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The Division of Wildlife Commissioners' decision to extend research and public input on limiting bull elk hunting in Colorado came after a heated debate at a workshop at the Holiday Inn of Craig on Thursday.

While most people at the meeting seemed content with the decision not to implement hunting limitations but continue to explore the possibility, passionate debates surrounding the issue seem imminent because implementing limitations could impact economics, natural resources and trophy hunting.

Last May, the commission authorized an increase in limited bull elk hunting, with the intention to increase the quality of the herds by increasing the ratio of mature bulls to cows.

The Wildlife Commission requested public nomination from Data Analysis Units in Colorado, which are geographic herd ranges, that currently have no hunting limitations but would like to implement them. Five units in Southwest Colorado sent in proposals, and four have since submitted documentation showing support from organizations in their area.

When the nominations were originally proposed, they were expected to be considered for the 2005 hunting season, which would have been voted on this November. Thursday's decision guaranteed that no further limited hunting will be implemented for the 2005 season, but the proposals will still be considered for the 2006 season.

The DOW requested the extension to allow for more time to measure public support and to consider other alternatives to protecting the quality of the herds without limiting the number of hunters, such as structuring the hunting seasons differently or implementing point regulations.

DOW Regulation Coordinator Mike King said research since May has shown an even split between public support for and against the limitations.

"There's not much middle ground," King said after the meeting.

Supporters of hunting limitations feel that elk herds are being threatened by too many hunters.

Kent Ingram, board member of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, testified to the Commission at Thursday's meeting in support of limitations.

"It's a matter of how much pressure you can put on a resource," he said. "(Limitation) is the future of hunting in Colorado."

Wanda Brink, president of Watching Wildlife Extremes, argued to the Commissioners that those in support of limitations were in it for the wrong reasons.

"It's not about biology," she said. "It's about trophy hunting."

Both sides agreed that the Commissioners decision to take a closer look at the issue was the right decision.

After the decision, Wildlife Commissioner Bruce McCloskey thanked the commissioners for allowing more room to study the issue.

"You'll get a better project," he said.

Public testimony on this issue will continue at the Sept. 9 and 10 Commission meeting in Durango and the Oct. 5 and 6 Commission workshop in Glenwood Springs. The Commission will direct the DOW about whether to proceed with DAU limitation proposals for the 2006 hunting season at the Nov. 17 and 18 Commission meeting in Colorado Springs.

Call the Division of Wildlife at (303) 297-1192 for more information.