BigGameHoundsmen.com

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outpost ... nting.html


Outposts
OUTDOORS, ACTION, ADVENTURE
« Previous Post | Outposts Home | Next Post »

Cougar hunt to open in Colorado area that has been off-limits since 2004
November 2, 2009 | 10:17 am

An area of western Colorado that has been off-limits to mountain lion hunting since 2004 will open for a limited season beginning in mid-November.

The hunting season on a portion of the Uncompahgre Plateau will open Nov. 16 and run through Jan. 31, unless the quota of eight cougars is reached before then.
Hunters must obtain a special permit, as well as a regular mountain lion license, to hunt the area. The free permits are available beginning today at the Colorado Division of Wildlife office in Montrose and are valid for 14 days, with unlimited replacement if a hunter does not bag an animal within the 14-day period.

As in other areas of Colorado, hunters must report within 48 hours if they kill a mountain lion and must show the carcass to a state wildlife agent within five days. They also must check daily to see if the research area is still open for hunting by calling (888) 940-5466.

The state Division of Wildlife closed the area in order to conduct research on mountain lion population dynamics. The study will continue through 2014 and is being done to help shape management policy for the big cats.

"The study is designed so that the [Department of Wildlife] can examine the lion management structure and biological assumptions used for managing lions with sport hunting throughout Colorado," Ken Logan, a project researcher with the department, said in a news release.

-- Kelly Burgess

This is rather funny. 8 lions in this area that could happen in one day.

all I can say is : what did we learn from the study?


Does anybody know? I know a friend John Kane is dead and there is a whole lot of country up there.I also know that it is not only open for the public but is a part of the Brunot aTreaty for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. And trust me I know a couple of those boys that can flat make life hard on El Gato. Jube and Elmer!!

So we will see wherethe study did so much good... maybe Ken?

Just like NM segregated to local? The expensive 10 year study in NM was so specific to the small mountain range it was conduscted in that it has very little practical application to statewide cougar managment.

Mike, lets go i got my tags!!!!

I'm Packed! LOL!

So did you do any good this last weekend? Elmer run a young tom right in my back yard.

Sounds like you had a good time, that place is pritty hard to get around in them rocks how did Jiggs do?

Speaking of lion studys, there was a study in Idaho that lasted 7 years with the goal of determining the effect of predator removal on the fawn survival rate. The short version is that in one unit they lifted the lion quota and encouraged "maximum harvest" for lions along with 50K per year spent in aireal gunning of coyotes. In the other unit right across the highway they left the female lion quota at 2 and left the coyotes alone.
Fawns were collared every year to track mortality.

After 7 years, the difference in the fawn survival rate between the two units was plus or minus 5%.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission wanted to be able to justify all predator removal and they were banking that the study would show a significant effect of predator removal. They were pissed at the results to say the least; and have subsequently ingnored the study and all of the sportsmans dollars and donated time along with it.

Our seasons now continue to be "maximum harvest" in the name of saving mule deer, even though it was proven that lion predation was not a factor. Its' all politics at that level and they through biology right out the window. Seems to me that they have set us up with a management structure that is not defensible.

You have to remember this study has another five years left. The first five was to determine the effect of an area without hunting. This is where we are now. The next five is to determine what happens when you hunt them. The 8 quota seems low to me. This area is posibly the best in the state habitat and game wise. I agree with Mike in that it could probably take a larger amount of population reduction and be ok. The one nice thing though is someone should be able to get a good sized lion out of there. At least bigger than the state average right now, they have had 5 years to grow instead of just two.