Big game license debate takes twist
The often rancorous debate over the distribution of Colorado hunting licenses took a dramatic twist Friday with a fresh recommendation from the Big Game License Allocation Working Group.
This latest proposal delivered to the Colorado Wildlife Commission in a saga likely to find no firm resolution for months features an odd geographic twist relative to both landowner preference and the split between resident and nonresident hunters.
For starters, the committee established three zones: west of Interstate 25, east of I-25 and the cluster of high-demand game management units in northwest Colorado, 1, 2, 10 and 201.
Under this new point of discussion, landowners would receive 35 percent of all special draw licenses in the east, 18 percent in the west and 25 percent in the four exclusive units. Currently, landowners are allocated the first 15 percent of the most desirable deer, elk and antelope tags.
Using the same geographic division for residency requirement, the recommendation is Colorado residents receive 67 percent of special-application tags in the west, 85 percent in the east and 75 percent in the four northwest units.
These discussions are preliminary, subject to a series of eight public meetings scheduled across the state and continuing debate among commissioners and others in the wildlife community. Certain provisions, if enacted, likely require legislative approval.
In a separate matter, the commission heard a preliminary report regarding reform of the Ranching for Wildlife program. Discussion will continue at the board’s August meeting, with a probable resolution in September.
