State seeks public input on hunting season structure

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has scheduled a series of public meetings to discuss the structure of the big game hunting seasons from 2015 through 2019.

The state says major issues that are considered during the big game season structure process include the number of seasons for each species, the overlap among different seasons, breaks between seasons and the beginning and ending dates of hunting seasons. The hunting ‘preference point’ system and totally limited elk hunting units will also be discussed as part of this process.

“This is the public’s chance to let us know what is or isn’t working for them when it comes to the current hunting season structure,” said Jim Aragon, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “This includes all stakeholders, not just hunters. We want to hear from businesses, landowners and communities too.”

Every five years, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission sets the big game season structure. This review process allows the Parks and Wildlife Commission to consider public input along with information from wildlife biologists and managers to shape the structure of deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, black bear and mountain lion seasons for the next five years.

Parks and Wildlife says Colorado’s big game hunting seasons account for a nearly $1 billion economic boost each fall to the state of Colorado. A 2008 study found that elk hunting alone pumps $295 million into the Colorado economy and supports 3,400 jobs in the state.

Meeting dates, times and locations Feb. 14 – Lamar – CPW Area Office, 2500 South Main St., 6 – 8:30 p.m. Feb. 19 – Buena Vista – Sangre de Cristo Electric Building, 29780 US Hwy 24, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Feb. 21 – Colorado Springs, CPW Regional Office, 4255 Sinton Road, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 – Pueblo – Lake Pueblo State Park Auditorium, 640 Pueblo Reservoir Road, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Feb. 28 – Walsenburg – Lathrop State Park, 70 County Road 502, 6 – 8:30 p.m.