Craig Daily Press / Predator control topic of Dow Director's visit

Archive for Sunday, November 26, 2000

November 26, 2000

Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) Director Russell George will be in Northwest Colorado Monday to discuss deer populations and predator control.

In an effort to get a predator control program implemented in Colorado, the Colorado Mule Deer Association is sponsoring a meeting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Fairfield Conference Center in Meeker.

George, DOW Western Slope Regional Director Ron Velarde, Colorado Wildlife Commissioner Tom Burke and representatives from ranching and sportsmans' groups will attend the meeting to discuss the role predators play in relation to Colorado's mule deer population.

Potential census techniques and issues the Colorado Predator Advisory Board has faced will also be addressed.

Allen Story, president of the Colorado Mule Deer Association, wants to draw attention to an issue he believes the DOW refuses to acknowledge.

"We want to get support for a predator management program study," Story said. "We also want the Division to look into a different census process."

Story believes the numbers the DOW is providing on mule deer are grossly higher than the actual number of deer in the wild.

With George now heading the division, there is hope for a strong predator management plan to be implemented, Story said. What he would like to see is support for a predator program from the testimony of ranchers and sportsman's groups in favor of a program.

"For us to get a chance at a predator control study, we need ranchers and sportsmen to come and explain exactly what is happening with the predators and the deer," said Story.