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The Colorado Division of Wildlife is expected to make a decision today on whether to pursue a plan to provide more big-game hunting licenses to private landowners.

The decision doesn't mean the DOW will change its licensing policy for private landowners, DOW spokesperson Todd Malmsbury said. Only the state Legislature has the authority to change the policy, which is set by state statute, he said.

But the suggestion of changing the statute has raised a controversy among landowners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Sportsmen argue that increasing the licenses landowners receive will unfairly deprive public lands hunters of the opportunity to hunt big game.

But those on the landowners' side insist landowners deserve the extra licenses, because they're responsible for land management that ensures the welfare of Colorado's big-game herds.

Currently, landowners in limited game-management units cumulatively can receive 15 percent of the licenses for that area. Everyone else has to apply for a license through a computerized drawing process.

During four meetings with sportsmen and landowners held in early November across the state, the DOW discussed increasing the private landowner license allotment to 30 percent.

Today's decision will act as a recommendation to DOW director Bruce McCloskey. If the recommendation is positive, and McCloskey follows it, the plan should proceed through the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the governor's office, before draft legislation is sent to the legislature.

But public lands hunters already are concerned the legislature will approve the increase, and the concern is all the more prevalent in Moffat County, which has more public than private land within its borders.

"Either way you argue, the hunter is going to be caught in the middle of a dollar price-squeeze," said Ken Rice of Craig. "It's kind of big money getting more money and squeezing out the little guy."

The plan would decrease the number of licenses available in areas where it already is difficult to get a license. But landowners in these limited hunting areas can sell their licenses for whatever price they see fit.

Rice is concerned that landowners will charge top dollar for licenses, making them unaffordable for local hunters as well as many out-of-state hunters.

Rob Syvertson has hunted in Northwest Colorado since moving here in 1978. Some of those hunting trips have been in trophy big game units such as unit 201 in the Browns Park area and unit 10 in the Dinosaur area, both of which would be affected if the proposal is passed by the Legislature. He opposes the plan for units 10 and 201.

"Everybody I talked to is really upset. That would just be unfair," Syvertson said.

But he said he would support increasing licenses for units composed of more private land, such as 301 north of Craig, which is limited for antelope, and other units on the Eastern Plains.

The few landowners in remote game units already receive enough licenses, he said. But landowners in units containing large amounts of private property probably could use more licenses.

Dean Gent has been critical of the CDOW Ranching for Wildlife program, which allows owners of large tracts of land to sell licenses and set hunting seasons on their property, but he supports providing landowners with more licenses.

It's difficult for landowners in limited areas to get licenses even for themselves, Gent said. The fair thing to do is provide them with licenses.

Sportsmen and landowners across the state hold similarly divergent opinions, Malmsbury said.

Providing landowners with licenses for themselves and their families' personal use has proved a less controversial proposal than providing landowners licenses to sell, he said.

Rob Gebhart can be reached at 824-7031 or rgebhart@craigdailypress.com.