Attention Colorado Hunters!!!! Public Comments Requested for Draft Environmental Impact Statement for White River National Forest in Colorado: The U.S. Forest Service is conducting the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Travel Management Plan (TMP) for the White River National Forest in Colorado. This process will specify the extent to which existing roads are closed to vehicular access and will impact thousands of hunters who pursue game every year in Colorado.
Posts Tagged ‘DOW’
Attention Colorado Hunters
October 20, 2008NOMINATION PROCESS FOR THE 2008 ‘LANDOWNER OF THE YEAR’ AWARD NOW OPEN
October 17, 2008The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is pleased to announce the nomination process for the 2008 “Landowner of the Year” award is now open. The DOW would like to encourage public participation in nominating this year’s candidates.
Each year, the DOW and supporting organizations select a private landowner who has made outstanding contributions in providing beneficial habitat to Colorado’s wildlife and/or providing public hunting and fishing access on private lands. This award is part of the DOW’s Landowner Recognition Program, which works to improve communication between landowners, sportsmen and the Division.
This Award:
– Recognizes the important contributions private landowners are making to improve habitat for wildlife in Colorado
– Promotes the creation and improvement of habitat on private and public land by acknowledging efforts of landowners
– Creates opportunities for landowners to share information about innovative land and wildlife stewardship techniques
– Promotes understanding and appreciation of the rural land ethic
Nominee Requirements:
– Must be a resident of Colorado
– Must own at least 160 acres in Colorado
– Must be actively engaged in farming or a ranching business as an owner, lessor/lessee or manager
Nomination Instructions:
– A nomination form and detailed instructions are available on the DOW website at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/
– All applications are due into the Denver office no later than November 17, 2008. The winner will be notified by January 2, 2009.
Award winners and runners-up are selected by a three-member judging team and are recognized at the National Western Stock Show in January, and again at the Colorado RV, Sports, Boat and Travel Show in March. Both events are held in Denver. Those who nominate the winner also receive a two-day trip to Denver to attend the award ceremony.
Supporters of this award include: Colorado Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Colorado Bowhunter Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State Grange, Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Wildlife Commission, Colorado Wildlife Federation, Colorado Wool Growers’ Association, Industrial Expositions Inc., Izaak Walton League and the National Western Stock Show.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
MEETINGS SET TO DISCUSS BRUNOT HUNTING AGREEMENT
October 17, 2008The Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe have scheduled two more open house meetings to explain the Brunot hunting agreement: Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1391 Townsend Ave., Montrose; Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m., Hunter Education Building, DOW headquarters, 6060 Broadway, Denver.
Officials from the DOW and the tribe will explain the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed by the tribe and the state of Colorado regarding hunting by tribal members in the Brunot Agreement area. In 1874, Congress approved an agreement between the United States and certain Ute Indians in Colorado, known as the “Brunot Agreement”. Under this agreement, the Utes ceded land to the United States but reserved a right to hunt in that area for “so long as the game lasts and the Indians are at peace with the white people.”
The Brunot Agreement covers the land in an area which extends approximately, from U.S. Highway 160 on the south to the southern boundaries of Montrose and Gunnison counties on the north, from the middle of Mineral County on the east, and to just west of Cortez on the west.
A meeting was held Oct. 14 in Durango.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
LIVING WITH WILDLIFE PROGRAM
October 10, 2008This is related to the post immediately preceding this one.
Living with Wildlife Program to be held in Broomfield October 22nd
Have you ever wondered why coyotes live so close to people? How prairie dogs play a part in the ecosystem? Or what is the best way to get rid of the smell of skunk spray? If so, join us for a presentation on urban wildlife, conflict avoidance and urban wildlife biology and learn more about Colorado’s wildlife neighbors.
If you visit or live near open space, this is a great opportunity to hear a presentation by Broomfield’s District Wildlife Manager, Claire Solohub. The event is sponsored by the Broomfield Open Space Foundation, Division of Wildlife, and City and County of Broomfield. The Broomfield Nature Program will also have volunteers on hand to provide information on educational programs.
Specific species discussion will focus on coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and prairie dogs and will address issues such as:
-Coexisting with wildlife
-Keeping pets safe
-Keeping wildlife wild
-Techniques to minimize nuisance and damage situations
-Enhancing backyard habitat to encourage/discourage wildlife
Refreshments and Q & A to follow the presentation.
WHAT: Living with Wildlife Program
WHEN: October 22, 2008 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library
3 Community Park Rd.
Broomfield, Colorado
Phone: 720.887.2300
HOW: All are welcome, no R.S.V. P. necessary
If you have questions about the event, please call Dan Wilkie, President of the Broomfield Open Space Foundation at 303-466-2507 and Kristan Pritz, Director Open Space and Trails at 303-438-6335.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
DOW SEEKS INPUT ON PRONGHORN HUNTING REGS
September 18, 2008The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) will hold public meetings Sept. 19 and 23 to gather input regarding potential changes to pronghorn hunting regulations. The Sept. 19 meeting is 6 – 9 p.m. at the Limon Community Building at 477 “D” Ave. in Limon. The Sept. 23 meeting is from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Rush School, 420 S. Rush Rd. in Rush.
The DOW is considering adding additional seasons and increasing the number of pronghorn licenses in several areas in southeastern Colorado. The meetings are intended to gather input from landowners and hunters in El Paso, Lincoln, Cheyenne and Crowley Counties.
Persons who cannot attend a meeting in person can send written comments to Julie Stiver at 4255 Sinton Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Special Hunting Licenses
August 25, 2008WILDLIFE PROJECTS FUNDED BY SPECIAL LICENSES
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and eight non-profit wildlife conservation organizations have selected more than $480,000 in wildlife projects that will be funded this year with proceeds from the sale of special auction and raffle hunting licenses in Colorado.
Each year several special hunting licenses are auctioned or raffled by non-profit wildlife conservation organizations to raise funds for wildlife projects. These special hunting licenses provide hunters with the opportunity to hunt in many areas around the state. Because these tags offer incredible hunting opportunities, the auctions and raffles generate considerable interest and income for wildlife projects.
Raffles are held annually by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, Colorado Bowhunters Association, and the Colorado Wildlife Federation. Licenses are auctioned annually by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, Mule Deer Foundation, Colorado Mule Deer Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Colorado Bowhunters Association.
Some of the auction and raffle projects funded this year include:
Rampart Range Bighorn Sheep Lungworm Treatment Study
The Rampart Range Bighorn Sheep Lungworm Treatment Study received $15,818 this year. This is the second year of funding for a long-term study on the effectiveness of two types of treatment for lungworm infection, a respiratory disease in bighorn sheep. Radio-collared ewes are split into three groups. One group gets an oral treatment. The second group gets injections. The third group, the control group, receives no treatment. Stool samples are collected from ewes to look for the presence of lungworm larvae to determine which (if any) treatment is most effective at reducing larval lungworm concentrations. Ewes are then monitored after they give birth to determine whether treating ewes during pregnancy improves lamb survival.
Pikes Peak Bighorn Sheep Population Estimation and Demographics
The Pikes Peak Bighorn Sheep Population Estimate and Demographics project received $46,468 in funding. This is the second year of funding for a study aimed at estimating population size and monitoring movements and survival of rocky mountain bighorn on Pikes Peak. In 2007, biologists estimated that the bighorn sheep population on Pikes Peak and surrounding areas was about 180 animals. Preliminary results indicate that individuals within the Pikes Peak sheep herd follow the same seasonal dispersal and regrouping patterns year after year. Members split into groups on a somewhat predictable schedule with the same individuals forming sub-herds each year.
Black Ridge Desert Bighorn Sheep Population Assessment
The Black Ridge Desert Bighorn Sheep Population Assessment and Monitoring project is a multi-year project intended to learn about the Black Ridge desert bighorn sheep herd near the Colorado National Monument. The assessment received $30,000 in funding. The project looks at factors including survival, lamb production and recruitment, causes of mortality, range and interaction with other herds. Funding will be used for capture of animals for radio-collaring, data analysis, and a technician to perform field work. The project has additional funding from the DOW, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.
Poudre River Bighorn Sheep Population Estimate & Lamb Recruitment Study
The Poudre River Bighorn Sheep Population Estimate and Recruitment Study received $17,000. The project is in the fourth year of evaluating lamb recruitment, lamb survival and herd population size and performance. Beginning in January 2005, DOW biologists radio-collared a sample of ewes in the upper and lower Poudre Canyon. Data from these radio collared animals allow wildlife managers to estimate annual adult ewe survival, document seasonal movements, locate lambing grounds and monitor the presence and survival of lambs. Data gathered to date suggest a declining population canyon-wide, with pneumonia implicated in all recovered lamb mortalities from the lower canyon. In 2008, a nutritional, mineral and antibiotic treatment was applied to a small group of ewes in the lower canyon in hopes of improving lamb recruitment.
Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Range, Population and Survival Estimation
In 2006, DOW initiated a study utilizing radio collars to estimate population and survival for adult ewes and rams in the Georgetown bighorn sheep herd. These population parameters have been used, along with data from annual coordinated counts, to produce a population model similar to those used to guide the management of deer and elk in Colorado. This population model has proven useful in the management of the Georgetown herd and allows DOW to continue to estimate the size of the bighorn population beyond this study. The Georgetown study has also provided information on sheep movement, range, distribution, habitat use, and lamb dynamics. The focus of the study will shift in 2009 towards collecting more detailed and precise spatial information which is needed to mitigate the effects of human development and recreation in the area. The Georgetown Bighorn Sheep project received $46,630 in auction and raffle funding.
Flattops Moose Transplant Project
The goal of the Flattops Moose Transplant Project is to establish a self-sustaining, breeding moose population on the Flattops east of Meeker. Plans are being made to transplant moose from northern Utah to the Flattops. The initial project goals will include documenting seasonal movements, seasonal use areas and survival rates of translocated animals and documenting production and recruitment rates of female moose translocated to the Flattops. The project received $105,000 in auction and raffle funding and will result in an additional moose population in western Colorado.
Radium Habitat Improvement Project
The Radium Habitat Improvement Project received $10,000 this year. The primary objective of the project is to improve winter range for a variety of species along the Colorado River corridor in the Radium basin. Work includes reduction of pinyon-juniper encroachment, increasing of plant species diversity and vigor, increasing carrying capacity of habitat for deer and elk and work to recharge old water springs in the area.
The Radium Habitat Project partners have been working on habitat improvements in the area since 2001, conducting more than $100,000 in habitat improvements so far. This year’s auction and raffle funds will be used in conjunction with funds from the Colorado Mule Deer Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, and labor from the Colorado Youth Corp and Mule Deer Foundation. A prescribed fire and habitat manipulation plan is in place through 2017 in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, DOW, Colorado State Forest Service and area land owners.
Basalt Lucksinger Fields Project
The Lucksinger Fields Project on the Basalt State Wildlife Area is designed to improve winter range habitat for deer and elk in the Roaring Fork Valley. These former hay meadows are being replanted and rehabilitated to provide beneficial habitat for big game and other species. The Roaring Fork Valley has rapidly developed over the past two decades and enhancing these fields will provided needed winter range. The project was provided $41,060 from auction and raffle funds.
HD Mountains Mule Deer Responses to Energy Development
Energy development in Southwest Colorado is increasing on mule deer winter range. A long-term research project in the HD Mountains has two primary objectives: to monitor mule deer behavioral and population responses to energy development; and to design and evaluate best management practices and mitigations in response to natural gas development. The HD project received $27,916 in auction and raffle funding and is a cooperative effort between the DOW, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Approximately 140 mule deer have been captured and fitted with radio telemetry collars since 2004. VHF and GPS radio-telemetry collars allow biologists to evaluate deer movement and survival in areas prior to, during, and after energy development. Body condition of captured animals is measured in development and control areas.
Age Distribution of Hunter-Harvested Mule Deer Bucks
Because mule deer management strategies vary throughout Colorado, a study is examining management strategies and how they affect the age distribution of harvested bucks in three specific areas: the Gunnison Basin, the Uncompahgre Plateau, and the southern San Luis Valley. The study started in 2007 with a sampling of hunters in Game Management Units 54, 61, 62, 80 and 81. Hunters received letters requesting that they send in a tooth from harvested bucks. The teeth were examined at a laboratory in Montana to determine exact animal ages. The study will continue through the 2009 hunting seasons. The Age Distribution study received $13,000 in auction and raffle funding. Biologists are interested in evaluating whether there is an optimum buck-to-doe ratio which can maximize both hunt quality and hunter opportunity.
Light Hill Habitat Improvement Project
The Light Hill project will treat 537 acres of over-mature mountain shrub and pinyon-juniper on Light Hill in the Aspen area. The project, which received $25,000 in auction and raffle funding this year, is occurring on public land managed by the BLM. The thick and aged plants are difficult for wildlife to utilize and provide less forage for wintering big game animals.
With increasing development in the Roaring Fork Valley, big game winter range is extremely limited. Increasing the production and carrying capacity of existing winter range is the best alternative to provide for dwindling big game winter range. Providing quality winter range for deer and elk not only feeds the animals but helps keep them off nearby roads and private lands where they can cause crop and fence damage.
Organizations that auction or raffle licenses help rank and select projects funded. The organizations provide a majority of the auction or raffle proceeds to fund the wildlife projects. Some funds may be used by the wildlife conservation organizations to pay auction and raffle administrative costs and also to fund wildlife projects of the non-profit organization’s choosing.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Shikar Safari Club International
August 22, 2008Shikar Safari Club International has selected Tom Martin of Leadville, as the “Wildlife Officer of the Year” for Colorado. The organization annually presents recognition to one Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) officer who has consistently excelled.
Martin was presented the award at the August meeting of the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Martin is the District Wildlife Manager in the Leadville Area. He was nominated for the award by his supervisor, Jim Aragon of Salida.
“Throughout his 35 year career with the DOW, Tom has exemplified the multi-purpose wildlife manager. It is not just about writing tickets. Tom’s work exemplifies how sound management helps preserve and protect the state’s wildlife. This has been especially true as noted by his many accomplishments during the past several years,” said Aragon.
“Tom’s dedication to preserving open space for wildlife and creating more public outdoor recreation opportunities in Lake County have resulted in increased public access to hunt and fish in the Leadville area,” he said.
Aragon credits Martin with working with local land managers to remove old fences on critical deer and elk winter range. Identifying the possible threat to wintering deer and elk by the presence of old barbed wire fencing, he spearheaded efforts to remove the hazards.
Martin is also credited with coordinating exhaustive ground counts of the bighorn sheep and mountain goats on Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive. As a result of his efforts, the DOW determined there were more sheep and goats on the mountains than previous estimates indicated. After revaluating the numbers, a new mountain goat hunting unit was established and the number of hunting permits for bighorn sheep was increased.
“Tom put a lot of work and effort into coordinating a long-term, systematic census of the herds on two of the Colorado’s biggest mountains. And as a result, more people have an opportunity to hunt,” said Aragon.
Shikar Safari Club International presents annual awards to wildlife law enforcement officers in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces and territories. The club originally formed in 1952 to provide members an opportunity to get together and talk about their hunting experiences.
In 1966, the Shikar-Safari International Foundation was formed to support wildlife conservation projects. The organization places particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species through the enforcement of conservation laws and regulations. Note to News Editors:
Photos can be downloaded at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/apps/ImageDB/ImageDownload.aspx?ImageId=23796&ImageSize=Print&ImageType=jpg
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
One BIG thumbs up!
YOUTH SHOTGUN AND ARCHERY CLINIC IN EL PASO COUNTY
August 15, 2008Youngsters interested in the sports of archery and shotgun shooting are invited to attend a one-day free event at the Ramah State Wildlife Area Archery Range, Sat., Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities include a shotgun target fun shoot, a laser gun computerized shooting station, animal tracks ID station, a 3-D archery shoot and instruction.
All ages welcome. Boys and girls under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Activities will run continuously throughout the event.
Instructors from the DOW and trained volunteers will help youngsters learn the finer points of shooting shotguns and bows.
The DOW will furnish the equipment.
The Ramah Archery Range is located four miles west of the town of Ramah at the Ramah State Wildlife Area along U.S. Hwy 24 in northeastern El Paso County.
For more information, call 719-227-5207.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
WHERE TO GO SMALL GAME HUNTING IN EASTERN COLORADO
August 15, 2008oin the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) for a free evening seminar to explain the Walk-in Access program that provides small game hunters with places to hunt in Eastern Colorado. Learn about places to hunt in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state, with a particular focus on dove season. Biologists and wildlife managers will provide information on dove hunting, how to best use the walk-in access program, and a short update on new regulations. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
What: Small Game Hunting Access Program and Dove Hunting Seminar
When: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Where: Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect, Fort Collins – directly west of the DOW office
How: To register, please email the Division of Wildlife at Julie.kallenberger@state.co.us or call 970-472-4447.
Or
When: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Where: DOW Hunter Education Building, 6060 Broadway, Denver
How: To register, please email the Division of Wildlife at Meaghan.doyle@state.co.us or call 303-291-7386.
For more information about the Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
COLORADO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS
June 29, 2008A Colorado man with a history of wildlife violations pleaded guilty to numerous wildlife related-crimes in a New Mexico district court on June 23.
Kirt Darner, 69, of Crawford, has been convicted of wildlife violations in Colorado dating back to 1994. In 2000, Colorado Division of Wildlife officers started investigating Darner as a suspect in the theft of two bighorn sheep heads from a Montrose taxidermist. In Cibola County, N.M., on Monday, Darner pleaded guilty to transporting wild elk and receiving stolen property – specifically, the two Colorado sheep heads. At the time they were stolen, the sheep heads were estimated to be worth more than $20,000 each.
“We’ve worked on this case for more than eight years and cooperatively with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for the past three. I can’t give them or the Cibola County District Attorney’s office enough credit for their hard work and diligence.” said Eric Schaller, an investigator for the DOW. “This case also shows that the Colorado Division of Wildlife will continue to pursue these tough cases for as long as necessary.”
Darner could serve four years in jail and pay a minimum of $10,000 in fines and restitution for the New Mexico charges. A sentencing hearing has not been set. As part of the plea agreement, Darner agreed never to hunt, fish or possess a firearm again. He also is prohibited from working as a guide or outfitter in Colorado and New Mexico.
Previously, in Colorado, Darner was convicted of illegal possession of wildlife in 1994. In 1999 he was convicted of second degree tampering with evidence and careless driving in an incident in which he was serving as an outfitter. DOW officers observed Darner’s client shoot at an elk decoy in a game management unit for which the client didn’t have a license. In 2008 Darner pleaded guilty to making a false statement in order to purchase a license. He had applied for land owner vouchers with the DOW but did not own enough property to be eligible for the program.
While executing a search warrant at the Darner property in 2005, New Mexico wildlife officers discovered a desert bighorn sheep head and a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep head inside Darner’s vehicle. Further examination of the heads indicated they were the same sheep heads that were stolen from a Montrose taxidermy shop in 2000. The DOW had offered a $5,500 reward for information about the sheep-head thefts.
Darner, a nationally known big-game hunter and guide, and Paula Darner were co-owners of the 40-acre Lobo Canyon Ranch north of Grants when they were indicted in New Mexico in 2006 on 41 felony and misdemeanor charges. Among the charges, the Darners were accused of receiving stolen property and of illegally moving three state-owned elk from the Lobo Canyon Ranch to the Pancho Peaks ranch and game park in southeastern New Mexico in 2005. Charges against Paula Darner are still pending.
If you have information about a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Tips can be made anonymously and rewards are possible.
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Editors: For a photo of Kirt Darner to this web page:
http://dnr.state.co.us/ImageDBImages/23341Desktop.JPG
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
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