The Colorado Wildlife Commission on Thursday gave a rousing endorsement to the landmark Big Game Access Program for southeast Colorado and tossed in a bonus: Kids hunt free.
Patterned after the walk-in program for upland game birds, the plan is designed to provide public hunting on participating private property, primarily for pronghorn and deer. As approved by the commission for the 2007 hunt season, hunters will pay $40 for a special permit to hunt land enrolled in the program. The policy group also mandated these permits will be free to anyone under age 18. The fee is designed to defray part of the expenses for leasing the land at prices that will range from 25 cents to $3 per acre, based on the quality and size of the parcel.
Officials expect enlisted property will vary from stream-bottom habitat suited for deer to grassland expanses for pronghorn. Landowners must apply by May 1 to provide adequate time to classify and identify the property for the public.
Colorado Division of Wildlife organizers are prepared to nourish the program through what is expected to be a first-year growth period. Hunters face an initial hurdle in determining where to hunt, since they must file applications for limited licenses before the first round of landowner enrollment is complete.
