Chapter 2 - Big Game



FILING - 01/30/2013

Basis and Purpose

Chapter 2 - Big Game

Basis and Purpose:

These regulations amend Chapter 2 – Big Game – of the Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulations and implement 2013 bighorn sheep and mountain goat license numbers. These regulations are designed to manage statewide big game herds at 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. These modifications 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, the following substantive changes have been made:

GENERAL ISSUES:

Youth Outreach Program

The Youth Outreach Program was approved in 2007 to encourage non-government organizations (NGOs) to provide more mentored hunting experiences for youth. NGOs have not participated in the program to the extent desired citing conflicts with open season dates and too great an administrative burden with paperwork as the primary reasons for lack of participation. These regulations intend to lessen the burden on NGOs who wish to participate in the program.

Wounded Warrior Licenses on Military Installations

Wounded Warrior licenses were established to provide hunting opportunities for servicemen and women who were severely injured during combat and combat-related support operations. License allocations and the number of preference points required on many of the military installations in the state previously did not meet the license requirements necessary to allow hunting under the Wounded Warrior program. These regulations amend the program to allow such licenses on military installations at the discretion of the applicable Regional Manager.

Auction and Raffle Archery Hunter Orange Requirement

According to current regulations, auction and raffle (AR) license holders are allowed to hunt extended seasons and with relaxed method of take regulations. An AR deer, elk, or pronghorn license can be valid with any legal method of take during an archery season and all AR licenses are valid when no other seasons are open provided the season has started in that particular unit. Due to the fact that their license is valid for any legal method, an AR hunter (except for sheep and goat) using archery equipment would previously be required to wear daylight fluorescent orange during archery season when no other archery or September bear license holders were required to do so. This was a technicality of the existing regulations and was not an intended restriction. These regulations exempt AR hunters from the daylight orange requirements when hunting with archery equipment when no rifle seasons are open.

Special Management Hunts for Bighorn Sheep and Rocky Mountain Goat

Previous regulations provided for the establishment of special sheep and goat management licenses under two instances: 1) To prevent the exposure of wild sheep or goats to disease from contact with domestic livestock; and 2) To prevent expansion of wild sheep or goats outside established GMUs. Respiratory disease is a major limiting factor for Colorado bighorn sheep. Major disease-related, all-age die-offs have occurred in many of Colorado’s herds including Main Canyon (S75), Tarryall (S27)/Kenosha Mountains (S23), Alamosa Canyon (S29), Big Thompson Canyon (S57), and Trickle Mountain (S10). Although these licenses are useful in preventing disease exposure, the regulations did not previously provide an opportunity to obtain information on diseases present in the herd, or allow the management of a herd that has already been exposed to disease. The types of diseases associated with an outbreak could impact the most effective management strategies. This information is usually obtained by targeted surveillance using live capture and testing. This method is employed annually in many herds throughout Colorado and is very effective in obtaining a disease profile of a given herd. It is very expensive, particularly in areas of low population density. These regulations intend to improve CPW disease management efforts through targeted surveillance using hunter harvest to obtain a disease profile of a given sheep or goat herd. These licenses are intended to provide important disease information in a manner that minimizes expense with the added benefit of providing hunter opportunity, as well as help mitigate disease risk in wild un-hunted sheep populations.

BIGHORN SHEEP:

Lower Poudre (S58) Bighorn Sheep Hunting

Previously, there were three units open to hunting in RBS-1 (S1, S18 and S40) and one unit closed to hunting (S58). While S58 has struggled with a decade of zero lamb recruitment, in 2010 eighteen bighorn sheep from S32 were moved into what was vacant sheep habitat in S58 as part of a larger study to evaluate impacts of sheep density on recruitment/lamb survival. Observed fall bighorn numbers have at least doubled (+30) since the release. This puts S58 at a population level similar to S40 and likely larger than S18. The new RBS-1 DAU plan outlines managing for a DAU herd population objective of 160 bighorns. While the RBS-1 estimate is currently below that objective, opening S58 to hunting (both ewe/ram) is needed in order to manage towards that objective. Opening S58 is also intended to provide additional hunting opportunity, help keep DAU and sub-herd bighorn densities at levels to reduce disease transmission/extra-range movements, and is in keeping with off-take rates for both rams and ewes outlined in the Colorado Bighorn Sheep Management Plan.

Mt. Silverheels (S39) Archery Season

Sheep unit S39 was the result of a transplant in the 1980s and was first open to hunting in 2010 with one rifle ram license. Bighorn sheep numbers are now estimated at 75+ with a stable to increasing trend. During a helicopter survey in August 2012, 30 rams were observed indicating additional hunting opportunity could be supported. Although ram numbers could support more harvest, concentrated ram distribution would likely result in hunter crowding if license numbers were increased in a single season. As a result, these regulations add an archery season to complement the existing rifle season in S39.

Cochetopa Canyon (S69) Archery Season

Over the past five years, the S69 (Cochetopa Canyon) bighorn sheep population has noticeably increased, and was estimated at 80 animals post-hunt 2011. For several years, 1 rifle ram license has been allocated, which like most Colorado bighorn licenses, is highly sought after. Although these sheep move a considerable distance between summer and winter ranges, their overall range is limited by the availability of escape terrain within Cochetopa Canyon. Bighorn tend to show strong fidelity to certain areas within the Canyon and are often found in large groups. Rams tend to be segregated from the ewe/lamb groups during the September rifle season, but are commonly found in one or two larger groups of 10 or more. The relatively small summer/fall range of these sheep, paired with localized concentration of ram groups makes it challenging to add rifle licenses without creating crowding issues between multiple hunters. This herd is, at present, capable of accommodating additional hunting opportunity, with an archery season being a logical option. An earlier archery season is intended to provide this opportunity while negating the potential for conflicts between multiple rifle hunters.

Cow Creek/Wetterhorn Peak/Lake Fork/Pole Mountain (S21 and S33) Bighorn Sheep Management

A final management plan for RBS-21 (GMUs S-21 & S-33) was approved by the Parks and Wildlife Commission in April of 2012. Based primarily on the concern for interaction between wild and domestic sheep, an alternative was selected to manage for a stable population and stable distribution across the DAU. A substantial amount of harvest, both for rams and ewes, is required to maintain this herd at its current level, based on a population estimate of 400-450 animals. These regulations adjust seasons and license numbers, and are intended to help achieve the target harvest while minimizing hunter crowding.

BEAR:

Eastern Plains (B-99) Bear Licenses

Previously, bear licenses on the eastern plains were available over the counter with caps. In recent years, bear conflicts on the eastern plains GMUs have increased, with eastward movement of bears magnified in food shortage years. The Division does not intend to manage for high densities of bears in this area. These regulations make bear licenses in this area available over the counter with no limit, and also allow hunters to hold any number of bear licenses in this area. The intent of these regulations is to allow liberal hunter harvest of bears in an area of the state where bear management objectives are for minimal numbers of bears.

Private-Land-Only Bear Seasons in GMUs 58, 581, 59, 511 and 591 (B2)

The Colorado Springs metro area is on the eastern border of this DAU. Pueblo is on the southeastern corner and Canon City in on the southern side. One of the primary management issues in this DAU is human-bear conflicts, especially in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park and the towns on Highway 24 between the two cities (GMUs 59 and 511). Human-bear conflicts, some receiving national media attention, have increased significantly in recent years. Previous regulatory action has been taken intending to target hunter harvest near urban areas. However, much of this DAU is private land. A private-land-only season is intended to increase pressure on private lands in order to encourage high harvest rates near urban areas without significantly increasing the density of hunters on public lands.

MOUNTAIN LION:

Mountain Lion Statewide April (Early) Season

The regular mountain lion season opens annually the day after the last day of the 4th big game rifle season. The season closes on March 31 or within select game management units (GMUs) upon the date that the harvest limit quota is filled, whichever occurs earliest. Most GMUs remain open throughout the season because the harvest limit quotas are not met during the course of the season. Lions are managed on the basis of Data Analysis Units (DAUs) with harvest objectives set for the entire DAU. Quotas are designed to geographically distribute hunters and harvest across DAUs but also to optimize hunting opportunity within harvest objectives and management thresholds. In most DAUs harvest is below objectives and thus quotas are set in order to provide ample opportunity for hunting recreation and objective achievement. This April (early) season is intended to allow hunting throughout the month of April. The annual mountain lion license year is April 1 - March 31. Hence, a hunter will have to purchase a new annual license beginning April 1, and bag and possession limits for that license are applicable throughout the license year. The overall intent of extending the mountain lion season through the end of April is two-fold. First, to assist in achieving harvest objectives for the various Data Analysis Units where harvest has remained below objectives. Second, to allow additional hunting opportunity during the month of April in units where the established quota remained unfilled through the end of March and not to otherwise increase the taken of mountain lion beyond acceptable levels of take for any mountain lion DAU in Colorado.

DEER:

GMU 51

GMUs 391 and 461 are primarily private land while GMU 51 contains a more significant portion of public land that receives significant hunting pressure, especially in the Hayman Burn area in the SW corner of that unit. During the rifle season GMU 51 is managed separately from GMUs 391 and 461. Archery antlered deer harvest and hunter pressure have been significantly higher in GMU 51 than in 391 and 461. In order to manage harvest more effectively, GMU 51 has been separated From 391 and 461 during the archery and muzzleloading seasons, identical to hunt management during the rifle seasons. This modification is intended to allow wildlife managers the ability to better manage hunter distribution and maintain population objectives throughout the DAU.

Elimination of Antlerless Deer Hunting in North Park (D3)

The North Park deer herd has been under objective for six years in a row, and does not appear to be increasing despite conservative license numbers and reduction in both buck and doe licenses the past four years. There were no rifle antlerless deer licenses in North Park from the mid 1990s until 2002. Beginning in 2002 rifle antlerless deer licenses were initiated in an effort to address overbrowsed deer winter range in Wyoming, where a large number of D-3 deer winter. The number of deer classified in North Park during winter flights has been decreasing for many years. Interestingly there is ample winter range in North Park to support a much greater number of deer. However, those deer move through this habitat to winter on range north of the Colorado border. The state of Wyoming is currently in the process of improving range conditions for mule deer in the North Platte Valley through their “mule deer initiative.” As such, Colorado and Wyoming will be working cooperatively to manage deer on both sides of the border with the goal of restoring this herd. Consequently, antlerless licenses in this herd have been discontinued.

Antlerless Deer Hunting in the Gunnison Basin (GMUs 66 and 67)

The mule deer herds in the Gunnison Basin are slowly recovering following the severe winter of 2007-08. The post-hunt population estimate in D-25 was approximately 5,300, which is within the current (2007) DAU plan objective. The D-25 DAU plan is currently being revised, but it is likely that the future population objective will be similar to the current estimate. Mule deer buck licenses are highly sought after in the Gunnison Basin, and no antlerless hunts were previously available. Providing a limited number of antlerless licenses during the regular rifle seasons is intended to create big game hunting opportunity and promote recruitment and retention. There has traditionally been fairly high demand for antlerless licenses in the Gunnison area, thus separate regular and youth only hunt codes have been implemented in order to guarantee some opportunity for youth hunters.

Private-Land-Only Antlered Deer Seasons in Boulder Creek (GMUs 29 and 38)

In the Boulder Creek deer herd, deer densities and buck:doe ratios are lower on public lands relative to private lands and open space. The current deer distribution and disparity in herd composition between public lands with private lands and open space is a concern for several reasons. Higher deer densities on private lands result in more human-deer conflicts such as vehicle collisions and property damage. The public has also voiced that they perceive that higher deer densities are attracting predators into residential areas creating a public safety issue. High deer densities and sex ratios on private lands and open space are also a concern due to the high observed prevalence rate of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in D-27, and the fact that older age class buck deer have the highest CWD prevalence rates. In addition, the lack of deer hunting and harvest on private lands and open space has hindered the achievement of the herd composition objective set by the current DAU plan. The strategy to meet the herd composition and population objectives has been to increase the number of antlered and antlerless seasons and licenses. This strategy is working towards the population objective, but more licenses, and therefore more hunters, have reduced the number of deer on public lands. This has resulted in significant hunting pressure on public lands, and hunters are concerned with overcrowding and the difficulty in locating deer. A recent D-27 survey found that the public felt that there is an overabundance of deer on private lands and not enough deer on public. D10, the neighboring DAU to the north, was facing the same situation roughly a decade ago. In 2005, a PLO antlered season was established and the issues were successfully resolved. The intent of this season is identical--to distribute deer from private land to public, and to address concerns voiced by the public.

Special Hunt Boundaries in GMUs 33, 41, 85 and 104

Special hunt boundaries have been established in these GMUs in an ongoing effort to address deer that are increasingly inhabiting areas near towns. Deer conflicts in these areas have been increasing for many years, and other management attempts have addressed the issue. However, more management of these deer is necessary to mitigate the conflicts near urban areas. These regulations are intended to focus hunting pressure in the target areas without increasing harvest and hunter crowding in non-target areas within each GMU.

Private-Land-Only Antlerless Season-Choice Hunt in GMU 96

In an effort to encourage more doe harvest on private lands, Private-Land-Only (PLO) Season Choice antlerless licenses were established in GMU 96 in 2009. Although these licenses have been successful in increasing doe harvest by 41 percent, more antlerless harvest is needed in specific areas in GMU 96 on private land to adequately maintain this DAU at or below population objective. Recent increases in the number of game damage claims east of Highway 71 in GMU 96 has prompted staff to issue an increasing number of game damage licenses and PLO Season Choice antlerless licenses in an attempt to target high deer concentrations on private land in GMU 96. However, limited access on private lands inherently distributes hunters into lower deer density areas, which is counter-productive to the goal of reducing deer numbers in high concentration areas. This season is intended to focus more antlerless hunting pressure where needed east of Highway 71.

Season-Choice Whitetail-Only (WTO) Deer Licenses in GMUs 89, 90 and 95

In an effort to address the concerns about the expanding white-tailed deer population on the eastern plains, the Division created special WTO hunting licenses that are currently being issued in many GMUs throughout the eastern plains to manage white-tailed deer numbers. In northeastern Colorado, Season Choice WTO deer licenses are used to address whitetail deer numbers in Data Analysis Units (DAU) D-54 and D-55 which are south of the South Platte River. Season Choice WTO licenses were issued to provide more season and hunter flexibility, increase the harvest of white-tailed deer, and minimize their further expansion into traditional mule deer habitats in those DAUs. Game Management Units (GMUs) 89, 90, and 95 are part of the North Tablelands DAU (D-05) which lies north of the South Platte River in northeast Colorado. DAU D-05 is primarily high plains habitat favored by mule deer and over the past several years Area personnel have seen an increasing number of whitetail deer in GMU’s 89, 90, and 95. These regulations are intended to address the expanding whitetail numbers north of the South Platte River in DAU D-05.

Season-Choice Whitetail-Only (WTO) Deer Licenses in GMUs 93, 97, 98, 99 and 100

In 2011, Season Choice whitetail-only (WTO) licenses were issued in DAUs D-54 to reduce white-tailed deer numbers in this area. Previously in D-54, these licenses were only valid in GMU’s 93, 97, 98, and 100, with GMU 99 on the west end being excluded. In DAU D-54, which is primarily high plains habitat favored by mule deer, the management goal has been to suppress white-tailed deer numbers and manage the DAU for mule deer. To achieve this goal, these regulations intend to apply whitetail deer suppression throughout the DAU. In addition, offering these licenses as an additional (List B) license is intended to allow hunters the ability to obtain an additional antlered license to provide additional antlered hunting opportunity while maximizing whitetail deer harvest across the DAU.

ELK:

Unfilled Antlerless Youth Licenses

In 2000, the then Wildlife Commission approved the regulation which allowed any youth hunter with an unfilled cow or either sex license to hunt in Game Management Units (GMUs) with late antlerless elk seasons, regardless of which unit the license was originally allocated. As many elk Data Analysis Units (DAUs) approach long term population objectives across the state, the Division is evaluating the management tools that have been used to achieve these long-term objectives including late seasons, list B licenses, and youth hunting during late seasons. Antlerless elk seasons in December and January were originally created to help manage growing elk populations. These late seasons are an effective management tool because elk concentrate in large groups on winter ranges and are more vulnerable to hunter harvest with high success. For this reason, the late season hunts have become very popular with the public and many require preference points to draw a license. However, as DAUs approach long-term objectives the potential for youth harvest to be additional to the annual cow harvest objectives set for these seasons is becoming problematic. Many youth have taken advantage of this opportunity by hunting cow elk during the late seasons after purchasing a leftover license, list B license, Over-the-counter (OTC) archery, or a license from an undersubscribed GMU. Indications are that a disproportionate number of youth hunters are participating in late season hunts in DAUs across the state with unfilled cow or E/S licenses that were valid in units other than the DAU with the late season. Based on field contacts with youth hunters in the NW Region, many never hunted the GMU in which the license was originally allocated, but instead, acquire an OTC, list B license, or a license from an undersubscribed unit with the intent of only hunting in a DAU with a late season. As license numbers decrease, the increased pressure caused by the unfilled youth license program makes controlled management of elk populations increasingly difficult. These regulations account for that harvest by restricting the unfilled youth license program to the DAU in which the license was originally valid. The Division remains committed to providing ample quality opportunities for youth hunters. Along with many other efforts, the ability for youth to hunt a late elk season with an unfilled antlerless or either-sex elk license has been successful in helping near or reach elk management objectives in many areas of the state. While these regulations do not eliminate that opportunity entirely, the Division recognizes that they significantly restrict it. As such, the Division will continue to explore future opportunities for increased youth participation in conjunction with management goals.

Antlerless Elk Licenses List A in GMU 20

From 1997 to 2007, management efforts were directed at reducing the population size of the elk herd in GMU 20 in order to achieve the DAU population objective of 2400 elk. To meet the population objectives, the number of cow elk harvested increased by increasing the number of cow elk seasons and licenses. In addition, cow elk licenses were moved from List A designation to List B designation. The above management strategy proved effective as the population began to decline towards the objective in 1999 and has hovered near the objective since 2006. As such, additional (List B) antlerless licenses are no longer necessary for management purposes in this GMU.

Northwest Region First and Fourth Season Either-Sex Elk Licenses Returning to Bull/Cow-Specific

Either sex licenses were established in a variety of GMU groupings/hunt codes in the first and fourth rifle seasons in as a means of increasing cow harvest when populations were above objective. These either sex licenses and other measures have been successful in reducing the number of elk in E2 and E6. These either sex licenses were intended to sunset when the population returned to objective. Either sex licenses have been popular with the sporting public. However, adding specified sex hunt codes or replacing either sex hunt codes with specified sex hunt codes will generate additional license opportunity for hunters as license allocations for these DAU decline due to achieving the population objective. Either sex licenses have already been replaced with specified sex licenses in the Grand Mesa (2010) and Yellow Creek (2011) DAUs within the NW Region.

Elimination of the Late Antlerless Elk Season in GMU 21

Two years ago, in an effort to address historic and chronic game damage issues caused by elk on private land hay fields along the White River, a late season December hunt code was established in GMU 21. This hunt mirrored an existing late season hunt code valid for GMU 10. The original intent of the late season in GMU 21 was to prevent elk from using GMU 21 as a refuge when hunting pressure during the late season in GMU 10 forced elk to cross the White River. Significant reductions to elk populations in GMU 10 have greatly reduced winter game damage problems in GMU 21. As a result, there were only 5 licenses issued for the December 2011 and 2012 late seasons in GMU 21. Due to elk distribution, hunters that drew these licenses the past two years were forced to hunt the interior portions of GMU 21 and harvesting resident elk. In addition, members of the public have expressed concerns about low cow elk numbers in GMU 21. These regulations remove this hunt.

Antlerless Elk Seasons in GMUs 25 and 26

Antlerless elk licenses in GMUs 25 and 26 for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rifle seasons have been over-the-counter (OTC) with caps since 2003. Prior to 2003, each of these GMUs had limited antlerless licenses. The OTC with caps licenses were established to alleviate game damage issues and achieve cow harvest. However, now that E6 is within its population objective and game damage issues are no longer prevalent in GMUs 25 and 26, the cap has been reduced from 2,000 licenses in 2003 to 500 licenses in 2011 and 2012. These regulations revert seasons in these GMUs to more traditional licenses available through the draw.

Antlerless Elk Season in GMU 32

Fourth Season antlerless harvest was unintentionally eliminated from this GMU when Fourth Season either-sex elk licenses were eliminated for 2012. These regulations reinstate antlerless harvest during fourth season with cow-specific licenses.

Elimination of Late Antlerless Elk Season in GMU 40, 58, 581 and 59

Antlerless elk late season hunts were established in these GMUs when populations were over objective as a way to increase female harvest. Since the hunt codes were established, the populations have declined to population objective and are no longer necessary for meeting female harvest objectives. As such, these seasons have successfully served their purpose, and these regulations eliminate them.

Private-Land-Only Season in GMU 511

GMU 511 is located in Park and Teller Counties northwest of Colorado Springs. Although the US Forest Service manages the majority of the GMU (61%), most of the rest of the GMU is in private ownership (37%). The private ownership is concentrated on the southern and eastern portions of the unit north of Highway 24 and west of I-25. Private landowners in the GMU have been experiencing game damage caused by elk. In response, CPW has issued game damage/distribution licenses in the GMU for the 2012-13 big game season. These regulations establish an antlerless elk season in order to provide private landowners with a tool to disperse elk from their properties.

PRONGHORN:

Reopening of GMUs 551 and 66 to Pronghorn Hunting

The winter of 2007-2008 was severe across much of western Colorado, with particularly severe conditions in the Gunnison Basin. As a result, the pronghorn population in A-23 (GMU’s 66, 67, & 551) was estimated to have been reduced by at least 50% basin-wide, with exceptionally high mortality observed in GMUs 551 & 66. With the goal of expediting population recovery in these units, CPW coordinated three separate trap and transplant efforts over the course of three winters, moving a total of 227 animals from eastern Colorado to GMUs 551 and 66. These transplants have created a situation in which limited hunting opportunity is now available.

GMU 97 Late Season

Pronghorn doe hunting has been closed in PH4 since 2005 to address low pronghorn numbers and increase the population to objective. Currently, the population is within the population objective range of 550–650. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of pronghorn damage complaints from landowners in GMU 97. The Division has also documented an overall increasing number of pronghorn in that unit over the past few years. Population estimates indicate that the population can sustain some limited harvest of females while remaining within objective. Historic pronghorn doe hunting in GMU 97 occurred during the regular pronghorn rifle season which occurs in early October. However, pronghorn damage primarily occurs during the winter and complaints typically begin in early December. These regulations establish a late-season pronghorn doe huntcode in GMU 97. The intent of this season is to provide additional pronghorn hunting opportunity that coincides with the time period when pronghorn damage begins to occur, in order to address landowner complaints without additional female harvest.

Late Season Date Extension in PH12

Recent population estimates suggest PH-12 is over the long-term objective of 1,100-1,350 pronghorn. While substantial license increases and the addition of a late, nine-day, doe rifle season have helped to slow the growth of this population, these regulations extend that season in order to help manage the population to objective.

Pronghorn Hunting No Longer PLO in GMU 9 and 191

GMU 9 and 191 pronghorn seasons have historically been private land only because huntable pronghorn habitat in those GMUs has been essentially all on private land. The exception to this would be the small (~12) herd of pronghorn that are often found on Middle Cherokee SWA. Currently while on the SWA, these animals are unavailable for legal rifle harvest. Recent discussions with the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County land management agencies have indicated the strong likelihood of some level of public hunting access on one or both of these public properties beginning in 2013 (Soapstone Open Space and Red Mountain Ranch Open Space). CPW has been an advocate in these discussions for allowing some level of public pronghorn hunting on these properties. Removal of the PLO designation from this licenses has been done in preparation for this opportunity.

PLO Pronghorn Hunting in GMUs 130 and 146

Pronghorn DAU PH-13 is currently over the long-term population objective, with a 2011 post hunt population estimate of 3,300 animals and a population target objective of 1,550 animals. For the 2012 hunting seasons, CPW combined PH-13’s GMU’s into three hunt code groupings for all pronghorn rifle seasons in order to give hunters more flexibility to harvest pronghorn, and to reduce the number of PH-13 hunt codes. While the majority of landownership is private in PH-13, public land exists on the Comanche National Grasslands in this DAU. In order to maintain hunt quality on public land as well as to encourage greater private land pronghorn harvest in those GMU’s, these regulations implement PLO hunt codes for the regular October rifle season and the late December (1-31) rifle season.

MOOSE:

Mandatory Moose Incisor Tooth Extraction

Mandatory inspection and CWD testing are required for all harvested moose. These regulations add a requirement that incisors or all harvested moose must be extracted and retained by CPW at the time of the mandatory check. This is intended to allow cementum aging of all harvested moose. Total statewide harvest is currently around 150 moose annually. Age can be an important metric for evaluating harvested animals. Of particular interest to managers are the age of harvested animals with different harvest intensities and the trend in age of harvested animals over time. Hunters are also often interested in the age of the animals they harvest. Incisors are not typically included in any taxidermy. The bottom jaw, where incisors are located, is not included in European mounts. Moose incisor teeth were previously collected voluntarily in M-1 (North Park), M-2 (Poudre and Laramie Rivers), and M-3 (Middle Park). These DAUs make up the majority of the statewide harvest.

Antlered Moose Hunting in GMUs 12, 23 and 24

In January 2009 and 2010, the Division began a two-year moose reintroduction project in the White River drainage, east of Meeker in an effort to establish a self-sustaining moose population in the White River drainage. It is estimated there are approximately 100 - 125 moose in the White River drainage as of the summer 2012. The transplant and subsequent monitoring through 2011 was funded entirely by sportsmen through Auction & Raffle funds. From the project’s inception, the commitment was made to manage this population proactively through sport harvest. The White River moose population has been increasing, with good reproduction in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The moose are pioneering throughout the expected available habitat and the population is increasing in size. Previous moose translocations have indicated that it is important to initiate harvest early to successfully manage the population well below carrying capacity. These regulations implement limited antlered moose hunting opportunity in these GMUs.

Antlerless Moose Hunting in GMUs 41, 42, 411, 421, 52, and 421

In January 2005, the Colorado Division of Wildlife began a multi-year moose reintroduction project on the Grand Mesa, east of Grand Junction in an effort to establish a self-sustaining population of moose on the Grand Mesa. From the project’s inception, the commitment was made to manage this population proactively through sport harvest. The Grand Mesa moose population has been increasing, with consistently high levels of twinning every year. The moose are pioneering throughout the expected available habitat and the population is increasing in size. Previous moose translocations have indicated that it is important to initiate harvest early to successfully manage the population well below carrying capacity. Antlered moose hunting was established in these GMUs in 2009 and nine bulls have been harvested on ten licenses. In an effort to manage this population in the most effective manner and to continue to improve moose hunting opportunity in Colorado, these regulations institute antlerless moose harvest in these GMUs.

Antlerless Moose Hunting in GMUs 39, 46, 49, 500 and 501

In 2011 the first moose hunt occurred in GMUs 39, 46, 49, 500 and 501 as a result of moose establishing resident populations within these GMUs. A hunt code was created for antlered moose only, but after a successful hunt last year and an apparent increasing population trend there is support to create a hunt code for cow moose also. There is limited population data for moose in these units due to the difficulty of estimating moose populations and the lack of a successful inventory method. Moose densities are currently low in these GMUs in comparison to well-established populations in Northern Colorado. However, moose populations that are not harvested have the ability to increase rapidly with available suitable habitat. Record keeping of incidental observations and roadkills have indicated an increase of moose in recent years. The Division believes that current moose numbers are adequate to support limited cow moose hunting opportunity in the area along with the already established bull moose hunt code.

Separation of Antlered Moose Hunting in GMUs 66 and 67

In 2009, GMU 67 was included with the previously existing antlered moose hunt in GMU 66. Despite this change, all harvest has continued to come from unit 66. The number of moose in both of these units has been increasing, and both units are capable of sustaining limited bull harvest on an annual basis. Splitting the units and establishing two separate hunt codes is intended to focus hunts on each individual GMU.

The primary statutory authority for these regulations can be found in § 24-4-103, C.R.S., and the state Wildlife Act, §§ 33-1-101 to 33-6-209, C.R.S., specifically including, but not limited to: §§ 33-1-106, C.R.S.

EFFECTIVE DATE - THESE REGULATIONS SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE MARCH 2, 2013 AND SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL REPEALED, AMENDED OR SUPERSEDED.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO THIS 10th DAY OF JANUARY, 2013.

APPROVED:

John W. Singletary

Chairman

ATTEST:

Mark Smith

Secretary

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