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[swollen tongue]

This came in yesterday and affects all of Colorado non-resident hunters and the way preference points are used and aquired in Colorado for big game h-----Original Message-----
From: Colorado Outfitters Assn (Leslie Schultz) [mailto:lschultz@sopris.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 10:42 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Fw: Action Alert - Preference Point Sustem


Dear COA Members,

Below is a letter that you can e-mail your clients and have them send to the Wildlife Commission in regards to the Preference Point System being addressed by the Colorado Wildlife Commission.

This is urgent and needs to be addressed immediatly.

Thanks,

Kurt Schultz
COA Executive Director

ACTION ALERT – PLEASE READ – From the Colorado Outfitters Association, Inc.



The Colorado Wildlife Commission is considering changes to the big game license PREFERENCE POINT system.



They are proposing elimination of the preference point hunt code and the only way to get a preference point would be if you hunt a cow when unsuccessful in the draw and that a portion of the licenses be distributed by a random draw.



All of these options would make it difficult for you to ever hunt Colorado or know when you might draw a license to hunt Colorado.



They will be voting on this the 3rd of June.



Please take a minute right now to let them know how you feel.



Cut and past or copy these e-mail addresses into To: in an e-mail.



pjjames@comcast.net; jeffcrawford@aboutmi.com; renstrom@frii.com; cmo@pctc.net; bernb69@comcast.net; tmburke@juno.com; 7triangle@pcrs.net; ken_torres@amigo.net



Cut and past or copy these e-mail addresses into CC: in an e-mail.



russell.george@state.co.us; wildlife.comm@state.co.us



The subject should be – preference points.



You can use this as the text of your e-mail or write whatever you want. If this is okay cut and paste or copy it into the body of your e-mail.



Dear Colorado Wildlife Commissioner,



I understand that you will be voting on changes to the big game hunting preference point system at your meeting June 3.



As a non-resident Colorado hunter I appreciate the ability to plan and have some idea when I will draw a license in your state. Colorado’s preference point system works. Please don’t change it.



Please do not change the preference point system in any way that will adversely affect my ability to hunt Colorado. I do not want to join the ranks of those who don't hunt Colorado anymore.



Sincerely,



Please sign.



Please take a minute and do this now.


unting Please take a minute to reply with your thoughts -

[txhunter58]

This has already been supposedly decided. You can read the recommendation on the Colorado DOW website under "new 5 year plan". They are not recommending any changes for the next 5 year period in preference points. Probably didn't change anything because a price increase for residents was shot down, so they need our money.

Unless they don't follow the recommendations from their own people, they are not making any changes in the preference point system. I think the final vote is June 3rd, but the time for imput is supposedly passed and the outcome is pretty much decided. Unless there is something I am missing, I am not sure why they are doing this at the 12th hour. The imput period was earlier this spring, followed by public meetings for imput.

I don't see how sending them emails now will make any difference since they are recommending no changes anyway.

[JLM]

Whats wrong with making people buy a cow tag to earn a Pref. Point ? I wish they would do it with all tags. Other state's do it by making Nonresidents buy a seperate hunting license (NV, AZ, CA).

I sent in my e-mails showing support for it. We (residents) give up too much compared to other western state as far as tag allocations and crowding. This measure would only help us (Res) for the better trophy GMU's, it wont affect the OTC GMU's one bit.

[Ferguson]

Let them make it tougher on NR's
They can pay their own way. We've already beat this horse to death. Non Residents just need to go to another state to hunt.
Simple resolution!

Sad part of it is we'll all be losing part of our heritage :cry:

Hopefully other states don't follow the ways of CO and CA

[swollen tongue]

JLM, sounds like your a road hunter to me if you experience crowding during hunting. The majority hunts elk for bulls, residents and NR. Cows are fine but most would want the opportunity to hunt a bull as their first choice hunt.

Ferg, lets face it, you don't like Colorado from past experiences, but the majority of business people here need NR hunters on the western slope and the state should accomondate them and make it fair for everyone, resident and NR.

[txhunter58]

Swollen: This is what I believe: We, as nonresidents really have very little clout in the decisions that are made by the DOW. From where I sit, 2 major things guide their decisions: Money and trying to make residents semihappy. I have been down the road of arguing with residents and didn't accomplish anything. I say this because if someone called me a "road hunter" it would make me mad. I don't think it does anything to furthur a nonresidents cause. If we want to continue to get a piece of the pie, we have to convince residents why it is in everyone's best interest.


Of course I am a bit confused. You talk like a nonresident and yet you show living in Lake City.

As far as the straw poll, why didn't you say that in the first place? How reliable is your information? Which horse gave you this info?

[bitmasher]

txhunter58 wrote:
Of course I am a bit confused. You talk like a nonresident and yet you show living in Lake City.


ST is an outfitter with a vested interest in non-resident perception of CO hunting.

As for the "policy change". I haven't heard anything about this and the DOW is usually open with the public when considering changes of this nature. That isn't to say the original email is wrong, it just could be inaccurate in portraying the full scope of the proposed change. I have heard recently that the DOW is considering boosting the limited bull elk units in the states, but nothing about this "shoot a cow" to get a point policy change.

In fairness, if the state forces NR's to hunt a cow in order to get preference point. I think:

-> Residents should be forced to do the same. This is about game management, not politics right!!??!? So if this is good game management policy for NR's it should be good management policy for Residents right?? :wink:

-> NR's who take the cow for a preference point should pay in state rates ($30) for the tag. That is the least you can do to offset travel costs.

[txhunter58]

Ok, I understand now.

[swollen tongue]

thank you Bitmasher for your answer and explaining the situation.
The 'horses mouth" is from one of the wildlife commisoners on the western slope. this issue was discussed over a month ago in meetings and public inputs all over the state. I though it was settled to keep it the same, but apparently the nine members of the commission are not in agreement on the issue.
I do need NR's to make my livelyhood, although a resident is fine with me too.
I just thought I would let everyone in on the latest concerning this issue.

Also, Non Resident hunters do have a big say in all issues of wildlife management and the Colorado license and preference point system, but you got to let them know your thoughts.

[JLM]

If by not owning horse's makes me a road hunter, well them I'm guilty. Yes I have to drive my truck to the area I hunt. I then walk in, but lately it doesn't seem to matter how far I walk in there are ton's of hunters.

I understand your out to protect your livelyhood, but for me hunting is recreation, not how I make my living, so obviously money is what brings the disagreement between our way of thinking on the issue.

The majority of Resident hunters would like to see Colorado more in line with other state's in allocating tags, that was proven by the BGSS survey and I'm sure if you sampled public land hunters the percentage would be extremely high.

Would the western slope towns just disappear if we limited Nonresidents in area's that already take 5+ points to draw ? you and I both know the answer to that.

[donmillion]

The elk herd in Colorado is unbalanced. The DOW is looking for ways to get hunters to take more cows. I see absolutely nothing wrong with saying that if you don't get your first-choice bull hunt then you have to accept a cow tag if you want to get a preference point.

As for the effect on outfitters, I'd think they'd LOVE this! After all, what it is telling non-resident hunters is, you can't stay home applying for preference points until you draw the big bull tag. You have to come and hunt a cow each year until you get the bull tag you want. This should translate to MORE non-residents coming to the state to hunt their cows.

[swollen tongue]

First of all, NR's get UP TO 40% of all licenses issued. Residents get 60%plus, in a totally limited draw unit, or in seasons where it is limited, like first rifle season in a OTC unit. Now I said 40% for NR but it is more like 30%. The key word here is"UP TO" This is fair I think to residents. Also one preference point that a resident holds is worth a lot more weight than a NR preference point. I think this is still fair to residents too. So you see, residents in colorado are treated with much more preference than NR hunters with hunting licenses. This is the way it should be and is fair too.
I operate as an outfitter to provide a service to folks who otherwise would not be able to do it on their own and figure out the country. It is not all about money but a truely loved profession. If I went to Europe or Hawaii, I would not do it on my own, but hire a travel service and sigh seeing guide, so I could enjoy the total experience. Outfitting is basically the same thing. I provide a service. some want it, some don't ,and I surely don't push it on anybody who wants to hunt on their own.
I operate in a totally draw license unit and the elk herd is at objective size according to the DOW as far as numbers, and cows to bull ratio. We do not have an excess of elk here like they do in the Northwest corner of Colorado.
Why screw up a perfectly good system they at the present have?
95% of your NR's are not going to do this deal with "cows" they will go to other States or hang up their gun permenately. If this happens, it is going to 'BITE" the resident hunter for sure down the road.
Last I heard they may pick certain units or DAU's and go ahead with this plan. They can leave my area alone, since there is not an excess of elk here, but just right ,due to good game management.

[JLM]

Residents get 60% in the 1st choice drawing, after that we are equal to the Nonresidents. Out of "our" 60% comes the 15% that private landowners get, many of which get vouchers which they sell to Nonresidents and Outfitters that sell them to Nonresidents, so do we really get close to 70% of the tags.

In other states, Residents get anywhere from 80 to 100% of all tags, not just 1st choice like here which really screws the Resident hunter that wants to build up his/her pref. points for a quality GMU, and then has to try and draw a crappy unit for deer or an over crowded OTC Elk area.

I understand where the outfitters are coming from, but I only get a week to hunt so naturally I want it to be the best it can be with better odds at drawing a good tag and less crowded conditions.

What "Joe Public hunter" wouldn't want that ?

[hunter777]

Blah,Blah,Blah!
Keep your stupid hunting for yourselves!
With the prices I would have to pay.....It almost seems like hunting in England!

[donmillion]

If you're willing to hunt a cow, the opportunities for elk hunting in Colorado are greater and cheaper for non-residents than any other state in this country. If you want a bull, the opportunities are a little less and the cost a little higher, but still as good as anywhere else.

Or does your state give away big game licenses to non-residents?