From celebrations and auctions to novel restrictions to protect farmers and their equipment, Saturday’s opening of Colorado pheasant season promises to be one of the most dramatic bird hunts in recent years.
As one of the elements detailed below tells us, those who participate in hunts in all four corners of the state will have opportunity to give back to the sport at four events sponsored by the conservation organization Pheasants Forever. More on that later.
Other action involves hunter-landowner relations at a time when banner pheasant numbers collide with lagging harvest conditions, a situation that prompted the Colorado Division of Wildlife to declare an unprecedented and temporary moratorium on some of its Public Walk-In location.
It involves those sprinkler corners, usually 7 acres in size, at each quarter-sections of irrigated corn.
“We’re posted these areas against hunting at those specific times when farmers are in the field,” said Ed Gorman, state small game manager, who explained that the measure is strictly a means to cultivate landowner relations.
“We had some incidents last year of hunters shooting near where farm activity was taking place,” Gorman said, pointing up not only the danger of injury but damage to expensive gear.
The concern is over a potential farmer backlash that ultimately could cost hunters access to some of the most productive hunting lands that form a centerpiece of DOW’s Walk-in program.
The good news, Gorman said, is that these decrees are in place for very short duration. They apply only when harvesting actually is taking place. It usually takes only about a day to finish an individual circle.
“The risk is losing that hunting opportunity for an entire season and spoiling future relations as well. As soon as the corn is picked, these corners will have really good hunting.”
Gorman said DOW officers will be on the prowl to write tickets.
Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post
