elkduds
Well-known member
This is my last meeting summary as state appointed member of the Roundtable. My appointment ended after 4 years, appointees are term limited to 2 two year terms. FYI, representatives elected by the 4 regional caucuses are not term-limited. Today I will summarize my notes from the meeting in Breckenridge. When CPW posts its official summary of the meeting, I'll post that link as well.
Chief of CO Dept. of Natural Resources Dan Gibbs attended, spoke and took questions about Outdoor Regional Partnerships. He said rather than these groups diluting hunter/angler influence, they are designed to increase emphasis on wildlife habitat in land use planning. Fielding questions and criticisms about qualifications and ideologies of 3 new appointees to CPW Board of Commissioners, Gibbs defended each and encouraged anyone w concerns to contact that Commissioner. He confirmed that all appointees are interim status until the state Senate confirmation process, which happens sometime between Jan. and April 2024 when state legislature convenes its next term. FYI, senators may refuse to confirm Commission appointees then, depending on input from their constituents. Gibbs introduced new CPW Director and hero of the Confederacy, Jeff Davis.
Davis introduced self professionally, expressed gratitude about being selected to lead "the best state wildlife agency in the country." "We're not moving away from the North American model, we're shifting to mutualistic management." RT members questioned Davis' outdoor bon fides, he is an archery hunter and angler, now learning fly fishing. He was able to retain his predecessor, interim Director Heather Disney Dugan, in a newly-created Assistant Director position.
Reid Dewalt's Wolf Reintro update: Commission approved reintroduction plan unanimously. ID and MT formally and flatly refused to supply wolves for reintro, despite direct letters to each from Director Davis (not mentioned in meeting, WY is also refusing to provide wolves for formal reintroduction). WA and OR have agreed in principle to supply wolves. Funds for wolf reintro enabled the current and most robust study of elk survival and use of habitat in CO's history. Study cohorts, each including 80 collared cows, are underway in Bear's Ears, Middle Park, South Park and the Gunnison Basin, not coincidentally the areas of expected wolf impact on elk herds. CPW's wolf pack has been busy trying to convince wildlife agencies in NM, AZ and UT that CO's wolves will not contact endangered Mexican wolves in those states. That concern among others makes it more likely that 10J rule management allowing lethal means will be approved for CO. DeWalt expressed full confidence 10J will be in place for CO wolf reintro. Wolf questions can always be directed to Reid DeWalt or Corey Lewandowski @ CPW.
BGSS hunter survey redux: Surveying continued with online and focus group sessions. With each round of surveys, the options narrow. Emerging trends in the public survey process include support for 2 separated pronghorn seasons on public lands, and limiting to residents or eliminating OTC elk licenses. Robust discussion around the state statute that among all totally limited licenses, 20% must be issued as Private Land Only. Staff reported PLO tags are issued about 50-50 to residents and NRs. Current season calendar has about 50% support, more than any of the alternatives on the survey. RT members criticized the current MSG license draw structure, noting that Many years of applying does not guarantee drawing a tag. Staff replied that the current system does offer incremental improvement in odds of being drawn, the benefit of which is diluted by the large increase in applicants for these licenses annually. A delegate shared a survey conducted by Colorado Bowhunters Assoc, which supported continuing OTC archery elk licenses.
There is a CPW working group currently considering all the above issues along with preference points, weighted draw options and other revisions to the draw process. This group may still have 2 volunteer vacancies. The group process including timeline for 3-5 formal recommendations to the Commission is detailed here:
CPW may still be seeking 2 volunteers to serve as Southeast region appointed Roundtable representatives.
From 4 years as RT delegate, these topics stand out:
Chief of CO Dept. of Natural Resources Dan Gibbs attended, spoke and took questions about Outdoor Regional Partnerships. He said rather than these groups diluting hunter/angler influence, they are designed to increase emphasis on wildlife habitat in land use planning. Fielding questions and criticisms about qualifications and ideologies of 3 new appointees to CPW Board of Commissioners, Gibbs defended each and encouraged anyone w concerns to contact that Commissioner. He confirmed that all appointees are interim status until the state Senate confirmation process, which happens sometime between Jan. and April 2024 when state legislature convenes its next term. FYI, senators may refuse to confirm Commission appointees then, depending on input from their constituents. Gibbs introduced new CPW Director and hero of the Confederacy, Jeff Davis.
Davis introduced self professionally, expressed gratitude about being selected to lead "the best state wildlife agency in the country." "We're not moving away from the North American model, we're shifting to mutualistic management." RT members questioned Davis' outdoor bon fides, he is an archery hunter and angler, now learning fly fishing. He was able to retain his predecessor, interim Director Heather Disney Dugan, in a newly-created Assistant Director position.
Reid Dewalt's Wolf Reintro update: Commission approved reintroduction plan unanimously. ID and MT formally and flatly refused to supply wolves for reintro, despite direct letters to each from Director Davis (not mentioned in meeting, WY is also refusing to provide wolves for formal reintroduction). WA and OR have agreed in principle to supply wolves. Funds for wolf reintro enabled the current and most robust study of elk survival and use of habitat in CO's history. Study cohorts, each including 80 collared cows, are underway in Bear's Ears, Middle Park, South Park and the Gunnison Basin, not coincidentally the areas of expected wolf impact on elk herds. CPW's wolf pack has been busy trying to convince wildlife agencies in NM, AZ and UT that CO's wolves will not contact endangered Mexican wolves in those states. That concern among others makes it more likely that 10J rule management allowing lethal means will be approved for CO. DeWalt expressed full confidence 10J will be in place for CO wolf reintro. Wolf questions can always be directed to Reid DeWalt or Corey Lewandowski @ CPW.
BGSS hunter survey redux: Surveying continued with online and focus group sessions. With each round of surveys, the options narrow. Emerging trends in the public survey process include support for 2 separated pronghorn seasons on public lands, and limiting to residents or eliminating OTC elk licenses. Robust discussion around the state statute that among all totally limited licenses, 20% must be issued as Private Land Only. Staff reported PLO tags are issued about 50-50 to residents and NRs. Current season calendar has about 50% support, more than any of the alternatives on the survey. RT members criticized the current MSG license draw structure, noting that Many years of applying does not guarantee drawing a tag. Staff replied that the current system does offer incremental improvement in odds of being drawn, the benefit of which is diluted by the large increase in applicants for these licenses annually. A delegate shared a survey conducted by Colorado Bowhunters Assoc, which supported continuing OTC archery elk licenses.
There is a CPW working group currently considering all the above issues along with preference points, weighted draw options and other revisions to the draw process. This group may still have 2 volunteer vacancies. The group process including timeline for 3-5 formal recommendations to the Commission is detailed here:
CPW may still be seeking 2 volunteers to serve as Southeast region appointed Roundtable representatives.
From 4 years as RT delegate, these topics stand out:
- CPW staff are professional and approachable. By and large they are outdoor sportspeople who care deeply about wildlife and habitat. They do their jobs as directed by the Commission, statutes, legislature and Governor's office, not necessarily in that order. I see wildlife and habitat management as far more politicized than it has been.
- There are local, state and national/international organizations advocating for their own agendas, with wildlife and CPW in the crosshairs. Prior to the ballot initiative ordering wolf reintroduction, the Commission was on record opposing it @ least twice. Since it is law CPW can no longer oppose it.
- While most resource managers and scientists claim to oppose wildlife management by ballot box, it is and will continue to be an increasing factor, almost entirely to the detriment of hunters, trappers and anglers, because
- Sportsmen and women have not politically organized sufficiently to counter antihunting pressures from the Humane Society, Friends of the Earth, PETA, and other professionally organized and well-funded antihunting groups.
