Colorado PWC Approves Energy Projects and Big-game Seasons

Denver, CO – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission authorized Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Rick Cables to negotiate a surface use agreement and lease with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation that would allow energy development from one well pad at St. Vrain State Park outside of Longmont.

Commissioners gave Cables the go-ahead to finalize the agreements following an extensive review by staff of the potential impact of the proposed development. Anadarko is proposing to drill seven horizontal wells from one 10-acre pad located at the northern edge of the 688-acre park.

Chairman Tim Glenn said that when Commissioners first heard about the proposal last fall, they wanted to be sure that drilling wouldn’t have a significant impact on recreation or the area’s natural resources.

“As the process has gone on, I believe staff has addressed all of the concerns that have been expressed and they’ve developed a good plan to manage those issues,” he said. “We’re looking at this as single case that is being evaluated under its own merits.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife owns mineral rights on 439 of the park’s 688 acres.  As the mineral rights owner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can negotiate directly with a prospective operator to secure the highest level of protections for park users, wildlife, water quality and other natural resources.  

High Plains Region Manager Heather Dugan told commissioners that while three firms had expressed interest in the project, only one had a demonstrated track record of  developing the oil-bearing Niobrara formation with horizontal wells. Because Anadarko owns existing wells surrounding the park, the company would only need one new well pad on the northern portion of the park property to develop the resources under the park. This would greatly reduce impacts to visitors and nesting herons and roosting eagles along the St. Vrain River.  Anadarko also offered to pay a higher royalty rate.

In addition, she said Anadarko had agreed to adopt the strict environmental protections requested by staff, such as conducting baseline water quality surveys, using closed-loop drilling systems to minimize the risk of spills and taking steps to protect the aquifer below the park.

Also during the morning session, Commissioners approved a surface use agreement with DeJour Energy for energy development on the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area. The 13,172-acre state wildlife area is critical winter range purchased to help reduce agricultural conflicts with local producers.

Unlike at St. Vrain State Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not own the mineral rights under Garfield Creek SWA, which were leased to DeJour by the Bureau of Land Management. The Surface Use Agreement allows DeJour to develop three well pads on the state wildlife area with a total disturbance of 11.5 acres.

Northwest Regional Manager Ron Velarde said compensation for pad sites, wells and pipeline easements will be $207,660, plus $40,000 for projects such as irrigation systems or wildlife food plots to improve wildlife habitat on the state wildlife area.

Commissioners also set 2012 big game hunting season dates at the meeting and approved more than two dozen changes to big game regulations.

In other business, Glenn asked staff to further evaluate a citizen petition from the Rifle Climber’s Coalition and the Access Fund to allow rock climbing on the cliffs on the Rifle Falls State Fish Unit. Commissioners denied a citizen petition to ban the use of lead shot at Horsethief State Wildlife Area west of Grand Junction.

Prior to lunch, Martin Yunker of Colorado Springs was given special recognition for becoming the first hunter education instructor to successfully graduate 15,000 students from the state’s hunter education program.  Yunker has taught more than 450 classes since 1991 and graduated more than 16,000 students.  Mark Cousins, CPW’s hunter ed coordinator, said Yunker also teaches range safety and fire line procedures for the program’s New Instructor Academy. “Marty really exemplifies the dedication of our volunteer hunter ed instructors across the state,” Cousins said.

The meeting was held at the Hunter Education Building on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife campus at 6060 Broadway in Denver.

On Friday morning, Commissioners will convene a workshop to discuss several topics related to the merger of the former Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife, including the presentation of a merger implementation plan developed by a Transition Team of parks and wildlife employees.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board appointed by the governor. The Parks and Wildlife Commission sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs.

The complete agenda for the January Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting can be found on the Commission web page at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2012/Pages/January12-13_2012.aspx.

The Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The first three meetings of the year will take place in the Hunter Education Building in Denver. For the remainder of 2012, the commission will hold meetings in Pueblo, Grand Junction, Craig, Sterling, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Durango, Yuma and Colorado Springs.

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Colorado PWC to Vote on Big Game Seasons and Energy Projects

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will set season dates for 2012 big game hunting seasons and establish license numbers for bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons during its monthly meeting on Jan. 12 in Denver.

The Commission is also expected to vote on a request to authorize Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Rick Cables to negotiate and finalize a surface use agreement that would allow energy development from one well pad at St. Vrain State Park in Longmont.

The meeting is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hunter Education Building on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife campus at 6060 Broadway in Denver. Commissioners will reconvene for a Friday morning workshop focused on the merger between Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

In addition to establishing season dates Thursday, Commissioners will consider more than two dozen changes to big game regulations. Among the proposed changes are the modification of a liberal late youth unfilled-elk license program in the Northwest Region as a result of the agency’s success in reducing elk numbers to meet population objectives, the creation of a new antlerless, private-land-only deer season around the town of Salida to address deer conflicts and institution of limited bighorn sheep ewe hunting in certain sheep units. Other changes would continue to expand pronghorn hunting opportunity in the Southeast Region and create a new mountain goat hunting unit in the Ten Mile Range.

In October, the Parks and Wildlife Commission directed staff to continue to investigate ways to develop mineral rights owned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife at St. Vrain State Park while protecting natural resources and visitor experience.  The park lies within the highly productive Wattenberg Oil Field and has producing oil and gas wells on its periphery.  Colorado Parks and Wildlife owns mineral rights on 439 of the park’s 688 acres.

For the past two years parks staff has worked with the State Land Board, which has extensive mineral leasing expertise, to evaluate all protections that would be necessary to ensure that both the visitor experience and quality of the environment are protected if the Commission approved mineral development.

As the mineral rights owner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can negotiate directly with a prospective operator to secure the highest level of protections for park users, wildlife, water quality and other natural resources.  Developing the minerals on park land will provide the maximum control over environmental protections. If Colorado Parks and Wildlife did not opt to develop the mineral rights, the resources could still be removed from across the park boundary, but royalties paid to the state would be significantly less.

On Thursday, staff is expected to recommend that the Commission authorize Director Cables to negotiate and enter into an oil and gas lease and surface use agreement to develop the minerals from one well pad of approximately 10 acres in the most rural section of the park.  If approved, drilling and completion of wells at the site would likely not occur until in 2013.

In other business, Commissioners will be asked to approve a surface use agreement with DeJour Energy for energy development on the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area. The 13,172-acre state wildlife area is critical winter range purchased to help reduce agricultural conflicts with local producers.

Unlike at St. Vrain State Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not own the mineral rights under Garfield Creek SWA, which were leased to DeJour by the Bureau of Land Management. The surface use agreement would allow DeJour to develop three well pads with a total disturbance of 11.5 acres on the state wildlife area.

The agreement addresses mineral leases, soils, geology, biological inventory, water quality and sampling, transportation, wetlands and riparian areas, vegetation, weeds, drilling schedules, spill prevention, interim reclamation and emergency response. Compensation for pad sites, wells and pipeline easements will be $207,660, plus $40,000 additional on-site mitigation compensation in the form of projects such as irrigation systems or wildlife food plots.

On Friday morning, Commissioners will convene a workshop to discuss several topics related to the merger of the former Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife, including the presentation of a merger implementation plan developed by a Transition Team of parks and wildlife employees.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board appointed by the governor. The Parks and Wildlife Commission sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs. The complete agenda for the January Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting can be found on the Commission web page at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2012/Pages/January12-13_2012.aspx.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The first three meetings of 2012 will take place in the Hunter Education Building at 6060 Broadway in Denver. For the remainder of 2012, the commission will hold meetings in Pueblo, Grand Junction, Craig, Sterling, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Durango, Yuma and Colorado Springs.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through an Internet link. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Board and how they are working with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.

To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the “listen to live audio” link at the bottom of the Commission webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Pages/Commission.aspx.

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Colorado Poaching Alert: Christmas Eve Elk in Fairplay

Denver, CO– Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are seeking information on a brazen poacher who shot two large bull elk shot just off a main highway two miles south of Fairplay on Christmas Eve, Sat. Dec. 24.

The elk were both shot less than 80 yards off Hwy. 285. The poacher cut the heads off and took minimal back strap meat, leaving the majority of the animals to rot.

“Citizens have already come forward with some critical information about the time they were shot,” said Mark Lamb, district wildlife manager for South Park. “I’m sure others out there can help us identify the poacher. This crime showed a complete disregard for our wildlife and our game laws. We are anxious to bring this poacher to justice.”

Anyone with information about this case or who may have witnessed suspicious activity is encouraged contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 or call Officer Lamb at 719-836-2207.

Operation Game Thief is offering a $1,000 reward in this case.  Operation Game Thief provides rewards for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect in poaching cases. Anyone with information can anonymously report information toll-free to Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT). Information about the case can also be e-mailed to game.thief@state.co.us.

Learn more about Operation Game Thief at:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesRegs/LawEnforcement/OperationGameThief/ 

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Colorado I-70 Check Station Nets 22 Hunting Related Charges

Colorado Parks and Wildlife law enforcement officers checked nearly 180 vehicles and issued 22 citations during a wildlife check station on Interstate 70 in November. It was the first wildlife check station conducted on a major Colorado interstate in nearly 20 years.

The two-day operation, held Nov. 7 and 8, diverted all west-bound I-70 traffic into the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Port of Entry weigh station in Loma, 18 miles west of Grand Junction. There, wildlife officers conducted hunting and fishing satisfaction surveys, collected DNA samples from harvested big game and conducted compliance checks regarding applicable game laws.

About 1,755 vehicles entered the check station. Only vehicles whose passengers had been hunting or fishing were asked to enter the search bays. Other motorists were quickly sent on their way.

“We were pleased but not surprised that a vast majority of the hunters and anglers we contacted were in compliance with the law,” said Check Station Supervisor and Area Wildlife Manger JT Romatzke. “We remind everyone that responsible hunters and anglers are the first line of defense for Colorado’s wildlife resources.”

Most of the 300 people contacted were in full compliance with state laws and hunting regulations, but 13 hunters were cited for a total of 22 charges for various infractions including illegal possession of wildlife and failing to provide evidence of the sex of their harvest. One driver is being investigated for being in possession of 78 white bass and two walleye. The source of the fish is still under investigation. Officers seized all illegally harvested wildlife.

Colorado State Patrol arrested one motorist for driving with a revoked license.

All incidents are still under investigation and a total amount of fines has not been determined pending the final disposition of the cases.

Personal contact with sportsmen – a primary goal of the check station – provided wildlife managers first-hand opinions about the current hunting season and provided valuable wildlife management information. The vast majority of sportsmen contacted not only reported their overall satisfaction with their Colorado hunting or fishing experiences, but also expressed their support for the check station.

“We understand that not everyone will be 100 percent satisfied,” said Romatzke. “But we were pleased to hear that the vast majority of our contacts had good, and in some cases, great hunting or fishing experiences in Colorado, and they understood the need for a check station.”

Approximately 120 officers participated in the 24-hour check station, including 97 from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, eight Colorado State Patrol and two Colorado State Patrol dispatchers, three Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies, nine officers from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and two Utah Department of Wildlife Resources officers. In addition, CDOT Port of Entry weigh station authorities temporarily closed their facilities to commercial traffic, providing the space required for the large-scale operation. First responders from the Lower Valley Fire Protection District in Fruita were available for any medical emergencies.

Small-scale wildlife check stations are conducted throughout the state on smaller roads every year. However, an Interstate check station had not been held in Colorado since 1993 because of the enormous amount of resources and manpower necessary to staff these large-scale operations.

“It was a well-executed operation by all those involved,” said Area Wildlife Manager and Check Station Supervisor JT Romatzke. “We planned it for nearly five months, and it paid off, making it likely that we will conduct more of these in the future.”

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Elk Poaching Incident at Colorado’s Pinewood Lake

Denver, CO – Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating two wildlife crimes in northeastern Colorado.

In Pinewood Lake, a large bull elk was killed Thanksgiving night or early the next morning. The incident occurred off Larimer County Road 18E, just west of the intersection with James Park Trail.  Only the head, hindquarters, and backstraps were removed from the bull and the remainder was left to rot.

In Boulder, a 4 x 6 mule deer was found dead on Wednesday, Nov. 30 off Cloverleaf Drive. The trophy-sized animal displayed wounds which may have resulted from being shot, though officers are unsure if it was shot at that location.

Operation Game Thief is offering a $500 reward in each case.  Operation Game Thief provides rewards for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect in poaching cases. Anyone with information can anonymously report information toll-free to Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT). Information about the case can also be e-mailed to game.thief@state.co.us.

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Poaching Alert: Deer in Larimer County, Colorado

Denver, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating a wildlife crime in Larimer County involving a large buck mule deer shot in the town of Pinewood Springs on private property along Kiowa Road on Thursday, Nov 10.

The deer, noted by local residents and often seen, was shot in the early afternoon before 3 p.m. The entire carcass, including the trophy-sized 5 x 6 antlers, was left to waste.

Anyone with information about this case or who may have witnessed suspicious activity can contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648.

Operation Game Thief is offering a $500 reward in this case. Operation Game Thief provides rewards for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect in poaching cases. Anyone with information can anonymously report information toll-free to Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT). Information about the case can also be e-mailed to game.thief@state.co.us.

Learn more about Operation Game Thief at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/RulesRegs/LawEnforcement/OperationGameThief/

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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Colorado PWC sets Turkey Regulations; Honors Bonny Manager

Burlington, CO – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission finalized 2012 regulations for turkey hunting, approved several fishing regulations for the coming year and rejected a citizen petition requesting the use of electronic calls in mountain lion hunting during their monthly meeting in Burlington.

Commissioners also approved changes to the state’s river outfitter regulations to permit a wider range of acceptable personal flotation devices by commercial passengers on regulated river trips during the two-day meeting and workshop, which was held at the Burlington Community Center on 340 South 14th Street in Burlington.

In addition, Commissioners honored Bonny Lake State Park Manager Bob Shade, who has been responsible for operations at the eastern plains recreational oasis for most of the past 25 years. During the past two years, Shade has served as Park Manager at Bonny Lake State Park and John Martin Reservoir State Park, 150 miles away on the Arkansas River. With Bonny Lake State Park closed due to the draining of the reservoir to satisfy Colorado’s obligation under the Republican River Compact, Shade has been reassigned to John Martin State Park. Commissioners presented Shade with an award for excellence in public service.

On Friday, commissioners heard a presentation on repurposing the former Bonny Lake State Park as a non-profit recreation and nature center from Pat Duran, the executive director of the Yuma County Economic Development Council. Duran said that the goal was to create a self-supporting regional recreational draw without the benefit of a large water body for boating and fishing. Following Friday’s workshop, Parks and Wildlife Commissioners were given a tour of the former state park facilities at the now-depleted reservoir.

In regulatory business, commissioners accepted a staff recommendation to reject a citizen petition that would have allowed mountain lion hunters to use electronic calling devices, which are currently banned for big game species. During Thursday’s morning session, commissioners said they were concerned about setting a precedent for big game hunting. Several also questioned whether electronic calls reflected the spirit of fair chase that the Parks and Wildlife Commission relies to guide development of hunting regulations. Colorado does allow electronic calls as an aid in hunting furbearers, crows and light geese during the late-winter light goose conservation order season. This information was incorrectly reported in several news articles.

Commissioners also adopted several changes in turkey regulations to increase hunter opportunity and aid in the management of wild turkeys on private lands that have begun to cause conflicts with agricultural producers. In 2012, wildlife managers will begin offering private land Over-the-Counter, late-season turkey licenses for beardless turkeys in Yuma and Lincoln counties. In Yuma County, unlimited fall private land either-sex turkey permits will also be offered. In addition, the commission approved limited spring and fall turkey licenses for Game Management Unit 512, which is the U.S. Air Force Academy property in El Paso County. Access will be controlled by the Air Force Academy.

November is the month when the commission adopts changes in fishing regulations. In response to a citizen petition, commissioners approved the use of archery equipment to take kokanee salmon during periods when snagging is allowed. Commissioners also adopted a daily bag limit for red-ear sunfish, increased the daily bag limit for lake trout at Williams Fork Reservoir and prohibited the take of northern pike with spear-fishing, archery or gigs at that same reservoir.

In other business, Commissioners approved a 3.6 percent Consumer Price Index adjustment for non-resident big game licenses.

During Thursday’s afternoon session, commissioners received a set of recommendations to improve the private landowner voucher program, which plays an important role in management of Colorado’s big game. More than 7 million acres is enrolled in the program, which encourages large private landowners to protect wildlife habitat and provide hunting opportunities.

John Smeltzer, of the Colorado Wildlife Federation and Bill Canterbury of the Colorado Cattlemens Association outlined the recommendations which have been developed over the past two years by a committee of landowners, sportsmen, outfitters and wildlife managers. The recommendations which include improving data collection on the program, reviewing enforcement policies and making changes in how licenses are allocated to private landowners. Commission chairman Tim Glenn of Salida said the voucher recommendations will be discussed at future meetings and the commission will solicit public testimony prior to taking action.

The complete agenda for the November Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting can be found on the Commission web page at:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2011/Pages/Nov102011.aspx.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board appointed by the governor which sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs.

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Colorado’s Barr Lake State Park Offers Free Hunter Education Course

Brighton, CO. – Barr Lake State Park will offer a three-day Hunter Education Course on Nov. 11-13. The course will start on Friday, Nov. 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., continue on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and conclude with a session on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students must attend all sessions.

The course will be held at Barr Lake State Park at the Nature Center, but students will be required to travel to the afternoon session on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Division of Wildlife Hunter Education Building, at 6060 Broadway, Denver, for the targeting shooting portion of the course. The morning session on Sunday, Nov. 13 will be held at Barr Lake.

The course is free, but either an annual parks pass or a daily pass for each day is required to enter Barr Lake State Park. The course will be limited to 20 students and a spot can be reserved by sending an email to: joe.padia@state.co.us or by calling District Wildlife Manager Joe Padia at 303-291-7132.

The Nature Center is open Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Visitors can purchase park passes and registrations at the Nature Center. We carry a wide variety of children’s books, puzzles, and gadgets; field and hiking guides; natural history books; stuffed animals and puppets; numerous and unique bird items and ornaments; fabulous Barr Lake clothing; and much more. All purchases support educational programs at Barr Lake because a portion of the proceeds from our retail sales comes back to the park.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

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Colorado PWC to Vote on Turkey Regs this Thursday

Denver, Colo. – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will finalize 2012 regulations for turkey hunting and receive recommendations for improving the private landowner voucher program during its monthly meeting on Thursday Nov. 10 in Burlington.

In other business Thursday, commissioners will consider final approval of changes to the state’s river outfitter regulations to permit a wider range of acceptable personal flotation devices, adopt Consumer Price Index adjustments for non-resident big game licenses and receive a number of informational presentations regarding upcoming regulatory issues.

The meeting will be held at the Burlington Community Center, located at 340 S. 14th Street in Burlington.

Among the proposed changes in turkey regulations are several concerning management of wild turkeys on private lands that have begun to cause conflicts with agricultural producers, particularly in Yuma and Lincoln counties.

Also on Thursday’s agenda is a presentation of recommendations developed by a committee of landowners, sportsmen, outfitters and wildlife managers to improve the private landowner voucher program. More than 7 million acres is enrolled in the program, which encourages large private landowners to protect wildlife habitat and provide hunting opportunities, and plays an important role in management of Colorado’s big game During the next several months, the commission will consider the recommendations and solicit public testimony prior to taking action.

Friday’s Commission workshop will include a discussion with Yuma County Commissioners on how the county might partner with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to repurpose the former Bonny Lake State Park property following the draining of the lake this fall to comply with Colorado’s obligation to deliver water to Kansas and Nebraska under the Republican River Compact. Several other topics related to the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife, including a continued discussion of the new agency’s mission statement and commission composition are also on Friday’s agenda.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board appointed by the governor. The Parks and Wildlife Commission sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs.

The Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes, with the December meeting scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9 in Fort Collins. The complete agenda for the November Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting can be found on the Commission web page at:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2011/Pages/Nov102011.aspx.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through an Internet link. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Board and how they are working with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.

To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the “listen to live audio” link at the bottom of the Commission webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Pages/Commission.aspx.

For more news about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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Elk Hunters in Colorado Warned to Avoid Moose

Grand Junction, Colo. – Halfway through the fall rifle seasons, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are again warning elk hunters not to shoot moose during their hunting trips.

Law enforcement officers are investigating 11 cases of moose being illegally shot this fall, including a trophy bull moose discovered shot and abandoned in the White River National Forest near Red Sandstone Road on Sunday, Oct. 30 and another illegally killed near Silverthorne on Oct. 22.

Last year, officers investigated 14 cases of moose being mistakenly – or illegally shot. Eleven hunters were cited for poaching or negligence.

“If there’s any question – any question at all – don’t shoot,” said Ron Velarde Northwest Regional Manager. “If you’re not absolutely, positively certain of your target, do not pull that trigger.

While each case presents unique circumstances, wildlife managers say inadvertent moose kills invariably involve some combination of low-light conditions, an incomplete or long-distance view of the animal and poor judgment by the hunter, leading to misidentification of the target.

It is the obligation of every hunter to positively identify the target,” said Bob Thompson, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Acting Chief of Law Enforcement. “It’s the first and most important thing we teach in hunter safety class. There is no excuse for shooting the wrong animal.”

Moose and elk are both large members of the deer family and the two species are easy to distinguish in clear light, said Andy Holland, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s big game manager. Elk tend to be lighter, have a white rump and can be found in groups, often in hilly and open terrain. Moose tend to be uniformly dark brown, travel singly or in pairs, and can often be found in riparian areas and willow thickets.

However, moose and elk can often be found in similar terrain – in aspen stands, in oak brush, in wet or dry meadows, and even above timberline. Heavy cover can also obscure distinguishing field marks, like the moose’s bulbous nose or the broad, palmated antlers of bulls.

Hunting for elk is often best at dawn and dusk, low-light conditions that can lead to the misidentification of elk and moose even by experienced hunters. The moose’s habit of standing still in bottoms and wet terrain can also make it a tempting target for an inexperienced or over-anxious hunter.

“Elk don’t stand around and watch you,” Holland said. “If it sees you or smells you and doesn’t run away, it’s probably not an elk. It’s the hunters’ responsibility to make sure they know what they’re looking at.”

Funded and supported by sportsmen, Colorado’s moose introduction program ranks as one of the most successful species conservation efforts in state’s history. Colorado is home to a growing population of roughly 1,700 moose, which are now common in North Park, Middle Park, Steamboat Springs, Rio Grande National Forest, and Grand Mesa National Forest. Moose were recently introduced into the White River National Forest east of Meeker. In addition, moose are inveterate wanderers and are increasingly found on the Front Range.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued just 175 moose hunting licenses this year. The lifetime bag limit for antlered moose in Colorado is one. In contrast, wildlife managers issued elk licenses to more than 214,000 hunters in 2010.

As Colorado’s moose population has grown, Colorado Parks and Wildlife managers have devoted significant resources to education and outreach programs intended to inform hunters about the differences between elk and moose. This year, some 23,000 flyers were mailed to hunters who drew elk tags in areas where moose are known to exist. Elk and moose identification lessons are a standard part of hunter safety courses. Teams of volunteers even visited hunters in their camps throughout the Northwest Region to deliver the message face-to-face.

But sometimes, even a personal conversation is not enough. In 2010, Velarde visited a camp of elk hunters near Meeker and warned the group to be on the lookout for moose. A day later, a wildlife officer returned to the camp after one of the hunters turned himself in for shooting a moose.

“We harvest about 50,000 elk every year,” Velarde said. “The vast majority of hunters behave responsibly and identify their target before taking their shot. They shouldn’t feel like they’re getting a black eye because a very small number of people are too quick on the trigger.”

Hunters that mistakenly kill the wrong animal are urged to field dress the carcass and immediately contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wildlife officers will seize the erroneously killed animal and donate the meat. Hunters who mistakenly kill a moose and don’t turn themselves in, like the hunter that shot and abandoned the trophy bull near Vail, face serious charges and heavy fines if caught by wildlife officers. The illegal take of a bull moose can carry fines up to $10,000 and/or surcharges, but abandonment of a carcass may be prosecuted as a felony with fines up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment and the possible lifetime loss of hunting privileges in Colorado and 35 other states that participate in the national Wildlife Violator Compact.

In the Silverthorne case, several people hiking the Gore Range and Rock Creek/Pebble Creek Trail reported that they encountered a hunter who told them he had shot a bull moose by mistake, but the individual has yet to report the incident to wildlife officers. In this case, officers have a description of the hunter and articles that he left behind, and also believe that he is a resident of Colorado.

“If you make a mistake, own up to it,” Velarde said. “It’s the right thing to do. Report it to us and make sure the meat doesn’t go to waste. Better yet – when in doubt, don’t pull the trigger.”

Hunters who may see suspicious activity in the field are asked to contact the local District Wildlife Manager, enforcement agency or Operation Game Thief toll-free at 877-COLO-OGT (877-265-6648). Callers may remain totally anonymous.

A fact sheet describing the differences between moose and elk is available at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/DOW/Hunting/BigGame/elk-moose-flyer.pdf

To learn more about moose in Colorado, see: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Mammals/Pages/MooseCountry1.aspx

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