlerless hunting in D16 (GMUs 49, 57, 58 and 581)

Private land winter range habitats throughout D-16 have experienced an increasing trend in deer-related game damage issues. Correspondingly, the D-16 population has increased steadily in recent years and is currently within its population objective of 16-20,000 deer. It is projected that the D-16 herd will climb above population objective within the next few years if its current population trend continues. These regulations institute hunt codes allowing for GMU-wide and private-land-only antlerless harvest of deer during the archery, muzzleloader, second, and third rifle seasons in DAU D-16.

Establishment of a 4th deer season (antlered and antlerless) in GMU 501

The deer population in DAU D-38, which includes GMU 501, is currently over objective and increasing following the Hayman burn which has appeared to produce favorable habitat conditions for deer. This is especially true for GMU 501 which contains the largest portion of the burn within the DAU. With no change in license numbers, current population modeling shows a continuous increase in population numbers and sex ratio. Short term management goals for DAU D-38 include reducing the current population growth by increasing doe licenses and also reducing the sex ratio by increasing buck licenses. It has been difficult to allocate more doe or buck licenses due to concerns regarding hunter crowding issues and conflicts with recreational OHV users. These regulations add a 4th rifle season allowing for a limited buck and doe harvest in GMU 501. This will help distribute hunters temporally and allow an increase in harvest necessary to stabilize the population and bring the sex ratio back down to objective.

Establishment of White-tailed deer only seasons in the Arkansas River drainage between Pueblo and Cañon City (GMUs 59, 69, 84 and 581)

In general, most habitat within these GMUs is considered mule deer habitat and the population model and data collection is focused on mule deer. There has been a gradual increase of white-tailed deer in these GMUs with no directed pressure through a species-specific hunting season The occurrence of white-tails along the Arkansas River between Florence and Canon City have generated an increased number of phone calls whereby white-tails are being implicated in game damage. These regulations establish white-tailed deer only hunting opportunities in GMUs 59, 69, 84 and 581, which is intended to increase opportunity to harvest white-tailed deer while not negatively impacting the mule deer population.

Establishment of White-tailed deer only seasons in D45 (GMUs 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 136, 141, 142 and 147), D48 (GMUs 110, 111, 118, 119, 123 and 124) and D49 (GMUs 104, 105 and 106)

The southeast region has recently instituted white-tail only (WTO) seasons in a number of DAUs. These seasons have provided hunters with an increased opportunity to utilize the white-tailed deer resource, while allowing targeted harvest of white-tailed deer in areas with both deer species. Both DAU D45 and D49 have exhibited an increase in white-tailed deer. These regulations implement white-tailed deer-only licenses intended to increase opportunity to harvest white-tailed deer while not negatively impacting the mule deer population.

Shortening of the private land only antlered deer season in GMU 20

Deer densities and buck to doe ratios have been higher than desired on private lands in GMU 20 for the past decade. In order to bring deer densities down towards objective without overharvesting deer on public land, a private land only (PLO) antlerless season was initiated in 2001. Likewise, in order to reduce the buck to doe ratios, a PLO antlered season was initiated in 2005. This season has been successful in reducing the buck to doe ratio on private lands to within the objective range (10 to 35 bucks per 100 does). The removal of bucks from private lands will continue to be necessary to maintain this ratio within the objective range. However, fewer bucks will need to be removed annually from private lands in the coming years than were required over the last few years. As a result, these regulations reduce the season length for the PLO antlered season in GMU 20 and make these licenses “List A” to more equitably distribute antlered hunting opportunity between public and private land hunters.

Establishment of an early private land only antlerless deer season in GMU 73 to alleviate game damage

Previously an early season was established in GMU 72 to inhibit resident deer from causing damage to costly crops during the fall, while minimally impacting deer migrating into the area. Similar damage issues exist in GMU 73. These regulations extend the opportunity to harvest and distribute resident deer in GMU 73 to help alleviate game damage concerns.

Elk

Moving rifle antlerless elk licenses in GMU 38 from “List B” to “List A”

Previously, antlerless elk licenses in GMU 38 in seasons EF038O1R, EF038O2R, EF038O3R, EF038O4R, and EF038L1R were classified as “List B.” These licenses were added to List B when the DAU was over objective and over twice as many licenses were offered as are offered now. The DAU is now at objective and license numbers have been reduced. The additional harvest opportunity is no longer needed or warranted, and these licenses have been reclassified as “List A” licenses.

Modification or elimination of late antlerless elk licenses in E4 (GMUs 7, 8, 9, 19 and 191)

Late cow elk rifle seasons in E4 were originally initiated 10 years ago to address a game damage issue in eastern GMU 19. Due to being over the 1997 objective of 3,300 elk in subsequent years an additional late season was added in 19, the restriction of hunting east of the Pingree Park Rd was lifted, and complementary late seasons were added in 7, 8 and 191. In 2007, the 2009 E4 DAU plan calls for a small increase in objective to put the herd in the 3,600-4,200 range. Since late seasons are used primarily as a tool to increase antlerless harvest, late seasons in E4 are no longer necessary or warranted. In addition, antlerless licenses in E4 have been reclassified as “List A” licenses.

Creation of an early antlered elk season in GMU 76

GMU 76 is a high elevation unit consisting of an abundance of summer range. A large number of elk are found at and above timberline during the summer and early fall. Although there are elk that winter in the unit a high percentage of elk found throughout the summer migrate out and winter in adjacent GMUs (which include 79, 78, 77, 751, 66, and 67). These elk generally move out by mid October, or the second rifle season. Therefore, an early antlered elk season has been established to allow for a better chance of success in GMU 76 and offer a quality hunting experience for rifle hunters.

Reversion of 1st and 4th season elk licenses in E14 (GMUs 41, 42, 52, 411, 421 and 521) to antlered only

Either-sex elk licenses were created to increase antlerless harvest at a time when elk populations were extremely high and new avenues were being created to bring these populations to objective. These licenses have been very effective at increasing antlerless harvest. After several years of high harvests, the population size of E-14 is within the population size objective range. As a result, either-sex elk licenses are no longer needed or warranted in the 1st and 4th seasons.

Addition of GMU 140 to antlerless elk hunt code for GMU 85

Historically, GMU 140 has been managed with GMUs 85 and 851 because of the cultural ties to the western units and an elk population that moves readily across Interstate 25 in both directions. As the elk population within the area and in New Mexico has increased, the need to harvest additional antlerless animals exists. As a result, GMU 140 has been added to the following huntcodes; EF085O2R, EF085O3R, EF085O4R and EF085L1R to increase the opportunity to harvest antlerless elk within the DAU and to slow the population growth rate.

Inclusion of GMU 128 in the unlimited plains elk hunt code

The either-sex plains elk licenses were established as a tool for population control and game damage mitigation/prevention for elk herds east of Interstate 25. It is believed that elk numbers in unit 128 have been slowly increasing, but have not caused a tremendous amount of game damage. Most of the property in GMU 128 is private with the exception of some leased State Trust Land Parcels and the approximately 6,000 acre Cuchara Canyon BLM parcel. Complaints or concerns from landowners in the northern portions of GMU 128 are becoming more frequent. Rifle licenses in GMU 128 are limited and archery and muzzleloader licenses are issued over the counter. GMUs north and east of GMU 128 are included in the eastern plains elk season (List C Either-sex licenses that are valid from September 1st through January 31st). Elk populations in this unit are transient in nature and the addition of the unit in the eastern plains elk season would allow landowners a method to harvest elk when they are found on their property and when they are causing damage.