SOUTHWEST COLORADO ARCHERY ELK LICENSES NOW LIMITED – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) flipped 12 over-the-counter (OTC AKA ‘unlimited’) archery elk units to draw (‘limited’) units. The changes apply to Game Management Units (GMUs) 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 711, 741, 751, and 771. Archery elk hunters in these southwest Colorado GMUs will now have to apply for these tags.
The CPW press release states:
Archery hunters will apply to hunt in a specific GMU or group of GMUs[WB1] . Previously, archery elk licenses in these units were over-the-counter either-sex tags that were not unit specific. Now, archery licenses will be broken down into unit specific limited bull, cow, and private-land-only either-sex licenses.
Why Change from Unlimited to Limited
These changes come due to concerns of declining elk population and the general hunting public observation that there were too many bowhunters in the field. On January 15, 2020, the CPW Commission moved to limit these licenses based on this knowledge. Southwest Colorado residents have been raising alarm to declining elk herds since 2015. In mid to late 2018, while elk populations in Colorado were rising, local herds in the southwest portion of the state were declining. Additionally, in 2019, 2,500 archery licenses were sold in these areas; 25% more than in 2018.
Reasons for Elk Decline
- Recent cycles of extreme winters and drought are hard on elk.
- Natural predation may be a concern due to the rising bear population and especially since the wolves are moving in. Hunting pressure during the rut has been steadily increasing.
- Population and rural development is impacting elk herds. More trails and roads cutting through the range, vehicular collision and more rural development continues to pressure elk. Including various life-cycle habitats and migration corridors.
- Count surveys show fewer and fewer calves with new clear explanation. CPW likes to see around 40 calves per 100 elk. The average dropped to about 30 calves per 100 elk in 2010. In 2019, the count was down to 17 / 100. Two studies are underway in central and southwest Colorado. Both poor and strong calving areas are being studied.
Public Input
CPW welcomes and encourages public input. Two public meetings are scheduled:
- Norwood, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m., Lone Cone library
- Durango, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds.
- Online survey:
- https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/HerdManagementPlans.aspx
- Survey deadline: Feb. 25
What has been your experience in southwest Colorado?
References for this article:
Pine River Times – Local elk herds decline; Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeks solution
