It’s turkey time.
After a series of measures including feed lures and “varmint guns” failed to provide resolution to increasingly common conflicts between farmers and wild turkeys, Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners moved the birds up on the hunters’ hit list at their monthly meeting Thursday in Burlington.
After a change in regulations by the 14-member commission, hunters will be mobilized in 2012 in an effort to thin growing flocks of “conflict turkeys” causing problems for farmers and ranchers along Colorado’s eastern plains.
Available spring licenses for bearded turkeys were boosted from 766 to 881, fall either-sex licenses increased from 501 to 526 and an unlimited late-season license for beardless turkeys will be introduced Dec. 15, 2012, through Jan. 15, 2013, for hunting private land with owner permission in units 101, 102, 112 and 113. Each season will have a bag and possession limit of two birds.
The move comes in response to the overly successful turkey reintroduction program that began in the 1980s and has since resulted in a statewide population of more than 35,000. Wild turkeys are now present in 53 of 64 counties, with some flocks of more than 200 causing problems for farmers as they eat grain from cattle feed bins, destroy hay bales and defecate long after the cows come home.
The goal is to reduce problem populations of wild turkeys by 10 to 15 percent while giving hunters an alternative to the Christmas goose.
Despite the recent decision to raise the annual hunting limit from 592 to 618, Colorado’s cougars, meanwhile, got a pardon of sorts as commissioners unanimously voted down a Citizen Petition for Rulemaking asking them to consider allowing electronic calls as an aid in hunting mountain lions.
The commission had considered the petition at one previous meeting in September, introduced under the pretext of hunter safety. But the proposition was quickly dismissed in the spirit of “fair chase” and precedent set by both the Boone and Crockett and the Pope and Young clubs, neither of which scores cougars taken with the aid of electronic calls.
Some hunters opposed to the petition questioned the precedent such an allowance might set for the take of other big game. Electronic calls are currently prohibited while hunting any big game species in Colorado.
In other action, commissioners gave final approval of changes to the state’s river outfitter regulations permitting a wider range of acceptable personal flotation devices by clients next year. Prompted by the state’s commercial float- fishing outfitters, the change allows customers to forego the “pillow-top” Type V Coast Guard-approved life vests in favor of the more streamlined Type III vests preferred by kayakers and other private boaters.
Much of Thursday’s remaining discussion focused on a presentation by a committee of landowners, sportsmen, outfitters and wildlife managers established to improve the private landowner voucher program. The committee has met for several years, debating the merits of transferable vouchers allotted to private landowners that may be sold for thousands of dollars.
The program sets aside up to 15 percent of the elk, deer and pronghorn licenses in limited game management units for qualifying landowners. With more than 7 million acres enrolled in the program, it plays a significant role in the management of Colorado’s big game.
Over the years, issues have been raised over the number of vouchers available and perceived conflicts with the state’s preference point system. Wildlife officials contend that encouraging large private landowners to protect habitat provides more hunting opportunities. Fenced-out hunters who traditionally apply for the public draw aren’t convinced.
The commission plans to consider the recommendations and solicit public testimony over the next several months before taking action.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
