A Colorado Wildlife Commission workshop Thursday in Estes Park will focus on policies and procedures related to the management of the state’s Wild Trout and Gold Medal waters. Approximately 168 miles of streams and three lakes have been designated for Gold Medal management for their ability to produce an abundant population of large fish. In addition, the policy body will hear a presentation from Vaughn Baker, superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, on plans to reduce an overpopulation of elk within the park. The meeting will be 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 101 S. St. Vrain Ave.
Gunnison feeding.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife announced it will continue its deer feeding in the Gunnison Basin until mid-April. Despite warming temperature, a dense crust of snow 2 feet deep continues to blanket much of the area. At the end of March, the agency was feeding approximately 9,100 deer at 114 sites.
Anticipating considerable deer mortality, DOW staff will recommend the number of permits for the 2008 hunting season be cut in half. License numbers will be set by the Colorado Wildlife Commission at its May 1 meeting in Grand Junction.
Whirling disease.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials announced the causative parasite of whirling disease has been detected at the Ten Sleep Fish Hatchery. Fish from the hatchery had been transferred to other units across the state, but not in the wild.
Of those transferred, trout at the Wigway and Boulder rearing units have tested positive and will be destroyed. Extent of the infection and impact on production and distribution hasn’t been determined. The testing process takes several weeks and a substantial number of samples are being processed.
Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post
