Colorado: Wildlife experts to offer update on mule deer studies

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Mule deer in winter. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Mule deer in winter sagebrush habitat. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say they want feedback from public

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With several extensive research projects on northwest Colorado mule deer populations under way, biologists say they want to update the public on those efforts. A long-term trend of declining populations has spurred several studies, as scientists look at predation, food supplies and energy development as possible factors.

To discuss their findings so far, wildlife managers are inviting the public to a presentation with biologists, researchers and wildlife officials, Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main Street in Meeker. (more…)

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Colorado: ‘Trophy hunter’ sought for questioning

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A mule deer in Colorado. PHOTO COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

Wildlife officers say mule deer carcass was left to rot in a dump near Granby with its head cut off

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — State wildlife officials are asking the public for help in tracking down a trophy hunter who left a headless mule deer carcass in a dump site along the Colorado River, a few miles west of Granby.

The carcass was discovered March 20, but based on evidence at the scene, wildlife officers believe the deer was harvested legally during last year’s hunting season, but never skinned and prepared for human consumption as required by law. The condition of the carcass suggests it was dumped only days before it was discovered.

Leaving the meat to waste is illegal in Colorado.

“This was a waste of Colorado’s wildlife resource, and we take it seriously,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager Scott Murdoch. “It appears that the person who did this hung the animal after it was killed months ago, but never got around to actually preparing it for consumption.” (more…)

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Colorado: Can predator control stem mule deer decline?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Why is Colorado's mule deer herd declining? PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

Public invited to Aug. 15 information session in Meeker

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado wildlife researchers say the deer herd in the northwestern part of the state is shriveling due to a perfect storm of severe winters, drought, predation, and increased traffic from oil and gas exploration.

The decline has spurred some talk of predator control, which could mean increased hunting of mountain lions and coyotes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials will approach that and other topics related to the state’s mule deer herd at an Aug. 15 meeting at the Fairfield Center in Meeker ( 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 200 Main Street). (more…)

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Morning photo: High Country bliss

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Summit Voice readers share a few pictures

Kim Fenske reports that the road to the Missouri Creek trailhead has been repaired by the Forest Service after a washout and sent us a few images from the Missouri Lakes Basin.

SUMMIT COUNTY — The high country is melting out, but there’s still plenty of snow and ice up high, according to Kim Fenske, who recently hiked into the Missouri Lakes Basin. Today’s photo essay features some reader shots, and we’d love to see more, so if you have images you’d like to share on Summit Voice, email them to bberwyn@comcast.net.

 

Kim Fenske is a former wilderness ranger, firefighter who has hiked thousands of miles in the Colorado mountains. He has served on the board of directors of Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.

Fenske has authored several hiking books filled with hundreds of photographs of Colorado wildlife, wildflowers, and scenery. His books are enjoyed by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts. His current electronic book titles are published on Amazon for Kindle, as well as Barnes and Noble for Nook. Search for these titles: “Greatest Hikes in Central Colorado,” “Holy Cross Wilderness Area,” and “Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.”

Marmots in the Colorado high country. PHOTO BY KIM FENSKE.

(more…)

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CDOW to give update on Middle Park mule deer study

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

A mule deer in the snow near Leavenworth, Washington. PHOTO BY CHRISTINA BERGQUIST VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.

Wildlife managers try to fine-tune herd populations, doe to buck ratios with license allocations

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Colorado Division of Wildlife is trying to fine-tune its management of mule deer herds in the Middle Park area by closely monitoring the ratio of does to bucks. State game managers will give an update on their research  at a pair of upcoming meetings in Granby and Kremmling.

“It’s extremely important for managers to know if there are differences between survival rates of bucks, does and fawns when we manage herds for different objectives,” said lead CDOW researcher Eric Bergman. “For instance, in some areas we may be managing for a post-hunt ratio of 45 bucks per 100 does while in other areas we may be managing for a post-hunt ratio of 25 bucks per 100 does. We’ve learned that we can effectively accomplish this, but we don’t know if the over-winter survival of bucks under these two conditions is different.” (more…)

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