In the increasingly interactive world of “new media,” feedback, be it comments, corrections, questions or suggestions, is never far away. Not even in the outdoors.
Exhibit A arrives in the form of correction via suggestion from astute readers and public information officers at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, who picked up an error in last Sunday’s column regarding the ban of electronic calls as a hunting aid in Colorado. While electronic calls are prohibited in the hunt of any big-game species in Colorado, they are allowed as an aid in the hunting of more than 15 furbearers, light geese during the conservation order season and crows. I suspect most if not all of the state’s coyote hunters were already aware of the allowance, despite my mental slip.
Perhaps more important, the discourse highlights the ongoing exchange of ideas that transpires between reader (you) and writer (me) even if I’m not always afforded the luxury of time to respond outside of this space. So in an effort to clean out the old mailbag, I’m taking this opportunity to reply to a few questions and comments.
Among those queries were follow-up questions from enthusiastic turkey hunters looking forward to the addition of an unlimited late-season hunt for beardless turkeys on private land (with permission) in Yuma and Lincoln counties from Dec. 15, 2012, through Jan. 15, 2013.
Bear in mind, that’s still a year away, although the Parks and Wildlife Commission has increased the bag limit from two turkeys per year to a more generous seasonal limit designed to encourage the late population control hunt with increased harvest. The new regulations establish a spring bag limit of two bearded turkeys (one via limited permit, one via unlimited permit), a fall bag limit of one turkey either sex, and a late bag limit of two beardless turkeys.
All of the late-season turkey tags will be sold over the counter with no applications necessary. In Yuma County, unlimited fall private land either-sex turkey permits also will be offered. In addition, the commission approved limited spring and fall turkey licenses for game management Unit 512, which is the Air Force Academy property in El Paso County. Access will be controlled by the academy.
Commentary continues in response to columns written about hunters who have mistaken moose for elk on 11 occasions this year, considered an unforgivable sin in the eyes of most outdoorsmen and hunter-haters alike. More than a few dedicated sportsmen wrote in expressing their lack of tolerance for such a flagrant mistake and suggested a lifetime ban of hunting privileges in the state. Even with fines at $10,000, the punishment, they say, is too lenient and should be increased significantly, say, in the $30,000 range.
Some attribute the mistakes to shooting in poor light, often toward the end of the day and the season. They argue that the pressure to take the shot before eating a tag can cloud reasoning during short hunting seasons. Longer seasons, they say, would help the problem.
I have to disagree. The issue to me remains a matter of ethics, and hunters who believe they would benefit from a longer season are encouraged to spend that extra time in the field without a gun. There’s still plenty to be learned, including how to play by the rules. Otherwise, the case for increased punishment is worth considering.
According to a Summit County hunter, it’s also worth considering investing in some blaze orange outerwear for anyone who likes to hike or walk the dog in the woods this time of year. As he notes, if some hunters can’t distinguish between moose and elk, there’s no promise they’re going to distinguish hikers from bears or dogs from coyotes.
Think of it like looking both ways before crossing the street. Required or not, it’s just a good idea.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
