Colorado landowner preference bill
 

there is a bill being proposed by the combined land owner groups, cattlemen assoc, sheep hearders, ranchers, farmers, etc., that is asking for an increase to the allocation to the current landowner license voucher allocations. East of I-25 from 15% to 35%, west of I-25 from 15% to 30%. these vouchers are transferrable to whoever will pay the highest price. these vouchers will come out of the bull/buck allocations (elk, deer, and antelope) of the regular draw and come off the top of the allocation limits. this will mean a reduction of the resident allocations. currently the first 15% of draw tags goes to the landowners, 40% of the remaining goes to nonresidents, and the rest go to Colorado residents, approx 51% of draw tags. the new bill will leave 39 - 42% of draw tags (bull/buck) available to Colorado residents. the bill has no provision for hunter access at no charge to private land for cow/doe hunting or access for damage control hunts (which the landowner gets comped for). there are two more public input meetings planned: Northeast Region---Meeting will be in Denver, Nov.9, 2004 at the DOW Headquarters, Big-horn Room, starting at 7:00pm—9:00pm. and Nov. 13, 2004 in Buena Vista.

this bill discussion has been kept low profile and timed when most hunters are out hunting, hoping it will will not meet any resistance. you need to look at his bill. see the article in the Denver Post for more details. COLORADO sportsmen are going to get the short end of this deal.

I highly suggest you attend the remaining meetings, review the bill and voice your concerns to this bill. IMO, this bill is a lose-lose for Colorado sportmen. we lose bull/buck tag allocations, will experience increased lose of access, and be priced out of hunting to non-residents and the rich.

RE: Colorado landowner preference bill
 

fyi...sportsmen voiced outrage at the meetings and the bill failed to get support of the CWC and will not move forward.