Comment on herd management in north Valley

SAGUACHE – People who are interested in hunting and big-game in the northern San Luis Valley are invited to participate in an online survey regarding herd management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists and staff are currently revising the elk and deer management plans in the San Luis Valley, considering the deer plan in game management units 86 and 681; and the elk plan will consider game management units 68, 861 and 682.

On July 12, CPW hosted a management planning meeting to discuss the history of the herds in that area, recent harvest statistics and current status, including estimated populations and sex ratios. Now biologists want to hear from hunters, ranchers, landowners and the general public about what they think of the herds in the area in terms of population, hunting opportunity, agricultural field damage and viewing opportunities.

This public comment form will be available online through August 13. To share your thoughts on herd managament in the northern San Luis Valley, please visit: cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/HerdManagementPlans.aspx

“In developing these plans CPW always reaches out to the public, including landowners, sportsmen, outfitters, business owners and anyone who is interested in deer and elk in the SLV to attend meetings and offer input,” said Rick Basagoitia, Area Wildlife Manager. “These big-game species are an important public resource and CPW intends to manage them for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Development of the revisions will continue through the fall. The revisions will be presented to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission early next winter.