DOW will host public meeting on big game hunting seasons

\MEEKER — The Colorado Division of Wildlife is hosting a series of public meetings in northwest Colorado to get input on big game hunting season structure for the 2010-2014 hunting seasons. The meetings, which are being held throughout the state, are part of the public input process for the agency’s five-year big game season structure.
A meeting will be held in Meeker from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main Street.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission sets big game season structures in five-year blocks, which provides consistency for sportsmen, hunting-related businesses and communities. While emergency changes and minor ‘tweaks’ can be made at any time, every five years the Wildlife Commission takes input on major structural issues such as season length and timing, hunting methods and proportion of limited to unlimited licenses.
“Public input is key to this process,” said Bill de Vergie, DOW Area Wildlife Manager for the Meeker area. “We haven’t heard any strong criticisms of the current structure but we are looking at some adjustments to address the things that have come up over the past five years.”
Division staff will be present at the meetings to present general information about the season structure and some possible options for making changes. Sportsmen with suggestions or who are seeking more information about the process and proposals are encouraged to attend the meetings.
Members of the public who cannot attend the upcoming public meetings but would still like to provide input or monitor the process can get detailed information from the Division of Wildlife website under the ‘hunting’ and ‘big game’ tabs. (http://wildlife.
state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/SeasonStructure/)
Written comments can be sent electronically to wildlife.bgss
@state.co.us or mailed to Big Game Season Structure, Public Involvement Unit, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216.