https://coloradosun.com/2023/06/11/cpw-hunting-license-cuts-economic-impact/

I mean, depends on why they are cutting the number of tags. If the animals are being over harvested, then this makes sense and sucks for those that go out there, but it would be for the longterm benefit of the herd.

Now, if it is just some anti-hunter got in charge and wants to save the furry creatures, bad mojo.

But really, if there are that many fewer licenses, the landowner tags will go up significantly. May not be a wash, but those that get those tags will recoup at least some of the money by being able to sell them for more. Supply and demand...

Couple thoughts on this.

-I support the tag reductions 100%. Most the winter kill was north of Hamilton from what I have seen via roads, helicopters and planes. It was bad, but the tag reduction was needed. Protect the resource, it will bounce back.

-Meeker and Craig will do 'okay'. People will still come hunt. I get emails nearly everyday from people asking about local knowledge and logistics and such. The amount of email traffic and phone calls is no different than years past. Yes, those businesses 'could' lose a ton of money, but its not like no one is going to show up. Being in the heart of OTC units, people will still come and even with a 5 day season.

-There is still secondary draw next week and I am pretty sure all of those will get picked up.

-While I feel for the local businesses, you always have to have these kinds of years in the back of your mind and prepare. Just part of this kind of business. I have my house rented 3 of the 4 rifle seasons and will have no trouble for cow hunts. Not as strong demand, but I think being 4+ months out and booked is pretty reasonable.

-Same comments were made in 2017(I think) for that winter. The herds will recover, that I am sure of.

TheEyeGuy said:

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I mean, depends on why they are cutting the number of tags. If the animals are being over harvested, then this makes sense and sucks for those that go out there, but it would be for the longterm benefit of the herd.

Now, if it is just some anti-hunter got in charge and wants to save the furry creatures, bad mojo.

But really, if there are that many fewer licenses, the landowner tags will go up significantly. May not be a wash, but those that get those tags will recoup at least some of the money by being able to sell them for more. Supply and demand...

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It was to protect the herds based on the aerial flights and road kill numbers observed by CPW. It was the right call.

Is it a blanket policy, or just the zones that were hit the hardest by the harsh winter? The real kicker will be if the number of tags is ever raised again. I am going to bet on no, otherwise what are all those wolves going to eat when they bring them back?

Hoyt Ag said:

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Couple thoughts on this.

-I support the tag reductions 100%. Most the winter kill was north of Hamilton from what I have seen via roads, helicopters and planes. It was bad, but the tag reduction was needed. Protect the resource, it will bounce back.

-Meeker and Craig will do 'okay'. People will still come hunt. I get emails nearly everyday from people asking about local knowledge and logistics and such. The amount of email traffic and phone calls is no different than years past. Yes, those businesses 'could' lose a ton of money, but its not like no one is going to show up. Being in the heart of OTC units, people will still come and even with a 5 day season.

-There is still secondary draw next week and I am pretty sure all of those will get picked up.

-While I feel for the local businesses, you always have to have these kinds of years in the back of your mind and prepare. Just part of this kind of business. I have my house rented 3 of the 4 rifle seasons and will have no trouble for cow hunts. Not as strong demand, but I think being 4+ months out and booked is pretty reasonable.

-Same comments were made in 2017(I think) for that winter. The herds will recover, that I am sure of.

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This x1,000. Spot on.

Get rid of OTC hunting.

Phase out PPs by weighing PPs heavier in an all draw system.

Move fully to the NM model.

Fewer people in the woods. Better success rates.

BUT. Less cash cow for F&G depts. Money talks and I doubt they will make the changes needed until it's nearly too late.

It's only certain units. They have been reducing tags slowly for better quality and herd control, some units I feel it is justified and have no issue with it.

https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2023/05/11/winter-in-the-northwest-big-game-hunting-license-impacts/amp/

The wolves are being released in Vail area, not in the NW as originally proposed but we still get them from Wyoming quite a bit.

TikkaShooter said:

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Get rid of OTC hunting.

Phase out PPs by weighing PPs heavier in an all draw system.

Move fully to the NM model.

Fewer people in the woods. Better success rates.

BUT. Less cash cow for F&G depts. Money talks and I doubt they will make the changes needed until it's nearly too late.

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And then your back to only residents and guides controlling the hunting. At this point big game hunting in NM is basically Texas high fence hunting except instead of high fences and private land, it's guides and the state.

Reduced economic benefit and interest in hunting.

And horrible for people like me who have invested in the equipment and gear and sweat equity to DIY.

Hoyt - where are you based out of? I mentioned in the Western thread but I hunt 4/441 and we have decided to cancel this season and I think maybe a guy and his daughter are going to go up since they were the only ones to get tags.

What about Walden?

Don't see them mentioned. What set's them apart from others?

Meeker

No clue. I am not real familiar with that area.

TheEyeGuy said:

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But really, if there are that many fewer licenses, the landowner tags will go up significantly.

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Is that even accurate???

Anyone who doesn't support the tag cut back is misinformed or hasn't read any of the publications or stats on it. Seems like a few people in this thread that just aren't familiar with the situation.

I only drove through that area once on my way back from Vernal, UT early spring and saw enough first had in one drive to realize the impact.


These small towns should be applauding the tag restriction for the sale of their longevity and not being short sighted. Also need to prepare for it to be a longer reduction than just a year. Think I've heard potentially 5.

Our numbers went down by little over half on vouchers. But the price went up.

meggy09 said:

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TheEyeGuy said:

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But really, if there are that many fewer licenses, the landowner tags will go up significantly.

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Is that even accurate???

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I'm talking what the landowner can charge, just to be clear. But, yeah, if there's a significant decrease in the number of tags available, those that are should be worth more. Maybe not enough to offset the loss but it should buffer it some, at least

Wyoming saying up to 80% mortality on mule deer in some areas.

Colorado does a good job in wildlife management and is considered the best Western State for hunter opportunity. If they are reducing tags it's for a dang good reason. In this case, it's specific to the northwest corner of Colorado due to high winter mortality. Tags are the same in other areas of the state.

Exactly! Tikka is clueless of the long term consequences of his idea!

False.

OTC hunting in CO is a joke.

CO F&G is sacrificing many, many units and the quality of big game hunting all for the sake of non res OTC tag purchases. It's their cash cow.

And what do hunters get in return for their tag, drive to CO, sweat equity, hard work, etc?

They get poorly managed big game populations that are terribly over hunted, all while tromping through the woods with thousands of other orange clad "hard core back pack hunters" who are "going deeper than the road hunter" bc that's what they saw on YouTube.

But they didn't see/read/understand that CO F&G doesn't care about their success rate or the quality of their hunt or the mgmt of big game populations. No no. Just sell as many tags as possible and load up on that cash money.

They got to hunt.

Pretty sure anyone doing an over the counter hunt understands the odds (they are posted online for all to see) and are excited for the opportunity to experience time in field. The beauty of Colorado is they have many opportunity hunts and ALSO have many draw-only hunts.

The opposite management strategies in states like Nevada and Utah are basically once in a lifetime hunts now for a decent draw unit as they take 15+ years of points and then enforce a 5 year waiting period. Even Wyoming is getting to 4+ years to draw a general elk tag.

I would rather have a 10% chance to harvest an elk and hunt every year than hunt once every 10 years for a 50% chance to kill one.

To each their own I guess

TikkaShooter said:

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False.

OTC hunting in CO is a joke.

CO F&G is sacrificing many, many units and the quality of big game hunting all for the sake of non res OTC tag purchases. It's their cash cow.

And what do hunters get in return for their tag, drive to CO, sweat equity, hard work, etc?

They get poorly managed big game populations that are terribly over hunted, all while tromping through the woods with thousands of other orange clad "hard core back pack hunters" who are "going deeper than the road hunter" bc that's what they saw on YouTube.

But they didn't see/read/understand that CO F&G doesn't care about their success rate or the quality of their hunt or the mgmt of big game populations. No no. Just sell as many tags as possible and load up on that cash money.

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OTC hunters need to learn to hunt. The majority are road hunters or have unrealistic expectations becaue of Born and Raised Outdoors type videos. As far as the guys going deep, well it isnt a necessity. It is a fad to be honest. Which goes to my first statement, learn to hunt.